For those of you who were unable to attend the Peterson Centennial in May 2025, it was an incredible event — pure joy to talk with so many people all from the same neighborhood.
The hallway outside the gym was a popular place to mingle and view class photos through the years. (The two photos below are from Catherine Korda via Facebook).
Inside the gym, classes from each decade were photographed, and you can see (and download) these photos on The Friends of Peterson group website homepage. And, sorry, we didn’t identify who’s who in the photos.
Don’t miss the incredible video that is also on the Friends home page, just above the class photos. It runs 16.5 minutes. The student AV club produced the video. I’m one of the interviewees, along with other current and former Peterson students.
The Program
Axios Chicago reporter and Peterson graduate Monica Eng moderated a panel of class representatives from each decade. Seated from left, Zalman Usiskin (1950s); Lynn Sweet (1960s); Danny Miller (1970s); Monica Eng, standing (1980s); Josh Schukas (1990s); Linley Erickson (2000s); Joseph Zanca (2010s, Monica’s son); Nazarin Iskandarova (2020s).
The photo below is of the program audience (Catherine Korda via Facebook).
Before the alumni panel presentation, a number of school officials spoke. The recording from this portion of the program is here.
As a reminder, there is a website devoted to the Peterson centennial. Include among the photos are memorabilia provided by former students and 8th grade class photos going back to the 1920s — about 80 percent of the class are represented. This website will remain active for at least another year.
Hello! I am of the newer generation (wayy more younger than much of the people on this blog) and I would love to know more about Albany Park.
I grew up in Albany Park and i have a hyperfixation on the interstates and us routes on Chicago. What was Albany Park like back then?
Thanks so much for sending the website and sharing all that went on during the 100-year celebration. I attended Peterson from 1954 to 1962, K through 6th. We then went to Vnon Steuben for 7th & 8th grade.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ, now, and regrettably could not attend. I remember some of the highlights ( I lived at 5711 Drake); Tong’s Tea Garden, Irv’s Barbershop, Whirly’s, the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Davis Cleaners (still there!!), Plotkin’s Drug Store, to name a few.
I have been fortunate to connect with some of my fellow Peterson-nites like Harry Block, Anny Shear, and Joyce Sporn, to name a few. on Facebook
Life goes by so fast, it’s a shame that “youth” is wasted on “young people”!!
Thanks again!!
Thank you sending the event website. I was in the class of 1952 and currently live in St. Louis and was unable to attend the reunion. Old memories of Kimball Avenue and all the shopping on Bryn Mawr came flooding back. Thank you.
Alan Morris