Update 5-19-15
Hi,
First, from Liz King Giordano at South: Tuesday night, the Board of Education approved the Irving Saffrin Science Scholarship. You should be receiving a letter from them soon. The awards committee has chosen the following student to receive this new award: Adela Li
A sincere thank you to the scholarship’s supporters for providing another South student with a scholarship. Our students are very lucky to have your support, and we appreciate the generosity of your alumni and their support of our Senior High Awards Night.
A sincere thank you to the scholarship’s supporters for providing another South student with a scholarship. Our students are very lucky to have your support, and we appreciate the generosity of your alumni and their support of our Senior High Awards Night.
Friday, the following came from Lawrence Trogel, the school board president: I am pleased to inform you that at its meeting on May 12, 2015, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the Irving Saffrin Science Scholarship in an amount of $500 per year to be awarded to a graduating senior at South High School who meets the following criteria:
1. Must be in good academic standing
2. Excels in science (specifically biology if possible)
3. Studying science in college (if possible)
On behalf of the entire school board, please accept our sincere appreciation for providing this scholarship.
1. Must be in good academic standing
2. Excels in science (specifically biology if possible)
3. Studying science in college (if possible)
On behalf of the entire school board, please accept our sincere appreciation for providing this scholarship.
[Rich – I immediately forwarded Liz’s note to both Evelyn Roedel Read and the second initial supporter of this scholarship. I received Evelyn’s check today, deposited it, and sent a check to Liz. This will join the three she’s holding for Robin Lazzara, Allison McCloat, and Kyle Miller, the recipients of this year’s Vince Tampio and Booker Gibson scholarships. As mentioned last week, the theater scholarship is being split into two $250 awards this year, as it sometimes has in the past.]
Evelyn was especially pleased by a near coincidence. As she explained: My cousin's middle daughter – of three – had three wonderful boys. But she and her husband wanted a girl, so Brian flew to Korea and adopted a little one, a few months old. She’s now a gifted/talented teen. When I saw the name of the first Irving Saffrin Science Scholarship recipient, Adela Li, I knew she was the right one chosen. My cousins named their little one: Adelaina Lee.
Also, I didn’t have Mr. Saffrin's phone number or address in my old phone book, so I wasn’t able to contact him. But I was overjoyed to read in last week’s newsletter that he is still with us, although having difficulty walking. I hope that someone tells him about the scholarship in his honor and how he has always been my mentor.
One more thing: He "hired" me to come in during my recess time at lunch to grade his biology test papers. I had to do my brother's and my boyfriend's, Gary Ulrich’s. At the end of the school year, Mr. Saffrin’s wife bought me a crystal perfume decanter.
Also, I didn’t have Mr. Saffrin's phone number or address in my old phone book, so I wasn’t able to contact him. But I was overjoyed to read in last week’s newsletter that he is still with us, although having difficulty walking. I hope that someone tells him about the scholarship in his honor and how he has always been my mentor.
One more thing: He "hired" me to come in during my recess time at lunch to grade his biology test papers. I had to do my brother's and my boyfriend's, Gary Ulrich’s. At the end of the school year, Mr. Saffrin’s wife bought me a crystal perfume decanter.
[Rich – After I’d written Evelyn and the scholarship’s second supporter, I wrote a letter to Irv Saffrin. It’s largely composed of things Evelyn’s said about her science teaching over the years – as mentioned in recent newsletters – but it also traces the origin and evolution of the scholarship. I have no idea if he’ll ever read this letter, but Evelyn and the second supporter were pleased with it.]
Unrelated to that, but explaining the small mystery about Eileen Algaze mentioned last week, from Carol Ewig Duran: Eileen died on Saturday, May 9th. She and I had planned to spend the day together on Friday, as I was in Santa Monica for a few days to attend a wedding. Her youngest daughter, Jennifer, called me that morning to let me know our visit was not meant to be. She said "Mom's journey is almost over and she is at peace."
Eileen and I have been in contact since she left South in 1964, after our junior year. We knew planning to spend time together this past week was cutting it close, but we all know we can't stop planning. Eileen and I last spent a couple of days together in 2013 in Laguna Beach. As always, we had a great time. She is survived by her three children and two grandsons.
On a lighter note, I was able to meet with Paulinda Schimmel Babbini while I was in Los Angeles. We hadn’t seen each other since the 37th reunion, and we had a lovely evening together, both reminiscing about our Valley Stream days and catching up on our current lives.
Eileen and I have been in contact since she left South in 1964, after our junior year. We knew planning to spend time together this past week was cutting it close, but we all know we can't stop planning. Eileen and I last spent a couple of days together in 2013 in Laguna Beach. As always, we had a great time. She is survived by her three children and two grandsons.
On a lighter note, I was able to meet with Paulinda Schimmel Babbini while I was in Los Angeles. We hadn’t seen each other since the 37th reunion, and we had a lovely evening together, both reminiscing about our Valley Stream days and catching up on our current lives.
Next, in answer to Zelda White Nichol’s question to Allen Moss, Allen wrote: No, I went to Brooklyn Avenue School, along with Paul Zeigler, Linda Iaquinto, Tom Romano, Jean Cohen, and many other "famous" alumni. There’s a great picture of us at the Brooklyn Avenue School alum table during the 37th reunion. It’s on Stu Borman’s Picasa web site.
[Rich – Also added to Stu’s site this week, a bit over two-dozen more photos from the 50th reunion, courtesy of Barbara Brill Frohman. Thanks again, Barbara.]
Another catch-up, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber: This year, the Alumni Association will be dedicating two of its scholarships to honor Joe Caruso and Nancy Russo-Rumore. They both plan to be at the Awards Program. A few years back, Irv Saffrin attended the Awards Program when the Alumni Association dedicated one of its annual scholarships in his honor. Both he and his daughter were delighted.
Also, I encourage everyone to join the 738 South alumni already on the "Valley Stream South High Alumni" page on Facebook. And I'd love to see more people send in their membership applications and dues – $15/year or $100 for life – and/or donations. There's a file for that on the Facebook page, and since the Alumni Association is a 501 (c)(3), all donations are tax deductible. The money in the Association treasury is only used for scholarships and donations – our Acts of Kindness.
Also, I encourage everyone to join the 738 South alumni already on the "Valley Stream South High Alumni" page on Facebook. And I'd love to see more people send in their membership applications and dues – $15/year or $100 for life – and/or donations. There's a file for that on the Facebook page, and since the Alumni Association is a 501 (c)(3), all donations are tax deductible. The money in the Association treasury is only used for scholarships and donations – our Acts of Kindness.
[Rich – finally, someone wrote me recently about something I hadn’t thought about. When I asked if I could pass it on in the newsletter, I was told, “Sure, but please without attribution.”]
The concept of tikkun olam is one that I struggled with understanding through much of my life. Repairing the world just seemed like something that made sense for Sunday school classes but little else. But many of us carry the memories and hurts of high school throughout our lives. Reunions let us see where people we grew up with have been over the past years and let us share some stories.
Reading your reunion highlights, once again, I’m struck by the enthusiasm your class has for each other and the positivity that radiates from their notes in the updates – even when the news is less than good. You have a community of people who care about each other and who feel cared about in ways that they probably never believed possible.
Most of us knew that South was an interesting amalgam of people. But in hindsight, we were much less diverse and different from one another than we thought. I'm confident that many hurts have been healed and that these reunions have "repaired the world" in a very real way.
Reading your reunion highlights, once again, I’m struck by the enthusiasm your class has for each other and the positivity that radiates from their notes in the updates – even when the news is less than good. You have a community of people who care about each other and who feel cared about in ways that they probably never believed possible.
Most of us knew that South was an interesting amalgam of people. But in hindsight, we were much less diverse and different from one another than we thought. I'm confident that many hurts have been healed and that these reunions have "repaired the world" in a very real way.
The South '65 e-mail addresses: reunionclass65 . blogspot . com (please remove the spaces)
The South '65 photo site: picasaweb . google . com/SouthHS65 (ditto)
Rich
Rich
