Gary Alumni Pathway to Students

07/29/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Rodney “DJ Darknite” Lewis for an extraordinary weekend of support for Gary Alumni Pathway to Students.

Rodney gave two days of his time, talent, energy, and platform to support GAPS. On Saturday, he partnered with GAPS for the Orange & Blue Party, bringing people together for an evening of music, community, and purpose. On Sunday, he continued that commitment at the Buzz Box, where all proceeds also supported GAPS programming.

This was more than participation in two events. It was a powerful example of what it means to show up for Gary, invest in our young people, and use your gifts to help create opportunities for others.

Rodney, thank you for your generosity, your partnership, and your commitment to the students and families GAPS serves. Your support and example are deeply appreciated.

Gary Alumni Pathway to Students

Join the Village.

Pictured: Rodney “DJ Darknite” Lewis with two GAPS staff members, Roosevelt alumna and volunteer Jackie McClee Walton, and community volunteer Rasheida Bennett.

07/28/2026

This logo tells a story.

Many people have asked why the GAPS logo includes all of Gary's high schools.

The answer is simple.

That was always the vision.

Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS) was never intended to represent just one school, one graduating class, or one alumni organization. It was created because we believed the collective experiences, relationships, talents, and influence of ALL Gary alumni could become a bridge to the students coming behind us.

Whether you graduated from West Side, Roosevelt, Lew Wallace, Emerson, Horace Mann, Tolleston, Edison, Froebel, or any other Gary school...

You belong in this story.

Our students don't need us to agree on everything.

They need us to agree on one thing:

Their future matters.

Every alumnus has something to offer. Your career. Your network. Your life experiences. Your mentorship. Your resources. Your encouragement.

Imagine what could happen if alumni from every Gary school came together around one shared purpose—not to relive our glory days, but to help create theirs.

That is why GAPS was formed.

Not to replace existing alumni organizations.
Not to compete with reunions or traditions.

But to unite Gary alumni as one collective force dedicated to opening doors for the next generation.

The logo isn't just a collection of school mascots.

It's a symbol of what is possible when we stop thinking about "my school" and start thinking about "our students."

If you've ever wondered where you fit in, the answer is simple...

Right here.

We are always looking for alumni from every Gary high school to join us in building bridges to college, careers, military service, entrepreneurship, and the skilled trades.

Our legacy won't be measured by the reunions we attended.

It will be measured by the lives we helped change.

One City.
Many Schools.
One Purpose.

Let's build the bridge together.


Gary Alumni Pathway to Students Gary West Side High School Alumni Association, Inc. Gary Community School Corporation

07/27/2026

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

This isn't just another annual report.

It's proof of what's possible when a community comes together on behalf of its young people.

During the 2025–2026 school year, GAPS:
✔ Served 2,384 students
✔ Delivered 73 programs and events
✔ Provided 6,936 direct student service encounters
✔ Created more than 26,500 college and career readiness touchpoints
✔ Engaged 174 strategic partners
✔ Generated over 164,000 community engagement touchpoints

Behind every number is a student who explored a career, completed FAFSA, met a mentor, visited a college, discovered a skilled trade, or began believing their future was bigger than their circumstances.

But here's the reality...

Impact doesn't pay the bills.

As we prepare for another school year, GAPS urgently needs operating support to continue this work. Programs like these only exist because individuals, businesses, foundations, alumni, and community partners choose to invest in our students.

If you've ever asked how you can help, the answer is now.

Here's how you can make a difference:
• Make a tax-deductible donation.
• Become a corporate or program sponsor.
• Connect us to a potential funder.
• Volunteer your time or expertise.
• Share this post with someone who believes in investing in young people.

The future workforce of Northwest Indiana is sitting in our classrooms today. Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to graduate with a plan, a pathway, and hope.

Donate today: https://gapsgary.org/donate

Together, we build a stronger Northwest Indiana.

07/13/2026

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.

- Access to career experiences.
- Access to college and workforce guidance.
- Access to mentors, scholarships, resources, and people who are willing to invest in their future.

That is the work of Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS).

On 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵, you can help strengthen that work simply by joining us for the 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 & 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 at Avenue 912 202 West Ridge Road Griffith, Indiana 46319

Your ticket is not just admission to a great night out. It is an investment in opportunities that help students explore careers, prepare for life after high school, and build stronger pathways toward economic mobility.

Enjoy sounds by 'Dark Nite', live entertainment from 'Ric Hopkins and Vibe Theory', and dinner available from 'Kenya Katerz'.

🎟️ General Admission: $20
🍽️ Dinner Package: $40

Come celebrate. Bring your friends. Wear your orange and blue. Most importantly, help us continue opening doors for Gary students.

Purchase your tickets today:
(https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-orange-and-blue-party-tickets-282213)

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

Join the Village. Invest in a student. Help build a stronger future.

07/13/2026

Tomorrow is the day that the device law goes into effect in the State of Indiana. See details below!

07/04/2026

🎉 One Night. One Party. A Lasting Impact.

Looking for something fun to do on West Side Reunion Saturday,July 25th?

Come out to the Orange & Blue Party and celebrate with friends while investing in the future of our students at Avenue 912

Every ticket purchased helps support the Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS) and their work connecting students with career exploration, college and workforce pathways, mentoring, scholarships, and life-changing opportunities throughout Northwest Indiana.

When you attend, you're doing more than enjoying great music, food, and fellowship—you are helping them:
✅ Prepare students for college and careers.
✅ Expand access to career coaching and work-based learning.
✅ Build stronger pathways to economic mobility.
✅ Empower the next generation to learn, earn, grow, and thrive.

Sounds by Dark Nite.
Live entertainment featuring Ric Hopkins and Vibe Theory!
Dinner packages available from Kenya Katerz!

🎟️ $20 General Admission 🍽️ $40 Dinner Package

Bring your friends. Wear your orange and blue. Dance the night away knowing your support is helping create brighter futures for students across our region.

Every ticket. Every dollar. Every guest makes a difference.

For tickets or more information: 219-614-3769

*** TICKET LINK WILL BE UP SATURDAY, JULY 4!***
https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-orange-and-blue-party-tickets-282213

Dark Nite Entertainment DJ Services

We’ll be partying for a purpose for West Side Reunion Saturday with live music and Dark Nite on the decks. This event is raising money for the Gary Alumni Pathway for Students!

06/22/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.

For many students, summer is a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved break. But summer is also an important season for growth, exposure, and preparation. What students do during these months can help shape how confident and ready they feel when the next school year begins.

Learning does not have to look like sitting in a classroom. It can happen through reading, visiting the library, attending community events, volunteering, exploring careers, learning about money, joining a summer program, or simply having meaningful conversations about the future.

For Gary and Lake County families, summer is a good time to help students stay connected to opportunity. Parents and caregivers can encourage students to read regularly, explore STEM and technology, research colleges or training programs, look for scholarships, build a resume, or learn more about Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars and ScholarTrack.

At GAPS, we believe student success is built one experience at a time. Every book read, every new skill learned, every positive connection made, and every new place visited can help students see more possibilities for their future.

Parents, caregivers, alumni, educators, businesses, and community partners all have a role to play. Let’s make this a summer of growth, discovery, and opportunity for Gary students.

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀.

05/29/2026

As we continue to honor the life and legacy of Carlton L. Guthrie, we want to share information regarding a second memorial service celebrating his extraordinary impact and contributions.

Because Carlton served as Co-Chair of Detroit Chassis and was a respected contributor to the Detroit community, an additional memorial service will be held in Detroit, Michigan.

Celebration of Life Service
June 6, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Second Ebenezer Church
Detroit, Michigan

All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to organizations that were meaningful to Carlton’s life and legacy:

• Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS) https://bit.ly/49pBaDl
• Concerned Christian Men https://tinyurl.com/4urbs2fa
• Guthrie Family Scholarship https://tinyurl.com/2k8edxdj

We continue to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Guthrie family and all who were impacted by Carlton’s leadership, vision, and service.

05/28/2026

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.

Some are heading to college.
Some are entering the workforce.
Some are learning a trade.
Some are joining the military.

Every path forward deserves to be celebrated.

At GAPS, we believe success is not one-size-fits-all. We are proud of every student taking the next step toward their future with courage, determination, and purpose.

𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲:
Your city is proud of you. Keep going.

- Continue building.
- Continue growing.
- Continue believing in what is possible.