WHERE DO WE GO

Written by Leon De Vose II

Now, where do we go now as an Alumni Association? Do we go back to our lives, oblivious of what has happened to the vision for the Phoenix, or do we work to reinforce it?

Do you realize that there are about 4,000 SWAS/UHS graduates in its 42 years of existence? Do you realize that the age range of our alumni is from late teens to late 50's (or early 60's)?

How many of our original SWAS teachers have retired, or passed on?

I really enjoyed spending a day with such a variegated crowd of people, almost literally hand-selected to experience a dynamic and innovative way to conduct Public High School.

However, I was saddened when I began to think about whether anybody really cared about what we were supposed to be for the city of Newark.

is it because you did not achieve as you thought you should? Who has? I was 71 out of 71, finishing last behind a classmate who left in February of our senior year to enlist in the Marines. I barely graduated - in fact I had to go to Summer School for gym & health to get my diploma. Did the 44 month experience of SWAS/UHS produce anything in me? The answer is a resounding YES! I will share how in a future post.

There is so much we can accomplish - together - all 4,000 of us. We can restore the aura of distinction that our peers in other schools tried to beat out of us. We can ensure that today's alumni-to-be graduate with AT LEAST the same high quality and competitive preparation that at least I had. Why is there no alumni association scholarship fund?

Fellow alumni, it is time to establish a lasting legacy that restores, reinforces, enhances and perpetuates the vision.