The Bench Project
A gift from the Bicentennial Class to mark our 50th reunion
1776 — 1976 — 2026
As the Bicentennial Class, we graduated in 1976 during America’s 200th birthday. Now, 50 years later, we’re marking both our reunion and the nation’s semiquincentennial with a permanent gift to the school that shaped us. The Class of 1976 is designing, constructing, and donating a commemorative bench to be installed near the flagpole outside Wilmington Area High School.
The Bench Project team consists of Bill Burig, Peter Jensen and Todd Sherrod.
Design & Site Plan
Bench design rendering — was approved unanimously by the School Board on May 19, 2026
Bench design rendering — was approved unanimously by the School Board on May 19, 2026
Site plan showing bench location near flagpole — was approved unanimously by the School Board on May 19, 2026
Bench Project Update
The WAHS Class of 1976 bench has been completed and installed at the south entrance to the high school. See images below.
Fifty members of the class donated to the bench fund with an average donation of $111.62 per donation. We raised a total of $5581 toward the construction and installation of the bench. Total cost of the bench as of 10-24-26 is $3214.33 with some additional costs yet to be submitted. There will be a conversation soon as to what we will do with the remaining funds.
On behalf of the class I would like to thank Peter Jensen for his sense of design and Todd Sherrod for his craft skills. Others assisting in the build/installation phase were David Hall, Joe Urban, Faull Fabricating, and Aerocoatings, Inc.
We’re very thrilled with the outcome and hope that you all are pleased. We also hope that the students, faculty and staff of WAHS will appreciate this gift for many years to come!
