Walnut Middle School to Celebrate 100th Anniversary with Homecoming Week and Community Events

GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) – Walnut Middle School is celebrating a landmark milestone and invites the Grand Island Community to join in the bicentennial celebration. 

Walnut is proud to announce a week-long “Homecoming” celebration to commemorate its 100th anniversary, inviting students, staff, families, alumni, and the entire community to join in the festivities. The celebration will be held during the week of October 12th - 17th and feature fun events for everyone to enjoy re-living the storied history of the school and celebrate the current wave of students and staff. 

The celebration kicks off with an Open House at Walnut Middle School on Sunday, October 12th.  The come-and-go event will start at 2:00 p.m. and provide a unique "Museum Experience" at the school, offering a nostalgic look back at a century of education and community history. Visitors can explore historical exhibits, view vintage Wildcat memorabilia, and reconnect with friends and former Walnut educators.  The Open House “Museum Experience” will showcase the creative efforts of the Walnut D.C. Diplomats student program, the Stuhr Museum, and the Hall County Historical Society. 

Another monumental highlight will be the 100th Anniversary Barr v Walnut football game. The historic matchup promises to be a can’t-miss tribute to the storied Grand Island-based friendly rivalry between Walnut and Barr Middle Schools. The 7th and 8th Grade teams for the Wildcats and Bulldogs will square-off on Thursday, October 16th at GISH Memorial Stadium.  Festivities start at 5:00 p.m. with a tailgate at the stadium parking lot with kick-offs set for 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively. 

Closing the week’s festivities will be volleyball for a good cause.  The 4th Annual “Pink Out” GIPS Middle School Volleyball Showcase will be hosted at Walnut Middle School.  Coach Kim Luthy and the Wildcat volleyball teams welcome the squads from Barr and Westridge Middle Schools for a friendly showcase that aims to collect donated goods for Hope Harbor.  All attending spectators and families are encouraged to bring donated goods to the game that will be later delivered to support the good work at Hope Harbor. 

“As we celebrate Walnut Middle School’s 100th anniversary, I am humbled to reflect on the generations of students, staff, and families who have walked these halls.” Rod Foley, Walnut Principal, reflected.  “For a century, this Walnut has stood as a cornerstone of learning, growth, and community pride. Our history is rich with tradition, and excellence—and it is with great honor that we carry this legacy forward into the next hundred years.”

The Grand Island community is invited to join the 100th Anniversary "Homecoming Week" fun and celebrate the wonderful history of Walnut. 

Walnut 100th Anniversary Homecoming Week Events:

Walnut Open House - Sunday, October 12th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Walnut
Walnut v Barr 100th Football Matchup - Thursday, October 16th, 5:30 p.m. at GISH Memorial Stadium
Walnut “Pink Out” Volleyball GIPS Showcase - Friday, October 17th, 4:00 p.m. at Walnut