North High celebrates 50th anniversary at Homecoming
North Fort Myers High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary at Homecoming last weekend. As part of the festivities, alumni were honored at half-time at the Homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 15.
It was an especially important milestone, said North Fort Myers High School Principal Kimberly Lunger.
“The excitement is not only the Homecoming Game, but also our 50th anniversary to celebrate,” she said.
She herself is an alumni of North Fort Myers High, and has been with the school more than 20 years, principal the last seven.
“This is a Homecoming for me, too.”
Students worked hard on the celebration, said math teacher Amanda Sanford. She is also the Student Government Association sponsor, and served as Homecoming coordinator.
“We were excited to recognize alumni,” she said.
Some of her hard-working volunteers include Executive Council President Krystal Shepherd, Junior Class President Abbey Gunderson and Junior Class Historian Darienne Boyden, who recently posed in front of the famous “Red Knight” statue on campus. Of her student volunteers, she said, “they were amazing. They’ve actually been working on this since the beginning of the school year.”
“We’ve put in many hours toward the event,” said Gunderson. “It was a lot of work but worth it.”
While the North Fort Myers Red Knights lost to the North Port Bobcats 28-7, Athletic Director Erik Timko said he is very proud of the team this year.
“This year, it really has been a team effort,” he said.
He also talked about the school’s history. “We are the second oldest high school in the county. It is our 48th year in football with great teams, great coaches and great players.”
Deion Sanders, who is now being looked at for the Football Hall of Fame, played there, among many others who have went on to prominent football careers. “He was here in 1982 through 1985, part of the class of 1985,” Timko said.
“We have an amazing tradition here, based on the amazing community that supports us.”
North Fort Myers High School is located at 5000 Orange Grove Blvd. in North Fort Myers.