September 2019 | Vol. 16 Iss. 09
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BRIGHTON ALUMNI CIRCLE BACK TO SAY FAREWELL
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
B
righton High School was built in 1969. Penny Petersen started working in the front office just a few years later. Known as the Bengal Grandmother, she holds the record for being a Bengal longer than any other staff member. “I just got here and found out I loved it and loved the kids so I keep staying,” said Petersen. The 50-year-old school building, known for its unique circular halls, is being rebuilt, one section at a time, over the next three years. “I’m sad,” said Petersen. “This has been my home for so long.” Thousands of current and past students and staff members joined Petersen in a farewell celebration July 20 and to walk the circled halls of Brighton one last time. Barbara Bate Dillman (’83) was excited for the chance to see the school again. “It was so fun to walk around and share memories with my sister that went there too,” she said. “I hate to see such a unique school change.” Amy Coleman Hintze (’94) and her husband, Brian, (’90) appreciated the open house. “My husband was drawn to it so he could walk through each and every hall, finding all his old classrooms and hangouts, which we did,” said Hintze. “I almost teared up when we thought of them destroying the gym, where we had been to so many games, assemblies, prep rallies and dances.” Krista Cullimore (’85) of the Brighton Alumni Association (who organized the event) said nearly 3,000 people came ’round to say goodbye to the circled halls.
Penny Petersen has witnessed five decades of teenage fashion, technology and attitude from the front office of Brighton High School. (Photo courtesy Emma Slikker)
“I think the best part of the day was seeing people reconnect with old classmates and teachers, having people wander the halls, and go find their old locker or a classroom that had significance,” she said. Students reunited for group pictures with former teams and clubs, and perused displays of school memorabilia cel-
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ebrating five decades of excellence. BHS athletes celebrated the 120 championships in wrestling, swimming, tennis, golf and baseball the school has claimed in the last 50 years. Canyons Board of Education President Nancy Tingey wasn’t surprised by the huge turnout from the community. “The energy that I felt as you’ve come and walked the Continued page 8
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