Record Staff Report
An all-class reunion to honor the 24-year history of Bishop David High School will be held on June 29 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the St. Lawrence gym, 1925 Lewiston Drive.
Bishop David High School, an all-male school that was located at 5144 Dixie Highway, opened in September, 1960 with a freshman class of 118. A class was added each year until the school became a four-year senior high school. On May 28, 1964, the first class – which then numbered 113 – graduated. Due to declining enrollment and shifting population in southwestern Jefferson County, Bishop David and Angela Merici High Schools merged after the 1983-1984 school year to become Holy Cross High School.
The reunion, which is the first “all class” reunion for the school, is being held to “celebrate the legacy of a great school and honor the people who made it such a special experience,” according to an announcement about the event.
Six people will be recognized for their exemplary service to the school and will receive Pioneer Awards. Two awards will be given posthumously. According to an announcement from organizers, the honorees and their contributions are:
- Charlotte Miller joined the Bishop David staff in 1965 and worked at the high school for 11 years as the librarian. She also taught English, reading and American history and established the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society.
- Robert Eckert taught history for 20 years at Bishop David and served as senior class moderator. He also started a history club for students interested in local history.
- Gerald Wilkinson became a faculty member at Bishop David in 1965 and taught history, business math and sociology. He became the assistant principal in 1967 and principal in 1979, remaining in administration until the school closed.
- Denny Nash joined the staff of Bishop David as head football coach in 1964. During his two-decade career there, he also coached golf and taught a number of subjects, including economics, business math, government, geography and global history.
- The late Leo Tierney began working at Bishop David in 1962. He served as athletic director, coach and head of the school’s booster club, the Falconeers. He also was instrumental in the development of the Bishop David baseball facility, which hosted the Kentucky Bourbons softball team.
- The late Jim McGee worked at Bishop David High School for its entire 24-year existence. He served as maintenance supervisor and supervised students in the work-study program that helped them pay their school tuition.
Those who wish to attend the reunion may register online at BidPal.net/BDtribute reunion. For more information, go to the Bishop David Tribute Reunion Group Facebook page. The deadline for registration is June 1.
