Then and Now |
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What have Wheatley plus five decades meant?
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As we plan our
half-century reunion in May 2010, the question many of us are probably asking
is:
“Can it really be that
long since we earned diplomas from that pioneering school in Old Westbury whose
name sounded so distinctly unpublic?
The power of our time
there resides in memories-- of friendships, first loves, laughter, some wins, a
few losses, and a lot of learning in whatever form we found
it.
Looking back with hindsight's advantage, most alums seem to
agree The Wheatley School was a special place –an unlikely combination
of towns joining to create a high school. While the student body wasn't
"diverse" in any contemporary sense, there was enough variety that it
felt almost multicultural for suburban Long Island, 1950's vintage.
And what a spirited group
of classmates gathered there from 1956 to 1960 as the first class to go the
full four years, taught by talented, dedicated, and enthusiastic teachers,
coaches and staff.
The fun and excitement was
heightened by association with the large personalities in classes before us
(’58 and ’59) and the characters who followed, especially ‘61 with whom we had
great friendships and memorable times. (More later on both our predecessors and
successors in a personal perspective.)
As objective as we can be,
there’s no doubt Wheatley had a striking debut. Pride and school spirit
was fueled by an undefeated football team in the school’s first year (that many
say could have competed with any on Long Island), a great basketball squad, and
other accomplishments--both academic and athletic--that were outstanding.
That atmosphere has been
remarked on by teachers who taught there, and went on to other schools.
Wheatley was, in their estimation, an untypically accomplished high school and
anyone looking at the current website (http://eastwilliston.ny.schoolwebpages.com/education) will
note the tradition of excellence continues.
As proud as we were of being
David competing successfully against larger schools, our successors --both male
and female--seem to have won even more county championships and scholar-athlete
awards. To top it off, Wheatley is now often named among the nation’s
best high schools in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey, heading the list a few years ago, and 88th (of 2,100 rated)
this year.
A sense of such successful
succession was commented on by Bob Holley ’58, who helped coordinate the
website for his class. He published Ken Martin’s 2006 blog with a summary
of their very memorable event two years ago and noted:
“There is one post from another friend (Martino) I
thought you would all like to read--an outstanding recollection of good times,
privileges, and memories we all shared, a recognition of how much his class
respected ours, and maybe most important (if Ken typifies those sophomores
)--from the various brave stories he tells, from the mature intelligence age
has bestowed on him, and from the spirit he exudes, you know for certain we
“passed the torch” on to a gutsy, perceptive and very talented set of younger
schoolmates. From the success Wheatley always seems to have been, we can
safely assume that they did likewise to their underclassmen, and so on.
Vertitatem Quaerite!”
You can read Ken’s blog at www.blogger.com
(ID Wheatley 60) if you establish your own password or use mine (shamrock60). Note
this site is where you can add your own comments and inform your classmates
about your lives since graduating.
Following the “then and
now” theme, we might all reflect on such questions as: How did our
Wheatley experiences change us? And, more importantly, how have we gone on to
grow, mature, thrive, endure, struggle, and, in some cases, raise the next
generation?
An answer to the first
question is probably that we were influenced in countless ways---much like our
own teenagers—we dimly understood. Probably the simplest summary is
“I’m a part of all I've met." None can deny it was our fate to grow
up in a fascinating, though protected, time and place--a peaceful
"eye" before many storms to come. From the contemporary perspective of
9/11 plus eight, our innocence “back in the day” seems striking, though
we would never have thought so then.
The class of 1960
graduated in the glow of optimistic prospects, inspired by the promise of an
exciting young president who seemed to be talking directly to us when he spoke
of "the torch being passed to a new generation." And we
responded with confidence in being able to effect change that sent some
into the Peace Corps and countless other pursuits, armed with faith we could
make a difference.
The assassinations of John
Kennedy--and later his brother Robert and Martin Luther King—made some
profound changes in the mentality (and humility) of our generation. The Vietnam
War also loomed large, especially for those who served there, but was a factor
that impacted all of our thoughts about the nature of reality and
politics.
No longer the Rolling
Stones, but not yet the Grateful Dead, most of us wouldn't choose to
time-machine back to the thrilling days of yesteryear, but there's a
fascination in remembering what it was like--and what we were like--with others
who were there with us. Not a matter of wanting to live in the past, just not
wanting to lose it completely.
Selected Responses from earlier class
surveys (e.g. 1999 +)
Most vivid memories of Wheatley years:
Spirit and pride in the new school
The closeness of the class-camaraderie, affection
among classmates, friends, laughter
The innocence of a simpler time, parties, a safe
feeling, lockers without locks
Competition on and off athletic fields, successful
athletic teams
A close community of diverse people
Sunflowers may have become
roses in many of our memories, but I hope we’ll be able to encourage a good
core of class members to attend our 50th May 14-16 next year There’s been some preliminary
planning and a dinner is scheduled for Saturday night at Wheatley Hills Country
Club on East Williston Avenue (AKA Hillside Avenue.)
We’re open to suggestions
on other activities-- some being considered are a visit to Wheatley on Friday,
perhaps some interaction with students in classes, followed by a barbecue that
night.
On Saturday, many ideas
have surfaced--a nostalgic return to Jones Beach, some sporting events (e.g.
tennis, golf, or even--for those who dare--a touch football game, for old
time’s sake!), or attending a Wheatley athletic game. Sunday
possibilities might include brunch, a visit to a North Fork vineyard, a cruise
around Manhattan Island, or whatever events your fertile minds may suggest.
So chime in with your
ideas, hopefully your reservations to attend and participate, but at least your
thoughts, what you’ve done since graduation, or memories. You can record them
on this blog (www.blogger.com --you
may need to open a Google account --no charge-- to compose messages.)
Some 25 classmates have
already signed up to attend the reunion weekend and you can by contacting our
class shepherd, Elaine Kent Abrams, at EA43@aol.com. You can also reach me at homerhenn@verizon.net or Ken
Martin at kemlkc@cfl.rr.com
The class of ’58 put
together a rather amazing collection of biographical blog
commentaries--candid, heartfelt and fascinating for the maps they drew of
their lives. I’m pledging to complete my own in the next few days and hope
you’ll also take a crack at yours.
Meanwhile, I’ll close this
introductory perspective, which I hope will attract some commentary (dissent,
critiques or whatever) by saying that one of the joys of my life has been
keeping in touch with old pals across the miles and years. I agree with Yeats’
memorable lines:
“Think where man’s glory most begins and
ends
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
Paul
Hennessy
Newton Centre, MA
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