Video: Cass Tech alumni recall better times in Detroit

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When the mighty, historic Cass Tech High School came crashing down this time last year, dozens of alumni gathered to catch one last glimpse of the 93-year-old building.

Some fought back tears. Others cheered. Most watched in shock.

The alumni were as diverse as Cass Tech’s curriculum. They were engineers, politicians, a clown, musician and homeless man.

All had a story. A first love. Best friends. Adolescence. Sports.

During the month I spent watching the demolition last summer, I listened eagerly to accounts of life at the city’s premier school.  They didn’t talk about gangs and blight. Their Detroit was more promising and hopeful.

This video is a collection of demolition videos and interviews with alumni.

Check back Thursday for a look at forgotten artwork that was salvaged from the school before demolition.

Other recent Cass Tech stories:

Hundreds of pieces of artwork were salvaged before Cass Tech was demolished

Photo gallery: Demolition ends life of old school

  2005, abandoned, Alumni, Cass Tech, Demo, detroit, Detroit Public Schools, Diana Ross, DPS, Jack White, kwame kilpatrick, Ray Johnson, steve, video

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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