Three Decades Of Memories
30-Year Reunion Brings Together
Wellington High School’s Class Of 1994

In the sixth grade, Jennifer (Sardone) Shiner and her cousin Melissa (Lauria) Schmidt — both members of Wellington High School’s Class of 1994 — moved from Staten Island, New York, to Wellington, Florida. Why Wellington? Jennifer’s family, who lived in Boca Raton, recommended the fast-growing community as an up-and-coming place to raise a family.

While attending Wellington Landings Middle School, Jennifer became friends with Alina (Farinas) Hoge and Amit Patel. Together with Melissa, they recalled learning in portable classrooms. Jennifer was a soccer player, and she, Alina and Amit sang and performed throughout Palm Beach County in the chorus under the direction of Mr. A (Richard Andreacchio).

As they looked forward to high school, they knew that the School District of Palm Beach County was building a new school, Wellington High School. As first-year students when the school opened in 1990, they were the first class to attend all four years. Alina worked in journalism on the yearbook, while Jennifer played varsity soccer and continued singing with the chorus, and Amit excelled in playing tennis and was on the debate team. Both Alina and Amit were named the “most talkative” of the class.

In high school, the students filled the halls and, with every step, created memorable moments. New friendships were established, lasting until graduation and beyond. As the four years passed, and everyone grew up, the memories of homecoming, football games, parties, sleepovers and their high school graduation lasted a lifetime.

In 1994, the class had more than 600 graduates, and the graduation ceremony was held at the former West Palm Beach Auditorium. After graduation, students went on to college, married, started working and began the next chapter of their lives.

Since graduation, Alina and Jennifer, with the help of others, have coordinated and planned reunions through the years. These events created new memories and brought back fond memories of those early years at WHS.

Some of the memories they reminisced about living in “Welly World” back then were the times going to Squire’s Deli for fireballs, going to the original Wellington Mall (then known as the Commons Mall), getting their first jobs, going to the Wellington pool and attending the popular Huck Finn Day celebration.

Alina and Jennifer manage the class’s Facebook page, and as the time rolled around again, they surveyed the class for the dates for their 30th reunion. The reunion weekend was set for June 21-22, 2024. Once again, Alina and Jennifer started planning, and recruited Amit to help. A committee was formed. Their idea was to bring the class back to Wellington for this milestone 30th reunion, since many other reunions were outside Wellington.

After months of planning and more than 1,000 texts, Alina, Jennifer and Amit were excited that the weekend finally arrived. Friday was themed Flashback Friday to 1994, and the class was asked to wear clothes from the 1990s, or anything from Wellington High School. It could be a football jersey or a powder puff jersey, from a sport to a club.

Friday night was held at Kontiki restaurant, and more than 100 people attended. Every face was familiar, just a little older, but time stood still on that night. It was as if they were once again in the hallways of the high school. Everyone was anxious to catch up with old friends, meet spouses, and learn about their families and jobs. As adults now approaching 50, cliques no longer existed, and everyone was just friends. Lots of photos were taken, drinks were had, sushi and appetizers were served, and there was a DJ with plenty of dancing.

Saturday was scheduled to be a pool day at the Wellington National Golf Club, but the weather was questionable. Guys scheduled golf in the morning. Lunch brought many together at the club for social time.

Soon, it was time for the big dinner event, held at the Wellington National Golf Club — a night the organizers and their former classmates had all waited for. The committee made sure everything was perfect. As guests entered, former high school teachers assisted with signing in. Cocktail hour was a good time to say hi to everyone and to reconnect with each other. There was a photo booth with props, a bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, a shrimp display, and tons of laughs and smiles.

Next, it was time to enter the ballroom, adorned with classic royal blue and white, representing the high school colors. The centerpieces were glittery 30s with 1994 and confetti. The dance floor had an oversized “WHS 94.” Alina created a memorabilia table filled with yearbooks, the high school newspaper The Wave and photos of old newspaper clippings from their four years in high school. The walls had programs, invitations and the traditional high school cap and gown. The photo booth had groups of people dancing with hats, props and boas.

Jennifer, Alina and Amit hosted their tables filled with friends. Following dinner, and after looking around the room, seeing everyone having a great time made all the efforts worth every second. DJ Marcus played hit songs from the 1990s, and everyone hit the dance floor as if they were 16 again. For dessert, there was a 30-cupcake display and coffee.

During the evening, attendees took a moment to remember the five members of the Class of 1994 lost through the years — students they had known but gone too soon. There was a memorial table with their photos and candles. Guests were invited to sign the photos for each student, which would be given to their families as a gift.

Soon, it was time to end the evening. Some went home and returned to their normal lives, and some went to JoJo’s for a nightcap.

The reunion committee thanks Megan (Baran) Vodar and Rob Saake for their help with the reunion. Special thanks as well to classmate Kelly O’Brien of Coastal Click Photography, who captured the photos. Finally, thanks to all the classmates who traveled from near and far to attend and help to make the 30th reunion weekend one to be remembered forever.

The committee dedicates this story to the classmates who have passed on and who will always be remembered: Melanie Miller, Scott Zurko, Carlos and Rafael Aruzza, and Bryan Wiles.

Today, 30 years after graduation, Alina lives with her husband Brian Hoge and their triplet sons in Wellington, which has remained a great place to raise a family. Amit graduated as a civil engineer and currently resides in Wellington. Jennifer lives in Stuart with her husband Scott Shiner (Class of 1993), and her cousin Melissa lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband Joe Schmidt (Class of 1991) and both sons are in college.