As the years go by, the moment finally arrives to see the old faces again. The town is filled with laughter and memories as if no time has passed. Every face is filled with stories that have never left their minds.
The class of 1974 reunited on Sep. 21 at Silas Condict County Park. Although all the graduates have this reunion yearly, this year was notable for 1974 graduates since it was their 50th reunion. Greg Kassar conducts all the reunions and allows any graduate to join in on their fun. They call this Kinnelon Palooza! The only regulation is that the person who graduates must be 21 or older. Their main goal is to relive the memories, cherish the moments, and reflect on how far they’ve come.
Back in the day, life in Kinnelon was very different from now. The school system was also quite differ
ent, as students from other districts would attend the school, bringing the total number of students to around 1,000. The situation has changed these days, with only around 500 students from Kinnelon attending the school. For graduates, Kinnelon was even simpler than today, with fewer houses and more nature.
“Just growing up there was amazing because it’s just a great place. Going to Fayson Lakes and I would sail in the lake. It was like utopia,” said Kassar, the founder of Kinnelon Palooza.
However, not all attendees still live in Kinnelon anymore. Many have moved away for various reasons. Despite these changes in their lives, the bonds they formed in Kinnelon pushed them to return occasionally. Some graduates only come back for the reunion, as the memories of their friends and youth draw them back.
“I moved to California seven years ago and am doing my dream job that my guidance counselor helped me get. [But], I still come here every year for these reunions,” said attendee Ree Bisaccio.
As the graduates meet, they share their experiences and reflect on their spontaneous adventures, late-night hangouts, and the thrill of first dates. Their laughter resonates as they recall moments that shape them today.
Based on their experiences, these graduates have offered valuable advice to their younger selves and current high school students. They emphasize the importance of using high school as a time for self-exploration, discovering passions, and striving to be the best rather than following the crowd.
“Advice I would give to my younger self would be to not do something just because it’s popular. You don’t have to be popular to do whatever you want to do and live your own life. Be original!” said attendee Liz Holste.
