FAQs 2025 Reunion
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS –
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
June 21, 2025
80th Anniversary Celebration
at Crowne Plaza Hotel Woburn, MA
For 1945 founding of
Christopher Columbus Catholic Central High School
Boston, MA North End
All Alumni Classes 1949 to 1990
Columbus and Julie Billiart
Alumni, Guests & Teachers
Question 1: Has the reunion committee made a contract with the Crowne Plaza Hotel Woburn, MA?
Answer 1: Yes. A committee member signed a contract in April 2024 with Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn, MA, paid a deposit, and made a financial commitment for a guaranteed minimum number of attendees to hold a Luncheon from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM on June 21, 2025. (12 months from now).
Question 2: Why is it important to Register with Payment As Soon as Possible, preferably by July 15, 2024?
Answer 2: First, the Planning Committee has guaranteed payment for a minimal number of attendees for June 21, 2025 luncheon at Crowne Plaza Hotel Woburn MA. If we do not fill the guaranteed attendance number, then we still have to pay for no shows. That would not be good! So we need your help alumni of CC and JB!
Please register ASAP! Our goal is to fill up the minimum guaranteed attendee number by July 15, 2024. We will announce when that minimum number has been reached, and whether or not any additional space is available.
Second, the hotel gave Columbus the option to increase our contracted minimum guaranteed attendee count. However, this courtesy ends July 31, 2024. Then from August 1, 2024 the hotel will again actively be trying to sell to other groups the balance of the space that Columbus has not guaranteed to fill. When the hotel does sell the balance of the ballroom space, then there will be no more chance for Columbus to accept late alumni registrations. This is a key reason to act fast alumni! Don’t miss out!
Note: The Planning Committee is making all commitments to the hotel based on the count of actual registered/paid alumni. The alumni’s initial partial payment must be received in Committee’s hands (by check or Venmo) for us to include your and your guest’s name in the official count of registered attendees.
Question 3: How do I pay for the 2025 80th Celebration – All Classes Reunion??
Answer 3: Option 1. Mail CHECK payable to
“Columbus 80th Reunion” to:
Columbus 80th Reunion
PO Box 166
Wilmington, MA 01887
or
Option 2. Pay by VENMO to “@Bob-Mitchell-23”
Note 1: For both CHECK and VENMO Payments.
WHEN SUBMITTING PAYMENT,
PLEASE STATE: 1) FIRST NAME, 2) MAIDEN NAME (OPTIONAL), 3) LAST NAME, 4) CLASS YEAR, 5) CC OR JB, 6) GUEST NAME, 7) EMAIL ADDRESS, 8) PHONE NUMBER (OPTIONAL) AND 9) TABLE LEADERS INFO (OPTIONAL): A) FULL NAME, B) GRADUATION YEAR, AND C) CC OR JB.
ALSO, PLEASE EMAIL THE SAME INFORMATION (1 TO 8) TO US AT REUNIONINFO@COLUMBUSHSBOSTON.COM SO WE CAN TRACK YOUR PAYMENT.
Note 2: For VENMO Payment:
IN VENMO, PLEASE BE SURE TO USE “TRANSFER” – WHICH IS FREE.
DO NOT USE “PURCHASE” – WHICH INCURS AN EXTRA COST.
IN VENMO, IF YOUR BANK ASKS FOR LAST 4 DIGITS OF BOB’S PHONE NUMBER THEN USE 1454.
SOME BANKS ALLOW YOU TO SKIP THIS STEP.
Question 4. What if I send in my money, and I am too late, because all the tickets are sold out. Will I receive my money back?
Answer 4: Yes. This is exception to the “NO REFUNDS POLICY”. Registration payments are being recorded by date and time of receipt. Once we know we are sold out of the guaranteed count, then we will post that fact at the top of these website pages: https://columbushsboston.com/2025-reunion-registration/ and https://columbushsboston.com/FAQs-2025-reunion/ .
If a payment is received after the sold out date/time, then we will not process the payment and will inform you that your registration and your payment have not been accepted. If payment has already been deposited to our bank account (by check or Venmo), then it will be returned. Therefore, be sure to include your email and phone number at time of registration so that we know how to contact you.
Question 5: What if someone pays for themselves, and then later a guest wants to come, can they add that guest later?
Answer 5: Yes, on one condition. If at a later time you want to register a guest to attend with a previously registered alumni, then send the second payment for the guest with the guest information (first name, maiden name (optional), and last name). Please send a note that: “This is a guest of alumni (first name, maiden name (optional) last name, graduating class year, CC or JB, email and phone)”.
If we are at capacity with no chance of securing any additional space at the venue, then unfortunately we will have to reject your payment (or refund you the payment). We would also deny entry at the event to any people who are unregistered or who have not paid 100% of ticket price by 45 days before the event day.
As seats are limited, it is strongly suggested to register all guests as soon as possible (preferably by July 15, 2024).
Question 6: I tried to pay by Venmo, but my bank is asking for the last 4 digits of the phone number of Bob-Mitchell-23. What do I do?
Answer 6: Please use 1454 as the last four digits of Bob-Mitchell-23 Venmo account. Also, please be sure to use “Transfer” (which is free), Do Not Use “Purchase” which incurs a processing cost.
Question 7: Are Alumni able to reserve a table in advance to sit together?
Answer 7: No and Yes!
While there are no reserved tables officially, we will make note and work with one designated Table Leader to accommodate your group as much as possible. Therefore, in order to sit together you have to take action as soon as possible!
Step 1: REGISTER & PAY ASAP as Individuals.
Make sure everyone for your Table Registers/Pays for their ticket (and guest ticket) by themselves individually and as soon as possible before the tickets are sold out (preferably by July 15, 2024).
For both CHECK and VENMO Payments: When submitting payment, please state: 1) first name, 2) maiden name (optional), 3) last name, 4) class year, 5) CC or JB, 6) guest name, 7) email address, 8) Phone number (optional). In addition to your own registration information please indicate your 9) designated Table Leader’s: a) full name, b) class year and c) CC or JB.
Please email the same information (1 to 9) to us at reunioninfo@ColumbusHSBoston.com so we can track your payment and link it to your Table Leader.
Step 2: EVENT DAY June 21, 2024
CHECK IN: Importantly, on event Day June 21, 2025, the Table Leader should arrive early, inform the check in desk that you are a Table Leader, and provide your name, phone number and other information, as well as the names of people you prefer to sit at your table.
STAY at your designated table to welcome your table members.
The ballroom will be sectioned off by decades (1949-1959, 1960-1969, etc.). Table Leaders will be place in the decade section of the ballroom that matches with their graduating class year.
OTHER
The number of tables allotted to each graduation class will be determined by number of paid registrations from that class.
If you do not completely fill up a table, then alumni from other classes can join the table.
All attendees should expect some tables with mixed classes. What a great chance to mingle and make new friends!
Question 8: Why is the 2025 Reunion planned for a year away – in June 21, 2025?
Answer 8: There are several reasons for choosing the date June 21, 2025. First, venues for larger crowds are in demand and fill up quickly. When the committee started in the spring of 2024, there was a short timeframe to both prepare for a good venue and to spread the word to alumni. The fall of 2024 was difficult to find availability at a good venue.
Second, we polled the alumni in spring of 2024 through Facebook Columbus group pages and many people (about 200 alumni) chose 2025 Spring/Summer as a date of interest to attend a Columbus reunion.
Third, 2025 is the 80th Anniversary of the founding of Christopher Columbus Catholic Central High School (1945).
Fourth, some classmates live far away, live out of state, or prefer not to drive home after the exciting 2025 Reunion. June is a great travel month without many weather surprises in New England or across the USA.
Question 9: I am wondering: “What is hotel room price for overnight stay?” Are there any special rates? I will be coming from far away, out of state, or prefer not to drive home that night. I would appreciate more information!
[Updated] Answer 9:
$159/Night AARP Rate
When making reservation ask for $159/night AARP rate, if you qualify.
$179/Night Crown Plaza Rate
Yes! There will be a special discount hotel room rate of $179 per night (single or double occupancy) at the Crowne Plaza Woburn, MA for Friday, June 20, 2025 evening and/or Saturday, June 21, 2025 evening.
Call 1-800-227-6963
Online Reservations: www.crowneplaza.com/woburnMA
Group Code: CHA
($179/NIGHT)
Offer Ends: Friday, May 30, 2025
Limited number of hotel guest rooms at special rate.
Question 10: How do I keep informed about new details about the June 21, 2025 Columbus HS Boston Reunion?
Answer 10: To keep up to date there are four (4) official ongoing communication channels of the Reunion Committee, so “when in doubt, reach out”.
First. Please visit frequently this FAQs Question & Answer page on this Columbus HS Boston website.
Second. Send us an email to reunioninfo@ColumbusHSBoston.com
Third. JOIN NEWSLETTER. We will send newsletter emails occasionally – about once a month, or whenever there is something significant to report.
Fourth. We also post information of the Facebook group pages of “Christopher Columbus High School“, “Christopher Columbus High School Boston“, and “Julie Billiart Central High School“.
Question 11: How do I sign up to JOIN NEWSLETTER ?
Answer 11: There are two ways!
Go to JOIN NEWSLETTER Sign Up Form and instructions on this website!
Or just email us at reunioninfo@ColumbusHSBoston.com and explain that you want to join the newsletter. Please include your full name, school (CC or JB), and class class year. Phone number is optional, but helpful. Maiden name is also optional, but helpful.
Question 12: Why are Columbus and Julie Billiart celebrating together the 80th Anniversary of Columbus? I thought these were separate schools – except for the shared library and morning caféteria time!
Answer 12: “On October 12, 1945, Christopher Columbus Central Catholic High School was opened as a coed building with boys in the West wing and girls in the East Wing.” Columbus became a separate school with the girls being under the instruction of the Sisters of Notre Dame for many decades. Then “in the fall of 1981 under the direction of Fr. Gilbert Silverio, OFM Columbus became a truly coeducational high school. Julie Billiart High School was closed, the swinging doors that divided each floor came down and Julie Billiart joined the Columbus Family.” Columbus closed for good in 1990 – but the graduates carry on as “Christbearers” and “peacemakers for life”.
Learn more about Columbus history on this page: https://columbushsboston.com/history/ ).