There is a common thread that binds all of us together and that is the values, and principles, and the lifelong love of learning that an LREI education grants us.” —Tamar Gargle-Krakowiak ‘88
REUNION WEEKEND 2016
The 31st Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend took place June 3-4, celebrating classes ending in "1" and "6." The weekend began with a Friday cocktail party, welcoming back alumni as well as current and former faculty and staff. Though the rain moved the party inside, it couldn’t dampen our spirits! The class of 2006 was the last to leave after Micah Dov Gottlieb (their former teacher and now our high school principal) led them on a tour of the expanded facilities. Before leaving the building, Micah and the class of 2006 sang songs together in the PAC, like they had for so many years together at LREI. Saturday’s celebration began with a walking tour of historic Greenwich Village, led by this year’s Honorary Alumnus Nick O’Han. With the help of Celi
16
Khanyile-Lynch ’09 (who works in Mayor de Blasio’s office and credits Nick with having fostered her passion for NYC history and politics), Nick led a group of 50 community members through the neighborhood. The group learned about Elisabeth Irwin’s Greenwich Village, discussed the neighborhood’s role in LREI’s development, and vice versa. Next, alumni were invited to play current students and coaches in our first ever alumni volleyball game before Ambassador James I. Gadsden ’66, this year’s Distinguished Alumnus, led a discussion titled “Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, and How to Effect Change.” Ana De La Cruz ’10 moderated the discussion with her long-time mentor Ambassador Gadsden. Director Phil Kassen led a tour of the expanded high school
facilities. Alumni were excited to see how the building has changed, and hear about new classes and opportunities that reflect the same spirit of the school that they remember from their time as students. The final event of Reunion Weekend was the All Alumni Reception. Alumni recorded their memories in StoryLab sessions, took photos in the photo booth, and caught up with friends, some old and some new. Our Distinguished and Honorary Alumni were presented with their awards, and spoke beautifully about the role LREI has played in their lives. Read excerpts from the weekend’s speeches here and access full remarks at lrei.org/reunion.