As spring is at a pivotal point of its season, so are the plans for the 17th Biennial National Oak Park High School Alumni Association Homecoming Celebration.

Members, families and friends of Oak Park High School will gather to celebrate this auspicious occasion July 1 through 4. The theme is “The torch continues to burn in our hearts as we strive to make a difference.”

During this week of fun and festivities the City of Laurel, as well as surrounding cities, share in the vast revenues that this event brings in. Sales tax figures from July 2006 showed an increase from July 2005 when NOPHSAA was not scheduled. Local restaurants, retail shops, hotels, and mall merchants all receive additional revenue when the members, family and friends of NOPHSAA are in town.

For more information and a schedule of events, go to www.nophsaa.org.

Various homecoming committees are meeting to finalize plans in anticipation of this year’s activities. Executive Director Mary Barnett Campbell of Baltimore, Md., will arrive in the city May 21 to assist in finalizing homecoming plans.

Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack and Jerome Wyatt, supervisor of Beat 5, both graduates of Oak Park High School, will co-host the welcome reception July 1 at the Laurel Conference Center. All residents of the city are invited to attend.

The Rev. Olen Arrington of Kenosha, Wis., Chair of NOPHSAA Ministers Alliance, and the local members of NOPHSAA anticipate ministering at various homecoming functions as well as the morning worship service on July 2 at 8 a.m. and the annual memorial service on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.