07/12/2025
Attending the dedication were School Board President Mark Lindas; Alumni Association President George Limpert; Superintendent John Hosmanek and bench designer Phil Sander
Annex remembered; Bench serves as memorial
A dedication ceremony was held Monday for the $2,800 memorial bench made from materials from the old Bradford High School Annex demolished last summer.
The bench, made from the bricks, corner stone, keystone and head stone of the 90-year-old building. was built on the site of the school at 10th Avenue and 57th street by the Sam Azarian Co. of Racine.
The brief ceremony was attended by school officials, Reuther Alternative High School students and members of the Coalition to Save Our Heritage, an organization that tried to prevent destruction of the school.
An unidentified woman wearing a black mourning dress placed a wreath on the bench.
Lou Rugani, coalition secretary, said he wasn't sure if the woman was a coalition member but her action seemed to reflect beliefs of the group
"The bench was a tidbit thrown to the people who tried to save the Annex, he said. "It was a guilt trip by the board, except for Jopie Miller, who voted against razing of the building. "As far as the bench is concerned, the school board can sit on it."
