AJ School News

October 15, 2008

Abington Heights High School Class of 1988 reunites, honors classmates

Mauri Rapp Abington Journal Correspondent

Twenty years may seem like a long time for some, but for Abington Heights High School’s class of 1988 alumni Eric Reese, it seems like just yesterday. “To tell you the truth, I don’t feel any different than I did on the day that I graduated,” he laughs.

On Thanksgiving Weekend, Reese and his fellow classmates will have the opportunity to reminisce about old times during AHHS class of 1988’s 20-year high school reunion.

The weekend will kick off on Friday, Nov. 28 with an informal meet-and-greet at State Street Grill from 7 to 11 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 29, members of the class can enjoy a Family Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverfront Sports Complex, Scranton, followed by a reunion dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. at Inne of the Abingtons, Dalton.

Their 20-year graduation anniversary isn’t just reason to celebrate, according to Reese. The class of 1988 also plans to give back to their alma mater through a scholarship program for members of Abington Heights 2009 graduating class. Four grants totaling $1,000 each will be awarded to graduating seniors who have been accepted to a four-year college or University. Two of these scholarships will award the recipients who have exhibited academic achievement – including National Honor Society membership, SAT or ACT scores above the 75th percentile -- while two will be awarded for outstanding senior achievement.

The scholarships are being given in memory of two members of the class of 1988 who have passed away in recent years: Jeff Pivovarnik and Bob Rothwell. “Both Jeff and Bob were proud graduates of Abington Heights,” says Reese. “They are also strong supporters of this community who are sorely missed.” Additionally, the class of 1988, along with the Clarks Summit Shade Tree Committee, will memorialize Pivovarnik and Rothwell by planting a sugar maple in Hemlock Park this month in their honor.

Reese, who now resides in Arlington, VA, serves as chair of the scholarship committee. With the help of class president Dan Walsh, Reese said that the scholarship has kicked off so well because of the commitment his classmates feel to their alma mater. “We have a lot of fellow graduates who are in a point in their lives that they are able to give to a scholarship like this,” he says. “There are a lot of people in the class that can make a difference.”

And for those fellow classmates who may be reluctant to attend the reunion, Reese hopes that they will change their mind. “I think that this year in particular, with all that is going on in national politics, our reunion will serve as a reawakening,” he says. “We have so many people that play a big role in this country, from federal agents to police officers with the LAPD, to doctors and lawyers and even someone who has worked overseas for the U.S. Institute for Peace. Our reunion will be a great opportunity to reconnect with people who have had many different experiences.”

Members of the reunion committee are: Molly Arbes, Tami Campbell, Greg Harshman, Duster Hoban, Kim McGuire, Patti Miller, Eric Reese, Heather Ross, Scott Sheppard, Scott Thorpe, Drew Tomasko, Dan Walsh and Laurie Waskovich.

For more information or to RSVP to the reunion visit www.abingtonheights88.com.

Abington Heights High School class of 1988 alumni can RSVP through a special website, www.abingtonheights88.com, which has been set up especially for the reunion. The website also details the reunion schedule and a full list of scholarship criteria.

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