It is interesting what I remember about my last two years in Bethpage, seventh and eighth grade, what stands out in my memory. I really didn’t have any friends. I can’t think of anyone who was there for me during that time. I don’t think if myself as a loner, but I’m thinking I was really on my own those last two years in Island Trees. I can’t even tell you much about what I learned in school those two years. I can think of just two or three teachers I had and what, if an influence they had on my education. There was Mr Young and English teacher, Mr. Franchi and Mr Ciaccio, both social studies teachers who I remember. But that’s it. And I must have had 15 different teachers over that period. It couldn’t wait to get out of there and I never looked back.
However, in some ways, I don’t regret the experience. It did make me who I am to some degree. It gave me a sense of perseverance. I made it through. I know it helped me through the one tough year I had as a freshmen in college at Morris Harvey College in Charleston West Virginia a few years later in 1971 – 72. More about that later.
