On the heels of last weekend’s very successful reunion of Staples High School’s Class of 1964 — and, the weekend before, a mini-reunion for the Class of ’71 — Fred Cantor writes:
I nominate Staples reunion organizers for Unsung Heroes recognition.
Think about it: The rest of us simply show up and enjoy seeing old friends and/or reconnecting with old classmates — a bond we perhaps recognize as increasingly special as we age (and lose old friends as part of the life cycle).
How many people are out there who have shared memories with you of events, both big and small, that happened not just at Staples, but also at your elementary school or junior high?
And how many people exist who might remember some small incident involving your parents at your home or elsewhere that was lost in the deep recesses of your brain, until a decades-old friend triggered that recollection?
Long-lost precious memories perhaps waiting to be rediscovered — these are just some of the benefits of a reunion. Again, virtually all of us simply sign up, attend and reap those rewards.
Staples High School Class of 1971 (and friends) gather in the Ned Dimes Marina clubhouse, for a recent mini-reunion. (Photo/George Drapeau)
But a great deal of work goes into making it happen, by volunteer organizers.
These responsibilities include outreach via social media, email and texts to classmates and teachers; negotiating terms and contracting with hotels, restaurants and other venues; creating a website; decorations; creating favor bags and name tags; recognition of students who have passed; coordinating it all, and much, much more.
Reunion-goers enjoy events that seem seamless. But the work put in by organizers is enormous — and unseen.
The results are certainly worth it. The organizers are unsung heroes.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Bravo Zulu, Fred. Melody James, suffering from some physical issues, helped enormously. A shout out to her. My brother was in that class. Smokes got him before the 50th. But some very unique members of that class.
Dan, You mentioned the photo was taken recently. Is recently 1991? The women in that picture look 38 years old. Seriously, how can everyone in that photo look so young?
Anne Parnas Skandera Class of 1958 organized our 50th and 60th reunions. Her excellent work brought many of us back in touch with each other. Hours of work were involved but the result was well worth it. Thank you, Anne, and thanks to all who helped, hosted and to all the other class reunion organizers.
Fred, I second your nomination!
I agree totally. Class of 1964 had an amazing committee. They came from all over the US and convened on zoom.
Wonder about my life had I been a Wrecker ‘58…
‘64 was a great class. Lots of role models for me. I wouldn’t be the great person I am without their help.
Thank you Dan! Pam Guthman and I planned 2 reunions and Lynn (and Gail?) Mellor made our first one(s) happen long long ago!
Well deserved recognition! I never want to let go of my Westport connections and please, never let go of me. We were so fortunate to grow up there together. Thank you to everyone who makes our reunions happen. I hope I can attend the next one. 💜
Thank you, Fred! You nailed it by recognizing the epic amount of time and effort it takes to put reunions together. It’s fun to be with other classmates on the committee but we do work hard. Cheers from Class of 62!
Although the “epic amount of work” put into reunions should surely be recognized and lauded, raising such efforts to the “unsung hero” level has trivialized, forever, being designated as such on this blog.
Dan K: there is a range within what constitutes being a hero. One of the definitions per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “a person admired for achievements and noble qualities.”
So, yes, I think the efforts by the reunion organizers qualify for that category even if, admittedly, they pale in comparison to the kind of bravery and/or courage that many traditionally associate with the highest form of heroic acts.
And I think the Unsung Heroes column has been largely about people who fit the category described above.
Ahhhhh, Fred C, I would like to bow to your research efforts; however, since the broad definition your found, ADDS the adjective NOBLE, I must, in my own defense, respond that the definition gives further logic to my original opinion. What, pray tell, is the least bit “noble” about event planning?
Dan: what’s noble, from my perspective, is the amount of time and effort—-and, again, strictly on a volunteer basis—that goes into making these reunions a reality. But obviously we have different views on that (which is fine).
Thank you Fred for honoring fellow Staples Alumni. I am from the Class of 1972. it has been and will always be an honor to have grown up with all my clsssmates from Coleytown Elementary, Coleytown Junior
High School and Staples High.
Wherever we all are in the world we are drawn back by these Unsung Heroes to our Westport. Thank you all for your time, energy and dedication for keeping us all connected.
With Graditude,
Ilise Giold (formerly Ronni Wisser)
I’ve always been a tad …jealous isn’t the right word…of 71…ever since they won the homecoming float competition as juniors, ….when it was tradition that the senior float wins no matter what. When we lost, it was a blow to pride; even though their snoopy was far superior to our deflated football. The class of 71 is a heck of a class. Here’s to a bunch more reunions!!
If Principal Calkins hadn’t intervened I too could have been a member of SHS great class of ‘71. There’s a story there, but only Jack Backiel would find it interesting.
Eric, I’m all ears and enthusiastically await your story!!