75th High School Reunion Brings Downers Grove Classmates Together

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — It's been 75 years since seven bright-eyed Downers Grove teenagers graduated high school and ventured out to forge their life paths. Several jobs and generations later, the seven alumni of Downers Grove High School Class of 1944 will meet again for their 75th high school reunion.

Jacob Pollack, John Prescott, Dr. Floyd Mizener, John Guarnaccia, Doris (Hawk) Mochel, John Mochel, and Edris Byers have come a long way since they doffed their graduation caps and left to start family's or help the U.S. efforts in World War II.

Doris Hawk, who married classmate John Mochel, will be at the event with her husband. After graduating from Downers Grove High School, Hawk waited for Mochel, who played football in high school, to come back from the war. They married in 1948.

Looking back, some alumni expressed gratitude and pride for the village of Downers Grove. "I’m proud of this school and our community," said Dr. Floyd Mizener, who worked as an optometrist after serving in the U.S. Marines.

The classmates, all in their 90s, will reunite on Oct. 4 for the Downers Grove North homecoming festivities. They will ride in the parade before heading to the homecoming football game.

Mizener told District 99 that anyone from the Class of 1944 who wants to participate or reconnect can call him at 630-910-0986 or he North High Activities Office at 630-795-8403.

Jacob Pollack, another 1944 graduate who served in the Army in Northern Italy, summed up the nostalgia and pride of the upcoming reunion in a simple statement. Pollack said, "Downers Grove has been good to me."