A little more than 50 years ago, the land where Eastern Regional High School now stands was 50 acres of oak and laurel trees.
The students of Voorhees, Gibbsboro and Berlin townships traveled to Overbrook, Edgewood, Haddonfield or Collingswood to go to high school, and the students and their parents were not pleased.
Then things started to change.
In 1963, the county appointed a special school board to look at the issue. In 1964, high school plans were developed, a bond referendum was approved by all three communities, ground was broke, and in September 1965, Eastern Regional High School opened its doors.
Now, 50 years later, that school, which cost $1.7 million to construct and had a first-year study body of 495 freshmen, sophomores and juniors, has grown to a place with a yearly budget of about $37 million and a little more than 2,100 students grades nine through 12.
That growth, along with the students, teachers, administrative staff, faculty, BOE members and everyone else who throughout the years have made Eastern what is today, were honored at the Eastern Regional High School 50 year celebration on May 6.
The ceremony included remarks from Eastern Principal Robert Tull Jr., Eastern BOE President Robert DeCicco and Eastern Superintendent Dr. Harold Melleby Jr.
Also at the event were proclamations and resolutions presented by or on behalf of U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross, state Sen. James Beach, Assembly members Pamela Lampitt and Adam Taliaferro, Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna, Berlin Mayor John Armano and Gibbsboro Mayor Edward Campbell.
During remarks, Melleby thanked the Eastern student and faculty alumni, community members and elected officials for taking time from their busy schedules to join the school for the occasion.
Melleby spoke of how since first becoming superintendent in 2005, he’s often encountered colleagues and members of the education community who ask him of Eastern’s many years of success.
Melleby said he’s asked why Eastern is annually ranked among top academic schools in the state, why Eastern students achieve at such high levels, why Eastern sports teams are so competitive, why voters approved Eastern budgets so easily for so many years and just what made Eastern so special.
“The answer is one word — people,” Melleby said. “Yes, it is an old cliché, but true. People do make a difference. The people gathered in this assembly tonight represent the past and present, people who are unable to be here tonight, people who passed on, all of these people are chiefly responsible for making Eastern the exemplary school that it is.”
Melleby further praised the people involved with Eastern throughout the years, citing rich tradition, active students, a dedicated professional staff, hardworking support staff, effective leaders, involved parents and the three communities that value education.
“Last but not least, a board of education made up of people whose primary focus has always been to do what’s been best for students,” Melleby said.
With that, Melleby asked DeCicco to the podium for a special plaque presentation honoring his 38 years of service on the Board of Education, during which he’s provided guidance to four of the district’s five superintendents, and served as president for 28 years.
Melleby described DeCicco as a strong, effective leader with no ego, which DeCicco exemplified when he used his time to speak to praise the board as a whole.
“I’m very pleased that the current nine-member board of education have a combined total of 170 years of service to this district,” DeCicco said.
The night also included instrumental performances by current students, a video presentation outlining Eastern’s past, present and future, and tours of the school for those who had not been to the building to see the major additions made throughout the 50 years.
