News
Archived News

U.S. Navy Electrician's Mate 3rd Class
Charles Darling Brown

Charles Darling Brown was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. His remains were identified in 2017 and will be interred in the Arcola Township Cemetery on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Mattoon Journal-Gazette article.

Bob Van Cleave & Joe Hopkins

Arcola High School’s 100-year-old classmates, Bob Van Cleave (left) and Joe Hopkins (right), are pictured at the school on February 9, 2024. The 1941 graduates viewed a presentation on one of the school’s three new touchscreen monitors that displays information and photos of Arcola High School’s 142 graduating classes acquired from yearbooks and the Arcola Alumni Association website. Van Cleave and Hopkins reminisced with family, administration, teaching staff and alumni association members about their 1937-1941 high school experiences. Click below to read their biographies, including their high school experiences.

Joe Hopkins
Bob Van Cleave

High School Building Centennial

Arcola High School opened its doors in September 1917. Construction History, compiled by Sue Stout.

Oldest Living Alumni

The Arcola Alumni Association will honor Arcola High School’s oldest living graduates in the coming months. To recommend an Arcola High School alumnus for recognition, complete the form.

Alma Grace Swick Harshbarger, a 1931 AHS alumna, is the March 2015 honoree.

Thomas B. Blagg, a 1938 AHS alumnus, is the April 2015 honoree.

LaVonne Smith, a 1935 AHS alumna, is the July 2015 honoree.

Ruth & Bob Holaday, 1942 and 1943 AHS alumni respectively, are the February 2016 honorees.

Rodie Van Gundy King, 1943 AHS alumna is the March 2016 honoree.

Bob Van Cleave, 1941 AHS alumnus is the December 2016 honoree.

Lowell Garrett, 1944 AHS Alumnus is the March 2017 honoree.

Frances Sisk Thompson, 1944 AHS Alumnus is the February 2018 honoree.

Joe Hopkins, 1941 AHS Alumnus is the June 2018 honoree.

Harold Butler, 1945 AHS Alumnus is the July 2019 honoree.

Wanda Roberts Dilliner, 1944 AHS Alumna is the November 2019 honoree.

Ed Fidler, 1951 AHS Alumnus is the April 2024 honoree.

Veterans

The Arcola Alumni Association has initiated its Veterans Recognition project. To be included, a person must meet the following criteria:

• Attended and/or graduated from Arcola High School
• Served in any branch of the U.S. Military
• Currently serving or received an honorable discharge

Complete and return the Veteran form to recommend a veteran for recognition.

Recent Class Reunions

We've added pages containing pictures and information from recent class reunions.
If your class had a reunion since 2005, we'll publish group pictures and information.
Forward the information via E-mail.

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!

We have recently been made aware of E-Mail solicitations to Arcola alumni for memberships, merchandise, etc.   The solicitation includes a link to the www.alumniclass.com website - which is NOT the Arcola Alumni Association's website.

AT THIS TIME, THE ARCOLA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DOES NOT OFFER LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS NOR ARCOLA HIGH SCHOOL MERCHANDISE.

OFFICIAL ARCOLA HIGH SCHOOL MERCHANDISE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM VYVERBERGS, FROM VARIOUS ARCOLA HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS, OR AFFILIATED BOOSTER GROUPS.

DO NOT subscribe/purchase merchandise via the www.alumniclass.com website with the intention of joining the Arcola Alumni Association or supporting local businesses/organizations.

Events
Archived Events

2024 Distinguished Alumni Honorees

The Arcola Alumni Association proudly announces the eighth class of Distinguished Alumni. The honored Arcola High School alumni and their year of graduation are:

Beth V. Hull Vyverberg (AHS 1960)
Ronald G. “Ron” Vyverberg (AHS 1962)
Eva Elizabeth Monfort Ridenour (AHS 1962)
Robert David Reese, deceased (AHS 1980)
Margaret Ann Monahan, deceased (AHS 1983)

The Distinguished Alumni banquet details:

Kaskaskia Country Club
October 19, 2024
Reception - 5:00 PM
Dinner - 6:00 PM
Awards - 7:00 PM (approximate)

Banquet Reservation
Donation supporting the Alumni Association. The Arcola Alumni Association does not have membership dues. Our efforts are soley supported by contributions.

Class of 1975 50-Year Reunion

The Class of 1975 will hold their 50-year reunion on June 14, 2025 at the Kaskaskia Country Club. More details will be published as they become available.