CLASSMATE COMMENTS
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE TOUR Of GVHS?
ROGER WHITFIELD
My favorite part was being back inside the building for the first time since our graduation night! What surprised me the most was how much the interior of the building had changed in 40 years. I didn't recognize most of the areas that we visited. I was hoping to find my old locker and see if 13-37-27 still worked as the combination!
CINDY (ZUBYK) MARANO
I didn't realize how connected I felt to that building until I stepped through the doors for the tour. They did such an amazing renovation to the building while incorporating some of its original features. It brought back soooooo many memories! My favorite part was reminiscing with my peers. It made me realize how fortunate I was to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.
FRAN BARRETT
I truly enjoyed taking the tour with a small contingent of classmates and jointly recalling our high school memories while discovering what had changed over 40+ years. The facilities, educational resources and faculty skills appeared just as first class as they were when we attended. Sadly – I also “awoke” to the changes that our world has undergone and how it influences current GVHS students. (e.g. Active Shooter drills, Lock-down procedures, 10 Day Out-of-School suspension for smoking or vaping)
KEVIN PERROTTA
What surprised me the most was how much money is clearly invested in the school. There was lots of new equipment and expanded spaces and I didn't expect any of that. My favorite part of the tour was seeing that there was still evidence that we'd been there. There were some team photos, a list of the plays and musicals under Nancylee Miller during our time there, there was Larry's plaque on the alumni wall, and there was a National Choral Award plaque that had classmate Becky Abrams' name and mine on it. There was so much change to the school, but seeing our stuff there made me feel like we were still a part of it.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE REUNION?
SHEELAGH (CLARK) STRAUB
As someone who hasn’t been to a reunion in decades, I enjoyed ‘catching up’ with folks and reminiscing about the old days! I was on the fence for a long time, thinking I wouldn’t really know anyone or have anyone to talk to and not sure I wanted to spend that much money, but after contacting one of my “best friends” from high school and deciding to go with her, I can definitely say I would do it again! I hope to be able to attend the 45th!
SARAH HEILMAN
It is somewhat daunting to think about going to a 40th high school reunion. For me, I think that high school was a much simpler time, but still there were huge insecurities some of us had as we spent those four years figuring out where we fit in. What I found in walking into that room at Kimberton Inn for the reunion, filled with so many of my classmates, was that people were just happy to see each other. It didn’t matter if you were an athlete or musician or artist or writer or math genius, introvert or extrovert. What mattered was that we all experienced life in high school together and walked out the doors of Great Valley in 1979, ready to move on to the next chapter of our lives. I enjoyed catching up with those I knew well in high school, and some that I didn’t know so well. Thanks to all of you that took the time to organize this event, and I look forward to the next one!
MATT BROWN
I had a great time connecting with some old friends that I hadn't seen, in some cases, since graduation. Thanks to the organization team for all of your hard work in making it happen.
