North Penn Alumni Association Toasts Future Success at Prism Beer Event

North Penn High School 1987 graduate Chris Wales, of Telford, gripped a pint at a high top table inside Prism Brewing Co. in Upper Gwynedd Wednesday night, and threw out some names of former classmates to fellow classmate Andrew Schurr, of Hatfield, and Class of 1989 member (and North Penn School District Coordinator of Communications Media) Bob Gillmer.
Gillmer admitted he was much better with faces than names, and Schurr remembered quite a few classmates.
Schurr also remembered a time when students could smoke in the courtyard outside the cafeteria. Teachers would be lighting up too, he said.
"I liked playing hackey-sack in the courtyard," he said. "I used to be outside in that courtyard all the time."
Wales shared some good memories of North Penn High School too—that is, when he wasn't cutting class.
"Some influences from North Penn shaped me, both good and bad," he said. 
Wales, who owns Green Grass Lawn Care in Souderton, said the friendships are what he cherished most from this time at the school.
Schurr also coveted those high school connections.
"I had good friends," he said. "And it was a good education too."
The chitchat of days gone by are just what the members of the planning committee of the alumni association want with the new group.
"Something impromptu and informal is nice," Wales said. "You can get all the classes together."
Class of 2005 member Madeline Bergman, who serves as the communication and development specialist at the district, is one of the main individuals spearheading the new group.
Bergman said the North Penn Alumni Association was a mandate by the district's Alternate Revenue Committee. It is also part of the district's Education Foundation.
"It's an exciting way for alumni to reconnect and talk about high school," Bergman said of the association. 
Wednesday's event was lightly attended, but Bergman said a huge turnout wasn't expected as word continues to get out of the embryonic group, formed in February. It recently adopted by-laws and a 14-member planning committee, comprised of community and North Penn staff alumni, meets once a month. Bergman said election of leadership will occur in August.
"If you look at our engaged users, we have an email list of more than 7,000 alumni and more than 500 Likes on Facebook," Bergman said. "Next year will all be about getting the word out."
The association already has a presence at First Friday, and Bergman said it will continue to be involved at community events.
"Next year is our awareness year," she said.
There is no emphasis on fundraising, she said, and there are no dues required for members of the association.
"It's something we may consider down the road," she said of fundraising, "but now we are building a network and reconnecting with alumni."
Prism Brewing Co. was chosen for the inaugural awareness event because it is a favorite among the planning committee, she said. It also showed support for North Penn graduate and Prism Brewing Co. owner Rob DeMaria.
"It's great to support a business run by an alumnus," Bergman said.
Awareness and support doesn't stop at Prism—North Penn Alumni Association is hosting a family night out at Freddy Hill Farms in Towamencin for $5 a person for miniature golf.
"Families are invited out to have fun and get to know each other," she said.
The association is also sponsoring the North Penn Education Foundation's Aug. 19 golf outing and an Oct. 8 charity function at Bacco in Montgomery Township.
North Penn Alumni Association also has a goal to be involved in the schools. Bergman said the committee is looking at ways for alumni to be engaged with current students. The current high school senior class vice president has been invited to be a part of the committee, she said.
"The next time, classmates invite more friends. As long as friends are asking friends to support us, the organization will grow and be successful," Bergman said.
Schurr felt the alumni association was a great idea.
"You can reconnect with old friends. And I like Prism and I like beer. It's a good combination," he said.