Proctor reunions follow a similar pattern. They start off slowly, and build to a riotous, fun, dance party in the evening. Alumni/ae poured on campus throughout the day.
At registration, you pick up a tote bag filled with goodies including a half dozen of Edna Peters's chocolate chip cookies.
Grills outside the Wise Community Center serve up burgers, dogs and sausage subs (recommended) while Patrice and I offer campus tours to the school's extensive arts facilities and new buildings. Here, Bill Wightman demonstrates some student work in the recording studio.
A common comment from alumni--particularly those who are here for the first time in a decade or two--is "It's so weird to be back!" This is understandable. Once upon a time, this was home. For three or four years of your adolescence, you knew every corner of this place. Then, you left (at least physically!) A 1989 yearbook drew lots of attention on a picnic table.
As the afternoon progresses, the crowd finds its way to the swim dock at Elbow Pond. So, too, did the 1989 yearbook!
Adolescence is not an easy time, and I sense that--for many alumni--this reunion is something more than just seeing old friends and teachers. It provides another experience of closure.
At five thirty, the party moves back to the terrace outside of the dining room, where teachers (several of whom are now retired) reconnect with students from years past.
Before dinner, classes are called together for photos. This is the class of 2004:
Other groupings assemble, too: alumns of Proctor Academy Fire Department, for example. These folks attended Proctor for four years.
As the dance party (with a significant pizza delivery!) continued late into the evening, an alumna from the Class of 1989 remarked, "I never expected the school to do so much for us. This is over the top!"
