Ellis Clark Agriscience Program To Celebrate 90th Anniversary

WOODBURY — The Ellis Clark Agriscience and Technology Program at Nonnewaug High School has announced plans to celebrate its 90th anniversary. A reunion is being planned to reconnect with graduates and to commemorate the anniversary.

Since 1920 when the program was developed by Ellis Clark at Woodbury High School, the program has gained a national reputation of excellence in making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

A reunion will be held over the weekend of August 27–28. Plans include an open house at the agriscience program at Nonnewaug High School on Friday, August 27, from 5 to 6:30 pm (no cost, light refreshments provided); and a buffet dinner event at The Continental Room in Naugatuck, 7 to 11 pm, $23, which will also serve as a tribute to Alex Thompson, who recently retired after 30 years as an ag mechanics teacher.

The weekend will continue with a family picnic at Bethlehem Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 28, 10 am to 4 pm ($10 adults, $6 ages 6–12, and free age 5 and under), with activities to include Ag Olympics for children, games, a pedal tractor pull and other activities, raffles and commemorative T-shirts; the Woodbury FFA Alumni First Annual Tractor Pull, also at the fairgrounds, 8 am to 4 pm; and an evening social event at Narrow Bridge Farm in Bethlehem, from 8 to 11 pm (no cost, BYOB, snacks provided).

A 90th reunion planning committee has been meeting since March and is looking for additional volunteers to help plan the event.

Detailed information and registration forms were sent out recently to any addresses the committee has on file. This information and registration is also available online at WoodburyFFA.org as well as on Facebook (Woodbury FFA Alumni). Anyone who has gone through the agriscience program (formerly known as the vocational agriculture program) is welcome to any and all events.

For additional information contact Bill Davenport, director of the agriscience program, at BDavenport@ctreg14.org or 203-266-4038.