Jean Crispen, who will be 97 in October, presided over the 50th reunion of the Bromfield Class of 1967 at a gathering at the Unitarian Church Fellowship Building Saturday, June 3. She was hired as assistant to Principal Ed Ryan in 1963 and saw her “first” class—and the first to spend all four years in the newly built school—through its entire high school career. The 1967 Beacon was dedicated to her in recognition of her unwavering support, encouragement, and affection. She continues to be the glue to this day.
Twenty members from the class of 38 students attended the reunion, mostly from the New England states, but also hailing from Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Spouses and family members with deep ties to the class also joined the group.
Seated, from left: Chris Thurston, Ellen Dudley, class “mother” Jean Crispen, Jane (Fredrick) Leibert, Bev (Dunlap) Rodrigues, Sandy (Brown) Hoppel. Standing,from left: Reggie Chandler, Steve Henry, Bonnie (Remond) McCullough, Elizabeth Campbell, teacher Richard Brooks, Meg (Mead) Livesey, Bruce Carlson, Dana Perkins, David Bakun, Linda (Cunnick) Crowninshield, Debbie (Taylor) Goebel, teacher Roland Gibson, Melinda (Vaughan) McClure, teacher Ed Clancy, Wendy (Hammett) Cowles, teacher Hurley Silbor, Kenny McClure, and Roy Crowninshield. Missing from photo: Liz Rice and teacher Hal Lewis. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Principal Ed Ryan, unable to attend, sent his heartfelt regards to everyone. But his assistant principal, Hal Lewis, and four other teachers returned to check in with their students.
The (now rebuilt) Fellowship Building was where mandatory ballroom dancing lessons took place; but on this night, nobody had to do the fox trot. With the Four Seasons and Jan and Dean playing on the turntable, classmates caught up with their old friends and teachers, some for the first time in 50 years. Four who passed away over the years were remembered: Diane Redden, Darrell Leet, Larry Mason, and Priscilla Smith.
Before the evening festivities, classmates were treated to a tour of “Old Bromfield,” where some recalled taking typing, shorthand, and art classes—in rooms that had ugly, industrial-style dropped-panel ceilings. Bromfield Trustee Pete Jackson guided his guests through the stunningly restored rooms and new addition.
Superintendent of Schools Linda Dwight then welcomed the class into its old stomping grounds at the greatly expanded high school. Where athletes used to go out the back door and down the grassy hillside to get to the gym, there is now a big auditorium and additional classrooms connecting the formerly separate facilities. The gym itself, being virtually unchanged, brought back memories to former boys basketball players and their coach, Hurley Silbor.
Hoping to give back to their school on this occasion, the Class of ’67—the majority of whom started school together in the first grade 62 years ago—donated a white oak sapling to honor this year’s first-grade class. It was planted near the Bromfield driveway in May and, for the donors, represents the strength of relationships that grow and endure over time.
Bev Rodrigues is a member of Bromfield’s Class of 1967.
