HOOPLA by Matt Hoopes
Be a Part of It – Rallying Reunioners! I
n my last Hoopla introduction I mentioned how my earlier reluctance to attend Reunions had turned into a passion to which I looked forward to more and more as each spring arrived. While I
described the enjoyment of watching long separated friends regain the mannerism and vocabulary of teenagers of 20 or 30 years ago, I left out an important part of this springtime rebirth. Returning to Brewster’s campus, walking new paths of old memories, each in his or her own way, is being part of a place that meant so much during an important time of one’s life. Hopefully, when Reunion Weekend rolls around this May 30 to June 1, 2014, friends will have become involved in making plans with others to share a special time and introducing husbands, wives, partners, sons, and daughters. Having been connected to Brewster and its alumni for 39 years, I have a somewhat different reason for my Reunion enjoyment from those classmates catching up with each other’s lives. As a single man, a teacher in a boarding school, in a Goodbye, Mr. Chips kind of way, I consider my former students as sons and daughters, and I love seeing them all these years later. And of course I’m proud to see that they all turned out so well, living exciting lives and having beautiful families. So in a sense this year’s Annual Fund focuses on giving everyone an opportunity to Be A Part Of It. For me, this applies to my Brewster days of English classes and yearbooks, as well as my many years of being Brewster’s alumni “fun-raiser.” I loved working with students who were doing their part on the J-Board and Student Council and dashing to meet deadlines for the Browser. Being a part of it now includes the sending and receiving of the annual pink post cards and interviewing alumni for Hoopla columns. The following three Class Agents are joining me to ask that all alumni Be A Part Of It as they describe what Reunions have meant to them and encourage their classmates to attend this spring’s Reunion and also support the Academy’s Annual Fund. Again, thanks so much for keeping in touch! Best wishes to all, Hoopes Hoopes taking a break from his exhaustive efforts rallying alumni to return for Reunion 2014!
Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from 1975 to 1996. During this time he and his journalism students founded The Brewster Browser and the Outcroppings literary magazine. Since his “retirement” from the classroom in 1996, Hoopes has worked as the alumni correspondent from his hilltop banana farm on the island of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, helping to keep the alumni connection alive. In each issue he brings life-after-Brewster stories to the pages of his Hoopla column.
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BrewsterConnections – Fall 2013