Class of 1979 Alumni visit WHS to share their stories with students

October 21, 2009

On Friday October 9, Alumni from the WHS Class of 1979 spent the day in Mr. Burke's and Mr. Emerson's classes sharing what life has been like for them since they graduated thirty years ago.

Class members gave very candid accounts of their life experiences ranging from successes to failures. The major idea that they emphasized was to work hard and never give up. Also, have a group of friends and loved ones who you can turn to in difficult times. One of the highlights was Bill Karabin's magic tricks which he performed for the students. Tenth grader and Student Council Treasurer, Peta Evans said that she enjoyed the event and took a lot from it. She said that she especially enjoyed seeing all of the
graduates together standing in the lunch line with the rest of the students. Fellow WHS Alumnus Daryl Whited, the district's current Food Service Manager, treated the alumni to lunch.

The following Class of '79 alumni took part in this exciting event:

• Christine Piel, owner of Absolute Promotions

• Bill Karabin, grants management budget specialist for the New York State Office of the Aging

• Donna Clayton Shelton, corrections officer for New York State

• Scott Burke, social studies teacher at Watervliet High School

• Ann Celeone Foster, certified public accountant and serves on the North Colonie Board of Education

• Mike O'Brien, son of former Watervliet Mayor, Leo O'Brien, is the senior vice president and general counsel for the Omnicom Group Inc. of New York

• Mike Ferrito, an engineer for Dow Chemical Company in Michigan

 Scott Burke credits classmate and class president Larry Connors for coming up with the idea. "Larry thought that it would be better for the students to hear from other voices besides just ours." Connors is also a social studies teacher at Cohoes High School. He and
Burke both agree that students need to find something or hear from someone who will motivate them.

Class of 79 graduates pictured below: Bill Karabin, Donna Clayton Shelton, Scott Burke, Ann Celeone Foster,  Mike O'Brien

For more information on the Class of 1979 reunion, please visit our Alumni Page!