First Corpus Christi Kindergarten Class Reunites

Sometimes all it takes is for one person to make the move to reach out to others and the rest just falls into place. This past weekend nearly 30 graduates of the Class of 1981 from l reunited here in town after almost 30 years thanks to the efforts of Kitty Doherty Schmitt.

Earlier this year Schmitt, the youngest of seven children in the Doherty family who all went to Corpus Christi, created a Facebook page called "My Corpus Christi Years." The page began to fill up with photos from members who attended the school and eventually the page had every class picture including her Kindergarten class – which was the first Kindergarten class at Corpus Christi in 1972.

Schmitt, who now lives in North Haledon with her husband who also hails from Hasbrouck Heights, took note of all the pictures on the page, wrote down everyone's name and began to contact them through Facebook about organizing a reunion. She did whatever it took to hunt down the others and went to the White Pages and Peoplefinder. She said in some cases she found the classmates parents still in Hasbrouck Heights and was able to reach them through their families. 

She opened the reunion up to everyone that was part of the Class of 1981 including those that may have only been part of their class for a year or two or even as little as two months.  She even invited the school nurse Anna Clinton who is the mother of one of the graduates Mary Clinton.

"Before the event I don't think I had felt this excited in years about any type of group get together, and after the reunion that feeling was confirmed," Schmitt said. "These are the people I spent nine years of my life with Kindergarten to eighth grade. . . seeing them brought back so many great memories as well as I was reminded that we were kids once and might have hurt each other in certain ways but thankfully as adults I felt that all of those who attended the reunion, there was a sense of unity and forgiveness that helped us connect once again."

Knowing that reunions can be pricey, Schmitt wanted the keep this event at low cost and wanted it take place in the borough where they all grew up. She found it in on the Boulevard, a place where her family always meets when they are all in town.  She pointed out that the place is mainly open for breakfast and lunch and occasional Friday nights but she worked with the owner who allowed her to set up the night. She was happy that she was able to make the event affordable and it had that close-knit atmosphere she was seeking.

Jim Wisniewski, a member of the Class of 1981 who attended from Kindergarten to eighth grade, said he enjoyed hearing old stories from classmates at the reunion and enjoyed the evening.

Although many have since moved away from the area there is still a strong connection to their hometown. Schmitt is an example as she has been working as a dental hygienist for Dr. Jeff Mason in the borough for 12 years now. "I just can't get away from that town," she said.

Schmitt is already making preliminary plans to get the class together again soon and also hopes to arrange a larger reunion for a span of about five graduating classes - 1978 to 1983.