Whitman Class of 1970
The Class
of 1970 (at least most of it; some came later on) arrived at the south entry
portico of WaltWhitmanHigh School in early September 1967 to begin
sophomore year classes. I arrived as well, but got there one day earlier. That's
when the new teachers needed to report to school.
Fresh out
of CortlandState, teaching at Whitman was the start
of my career, and your incoming class in '67 would be my first full term
Wildcat graduating class in June of '70 three years later.
You're a
special group of people.
What I
didn't know or suspect at the time was how much each of you would teach me
during those years together. It might have been during a physical education
class, although back then most if not all were separate classes for boys and
girls. It also could have happened walking through the halls, talking in study
halls, home rooms, in the cafeteria, or at some after school event (remember
the Teen Center?), but you made it very easy to get to know you because of your
cheerfulness, friendly attitudes, and open nature.
From the
likes of a smiling Bonnie Soergel (brother Brad was a Wildcat gymnast) or a
gentlemanly hi from Rod Dolan, to the antics of Jimmy Haslip or Richie Moore
who sort of kept classes in stitches, Whitman was a great place to be teaching.
Fitting in
between those folks were other terrific people like Even Klippel and Mark
Schilling who were co-captains for the gymnastics team, and Billy Johnson who
went on to a US Navy career.
The various
clubs, theater productions, field trips, marching band, and teams gave you many
opportunities to hone new skills and develop lifelong friendships. The athletic
fields and courts provided some lasting memories, graced by the skills and
determination of John Devine, Gary Berezuk, Frank Bitonti, John Brunet, John
Cockrell, and Artie Cox; not to mention Harry Hendrikson motoring down the football field. (Oh, and Harry was
my very successful, ace car mechanic until I moved from South Huntington in 2001.) And then there were two
very exceptional athletes who were as humble in their victories as they were
superb in their sports. Vinny DeRosa, a NYS Cross Country and Track Champion
(and gymnast). You'll never see that athletic combination again. And Sal
Lanuto, Whitman's first NYS Wrestling Champion.
Not to be
outdone, Sandy Montalto made her mark as a Wildcat lady gymnast, and folks like
Barbara Alexi, Terry Coschignano, Chris Larkin, and Gail Sipala were just great
to have around, adding their personalities to the building from day to day.
Like each
of you, they brought life to the school and left their mark. And while I've
cited many athletes here, it is with a full understanding that each of you
contributed to the total of what have become some great memories for you.
Cherish them all.
Like Harry,
I had the good fortune of seeing a number of you after your high school years.
Ralph Nicoletto (Manor Fuel) delivered my heating oil, Mary Pipolo advised me
on art and floral purchases, Carol Williams would fill me in on the Williams
family, and Mark Schilling made my career come full circle. After being the
gymnastics team co-captain, he too graduated from CortlandState, came back to teach physical
education (Half Hollow Schools), and coached gymnastics, much more successfully
than me. But isn't that what teachers, coaches, and parents all hope for?
You
graduated in 1970, and I left in 1986 to advance my career. I retired from
full time education in 2001. Had it not been for an interest in taking some
ballroom dance classes (think Dancing
With the Stars, but I'm not), this little memory would not have happened.
I want to
thank Janet Burgdorf (who dances a mean Salsa) for inviting me to write a
little something for the class.
On a sweet
and sour note, I'm disappointed I won't be able to make it to your class'
reunion. But I will be thinking of you. I'll be celebrating at my daughter's
wedding in Michigan that weekend.
As for me,
I still see my high school classmates, and while we've grown up, we've never
grown apart. I hope you experience the same.
And Harry,
contrary to what you thought for all these years, my MG Midget didn't have
blocks on the accelerator or brake pedals. I really could sit high enough to
see out the windshield without them.
Best wishes
for a wonderful reunion.
Larry Debel
