"I see some very promising talent in this class - - for an excellent summer school program." (Lol:)) - - Alex Kravitz

As I was thinking about our class on this special day, a memory came to me that a few of you guys know about, but I thought I would share with everyone. It is about how special the 228 is - beyond having promising talent for an excellent summer school program.

Some of you may recall our 20 Year Reunion in 1989 at Quincy's at the Adam's Mark on City Line Avenue. One of my responsibilities for that reunion was to invite faculty members. Among those I called was Mr. Kravitz, who was delighted to be invited.

However, a week or so before the event, he called me to tell me he didn't think he would be able to attend because he wasn't feeling well and couldn't drive. I told him that as long as he wanted to be there, he would be there - someone would pick him up, take him home, and be with him throughout the event. He said he wanted to be there, and the arrangements were made.

Alex had a great time, and all the guys made a big fuss over him through the whole reunion.

About six months later, he passed away. When I learned about it, I called his wife to express my and the class' condolences.

Mrs. Kravitz was lovely and what she said has stayed with me these thirty years. While I may not have all the words exactly, the following is what she told me. The last sentence I recall verbatim.

"Steve, you don't know what you and your classmates did. From the time he came home from your reunion until almost the day he died, he talked about your class' reunion over and over, about how all the fellows made such a fuss over him and made him feel so welcome and so good and so happy. He never stopped talking about that reunion. You and your classmates validated his life."

I am still stunned to think of that conversation, but while stunned, I'm not surprised. For all the goofing around we did with Mr. Kravitz, and while sometimes he tried to appear unemotional, he was a deeply emotional, very sentimental man. He loved kids and he thrived when he was "on stage." But most of all, he wanted, like we all do, to be appreciated. We showed him that he was.

What his wife said about the 228 has stayed with me because it is so Central, but especially so 228. This is a class with Class. And Respect. And Love. And on that day 30 years ago, all of that was demonstrated in a way that made a teacher who was soon to exit the stage know that it had all been worth it, that his life really counted, that he made a difference, that he was special. Only a special group of guys could have done that. That says it all about our class.

I thought those of you who weren't aware of this would like to know it, on the half-century mark of our Commencement.

Yamo!!

Steve Kasloff