
Join us on the Race to 20!
Morgan Park High School opened its doors at its present location (1744 West Pryor Avenue) on January 17, 1916, but the high school was founded in 1902. Initially, space was rented in one of the grammar schools, the Western Avenue School that stood at about 110th St. and Western Ave., to use as classrooms for the first and second-year high
Morgan Park High School opened its doors at its present location (1744 West Pryor Avenue) on January 17, 1916, but the high school was founded in 1902. Initially, space was rented in one of the grammar schools, the Western Avenue School that stood at about 110th St. and Western Ave., to use as classrooms for the first and second-year high school students. One or two teachers were employed, and the school started with 34 pupils. The third and fourth year students were sent to the high school in Blue Island
The theme for our 20-year reunion is a nod to the famous Kentucky Derby. Loosely incorporating our mascot, the Mustang, we wanted to simply pay tribute to our alma mater and capture our excitement about this major milestone.
Have photos or videos from our memorable time at MPHS that you'd like featured during the reunion weekend?
Email them to us at photos@empehi2002.com
Join your fellow Class of 2002 classmates as we continue our 20-year celebration at this year's Alumni Picnic!
Alumni weekend will take place August 19-20, 2022
For more info, please visit:
https://mphs2002alumniweekend2022.eventbrite.com
(Please use only this link to make purchases as it is specific to our class)
Deadline to purchase t-shirts, food and party tickets is Friday, July 29th!!!
Make your Dawg 'n Burger orders here!
Derby Weekend reunion photos are now available for download. Click here to view, download, and purchase prints of your favorite reunion memories. The link will be available to view and save photos (complimentary) and to order prints for approximately 3 months, after which the photos will be unavailable for further viewing and downloads.
The Class of 2002 Reunion Committee will be ending our paid newsletter service soon! So we can stay in contact and send information easily, please join our Google Group!
Share your Derby Weekend pics on all socials using our hashtags #EMPEHI2002 #MPHSDERBYWEEKEND #MPHS2002
Snapchat filters will be available at the Opening Night and Mustang Gala events.
The Class of 2002 reunion committee has worked tirelessly over the past months to ensure this will be a memorable experience and we are so excited to see you all this weekend.
If you have any questions during our reunion weekend, please contact us at info@empehi2002.com, send a text to (385) EMPEHI-2 (385-367-3442), or reach out to a reunion committee member below:
Visions, 11901 S Loomis St, Chicago, IL 60643
Join fellow MPHS alumni for the Green & White Sneakerball!
Tickets can be purchased here!
$50 prize for Best Sneakers
Visions, 11901 S Loomis St, Chicago, IL 60643
Green Lake Woods, 159th & Torrence Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409
Join your fellow alums for food, fun, and fellowship at the 2nd Annual MPHSAA Picnic.
Alumni weekend packages can be found here.
Picnic ends ...
Green Lake Woods, 159th & Torrence Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409
The Cove, 13031 S Western Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406
Following the MPHSAA picnic, join us for an afterparty at The Cove (located behind Raven's Place).
This is a rain or shine event and is open ...
The Cove, 13031 S Western Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406
Open Outcry Brewing Company, 10934 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
The Reunion Committee will kick off the spectacle of the Morgan Park Derby Weekend, with Opening Night, a happy hour event where we can all ...
Open Outcry Brewing Company, 10934 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
Morgan Park High School, 1744 W Pryor Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
Join your classmates on Champions Day as we rejuvenate our school. Attendees will participate in various tasks to update the Morgan Park Hig...
Morgan Park High School, 1744 W Pryor Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
Ticket sales have now ended for our 20-year reunion. For any questions regarding ticket sales or deposits, including ticket transfer options, message us at info@empehi2002.com.
Unable to attend the Derby Weekend, but still want to help make this a successful event? Donations can be sent to info@empehi2002.com. Individuals who donate $100 or more will be sent a thank you gift from the reunion committee.
Your trip to Chicago for the Morgan Park Derby Weekend will be an unforgettable time. Here are some suggested accommodations to help you plan your Derby Weekend experience.
Situated in the historic and charming Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, the Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center is an inviting, chic hotel. Just minutes from The University of Chicago, The Museum of Science & Industry, and McCormick Place Convention Center - it is the ideal destination for business and leisure travelers alike. The hotel proudly offers complimentary shuttle service to destinations within a 2 mile radius of the hotel, and is located a short 10-minute drive from the heart of downtown Chicago including its countless restaurants, shops and entertainment destinations. The hotel is mere steps away from the dozens of boutique shops and restaurants lining the 53rd Street Corridor in the heart of downtown Hyde Park. We are delighted to offer complimentary hot breakfast daily to registered World of Hyatt members who book a qualified rate. Whether you come to enjoy our spacious rooms or indoor pool, there is something for everyone to feel right at home.
Make your reservations here.
Hotel is located 12.6 miles from the Morgan Park/Beverly neighborhood, 8.0 miles from Flight Club, and 3.2 miles from South Shore Cultural Center.
* This property is the preferred option for Derby Weekend attendees. *
Rates start at $284.00/night, inclusive of taxes and fees for this property.
This property offers significant government/military, AAA, and corporate discounts.
First of its kind, the Springhill Suites by Marriott is located in the heart of Chicago's vibrant and bustling Chinatown. We are a mile from McCormick Place Convention Center. For sports lovers, Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field are less than two miles. Sightseeing? Three miles away are Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, Experience the culture, blending the old and new, with historic temples and traditional medicinal halls sitting alongside bold, new bars and trendy, lifestyle shops. Business or leisure, guests can escape routine, while indulging in little extras. Connect with the world with free wifi access in all suites and public areas. Spend some downtime in the onsite 24-hour fitness center. Start the day with a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Or satisfy unexpected cravings in The Market. Enjoy their quiet rooms with in-room amenities like microwaves, mini-fridges and Keurig coffeemakers. Walking distance from the hotel is FREE off-site parking, 0.2 miles away.
Make your reservations here.
Hotel is located 12.8 miles from the Morgan Park/Beverly neighborhood, 2.7 miles from Flight Club, and 8.0 miles from South Shore Cultural Center.
Utilize code “XOM” in the Marriott app to book this property at $165/night, inclusive of taxes and fees.
Sophisticated and eclectic, the SOPHY® Hotel embodies the crafts and passions of art, science, literature, and music that are the inspiration of today's Hyde Park, Chicago luxury hotel. A new boutique hotel in Hyde Park, SOPHY® Hotel infuses the community's academic and artistic contributions, allowing the curious visitor to delight in discoveries at every turn from arrival to departure.
Make your reservations here.
Hotel is located 11.3 miles from the Morgan Park/Beverly neighborhood, 7.9 miles from Flight Club, and 3.3 miles from South Shore Cultural Center.
Rates start at $304.77/night, inclusive of taxes and fees for this property.
Please reach us at info@empehi2002.com if you cannot find an answer to your question(s) below.
Derby Weekend ticket sales cover:
During the happy hour on Friday, August 5th, Derby Weekend ticket holders will check-in with the reunion committee, where you will receive your favor bag, which will include weekend details and entrance information for the private Derby Weekend events.
If you are unable to pick up your favor bag on Friday, August 5th, and would like to assign an alternate person for pick-up for your favor bag/registration details, or have any issues with registration, please email melanie@empehi2002.com, with the name of the person who will pick up your favor bag and tickets + any questions regarding Derby Weekend registration.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide discount to alumni who purchase additional tickets for spouses or guests. We do hope that you choose to bring a special someone to the Morgan Park Derby!
As the Mustang Gala is formal affair, we kindly ask that all guests wear all black and black-tie optional attire.
No. The cost of entrance to Derby Weekend events cannot be paid for separately. Please note there will be no ticket sales at the door for any Derby Weekend events. However, the Opening Night happy hour, Champions Day community service event, and Winners' Circle after-party are open to all class alumni, subject to venue entrance pricing and availability.
All Derby Weekend attendees are to complete the form located here to provide contact information, dietary restrictions, apparel sizing, and other pertinent information.
The Reunion Committee is committed to making sure this reunion weekend is a reflection of the diversity of our class. We requested feedback on what we could do to be diverse and received some great constructive feedback that we would like to address.
In planning our 20-year reunion, the committee was intentional in utilizing feedback from our initial outreach survey in curating a weekend that encompassed the requests of the Class of 2002. After reaching out to classmates via social media, our Class of 2002 Facebook group, email, phone/text, and including information on the Morgan Park High School website, we received over 180 alumni responses to our initial survey. We received a lot of amazing suggestions, but overall the survey indicated that our class was interested in a weekend of events that allowed us to formally celebrate our 20 years as Morgan Park alumni, fellowship with classmates and teachers, and give back to our school.
We understand there are concerns regarding venue choices, social distancing, class outreach, and pricing of Derby Weekend tickets. The Derby Weekend events include a happy hour supporting a local business within the Morgan Park community, and a chance to visit and volunteer at our alma mater, while allowing alumni to enjoy experiences all around Chicago, including the Loop, South Shore, and Hyde Park neighborhoods. In regards to social distancing concerns, the reunion committee will provide personal protective equipment at all Derby Weekend events and will provide optional social distancing bands to all attendees.
Our committee made it a priority to reach out to as many alumni as possible to participate in our 20-year class reunion. We compiled a list of over 500 classmates who attended Morgan Park High School at any time from 1999 to 2002, found possible contact info, and reached out to many classmates via email and phone to invite them to attend the Derby Weekend and utilize our website for reunion updates. Despite these various attempts at class outreach, we understand that some classmates were not informed about our reunion weekend planning, but please be confident that this was not intentional and that our reunion weekend is open to all from the Class of 2002. We are constantly looking for ways to better our class outreach plan and are open to suggestions on what we can do to improve.
As far as Derby Weekend reunion cost, your attendance fee covers: Materials to complete the Champions Day library service project at Morgan Park High School; Food and venue rental costs for our Darts after Dark event; Food, venue, and vendor costs for the Mustang Gala (inclusive of unlimited food and spirits); Class favors/gifts; and, Photography, DJ, personal protective equipment, and other vendor costs/fees for the Derby Weekend.
If the Derby Weekend ticket pricing is a concern, Class of 2002 alumni are still able to attend all open reunion weekend events. We encourage ALL Class of 2002 alumni to attend (free of charge) the Opening Night happy hour event on Friday, August 5, 2022, the Champions Day community service event on Saturday, August 6, 2022, and the Winners’ Circle after-party on Sunday, August 7, 2022, immediately following the private Mustang Gala. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please message us at info@empehi2002.com. We can’t wait to see you all!
As of February 28, 2022, the City of Chicago and Cook County have lifted all mask and vaccine mandates for venues providing indoor dining and drinks. Therefore use of masks or proof of vaccination is not required to attend any Derby Weekend events.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reunion committee wants to make all reunion weekend attendees to feel safe. Disposable masks, hand sanitizer, and color-coded wristbands designating comfort level with contact and/or social distancing will be provided at all Derby Weekend events.
The reunion committee is committed to hosting events in full compliance with local, state, and federal government mandates. These rules could change by the time of your event, if they do then we will adjust accordingly based on the city's requirements. As the COVID-19 pandemic and mandates are constantly changing, the Derby Weekend events will comply with up-to-date COVID-19 mandates.
Refunds will not be issued due to vaccination status or changes to any city, county, or state vaccine mandates.
We want to be sure that our 20 Year Reunion is inclusive and reflective of the diversity of the Class of 2002.
Please take a moment and complete this anonymous survey to provide suggestions/concerns to the Derby Weekend committee about what we can do to make our reunion weekend an enjoyable weekend for all!
Stay connected with the Morgan Park High School - Class of 2002
Please complete our contact form located here.
Do you have questions or comments about the Morgan Park Derby Weekend? Send the reunion committee a message, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
1744 West Pryor Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60643, United States
Message us at info@empehi2002.com or (385) EMPEHI2 or (385) 367-3442
MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL - CLASS OF 2002
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