Here we are, 35 years down the road.  High school days are in the rearview mirror. We look ahead, but what’s behind us is always there.  At reunion time, we glance, then linger, and remember.  The road behind us got us to this moment.
 
Thirty-five years.  A long journey.  For so many of us, the road began in Summit.  We forget that sometime.  This town, this school, shaped who we are, and what we stand for.  We pass those values on to our children, who have a little Summit in them, even if they don’t know it.
 
Now we return, in full midlife, flush with success of lives well-lived, or as best we can. We are also flush tonight with good feelings about our days “back-when,” determined to extend them by keeping in touch, rekindling old friendships, and yes, going home again.
 
And we can.  Our class is determined to make a mark on the Summit Educational Foundation, which is doing something unique.  The SEF is raising an endowment to support the Summit public schools, much like colleges and private schools do.  It makes sense.  We’ve all read about education cuts.  They’re deep, and they will continue.  The SEF money gets turned into grants for education programs to fill some of those gaps. Until now, the SEF has raised money year to year.  An endowment ensures the money will be there year after year.
 
The Class of ’75 not only wants to contribute, but we want to be the model for other alumni classes to contribute.  We are launching a 5-year drive to raise money for the SEF endowment, and create programs and mentorships in our areas of expertise for Summit High students.  Yes, we want your money, and your time, and your experience, and your ideas.  Over the next five years, culminating with our 40th reunion, we will hold a number of events and drives for the Class of ’75 Class Gift to the SEF endowment.  How much do we want to raise?  Whatever we can.  How much should you give?  Whatever you can.
 
We ask that you leave us tonight only with your contact information and an open mind about a public school endowment.  Taxes, high as they are, just don’t pay for the ambitious education we want for Summit High students.  And while many of us are constantly asked to contribute to college endowments, there has been no mechanism, until now, to make the same commitment to the schools where our minds and personalities were first shaped.
 
This is important.  It is worthwhile.  It will be our communal legacy.  Please join up, and help.