Sanger Exes Association disbanding

The Sanger Exes Association released an announcement this week: With deep regret the Sanger Exes Association Board has made the decision to disband the organization due to lack of attendance from ex-students of Sanger ISD at the luncheon/meet & greet each year during homecoming weekend.  The Board met July 9, 2025 with more discussions of what could be changed to interest more of the Sanger exes but after discussions of many possible solutions to the issue, it was determined it was futile.  Most classes organize their own events during Homecoming weekend and do not participate in the organized event.

“Over the years this event was a special time for former students of Sanger Independent School District and attendance was outstanding in the earlier years.  There was always a program with speakers, and a catered luncheon with time to visit with former classmates, friends, and acquaintances,” said SEA Board Member Tona Batis. “The Board has tried several different approaches to Homecoming over the past few years attempting to find the type of event that would appeal to Sanger Exes coming home to no avail.”

She provided a sampling of articles from the “Sanger Courier” and later “Sanger News” on the UNT Portal to Texas History indicates attendance in earlier years was fairly consistent.  Information on the 2000s is incomplete on the portal.

1958 – 200

1961 -  165

1962 -  120

1964 -  160

1965 -  150

1966 -  200

1990 -  244

1994 -  264

2008 -  170

2024 -  20

Twenty attendees were at the 2024 Homecoming event last year.  The previous two years also saw a very small attendance with minimal registration to the organization prior to the date.

Sanger Homecoming was established in 1951.  Helen Bounds and Peggy Pate determined Sanger needed a “homecoming” event for friends and classmates to gather.  In the years up to early 2000s there were 150-264 recorded attendees with 1994 recording a record 264 attendees.   There have been 83 annual Homecoming events for Sanger but now is the time to end due to lack of interest.   “Again, it is with deep regret this decision has been made,” added Batis.