Article Contributed on: 8/20/2007 3:22:27 PM
More than 2,000 people attended the 2007 Adams 12 Alumni Lift-off on Aug. 18 at the new North Stadium, located on the corner of 128th Avenue and Huron Street.
"The turn-out was wonderful," said Joan Schaefer, member of the Adams 12 Alumni Organization. "To see all the alumni and our neighbors - it was great."
The lift-off also was the grand opening of the new North Stadium that finished up construction Aug. 1. The stadium, which holds 3,000 people and has additional seating on grassy areas at both ends of the stadium, will be used primarily for lacrosse and soccer, according to Rob Webber, assistant superintendent for Adams 12.
"Our old stadium was not enough with five large high schools," Webber said in an interview April 20.
The stadium was part of the $180 million dollar bond issued in 2004. The bond was used for construction and renovation to the Adams 12 school district.
The lift-off brought together all five high schools, Horizon, Legacy, Northglenn, Thornton and Vantage Point. The feeling of community overode in rivalry among the schools, Schaefer said.
"To see all of Adams County together was really neat," she said. "You do play against each other, but you live together."
Several highlights of the event included, resident Dan Tang receiving a high school diploma. Tang is the owner of Heaven Dragon Restaurant in Thornton. Escaping from communist China, Tang moved to the United States to make a better life for himself and his family with only a second grade education under his belt.
"(Tang) is an example of what can be accomplished with goals, sacrifice and determination," said Mike Paskewicz, superintendent.
Dr. Darwin Strickland served 40 years as a doctor for Adams 12 school district. At the lift-off he received a letterman's jacket for his service to Adams 12 from Northglenn High School Athletic Director Ed Hartnett.
Schaefer said because of the turnout and positive comments she received from the community after the lift-off, the alumni organization hopes to do more.
"We want to do a community thing every August just to warm up Adams County now," she said.