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Sunol Glen School students take part in a parade on April 26 as part of the festivities to celebrate the school’s main building turning 100 years old. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Over 600 people RSVP’ed for the April 26 celebration, which started early that morning and carried out throughout the day. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
A photo shows the main building of Sunol Glen School, which officially turns 100 years old in 2026. The community celebrated the centennial last month due to construction that is planned for next year. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Part of the festivities during the Sunol Glen centennial celebration included carnival-style games and activities for students and children. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch, who graduated from Sunol Glen in 1991, delivers a speech during the festivities on April 26. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Hundreds of Sunol residents, school alumni, current Sunol Glen families and other community members watch as students walk down Main Street in Sunol on April 26 as part of the parade meant to celebrate the school’s centennial anniversary. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The parade featured themed floats as a creative throwback to Sunol’s historical bed races from the past. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)
The Sunol Glen School community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the main school building on April 26 with festivities including a parade featuring antique cars, student-led tours of the school and an old-fashioned, small-town picnic.
Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch, a former Sunol Glen Eagle, spoke during the ceremony and told the Weekly emotions were running high as he returned to his alma mater, which helped shape him into the person he is today.
“The impact Sunol Glen had on me is both real and lasting — and I carry it with me every day,” Balch said. “I did have a real sense of pride when alumni raised their hands, and I was amongst them. But I wasn’t quite prepared for how it felt when I was speaking and was trying to communicate that pride and depth of thanks I felt.”
Originally built in 1926, the school has been a trademark for the small town and one of the major draws for not just residents but commuter parents as well who wanted a smaller school community for their children.
Although the 100-year mark from when construction finished is actually next year, the school decided to celebrate its centennial early because in 2026, the building will undergo a seismic upgrade and a remodel.
According to Sunol Glen Unified School District Trustee Chris Bobertz, the celebration was a success as they had over 600 people RSVP. He said the turnout “exceeded our expectations — especially for a district of roughly 250 enrolled students.”
“It was heartwarming to see generations of alumni, families, staff, and community members come together to honor 100 years of our school’s history,” Bobertz said.
“It wasn’t just a celebration of the building or the milestone — it was a celebration of the people, the memories, and the legacy that this school represents in Sunol,” he added. “From student performances to historical displays and heartfelt speeches, there was a strong sense of pride and unity through the day.”
Shay Galletti, the school’s superintendent and principal, provided a snapshot of the celebration, which included a joint parade with the small town of just over 900 residents where they did a throwback to Sunol’s historical bed races by reimagining them as themed floats.
She also said there were carnival-style games and activities for students; a pop-up museum in the school’s auditorium that featured historic photos and artwork from Sunol’s past, student-led tours highlighting the school’s history and campus landmarks, and a free community barbecue and music at Sunol Park to close out the day.
“This milestone isn’t just about the passage of time, it’s about the people who have made Sunol Glen a special place to learn and grow for an entire century,” Galletti said. “Sunol Glen’s legacy endures because of the strong sense of pride, history, and connection shared by our entire community.”
Longtime Sunol resident Andrew Turnbull told the Weekly that in addition to the students and locals who attended the celebration, he was also happy to see local elected officials such as California State Assemblymember Alex Lee, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert and Balch.
“Our small town, with a population of 922, and the numerous graduates, former and current teachers, staff, trustees, and supporters of Sunol Glen are still buzzing with excitement from our small town celebration,” Turnbull said.
Following the celebration, Balch reflected on his time at Sunol Glen — he attended the school from kindergarten through eighth grade before graduating in 1991 — and recalled how much the school and the surrounding community contributed to his childhood.
While he reminisced about the playground, the parades in downtown Sunol and his time performing at the Sunol Repertory Theater, one of the more notable impacts the school had on the Pleasanton mayor were the academic struggles he faced.
“Until about the end of sixth grade, I wasn’t a strong student,” Balch said. “I was a very slow reader, got teased and got into a few fights — I was suspended for it … But the teachers knew me, and they didn’t label me as a ‘bad kid’. They recognized I just needed more time and support — and they gave me that.”
He said with the help of caring teachers, he was able to turn his academic journey around by seventh grade, earning a 4.0 GPA that year.
“I honestly don’t think that transformation would have been possible without the support, encouragement, and patience I received from the Sunol Glen community,” Balch said.
He said he was humbled to be able to speak at the centennial celebration and that even though his time at the school was “just a speck in its history,” he said the experience there will stay with him for the rest of his life.
“I truly believe Sunol Glen will be around for another hundred years,” Balch said. “Sunol is a close-knit community, and so many of its graduates feel just as fondly about the school as I do. That deep, lasting support is what will help it meet any challenge that comes its way.”
