The Staples Class of 1969 held their 40th reunion recently. Like most classes they partied hard, talked a lot and laughed plenty.
Unlike many classes, though, at the end of the weekend when they scattered all over the country, they left something tangible behind: money.
The men and women of ’69 raised — appropriately — $1,969 for Staples Tuition Grants, the group that since 1943 has helped thousands of Westporters attend college.
This could start a great tradition. Every graduating class should think of contributing to the organization that helped so many Stapleites — or any other worthy cause.
But the ’69ers didn’t stop there. They also raised $500 for the Westport Historical Society, through sales of Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education, the 400-page, lavishly illustrated history of their favorite high school. The author is, um, me.
But that’s another story.
The Class of '69 committee (from left) presents a $1,969 check: Alex Shook, Kathy Kopp Sabo, Peggy Kamins (Staples Tuition Grants), Lorrie Besser Ward, Shelby Goodlett Pike, Mark Bunger, Debbie Hooper Fisher, Jeff Allen, Peter Krieg. The copy is unidentified. Missing: Leslie O'Toole, Karin Swan Brooks, Debbie Sims, Ray Flanigan, Joel Wald.