TRR photo by Tom Kane Sullivan West at Narrowsburg sophomore Joey Hawker reveals plans for a major—and final—school reunion. (Click for larger image)

Student plans farewell reunion

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — Joey Hawker, a sophomore at the Sullivan West at Narrowsburg School, came up with an idea that is being received with enthusiasm all over the Town of Tusten.

He wants to invite anyone who graduated from the tiny school, as well as anyone who was employed there, to attend a grand reunion on June 23.

“The school will never be the same after it is renovated during the summer, so I thought people would like to bid it farewell,” Hawker said.

Sullivan West, a newly formed merged district, is currently planning the construction of a new high school and renovations of the three existing buildings, which will become elementary and middle schools. As a result of plans for renovation, Sullivan West at Narrowsburg high school students will be attending school next year at the Jeffersonville Youngsville building until the new high school is completed. This controversial decision was deemed necessary to give “swing room” to the construction workers—i.e., space to store equipment and materials.

The move was a cause celebre among Narrowsburg juniors, who protested vigorously against the move.

“We’re holding meetings to start organizing the reunion,” Hawker said. “I’ll have the help of [faculty members] Karen Bliss, Debbie Rovitz, Pat Feagles and Marleen Kinch, and of Sandy Nuttycombe, who retired from the position of bookkeeper which she had for 30 years.”

Then he’ll turn to fellow students to carry out the plan, he said.

“I think this is a super idea that Joey has come up with,” Rovitz said. “We’re all for it.”