Monday, November 10, 2025
The Lynbrook High School Class of 1975 gathered on Oct. 4 to celebrate their 50th reunion, an event that brought together more than 100 alumni at Rocco Anthony’s banquet hall.
The event, held from 7 to 11 p.m., featured dinner, music, and a display of photos from past and present. Many attendees traveled from out of state to join in the celebration.
Graduate Elaine Klein Kanarek said the event stood out even among past reunions.
She said the reunion offered a chance to connect in unexpected ways. She noted that several people in attendance were classmates she hadn’t known well during their school years, but that didn’t stop them from forming new bonds.
“People that I didn’t even know in high school were there, and I went up to their tables, and we ended up getting along like we were in high school all over again,” she added.
Kanarek later shared that an email thread of more than 90 classmates was active in the days after the event, with messages praising the reunion and expressing gratitude for the chance to reconnect.
Behind the scenes was Liz Chase, the quiet engine who brought it all together from over 900 miles away in Atlanta. This was Chase’s third time organizing the reunion.
“I just really love our class,” Chase said. “If someone wanted to take on the torch, I would’ve gladly passed it. But no one did, so I said, ‘If you don’t mind it being at Rocco’s again this year, I’ll plan it.’”
This year’s reunion continued a long tradition of connection among members of the class.
“Our class is so special,” Chase said. “People talk about it a lot — that the Class of 1975 is really tightknit. People change, but when you look in their eyes, you realize, ‘Oh, that was my really good friend in class.’ There’s something about the eyes that never changes.”
Former Lynbrook football captain Mike Boccio also attended. Boccio and a group of former teammates have remained close since graduation, meeting regularly for dinners and informal gatherings.
From 1975 until 2014, they played an annual Thanksgiving football game together — a tradition that lasted 39 years. In 2000, they marked their 20th consecutive game.
“I stopped playing in 2014 because, well, age catches up,” Boccio said. “But now we still have dinners, get-togethers. It absolutely feels the same. These friends have stayed with me, and we’ve been through hard times together.”
Boccio said lessons learned on the football field have stayed with him.
“You go through things in football, and it sticks with you,” he said. “I remember our coach once said, ‘You’ll never remember who sat next to you in homeroom, but you’ll never forget the people you played football with.’ It ended up being very prophetic.”
Chase noted that despite the time and distance, many classmates continue to return for these reunions.
“Everyone’s got stories,” she said. “And when we come together, it’s like no time has passed.”
The Lynbrook High School Class of 1975 graduated five decades ago, but the connections formed in those years have continued through every milestone since.
“I think we’re the best class that ever came through Lynbrook,” Chase said. “But I’m biased.”
Boccio reflected on the meaning of the gathering.
“We’ve all lived lives,” he said. “But when we’re together, we’re still those same kids in green and gold.”
