Elmwood Park High School celebrates legacy with decade wall

Elmwood Park High School students will return to school this fall and see a new addition in the halls: a decade wall memorializing the history of the school and students, which was installed in early August.

The decade wall is a celebration of the legacy of EPHS. The school was founded in 1954 in response to the community's need for a local high school and the physical building was dedicated in 1956. The new decade wall is situated outside the main gym and leaves space for decades yet to come. “It is great to see what rich history Elmwood Park has to offer and I look forward to seeing where we go from here,” said EPHS principal Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico.

The decade wall is near the main gym in the hall leading towards the auditorium

The year-long project was a labor of love for Elmwood Park CUSD 401’s Marketing and Publishing Specialist, Sam Britten. "The decade wall is a culmination of what Elmwood Park High School is all about. I'm grateful I could be involved with this project and I think it captures the essence of EPHS,” said Britten about the experience.

Visuals and documents were sourced from EPCUSD 401 archives, the Elmwood Park library, community members, and other alumni. Britten poured through yearbooks, newspapers, trophy cases, flyers, agendas, notes, and more to feature the best visuals of each decade and write the history for each panel.

EPCUSD401 worked with DLA Architects for the final design and production of the panels.