Last Friday evening, 82 graduates from the Webster Thomas High School Class of 1965 gathered at the White House in Webster Park for their 60th reunion. As with most reunions, there was plenty of food, along with photo boards, yearbooks, and newspaper clippings spread across several tables. Inside and out, old friends and new mingled in small groups, drinks in hand, reconnecting, reminiscing, and laughing over shared memories.
But this year’s celebration was more than just a stroll down memory lane. The Class of 1965 decided to turn their 60th reunion into a celebration with a purpose.
Instead of charging admission, organizers chose to honor the legacy and passion of their late classmate, Bill O’Rourke, Jr. In place of a ticket fee, members of the Class of ’65 were invited to contribute to the O’Rourke Scholarship Fund.
Bill’s classmates responded enthusiastically, raising an amazing $6,500 to the fund, proving that even after six decades, their school spirit is stronger than ever.
Reunion organizer Bob (“BG”) Guerra observed that the amount surpassed what they would have raised through normal ticket sales. “What happens is, people just feel like my money’s not going to somebody to pay Proietti’s,” he said.
As he presented the check to Bill’s first wife Dottie, Bob noted that, “What we’re going to donate tonight will allow them to fund that program for the next six years without any additional donations. The money is going to make sure kids continue to get educated.”
“We’re making a difference in some kids’ lives.”
Bill, Jr., with wholehearted support from the Webster Central School District (WCSD), established the O’Rourke Scholarship Fund after his father, Bill O’Rourke, Sr., passed in 2006. Its original objective was to present a monetary award to a senior male varsity player each year, chosen by the athletic secretary and basketball coach; someone who reflected O’Rourke’s own passion for academic excellence and sportsmanship.
Bill, Jr. passed away in 2020, but the memorial fund remains strong. With support from the O’Rourke family, the scholarship’s criteria and amount have grown. It now awards $1,000 to a senior boy and a senior girl varsity basketball player every year.
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(posted 8/12/2025)
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