The Gowanda Booster Club is presenting GCS ALUMNI WEEKEND from Friday to Sunday, September 19-21, 2025. Welcome home to all Gowanda alumni and their families.
Friday, September 19, 2025
- 7pm-9pm—-Gowanda Panther Varsity Football Game- at Hillis Field. Cheer on the Panthers and come hang out at the Booster tent to reconnect with fellow parents and alumni!
- 7pm– Rocket Jingo Meat Raffle- at Gowanda Moose, 201 Aldrich St., Gowanda. Fish fry before the meat raffle.
- 9pm-11pm——–Gowanda Night on the Town- Hang out and hit the local party spots: Gowanda Moose Club, Palm Gardens, Wicked Glen, Slovenian Club, K & L Lanes
Saturday, September 20, 2025
- 10am-3pm——Craft & Vendor Show! Gowanda Fire Department, 230 Aldrich St., Gowanda. Many local artists & direct sale vendors. Basket Raffle. To benefit the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department. Rain or shine!
- 10:30am- Pee Wee Little League Football & Cheerleaders at Hillis Field
- 12:30pm- Freshman Little League Football & Cheerleaders at Hillis Field
- 2:30pm- JV Little League Football & Cheerleaders at Hillis Field
- 4:30pm- Varsity Little League Football & Cheerleaders at Hillis Field
- **11am & 2pm: Panther Express- New York & Lake Erie Railroad train ride! Reserve your tickets early. Call (716) 532-5242 or visit www.nylerailroad.com
- **12pm- 7pm: G-Town Golf Tournament- Tri County Country Club, Forestville. SOLD OUT! 28 teams registered! Watch and register early next year to reserve your spot!
- 2:00pm – Gowanda Community Theater presents… Little Shop of Horrors at the Historic Hollywood Theater, 39 West Main St., Gowanda. The first-ever production from Gowanda’s new community theater program – don’t miss out! Featuring numerous GHS alumni (and current students!) both onstage and behind the scenes – this well-loved musical could be bigger than hula hoops!
- 4:00pm- Mural Celebration! Join the Gowanda Mural Project as they celebrate the completion of a beautiful mural designed in collaboration with Carson Waterman. Location is at the Gowanda Shop N Save, 10 Buffalo St.
- 7pm – 10pm- The music of The Untouchables- sponsored by the Gowanda Kiwanis- at the Gowanda Moose, 201 Aldrich St., Gowanda. Raffles! Food available! Cost is $10 per couple, $25 per family
Sunday, September 21, 2025:
- **8:30am–Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk- at Gateway Park, 76 Palmer St., Gowanda.The proceeds from this race will go to the scholarship fund called the Panther Prowl Scholarship and will be split and awarded to two seniors graduating from GCS. It will be a great event for all ages. To walk a 3.1 mile course, it takes approximately 1 hour. Here is the link to sign up!
- 11am- until sold out- Chicken Barbeque at the Gowanda Fire Department, 230 Aldrich St., Gowanda.
SUNDAY’S LINEUP AT THE HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD THEATER:
- 11:30am- 12:00pm—GCS Alumni, Jake Swanson on saxophone & GCS Modern Band perform during the Meet & Greet at the Historic Hollywood Theater. Refreshments and Cash Bar.
- 12:00pm-1:00pm—-Hall of Fame Induction at the Historic Hollywood Theater. GCS Alumni English Teacher, John Jarzynski as Master of Ceremonies. FREE ADMISSION. Light appetizers will be provided.Join us to hear more about our 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees. (scroll down for a listing of inductees)
- 1:00pm- 1:30pm– Presentation by the Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Gowanda Award to 2025 recipient Jim Enser, founder of Ensering Hopes & Dreams Incorporated. Ensering Hopes & Dreams aims to improve the lives of residents in Gowanda and surrounding areas in all three phases: youth, youth-adult, and adult. This non-profit organization strives to aid those in need year-round, come rain, shine, or snow. Jim will always lend a hand to the community in which he grew up and raised his family.
- Tickets will be available for the Alumni Business Basket Raffle fundraiser!
- 1:30pm- 3:30pm- Joe Wiens Band- Gowanda native Joe Wiens will play music at the Historic Hollywood Theater, along with special guests Dave Bolen on drums and Neil Schindler on Bass!
- 7:00pm- Gowanda Community Theater presents… Little Shop of Horrors, Historic Hollywood Theater, 39 West Main St., Gowanda. Didn’t catch the Saturday show? Want to see it again? Enjoy and support local performing arts based out of an incredible historical venue. Oh, and don’t feed the plants!
- 2:00pm – 6:00pm- “FallFest at the Market”- In the municipal lot behind Jesse’s Home & Gifts, 53 W. Main St., Gowanda. Fun activities: Face Painting, cookie decorating, pumpkin painting, and much more!
- 5:00pm- Open Mic with Delaney Peters at GoWanda Brewing at the Wicked Glen, 29 South Water St., Gowanda.
**Register, and pay in advance if stated, for all events with the double asterisks. Capacity is limited.
2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ARE:
- GCS Team of Distinction: 1982 Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team. The 1982 Boys Lacrosse Team achieved a commendable record of 10 wins and 1 loss during their spring regular season, securing the WNY League Championship and advancing to the state semi-finals. The team won their first playoff game against Rush-Henrietta Sperry. This win allowed them to advance to playoff game number two, against West Genesee. This playoff game was played on Astro turf which was a new experience for the Gowanda team against a talented West Genesee squad, ending their State Championship dreams.The team roster was Bob Krenzer, temp coach, #6- Rod Bennett, #9- Vaughn Gates, #1- Michael Gonzalez, #5- Rich Stevens, #22- Trainer, Kelly Kingston, #42- Dan Williams Jr., Eric Schindler, #14- Roland John, Eddie White, #15- Ken Lay, Doug Thompson, #10- Chad Stevens, Glen Lay, #24- Randy Gates, William Sprague, #21- Rich Kota, Shawnee Oldshield, Greg Waterman, Ron Williams, and Head Coach Adrian Stevens.
- GCS Sports Legend: Rob Vogtli. A member of the Class of 1993, Vogtli distinguished himself as a High School Baseball All -Star and went on to play professional baseball. While at Erie Community College (ECC) he was a two year captain, and received multiple recognitions at ECC including being selected for the All-Star Regional Team, ECC Athlete of the Year, selected as shortstop All- American. He was subsequently inducted into the ECC Athlete Hall of Fame. Vogtli then went on to excel in Division 1 baseball at St. Bonaventure University, playing both shortstop and pitcher, and again as a two year captain. Following his college career he was signed by the New York Yankees as a pitcher for three years. After his tenure in professional baseball, Vogtli has continued his love for the game in the role of pitching coach and has coached golf at Randolph Central School District, where he serves as a High School Counselor. He is the father of two boys, Cal & Chase Vogtli.
- GCS Distinguished Educator: Mark Leous. Coach Leous dedicated 34 years to teaching Social Studies at the Gowanda Central School District, retiring from the classroom in 2016. However, he has continued his coaching career, which spans nearly four decades. He has coached Varsity Football, Junior Varsity Football, and Modified Football, in addition to serving as the Head Coach of Varsity Wrestling for 29 years. Mr. Leous is renowned for fostering strong, family-like relationships with his students, athletes, and colleagues in the educational community. Coach Leous and his wife Glenna have two daughters Rose Leous and Jane Busillo.
- GCS Distinguished Alumni: Stephen Raiport. Raiport has served as a first responder for over 35 years, holding positions as Fire Chief and Assistant Chief for 26 years. He currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, he is a retired police officer who worked for 24 years with the Gowanda Police Department, including a three-year tenure as Officer in Charge before retiring in 2017. Raiport has collaborated with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) to support individuals facing addiction challenges. Steve also worked for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department during his tenure as a police officer. He is also recognized for his involvement in community events and organizations, often portraying Santa Claus alongside his wife, who takes on the role of Mrs. Claus, during the Christmas celebrations in Gowanda, highlighting his commitment to the local community. Steve and his wife, Stacey have two children Thomas and Emily.
