This past Saturday I was visited by Dave Sturniolo, an alumnus from the Class of 1998. Dave showed up on route from Boston to New York and decided to touch base and to reconnect. We spent a few hours talking about life at Hyde then and where we each were now. We laughed a lot as we shared memories and paged through the 1998 yearbook.

My memories of being a young teacher in my first or second year are hazy. I don’t fully recall what I taught or even who was in any given class. 1998 is different though in that I have some vivid memories of this collection of students. I should, I guess because they were “my class” as I taught all of the juniors when we opened the Woodstock campus in the fall of 1997. I cut my teeth on them and they survived somehow.

It was great hearing about “those kids” now. They are kids to me still – even as Dave shared news of his peers, I saw them in my English classroom trying to make sense of so much. Dave brought me up to speed on those who are married (Wagner, Lawten, Balin) and those who have kids (Donna, Berg & Coleman) and those who have moved around (Duryea and Dori). He didn’t even know about this blog until Megan told him (Hi McManaman!). Some have traveled around (Russell, Rogove, Kelly) in search of their callings. Others have disappeared from our view and we wondered aloud what has happened to them (Chris Cooper, Brandi Smith, O’Meara, Bixler, Barker). Many showed up for the ten year reunion in 2008. Others have returned in recent years to give their Diploma speeches (Fisher, Silberberg). Dave is not the first to have popped in. Robi Chakrabarti showed up here one day three years ago to marvel at the changes on campus and the years gone by. Shannon Curry has visited to speak to seniors about her experience and decision to repeat a year – a choice that helped propel her towards future degrees and a passionate career in medicine. I recalled a few memories of these students’ time here: playing chess with Don Thomas in my apartment; slide tackling the sinewy Cameron Rowe in soccer. Dave and I laughed about when he, at 17 years old, told me I’d been “spineless” – one of my most powerful lessons as a young teacher (and the topic for another blog).

I’ve thought of my first year teaching often. In it are the foundations of my passion for working with kids and families as well as numerous, invaluable lessons on what to do and what NOT to do!  It was a transformational year for me and watching this class graduate was one of the hooks that bonded me to Hyde. Spending time with Dave this past weekend was a treat amidst the hectic end-of-term schedule.

Hyde alumni sometimes have mixed emotions about their time here as those growing years are challenging. Dave and I also spoke about this. I am reminded however, as was he, that Hyde is also a place and a community, of great hope, significant change, and powerful learning. To the Class of 1998, I hope this finds you fulfilled, healthy, and growing. Come back some time soon.

Best, John