Cornwall Central High School Class of 72

I created this page after our 30th reunion. Names in bold face attended at least one of the three events of our 30 year reunion

I have no more class pictures beyond third grade. Did they stop taking them? If any of you want to submit your own, I will publish them here. If you send pictures, e-mail them as jpegs.

If you e mail for any reason, please, please put something in the subject line that will make me recognize the purpose. I get about 50 scam and virus laden e-mails a day. As a precaution, I delete e mail lacking a relevant subject.

Apologies to those whose last names I misspell or forget. If I take the time to get this right, I'll never get it done. It is already two months since the reunion. Ladies, I've taken the liberty of using your maiden names for the ease of identification. I guess I have great sentimentality for our childhood. So to me, you will always be Sherry Ferguson, and Irene Pons

Top row: John Mitchell, Nancy Bewick, Rich Lark, Mrs Tiffany, Frank ?, Robin Carson, Jim ?

Third Row Down: Al Cavalari, Sonia ?, Steve Martin, Pat Farot, Lynn Crevling, Ken ?

Bottom Row: Rob Knoerzer, Elaine ?, Kid in V neck, Sherry Ferguson, Ray Lug, Debby ?, John Lobb

I was one of those kids who cried my first day of kindergarten. It was because they had told us to bring a smock. But then I found out they expected us to leave it behind right there in that lonely classroom when we went home. Hey, my mother gave me that smock! And now you want me to just abandon it in some cubby hole? I can remember the feeling to this day. It was like leaving my mother there all alone! They won. I guess my first lesson on my first day in kindergarten was that sometimes you just have to get with the program.

In kindergarten I also cheated on my first test. We had these workbooks and they told us to "circle the boy's left hand." They may just as well have told us to split the atom. We hadn't covered that yet! Well, I figured Rob Knoerzer must know what he was doing, so I copied him. We both got it wrong, and I got busted.

But what a pleasure to have met people then who I know to this day. Sherry and Ray, so glad to have seen you again. When you were kids with people that long ago, you always know them.

Top Row: Tom Walraven, Irene Pons, Robin Poptanich, Mrs Chaney, Steve Martin, Lynn Kessel, Jeff Perry

Second Row Down: Brian Hulse, Susan ? , Bobby ?, Michelle Blaine, Joan ?, Jim Clearwater, Lynn Crevling, Reid Pavia

Bottom Row: Tom ?, Sherry Ferguson, John Lobb Lorraine Cowton, Ed Hoffer, Beverly Rice, Dave Keyser

First grade added a whole new wave of original classmates to my life. Everyone remembers Mrs Chaney as a larger than life old school marm. She was like everybody's grandma, and she ruled the place. In phonics lesson, it was "Ch" like "Chaney." She had a giant Elsie The Cow head up on the cabinet. That was the old Borden Milk logo. Back then we still had a mandatory school prayer. I believe I remember that part of it was asking the lord to "bless our teachers." And she'd swat you on the fanny if she had to. We used the old Dick and Jane readers and some of the kids in this picture look like they come right out of them. Brian, it may be in first grade that I named you "Paminondis" after some character in a story they read to us.

Top Row: Jim Tuttle, William Crandal, John Oelrich, Gary Melrose, Jim Fitch, Larry Kirwan, John Mitchell

Second Row Down: Rob Knoerzer, Sandy Van Kleeck, Angela Leone, Vicki Keeve, Natalie Woodruf, Barbara Madonia

Third Row Down: Crystal Drake, Cornelia Frech, Irene Pons, Debbie Jones, Jim Clearwater, Michelle Blaine, Brian Hulse, Mrs Grey

Bottom Row: Theresa Wojehowski, Al Cavalari, Steen Syvertsen, Jon Brewer, Marilyn Ditty, Joey Scott

Ah, Jon Brewer. This was the year he was added to my life. He was my protector on the playground. I would yell, "Hey Brewer" and he would appear out of nowhere and stand up to third or fourth graders trying to "get" me. Just like when he played varsity football, his spirit gave him courage beyond his size. See that kid up there between Jim Tuttle and John Oelrich? One day they actually washed out his mouth with soap for saying a bad word. Although, that might have been later in 5th grade by Mrs Harkinson. He was steamed. Guess you can't blame him. That must make you feel violated. Wonder if he still has a cause of action.

I just moved from the town of Newburgh and learned at the reunion that Jimmy Tuttle and Sherry lived around the corner from me for the last 7 years! None of us knew it. Jimmy Clearwater, I think it must have been in this grade when you came to my birthday party because I remember Stan Syvertsen was there too. I've know Jim Clearwater since first grade. But now my connection to him goes back to the 1760's or so. Turns out that the old house we moved into in Campbell Hall was built by Jim's ancestors who are buried out back.

Gary has been my insurance guy since forever. I always wondered how long I knew you and had forgotten it goes clear back to 2nd grade. But that is you, isn't it?

In this picture you see also why it is good that our reunion committee created the category "former classmates." Some of our original class left in the later grades to attend other schools, and some graduated with other classes. But in our hearts and memories, when you have known them this long, they will always be our classmates. Theresa, Irene, Pam Adams! So good to see you.

(Through the years I used to run into Mrs Lewis about every 10 years. She never changed a bit and I bet she still looks like she did then) Bless your heart Mrs. Lewis. You were probably almost still a college kid back then.

Top Row: Fred Roos, Donald Stewart, Larry Kirwan, Jeff Perry, Karen Courtermarch, John Lobb, Ken O'Sullivan, Gail Lonergan

Second Row Down: Brian Hulse, Yvonne Yaegel, Candy Remfry, Mrs Lewis, Kevin Tennery, Sandy Van Kleeck, Jon Brewer

Third Row Down: Irene Pons, Robin Carson, Gloria Clark, Crystal Drake, Terry Coddington, Michelle Blaine

Bottom Row: Billy Putz!, Paul Wilson, Al Cavalari, Guy Milliken, Peter Krug, Vinnie Kevel

Billy Putz, now there was a classic. What a tough guy. Doesn't he look just like one of those mean kids in the holiday movie "Christmas Story". That's the one where the kid wants the BB gun, but everyone tells him "you'll put your eye out." Notice Vinnie Kevel bottom row right marching to the tune of a different drummer. Kind of looks like Jerry Lewis. I remember seeing the principal give him a pretty tough spanking.

Seeing these and all of my other classmates in November was a great gift. I have long thought that if every kid could have as fine a childhood as did I, how could there be any problems in the world? I know that is a simplistic notion, but there is some validity in it. Any of you in education or psychology can tell us about formative years. How lucky we were to grow up in a small town where you can know everyone in your class and go through life with them. For me it has been a valuable core experience. I do believe that we are, in part, a product of our experiences. And you, my classmates, made up those school moments.

And how lucky we were to be in such a school system. I can name every one of my teachers. Some of us were remarking at the reunion what a role teachers play in our lives. When you see what some schools now have to offer as experiences, I'll take our school years any day. It does sadden me to know that these same years were not as happy for all of you.

I was so pleased to see that so many of you still hold our class and school days so dear that you came from such distances: Lisa Briggs from Kansas, Ray Gonzales from Florida, Jeff Perry from Virginia. I hear Ray was among the first to respond. It is so easy for we locals to attend. But seeing you folks from far-flung corners makes it all the sweeter. Glad you care enough to have made such an effort. I was also very moved that Nancy Clements thought enough about our class to make the trip. Kids arriving to a class late in high school as you did, don't always have a connection to it. You were a wonderful addition to the event and to our class. The rest of you, especially you locals, we miss you. And you are missing a great treat. Until they perfect the wayback machine, a reunion is the closest thing we have to time travel. I am pleased to say that I am now three and O. I've been to all three reunions. Jan Childress, I'm glad you finally made one. I still remember when you came in 4th grade. Don't be a stranger. We got to visit way too little.

The Sunday brunch was wonderful and intimate. Only about 20 or 25 of us were there. Alan Woodruff's son was with us. What a nice kid. We had the balloons left over from the Saturday event at The Meadowbrook. As Sunday afternoon became late and it was time to go, they released the balloons one by one over The Hudson. As they eventually disappeared to invisible specks, the kid said, "see there goes your childhood." And how! As with all of life's milestones- weddings, graduations, funerals- it was another marker reminding us that our time here is not forever. That we will soon have to give it up and let it go. I suppose that prospect is only bitter and sad because it has been so sweet. The mood on Sunday was quite and thoughtful. Understated. Eventually, even though we had the place until that night, we all knew it was at an end and time to get back to our too busy lives. The weekend had been a kind of time out from every day concerns. As one by one, those who had the longer drives got up to leave, there was an additional sense of something missing. It was so so sweet to see all you childhood faces again. You are all a source of strength and happiness to me.

I just received the most wonderful e mail from another founding member of The Class of 72, John Lobb, my old Mrs. Tiffany's Canterbury Elementary School Kindergarten classmate. Our first class picture is here: Tiffany

PS: John, thanks for visiting the CCHS class of 1972 web site. Andy Maroney created it and webmasters it. Without him as our web site guru, there would be no web site and no keeping in touch. Pat (Sullivan) Anderson's husband Geoff hosts it for free. Everyone who went to school in our class or who graduated with us in 1972 is a "member." By the way, you and I do get to claim the title of being "founding members" of the CCHS class of 72. We are K-12! Ooo Rah! Tiffany

>>Al,

I discovered your site and the CCHS1972.com site via someone I know in Kingston - who recently saw an old class picture and recognized me in it.

Just this morning, after seeing the CCHS site, I had to e-mail an old buddy Gary Smrtic and include some old photos of his Dad's drag racing cars I still had.

I have the black and white Mrs. Chaney and Mrs. Tiffany pictures without writing if you're interested (except where my Mom wrote just the teachers name beneath just their photos.)

On your Mrs. Lewis photo, I can help you out with the names you had question on (that's IF I gave Mom the right information back then).

top row - Donald Stuart and Ken O'Sullivan
sitting - Peter Krug

I've attached Miss Petersen's 2nd grade 1961-1962 class.

(You're not in this one). Here are the names...

Row#1 (FRONT) Paul Wilson, David Stanchel, Pamela Fowler, Ernest Lewis, "Chipper" C., Michael Dexter
Row#2 - Peter Krug, Freddie Roos, Robin Carson, Reid Pavia, Lynn Kessel, Gloria Clark, Edwin Smith, Miss Petersen
Row#3 - Candy Remfrie, Pat Farot, Robin Poptanich, John Lobb, David H., Lynn Crevling
Row#4 - Andy Ligon, Celia Harbster, Richard Shisano, Steven Zoldak, George Ewanich, Diane Weddell, Nancy Bewick (BACK ROW)

Again - thanks to my Mom for taking care of these pictures and names for these many years.

I'd be interested in attending future reunions. Another day I'll include myself to the CCHS1972 website using the people who moved link. Again, if you want to scan any of the pics I have - or want me to scan and send, just let me know.

John Lobb>>

Thanks a million John for making a great contribution. I have filled in the names you provided for Mrs. Lewis' class. We are hoping to have a 35th mini reunion this year. Post a bio and join us. Anyone who graduated with us in 1972 or who was at one time a member of our class is a classmate. I had forgotten that you did not graduate with us. When did you move away? I call upon all other classmates to send in your class pictures. Particularly, I have none from grades 4-6. The way I save things, I can't believe that I have lost mine. Did we not have class pictures in those years? It would be hard to believe that there were none taken. As of 7th grade we had yearbooks.

Cornwall Central High School Class Ring: Just to show you all that I admit to saving far too many things from high school, here is what our class ring looked like:

My stone was "topaz". I think it is my birthstone. Heck, nowadays, I am lucky if I know my birthdate.

The famous CCHS dragon

The four famous CCHS Class of 72 heraldic symbols. Upper left quadrant, the famous "I didn't see nothing" crest of the Peyson Rd Gang; Upper right quadrant, the famous acorn symbol in homage to the seeds of wisdom we forgot to plant; Lower right quadrant, the crest of the Order of the Bunsen Burner; Lower left quadrant, The Order of the King of CCHS Web Sites which we anticipated earning decades before the existence of the internet and which no other class has earned!

And just to really admit that I save far too much sentimental junk from CCHS, look what I found!

Yep, it's the real McCoy. A genuine CCHS Class of 1972 mortar board cap. If I try hard, I bet I could find the green and white tassel someplace.