37th Biennial Reunion A Wrap
After two years of planning and preparation a fun and rewarding weekend of reunion has been completed.
Early registrants began to filter in on Thursday afternoon and were greeted by Gail Page and the Hall of History Staff for registration and a trip down memory lane in the Hall of History. The BTNAA is grateful to Mr. Tom Lynch, Director of Community Programs and Official Historian of Boys Town for opening the doors of the museum and archives to give access to photographs, old Boys Town Times and many Boys Town memorabilia. Hats off to Mr. Tony Jones, Senior Vice President for Successful Futures/Alumni Director for the tremendous support he and his staff provided over the weekend. Special kudos to our very own Ms. Gail Page who worked hand in glove for the past two years in making preparations for the reunion and for all the work she did during the weekend. We could not have done it without her herculean efforts!
Friday kicked off with the traditional golf outing, hosted this year by Phil Dauterive, D'71, taking over from Mike Trevino, '58. By all measures it was a tremendous success. Alumni were seen all over campus taking in the memories of their youth and seeing the new facilities that have sprung up over the years at Boys Town. The Social on Friday evening at the Great Hall was kicked off with an opening prayer by Fr. Jeff Mollner, National Director of Mission and Spirituality, and everyone enjoyed an evening of fellowship and barbeque sandwiches. Old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships were formed as stories and memories were swapped.
Saturday morning started off with a delicious breakfast at the Boys Town Visitor's Center followed by the General Assembly gathering at the Music Hall. Fr. Mollner gave a rundown of what was going on at the Home and discussed his role with the youth and the many programs that are in place to help the kids get better. BTNAA President, Jeff James, D'83, convened the General Assembly and elections were held for vacant positions on the board with the following results:
Friday kicked off with the traditional golf outing, hosted this year by Phil Dauterive, D'71, taking over from Mike Trevino, '58. By all measures it was a tremendous success. Alumni were seen all over campus taking in the memories of their youth and seeing the new facilities that have sprung up over the years at Boys Town. The Social on Friday evening at the Great Hall was kicked off with an opening prayer by Fr. Jeff Mollner, National Director of Mission and Spirituality, and everyone enjoyed an evening of fellowship and barbeque sandwiches. Old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships were formed as stories and memories were swapped.
Saturday morning started off with a delicious breakfast at the Boys Town Visitor's Center followed by the General Assembly gathering at the Music Hall. Fr. Mollner gave a rundown of what was going on at the Home and discussed his role with the youth and the many programs that are in place to help the kids get better. BTNAA President, Jeff James, D'83, convened the General Assembly and elections were held for vacant positions on the board with the following results:
5-15 Year Group - No Nominee | Remains vacant || 16-25 Year Group - No Nominee | Remains vacant || 26-35 Year Group - Theresa Nelson, D'91 - 4 votes | April Ascheman, '93 - 21 Votes || 36-45 Year Group - One Nominee - Stern Douglas, '86 and he was seated on the board || 46+ Year Group - Steve Postert, '69 - 59 votes | Rich Tapio. D'67 - 81 votes || At-Large - To remain vacant until the October meeting
Following the announcement of election results comments and questions were taken from the General Assembly by President James. Suggestions on adding more family oriented events to the reunion weekend were discussed. Subsequent to the conclusion of the General Assembly the new board met to elect officers and the following were elected:
Jeff James, D'83, President | Mat Valenzuela, '85, Vice President | John Mollison, '64, Secretary | Rich Tapio, D'67, Treasurer
The Veteran's Memorial Ceremony followed with moving remarks by our guest speaker, Colonel David Leaumont, Commander, 95th 
Wing, Offutt Air Force Base. Henry Avilla, '40, was a member of the 95th parent 95th Bomb Group in World War II serving as a waist gunner in a B-17 bomber flying 34 missions over Europe during the war. Lunch at the Great Hall followed with a screening of the Father Flanagan League Film, Heart of a Hero, The Father Flanagan Story, which was very well received.
Saturday evening saw everyone gathered at the Scott Convention Center at the old Aksarben grounds for the Recognition Banquet. Following dinner and an informative and inspiring presentation by Fr. Jeff Mollner, the following were recognized by President, Jeff James, D'83:
Wing, Offutt Air Force Base. Henry Avilla, '40, was a member of the 95th parent 95th Bomb Group in World War II serving as a waist gunner in a B-17 bomber flying 34 missions over Europe during the war. Lunch at the Great Hall followed with a screening of the Father Flanagan League Film, Heart of a Hero, The Father Flanagan Story, which was very well received.Saturday evening saw everyone gathered at the Scott Convention Center at the old Aksarben grounds for the Recognition Banquet. Following dinner and an informative and inspiring presentation by Fr. Jeff Mollner, the following were recognized by President, Jeff James, D'83: Outgoing and Incoming Board Members: Outgoing, Theresa Nelson, D'91, Michael Saine, '79, and Rich Tapio, D'67. Newly elected board members were: April Ascheman, '93, Stern Douglas, '86, and Rich Tapio, D'67.
Milestone Classes: 1974 & 1975 and 1999 & 2000
President's Awards: W. Mike Smith, '67, Joseph Ortega, '47 (Posthumous), Tony Jones, '88
Alumni Appreciation Award: Chief John Sing (Posthumous)
Alumni Service Award: Ed Flanagan, '81
Hall of History Inductees: Ken Geddes, '66, Roderick James, '74, Sheila Dwyer-Cornett, D'89
The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award: Steve Wolf, '80
Sunday morning saw us gathering at Chamber's Chapel for Prostestant Services and Dowd Chapel for Mass. The alumni choir, in full voice, added much to the service and followed up with a short tribute to the armed forces singing traditional armed forces songs. Following mass it was off to the picnic grounds for a delicious meal and gathering under two giant shade trees to ward off the sun and heat followed by a group photo before everyone headed home.
Sunday morning saw us gathering at Chamber's Chapel for Prostestant Services and Dowd Chapel for Mass. The alumni choir, in full voice, added much to the service and followed up with a short tribute to the armed forces singing traditional armed forces songs. Following mass it was off to the picnic grounds for a delicious meal and gathering under two giant shade trees to ward off the sun and heat followed by a group photo before everyone headed home.
The BTNAA is grateful to the staff and team at Boys Town for the tremendous support provided during the weekend and for the warm welcome we received. We continue to marvel at the progress and changes made at Boys Town to address the needs of today's youth and remain grateful for the care we received as youth at Boys Town in past generations. Fond farewells were made with promises to return in two years and, once again, share the memories and experiences that have shaped our lives for the better.
We would like feedback from reunion attendees regarding the reunion to help us in planning for the 2027 reunion. Click the following link for a feedback survey: Feeback Survey
We would like feedback from reunion attendees regarding the reunion to help us in planning for the 2027 reunion. Click the following link for a feedback survey: Feeback Survey