Parsa Hassanpour

The reception takes place right in front of the Museum on Main with tables and chairs set up for the guests.

On September 14th, alumni, friends, and family gathered at the Pleasanton Museum on Main to commence celebrations of Amador’s 100th year with live music, drinks, food, and a lively atmosphere filled with smiles. 

“We’re in a wine valley. There’s a history of wine in Pleasanton, and what graduate doesn’t like to have a fancy wine and cheese party? So we were thinking wine and cheese felt like a casual but fancy way to celebrate and kick off the event,” said Museum on Main Executive Director Sarah Schnaefer.

Tickets for the reception, which marked the start of the week’s centennial celebrations, quickly sold out, and the venue was packed throughout the event. 

“We did have to cap [attendance], unfortunately, but we had 250 graduates, their significant others, and their friends join us to celebrate and start kicking off the events that are going to follow the rest of the weekend. It’s just a fun time to get together,” said Schnaefer. 

The gathering serves as a chance for Amador alumni to reunite and catch up on each other’s lives. 

“I came here to see all my friends from high school and hopefully recognize some people. This turned out fantastic. You couldn’t ask for a better set up or turnout. It brings back old memories, because high school was really enjoyable for me. I was very proud of my school [then] as I am today,” said Amador Alumni Ricky Wilkins (‘72). 

The logistics behind such an event are immense, but the Pleasanton community came together to make it possible. 

“We had the centennial committee, the Pleasanton Downtown Association, the city of Pleasanton, the police department, our special events committee, our board here at the museum, and a lot of museum volunteers to help. We [also] had a lot of sponsors in the businesses downtown: some of the wineries like Wente and Garré, and food sponsored by Cellar Door,” said Schnaefer. 

With centennial celebrations officially underway, Amador finds itself in the Don of a new era. 

“As the principal at the centennial moment when we’re 100 years old, I get the joy and the experience of immersing myself in the last 100 years of history, and now I get to look at the next 100 years and the things that I’m putting into place and setting up to make sure that the school stays the wonderful and amazing and unique place that it is,” said Amador Principal Jon Fey. 

All eyes in Pleasanton will be on Amador this weekend–and rightfully so. 

“Amador Valley High School is such an important, foundational element in our community. So many students, so many families have been impacted by the experiences there. As the history museum, we have to celebrate it. This is a huge milestone, not just for Amador grads, but for all of us. We’re a part of that community, and it’s part of us,” said Schnaefer.