Richmond High alumni gather to say goodbye to “the front” before demolition

Richmond’s Oiler community gathered Friday evening for a celebration to bid farewell to the entryway of Richmond High School, the familiar face of the campus that will soon be fenced off and demolished as part of a major reconstruction project.

“It’s an opportunity for folks to come out, make some memories, and say goodbye to the front,” said Assistant Principal Luis Chacon, a 2006 Richmond High graduate. “This is a very special place, and we wanted to give the community one last chance to gather here before the changes begin.”

The farewell party drew alumni spanning decades, many of them sharing stories of football games, dances, and everyday moments from their years on campus.

Classic cars lined the front of the school, food vendors kept the crowd fed, the Oiler marching band played, and the cheer squad led chants that echoed across the plaza. The lively atmosphere gave alumni and families a chance to celebrate even as they said goodbye.

Linda Vaughn Brown, Class of 1971, recalled being part of the very first graduating class to use the current Richmond High building. “It was wild back then. We had a ball,” she said. “I hate to see it go, but I know they’re rebuilding.”

Among them was Mike LeFebvre, Class of 1965, who still coaches softball at the school. He recalled the electric atmosphere of Richmond High in its heyday. “Football games every Friday, basketball games on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’d have like 20 buses lined up to take students,” LeFebvre said. “A bus ticket was 25 cents, and a game ticket was 25 cents. It was a huge part of our lives.”

For Steven and Lauretta Cavalli, who graduated in the 1960s, Richmond High holds deep personal meaning. The couple first met on the campus lawn by “the rock,” a longtime school landmark. “My best memory by far is meeting her right here,” Steven said. Lauretta added, “The rock is really meaningful. It’s been part of so many memories.”

According to Chacon, the rock will remain on campus and be relocated near the new entrance once construction is complete.  

Construction will proceed in phases, beginning with demolition of the current front area. The new Richmond High will include modernized classrooms and facilities, with the main entrance eventually shifting north, across from the Bonfare Market.. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for September 25.

Despite the nostalgia, many said they are hopeful about the school’s future. Mike “Robo” Driscoll, a longtime campus security officer who started in 1990, reflected on how much the school has changed. 

“When I first came here, there was a lot of gang activity,” Driscoll said. “Now it’s a fine school. You’ve got former students coming back as teachers and administrators, after-school programs, and a strong marching band. It’s a different place.”

Chacon shared a similar sentiment, pointing to recent academic improvements and thriving student programs, such as robotics, law, and health academies.

“There are a lot of positive things going on here,” Chacón said. “As cheesy as it sounds, it’s about being part of the change and giving back to the community.”

For the hundreds who came to say goodbye, the evening was about more than bricks and mortar. It was about honoring a shared history. “High school is such a formative time,” Chacon said. “The memories you make here stay with you forever.”

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Grandview Independent needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you.

SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:
• Unlimited access to all articles
• Newsletters with exclusive content
• The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE - Starting at just $10/month

FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:
• Twitter: @GrandviewIndy
• Instagram: @GrandviewIndependent
• Facebook: @Grandview Independent

Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.