Calling all Penn Hills grads: All-years class reunion picnic encourages community, good times

Lee Adams graduated from Penn Hills in 1975 alongside more than 1,300 students.

Four years ago, when it came time to host another reunion, there already were so many people that he and his former classmate, Cindy Fazio-Merola, thought, “Why not just include everybody?”

“It’s been really interesting how it’s evolved,” Adams said.

The celebration has since become an annual noon-until-dark picnic in Penn Hills Park, featuring live music and food. Lee said the event started off with mostly graduates from the ’70s and ’80s attending.

“We started during the pandemic when everyone was isolated,” Adams said. “We decided to do an outdoor event in September so it was safe. We rented all of the pavilions and invited everybody. We learned that people know others from their class and other classes and have the opportunity for new friends.”

Adams has been reaching out to more people in the community to boost attendance. Last year’s gathering included alumni from as early as 1949 and as recent as 2006, he said.

Adams saw the diversity of class years attending the picnic as a good sign for the reunion’s future. He said about 200 people have attended the event each year, and one of the gatherings even led to a marriage between two alumni.

“It warms my heart, honestly,” Adams said.

This year’s picnic will have a unique addition. Adams said he put out a call for authors who are Penn Hills graduates to host a meet-and-greet to show their books.

“It’s an open call,” he said.

He said the first committed author is Janyce Manson Brawn, a 1971 Penn Hills graduate. She writes and illustrates fantasy books.

Last year, the event honored past valedictorians.

It’s a way to shine a spotlight on graduates’ accomplishments in the arts and academics, Adams said. As an athlete, he said he was mentioned in papers and was congratulated at school but hadn’t seen the same attention given to those who gravitated toward the arts or academics. He said his children helped him to realize that as well.

“I raised my daughters and son, and they all got invested in arts and academics,” Adams said. “It made me appreciate (the subjects) that much more.”

Graduates are not just the attendees.

Adams and the planning committee have taken care to include alumni in every part of the event.

Kevin Mahoney, a 1997 graduate, will be DJing the picnic. Cathleen Ireland, a 1983 grad, and Terek Miles Richie, a 1992 grad, will be performing with their band Hot Weather Holiday.

Bette DiCocco, a 1973 graduate, said her class will be hosting a “ginormous” bake sale fundraiser. She heads the group for her class reunion and said funds will be put toward a mass 70th birthday for members in October 2025. They also will be raffling off a Pittsburgh-themed basket.

“If the fundraiser works out well, we’re hoping to participate in the picnic for the next few years,” DiCocco said.

Adams said people are flying in from all over the country for the picnic.

Tickets are $10. Any parents, children or grandchildren of a graduate, veterans and Penn Hills employees will be admitted for free.

“We’re not trying to make money at all,” he said. “We’re just trying to cover expenses. It’s a rain or shine event.”

Adams said he hopes, at some point, so many Penn Hills graduates and their families will come to the event that it looks like Woodstock.

“We want people to have something to look forward to,” he said.