SCHOOL 1957 VS. 2007

SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007




Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors are called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin, becomes a zombie, and is tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused her self and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.




Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given a diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant pile.
1957 - Ants die.
2007 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated; Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

What kind of society of idiots have we become?

PRHS 7th grade -- 1919

Front Row:Louis Krejca, Verner Edlund, Eva Bochme, Ethel Henderson, Zelna Caton, Sylvia Demarest, Lennie Conklin, Jennie Iwanowitz, Minnie Peterson, Ellsworth Caton, Howie Seitz
Middle Row:Joe Lynch, Ed Allison, John Boardman, Russ Dexter, Carl Er, Ehrhardt, Miss O'Dea
Back Row:Frank Ehrhardt, Harold Dutcher, Arthur Peckman, George Dennis

PRHS CLASS OF 1924

Back Row: Joe Lynch, Pete Garaventa, Lloyd Buckley, Eddie Blackwell, Ralph "Whitey" Langer. Wesley Slade
Middle Row: Frances David, Dorothy Ehlig, Doris Witthohn, Marguerite Hartin, Edwin "Blackie" Langer, Howard "Buck" Serrell, Oscar Papeman, Gunnar Johnson
Front Row: Catherine McGivney, Jennie Iwanowitz, Marion Bornhorst, Alice Cordukes, Alberta Straut, Kathryn Brokaw, Mary Evans, Elsie Keitelhack, Marjorie Berry

PRHS CLASS OF 1959 50TH REUNION

In the last blog I mentioned the invitation given by the class of 1958 to any PRHS graduate to attend the picnic on 6SEP2008 at Krucker's. We understand that the class of 1959 will be going on a cruise. Can we assume that class has turned into latte drinkers that read the New York Times every day? I would like to hear from members of that class how much that reunion is going to cost the average Joe.

50th Class Reunion PRHS Class of 1958

In 2007 the Pearl River High School class of 1957 had a spectacular 50 year reunion. It was well attended by alumni from their class and some others.

They will be a tough act to follow, but now the baton has been passed to the class of 1958. We would like to extend an invitation to all PRHS alumni to join us at our reunion. The event will be on the weekend following Labor Day, The dates are September 5, 6 & 7.

The highlight of the weekend will be an all day picnic/party on Saturday, September 6, at Krucker’s Restaurant and Grove in Pomona, NY. This is open to anyone who would like to attend. We did this for our 45th reunion and it was a huge success. There are also other activities planned for the weekend. These can be found on our web site that is growing every day. The web address is: http://pirates58.googlepages.com


Arrangements have been made at the Comfort Inn on route 59 in Nanuet for schoolmates from out of town. If you are booking a room or suite for the weekend, be sure to say you are attending the Pearl River class of ’58 reunion. You can contact the Nanuet Comfort Inn at
1 800-4-Nanuet or 845 623-6000.

So far we have had several inquiries from members of the cases of ’57, ’59 and a few from the class of ’56. This will be a fun time. Try not to miss it. We are currently trying to get an approximate head count, so if you or anyone you know has any interest in attending, please contact Peggy Soderberg at 845 735-2845 or at her email address: Peggy.Soderberg@pearsoned.com
Feel free to make copies of this letter and pass it on.

Best regards from the class of 1958 reunion committee,
Anne Bohnel Silverman, Peggy Soderberg, Tom O’Brien
Gail Katt Scales, Gene Cooper, Barbara Hopko Parente
Dave Stolte, Bev Raebuck Hodge, Pete Wozniak
Barbara & Bob Schweizer, Peggy Ingafu Leo, Bob Stokstad

1921-1922 County Basketball Champs

front row: (left to right): Buck Serell, Milt Cruden, Horace Hunderfund,
Neil Hunderfund, Edwin Norman, Blackie Langer

rear row: left to right: Whitie Langer, Hector Mariani, Al Rowland, Clint Weitman

PEARL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL 1913