SCHOOLS

Bellmore-Merrick graduates get together for multi-year reunion

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More than 350 graduates of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District gathered in New York and Florida last weekend for a multi-year reunion.

The Kennedy, Calhoun and Mepham high schools alumni groups organized the event, which they said was the first of its kind for Bellmore-Merrick alumni. Two single-mingle and multi-year reunions for alumni of all three schools were held simultaneously on Aug. 3 at MaliBlue Oyster Bar in Lido Beach and the Pavilion Grille in Boca Raton, Fla.

Ron Steiger, Bellmore JFK Alumni Inc.’s public relations officer, said about 265 people and 35 volunteers gathered in New York, while 65 braved a tropical storm in Florida for the reunion. He noted that all alumni groups were able to sell merchandise and raise money for scholarships for students at their schools while graduates enjoyed reconnecting with old friends.

“Some people saw some people they haven’t seen since elementary school,” he said. “It was very interesting. Everyone had a really great time.”

Steiger noted that the Kennedy alumni association would be interested in collaborating with the Calhoun and Mepham groups in the future. In the meantime, Bellmore JFK Alumni Inc. is preparing for a fall ribbon-cutting ceremony for a brick walkway they are constructing at the south Bellmore school, and will continue to update graduates on their future projects through their website (bellmorejfkalumni.org) and newsletter.