40th Reunion Set for Huntington's Class of 1971
Some of them haven't stepped foot on the grounds of their alma since the day they graduated 40 years ago, but members of Huntington High School's Class of 1971 will be back in town later this month for a festive reunion.
Class members will hold their formal celebration on Saturday, September 24 at the Huntington Hilton in Melville. An assortment of other events is also planned, including a high school tour courtesy of School Heritage Museum curator Jack Abrams, an afternoon football game and some informal get-togethers.
Many members of the Class of 1971 members are expected to attend the Blue Devils football game against Miller Place. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. The group will be acknowledged over the stadium's public address system.
Members of Huntington's Class of 1971 have found their way into just about every type of career one could think of. Those planning to attend the reunion are entrenched in a variety of professions. Several are teachers, including more than a few in the Huntington area, there's a writer and editor, an accounting professor and financial consultant, an art and marriage family therapist, a major magazine illustrator and a grant writer, a Silicon Valley success story, nurse practitioners, a management consultant working internationally, a non-profit organization leader, an executive of an association, several successful musicians and entertainers, realtors and developers, an actress, a chief financial officer and several civil servants.
The 1971 alumni ranks also include a nursing professor, an international opera singer turned designer/artisan, a nationally recognized medical doctor who is the chief executive officer of a physican's group, a dentist and hospice worker, a mediator and race car engine designer/builder, several librarians, an astronomer, physicians and surgeons, a photographer, nurses, attorneys, retail professionals, an editor, bush pilot and Peace Corps volunteer, a TV producer and risk manager, an animal control officer and IT professionals.
"We span the political spectrum from very liberal to very libertarian," said Dr. Lurye, a Class of 1971 member who now serves as the chief executive officer of the Elmhurst Clinic. "We are Catholic, Protestant of many denominations, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, perhaps other faiths, and atheists. We are parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Some of us have remained in the Huntington area, providing great continuity with our shared past."
It's a stark understatement to say that much has happened to Huntington's Class of 1971 in the 14,699 days between its commencement exercises and the September 24 reunion. "We have undertaken every imaginable profession," Dr. Lurye said. "We are living in all four continental US time zones and are leaders in our communities."
The official reunion banquet was organized by Reunions of America, which worked with class members Ilene Leopold Persoff and Dr. Richard Ricca. Mrs. Leopold Persoff teaches accounting at Long Island University and Dr. Ricca works as a general and vascular surgeon in Southampton.
Class members have been holding informal discussions on Facebook as part of a group called "HHS '71 Reunion. 1971 alum Tevilla Riddell (known as Taffy by classmates) created the Facebook group, which now numbers 87. Mrs. Riddell has organized a gathering of class members at Finley's on Greene Street on Friday, September 23.
Class member Catherine (Close) Mahler is hosting some classmates at her home for brunch on Sunday, September 25. "While none of this is part of the official reunion, we think these activities will enhance the overall experience," said Dr. Lurye, who helped arrange the school tour and class attendance at the Blue Devil football game. "While the three of us have driven the 'extra' happenings, we benefited greatly from extensive discussions with many classmates on the Facebook group page and informally offline," he said.
Social media is helping to contribute to what is expected to be a sensational 40th reunion. "A sizable minority of our class is in evidence on Facebook tovarying degrees," Dr. Lurye said. "This has afforded us the chance to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. It has been fascinating seeing where everyone has ended up and what they are doing."
Class members can't wait to see each other. "The weekend of September 24, we will renew old friendships and reflect on lives well spent - that we hope are only half over," Dr. Lurye said.