Woodbury High School Marks Its Golden Anniversary

by Emily Gedde | Aug 2025

Woodbury High School Golden Anniversary Yearbook Cover

Photo: Woodbury High School

Year-long celebrations at Woodbury High School will conclude during homecoming this fall.

In 1975, 94 students became the first class to graduate from Woodbury High School (WHS). Now, half a century later, the 477 members of the class of 2025 donned the school’s royal blue and white caps and gowns to become the 50th class of the South Washington County school.

It’s a milestone that has been full of excitement from generations of students, teachers and alumni. Festivities were spread throughout the year and will conclude during homecoming in September. Groups have joined together to celebrate the legacy, memories and future of a school that has stood as a cornerstone of the Woodbury community.

Jodi Loeblein-Lecker, assistant principal of activities at WHS, says celebrations have been a blend of nostalgia and excitement with alumni sharing their cherished memories and participating in various events. One of her personal favorites was the Hall of Fame induction during the homecoming football game last fall. This event was particularly significant as it coincided with the decommissioning of the school’s pool, a bittersweet moment for the WHS community. The school’s swimming and diving program was celebrated with a special recognition of swimmers who have made their mark over the years. “It was fun to see the swimming community come back,” Loeblein-Lecker says of the alumni who attended the event to bid farewell to the pool.

The Marching Royals, the WHS marching band, added to the festive atmosphere by performing songs from different decades, reflecting the school’s rich history. The winter week celebrations further highlighted the 50th anniversary with a vibrant display of school spirit.

Cora Johnson, a Class of 2025 graduate and student council president, helped organize the winter pep fest that focused on highlighting the school’s 50th anniversary. She says the goal of the event was to commemorate the tradition and legacy created throughout the past 50 years of Woodbury High School. “Celebrating excellence is something that we do often at Woodbury High School, so I knew something had to be done to honor this milestone,” she says.

One of Johnson’s favorite parts of the event was a school-wide rock-paper- scissors competition. She explains that students wore blue clothing to represent WHS colors and were provided gold beaded necklaces to represent the golden anniversary. “If you won a game of rock-paper-scissors, you get to take your opponent’s beads, and if you had 25 or more at the end of the day, you were able to participate in the championship round at the pep fest,” she says. “This was a great way to get students involved and a fun way to rally around the 50th anniversary.”

Johnson says organizing the pep fest deepened her appreciation for WHS history and traditions. “This school has helped shape who I am today and made me realize how valuable my time here has been,” she says. “This experience really reinforced how special this place is to me … Being able to graduate in a year that marks half a century of history, traditions and alumni before me is crazy, and I am honored to say I was a part of that.”

Loeblein-Lecker says another memorable celebration was Heritage Night hosted by the Black Student Union during Black History Month in February. The event featured Alan Gregory, the first Black student to graduate from WHS in 1979. Gregory, a three-sport athlete and homecoming king during his senior year, shared his stories and experiences with the students. “I [came back for] the students and to see the support,” Gregory says. “They got to organize and put together a special program.”

Gregory recalls some of his most fond memories attending WHS, including playing in the school’s first state basketball tournament his junior year and when the tree in his front yard was covered in toilet paper for homecoming. Speaking about his experience coming back to WHS, he says, “It’s not every day one is recognized at that level for being a first in anything … I’m grateful and humble.”

His visit was a strong reminder of the school’s journey toward diversity and inclusion. “He’s a great individual,” Loeblein-Lecker says. “It was fun to give back to him and have him interact with our students. He told stories about what high school was like for him, and it was rewarding for him to see how diverse [WHS] is now.”

Reflecting on the changes over the past 50 years, Loeblein-Lecker highlights the transformation in education, facilities and sports. The school now boasts a greater number of sports programs and levels with upgraded facilities that cater to the needs of today’s learners. The use of technology in classrooms has changed teaching methods, moving away from overhead projectors and chalkboards to interactive and engaging learning experiences. “We really try to use technology in meaningful ways that will advance our students to be 21st-century learners and have a lot of engagement in the classroom,” Loeblein-Lecker says.

The strong sense of community at WHS shows in the alumni who continue to live and work in the area. This connection showcases the school’s impact and the sense of belonging it creates. As Loeblein-Lecker describes it, WHS is a place where people feel they belong and want to stay.

Looking ahead, the future of WHS is bright with ongoing renovations and upgrades. The school is excited to unveil modern classrooms and facilities that will enhance learning opportunities for students for the next 50 years.

The 50th anniversary celebrations will conclude during homecoming this fall (Homecoming week is September 21–27, and the homecoming football game is September 26.) and the event will be a time to further reflect on the school’s rich history, celebrate its achievements and look forward to a future filled with promise and potential. The sense of community and belonging at WHS is stronger than ever, making it a place where people feel connected and proud to be a part of.

Woodbury High School Then and Now Table