Farewell to Bonnell

Present and former students of Harrisburg High School will gather in Bonnell Gymnasium on Saturday to have a formal farewell to the gym before it is demolished.

Bonnell Gym was named after Clarence Bonnell, a teacher at Harrisburg High School for 43 years, who was responsible for the implementation of the manual training, chemistry, biology, and science departments. Bonnell also served as the school's debate team coach, authored two books, taught at SIU Carbondale, wrote for The Daily Register, was the first person to name the rock formation Stone Face in print and served as the president of the Illinois Academy of Science. Bonnell died suddenly in 1947 in Del Rio, Texas, on his way back from a Rotarian convention in San Diego, Calif.

While the oldest building on the campus was constructed in 1903, additions were made to the school as needed. Construction on "Building C," which was originally known as Bonnell Hall, began in the 1921-1922 school year, and was finished in time for the 1923 -24 school year. Additions were also made in the 1950s.

The home of many Harrisburg sporting events, Bonnell Gym has also seen special guests like Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt and stars of the Grand Old Opry. Now, the gym is primarily used for lunchroom overflow, physical education classes and wrestling duals. The rest of Building C is used for administration offices, the cafeteria and most of the science wing.

The Harrisburg High School Student Council is sponsoring a semi-formal event in the gym on Saturday to say goodbye.

Krystal Wilson, an English teacher at HHS and one of the Student Council sponsors along with Hilary Ford, said that the gala was inspired by a story that The Daily Register had published in January about the final wrestling match held in the gym.

"We saw that there was a public interest in having some kind of event here, to inspire some kind of closure," Wilson said. "People have really strong ties to the building and the history of it."

The night will feature a catered dinner, entertainment from the HHS Jazz Band, a trivia contest, and performances from HHS alumni and current students. Festivities will also feature a dance, in the style of the Homecoming and Prom celebrations that were formerly held in Bonnell Gym.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the development of an outdoor, landscaped area for students to enjoy before or after school or during their lunch period.

"We chose that for a lot of different reasons, but a lot of the reason was because Clarence Bonnell … that was really important to him (nature)," Wilson said. Bonnell was the first person to landscape the high school. "We thought that would be a good way to honor him and give back to the kids."

Plans for the reconstruction of Building C advanced in April 2015, when voters approved a $15 million bond issue that would be paid off with sales tax funds. In addition to reconstructing the building, it was decided that the funds would also be used to finance renovations to the cafeteria and as well as the science labs. The gym will remain in use through the end of the school year.

Ticket sales officially end today, when HHS gets out for the day, but Wilson was open to the idea of allowing late purchases. Tickets are $20 each, or $150 for a table of eight. Contact Brenda Winter at Harrisburg High School to purchase tickets.