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LocalMotion - Your Town, Your News, Your Views! August 2010 • Volume 10, Issue 130
Wallingford Flower & Gift Shoppe
190 Center Street. 203.265.1514
Rhode Island Vacation by Tim Gannon
Memories of the Sheehan Class of 85
By Gina Juliano The Mark T. Sheehan Class of 1985 is having its Silver Anniversary reunion this November 26th at the Sheraton Four Points hotel in Meriden, CT. Although I don't feel that much older, somehow 25 years have gone by since I've walked the halls of Sheehan high school. I can easily remember singing in "Ma" Zola's chorus, discussing Heart of Darkness in Sue Mitori's classroom, and forging my mother's name on a pass to cut chemistry and sunbathe outside by the pool. (My mom, Pat Juliano, taught English at Sheehan for 25 years. It wasn't until senior year I realized I could take advantage of that!) For me, high school wasn't the "golden age" many others talk about. I was a "nerd" and went to high school in the same building in which my mother taught English. (Talk about a double whammy!) Looking back, I was the typical text book case of a moody, anxious teenager. Having worked with adolescents for 20 years as a teacher, school counselor, and school administrator, I laugh at myself every time I think about me at 16. What is amazing, however, is how my thought process has changed in the 25 years since I graduated. I can look back remember only the good stuff. I remember singing on the bus with my soc-
cer team to the games; I remember acting in the school plays; and I remember spending weekends away with the AFS club on short term exchanges. All of these are fabulous memories I am excited to rehash with my former classmates in November. Although our reunion isn't until November, some of us having gotten together for a couple of mini reunions and outings. Most recently, we met at Jake's in Wallingford to hear Jon Peckman play with his band. Sometime during the night, one of my former classmates told me she remembered me having a beautiful voice. Wow. I didn't even know she was listening. The eerie part is this woman and I were never close in high school. We knew each other and played on the same soccer team but didn't "hang out" together. Her compliment really floored me. We never know what impressions we leave on others. It is with this in mind that I look forward to Mark T. Sheehan's class of 1985 25th reunion. I am going to remember to relay as many positive memories as I can to my former classmates. Just as I was given a gift to be reminded about my "beautiful singing voice", I would like others to also receive the gifts of my complimentary memories.