“Once you leave from here, you won’t ever return to even say hello. Nobody does.” Those words cut like a knife. I was screaming in my head, not true. I will come back. I promised myself, I would. The year was 1992. I was passing out of my school. And those were the parting words of a teacher we greatly feared.
And then you know how it is. You ramble, you live, you learn and then you earn. I got busy with my life. But somewhere, I had this nagging feeling, I wanted to return back to my Alma Mater. It wasn’t until 2009 and thankfully for Mark Z and his FACEBOOK, that I managed to do something about it. A random statement, saying I was planning to form the Alumni of our school, got me in touch with a few like minded people. We stuck it out for the next year and a half, and finally October 23, 2010 we officially formed ‘Josephites of Yesteryears.
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| Our Alumni Logo designed by yours truly 🙂 |
It had not been an easy journey. All of us were in varied industries and hence, timezones. We were made of different stuff. The one thing common we had, was the love for the school. We decided to have the first ever reunion in the history of 104 years of St. Joseph’s High School, Juhu.
What were we thinking? We were 6 of us. We were coordinating across batches and trying to trace teachers who’d long left the school or retired. Was it even possible from non existent phone numbers? Well, there was only one way to find out. January 8, 2011 was the D day. And then what followed can only be termed as a single minded devotion to say ‘Thank You Teachers’. We had a whopping response of about 250 ex students from various batches. Right from the catering to the photography, we had ex students participating everywhere. The REUNION was held in our school hall. The place that had witnessed the best of our performances and debates. Our teachers and staff came from all corners of the city and beyond, taking the number up by another 100 attendees. The ones who could not, made it a point to send messages. We honoured students who had made our school proud. We danced, we chatted, we hugged and we cried. We had a student from the 1969 batch. We had 3 generations of students who came too. We met all the ancillary staff who blessed us with moist eyes. We had an evening we can never forget. It was Yesterday Once More.
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| The Dream Team |
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| The Teachers having a field day. |
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| Our star performers with their fav students |
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| Come one, come all, camaraderie across batches |
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| Batch Photo after 20 years of leaving school, priceless! |
Today, JOY Alumni as it is fondly known is very much active. We had a follow up reunion in 2012. We’ve managed to upgrade the staff room. We have started an annual Talent Contest. We have also tutored kids. We are looking at sponsorship of deserving kids this year. Step by step, we have been growing. We are looking at making a difference to a school that we proudly belong to. And finally, I could tell that teacher of mine, Ma’am, we came back.
Comments
I have been to many schools all across India and now settled in Bangalore where I have never studied !! So attending reunions is quite difficult. My dad used to joke before hat if I dont get any job I still could try as a school inspector considering the 9-10 schools I went to 🙂
PhenoMenon
I can imagine. We had quite a few of those kids. But then again, the school that you pass out from has the most cherished memories, as one of them told me. 🙂
Truly a moment of joy. The pictures say it all. The logo is brilliant! Another stunning achievement, my dear lady!
Ah, I had to sift 400 pics to put up these. Can you imagine? Yup, it is something I am very, very proud of having created, after T. 😀
I went back to school afte rmore than a decade! I was teary eyed to meet my fav teachers … haa the momories that buildings hold
I can totally identify with that feeling Meena.
Awesome and congrats – re-unions are just so much fun. I love love love the logo. thanks for sharing your yesterday once more that took me back to my yesterday once more.
I am so glad it did Suzy 🙂
*Applause* What an achievement! I simply love the logo.
Thanks Shail. Yup, it was an achievement all the way, for all of us. The logo represents the 4 house colours and our growth as individuals. I am so glad you liked it. 🙂
wow !!
Doing such things makes us feel young and alive !!
fantastic
I wish U meet every year
good day
Yes, it does Afshan. Every year, the logistics are crazy but yes we are connected.
Hat’s off Vini fo your dedication. Cheers!
I think when you have a single minded goal, dedication has to follow. 🙂
Wow, I was the proverbial rolling stone, a year in one place at the max. I have never developed a sense of belonging to any one institution, Wonder where my fellow students are. Managed to locate just two through FB.
Your post managed me make me wish to belong someplace …
I can completely understand that Ritu. 12 years in one institution, till I got married it was my longest relationship. Wait, it still is. I am married for 11. 🙂
Wow, proud of you. And I love that logo you’ve made, it does convey the JOY you have had the privilege of enjoying 🙂
Thanks. Yes, it does 🙂
The logo rocks and so does all your collective effort 🙂
Aye, aye captain, to both 😀
Hope many more Josephites join and take it off from here.
Amen to that DP
WOW!! A spectacular achievement indeed! What JOY it must be!! Way to go, lady! 🙂
It indeed is 🙂
fantastic ! what a beautiful moment to bring everyone together,great post, loved the pictures and your sharing !
Thanks G. It was a great feeling, can only be felt and not described.
Oh, my! What a wonderful post! I am so glad your reunion efforts were successful and are continuing and expanding! This was inspiring. And the logo you created is outstanding! Thank you for stopping by my blog. 🙂
Thanks Melody. It was quite an achievement for all of us. Yup, I love the logo too 🙂
Wow! what great work… Fantastic and the logo is superb.
thanks so much 🙂
Brilliant work. So glad to read that it all worked out and how! And this is the moment when you thank social media!!
Oh you are so true in saying that Naina. Mark Z definitely helped 🙂
Our school batch has been trying to do something similar, but without much success yet. But, we did managed to have two reunions of just our batch – those went off fantastic!
Do I have permission to share this blogpost on my batch’s home page on Facebook? Kafi motivate ho jayenge sab log!
Fantastic post – love the alumnus name!
I wonder what you are planning for ‘Z’ tomorrow…
Of course, Rickie, please share it. I’ll be happy to help in whatever way I can too. Apart from two open reunions, I have also managed to do batch reunions (almost singlehandedly)You see when the Queen summons, you have to be present.
And about tomorrow, it’s a post that I promise you’ve never seen before 😀
Great post, great initiative..
I’d love to go back to my school someday with my batch mates. Love the logo, its a very thoughtfully done one.
Great!
You should return. It is an awesome feeling.
That is such a wonderful post… Inspiring too 🙂
I am sure you had a lot of fun and satisfaction on that D day !
We need to do this for our school.. I can see all my old crushes that way ! 😉
btw you didnt write about any of urs 😛
The crushes are reserved for the book. You better pay to get to know more. 😛
Vinita, this post brought tears to my eyes. My congratulations to you not only for creating an alumni association, and that stunning logo, but also for the joy on all those faces.
Thanks Cynthia. I totally get the feeling. Yup, JOY all the way.
Proud of you Vini <3 .. few people can put their heart into something and really make it happen as planned.
Thanks Sharmila. I am glad I ventured here and got the job done.
oh lady – you are a gem; loved your spirit and verve and the logo too…. Keep the fire burning vinita 🙂
Ah, I think it has a great deal to do with the generation we were born in 🙂 thanks none the less.
Love, love that you did that for your school!
I love it too!
Took me back to my school!
Reunions sound so fun and needless to add that logo is simply outstanding 🙂
They do, don’t they? Thanks so much for the kind words.