Bridging past, present and future Pinkerton Alumni Affairs Department keeps track of 16,000 grads

By Julie Huss
Staff writer

May 07, 2008 10:11 am

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DERRY — When Richard Drowne was asked what Pinkerton Academy meant to him, the words he penned in 1964 for the book "Pinkerton Academy" by Carl Forsaith could have echoed sentiments from many who graduated from the Derry school and hoped to stay in touch through its history, traditions and friendships.

"To me, Pinkerton is not only a building or a set of steps, but rather a personal feeling, one that is held deep down inside the heart forever," he wrote.

Many Pinkerton graduates gather each year for class reunions and special events in an effort to maintain those close Pinkerton ties, with the Academy's Alumni Association ready to help keep traditions going strong.

One of Pinkerton's oldest traditions is the biennial Alumni Day luncheon, set for June 21, where grads from all classes are invited to attend and enjoy time together.

The history of this schoolwide reunion is rich with traditional touches remaining to this day. From the historic Centennial Register book alumni are asked to sign, to the colorful class banners hanging around the hall, the luncheon is a way for everyone to catch up and celebrate their high school years.

With more than 16,000 graduates in the Pinkerton books and more to come following this year's graduation in June, Alumni Association President Michael Pelletier (Class of '72) said keeping track of everyone is often a daunting job, but he's happy to be part of the alumni mix.

"The school has come so far over the years in the opportunities offered to the kids," he said. "As far as staying involved, it's an opportunity to help, an opportunity to give something to the next generation. There's so much history; a lot of people came before me. I enjoy it a lot."

Alumni Day originally began during the Civil War era to celebrate Pinkerton's 50th anniversary and to help gather graduates that had scattered here and there after their Pinkerton years ended. Hundreds of grads gathered and celebrated in the original school building, now known as the Alumni Center.

Now the event is held every two years to not only serve as a joint reunion for all classes, but to offer the school's Alumni Association a chance to conduct its business and elect new officers.

And the Alumni Center, with its own strong history as the original classroom building on campus, is a mecca for information, Pinkerton artifacts, and stories about the past when reunion time comes around, according to Pinkerton Academy Alumni Affairs Director Robin Perrin.

"It's not unusual for alumni to drop in and say, 'Oh, this is where I had math, I remember this,'" he said. "There is a lot of living history here to Pinkerton grads."

Some of that history is hidden beneath the horsehair-plastered walls and the steep, segregated "boys" and "girls" stairways leading to the upper floor of the building. Student athletes have signed on to college scholarships here and a myriad of Pinkerton items are displayed and stored in its rooms like original Pinkerton family furniture and a Bible, clothing, portraits, and even the bust of Teddy Roosevelt, once a familiar icon in the chapel where students often decorated the likeness of the former president to try and gain a smile from a stalwart teacher. The building also houses the school's database, fundraising and public relations efforts, including the distribution of the Alumnus magazine sent to thousands of grads.

For Pelletier, staying connected to his school is another link in a long family chain of Pinkerton grads, from parents down to his own children who spent high school years here. Now, as part of the Alumni Association, he joins others to help support the school in many ways, from fundraising to offering scholarships and maintaining the Alumni Center. In addition, the association offers a gift to each graduating senior and to incoming freshmen.

"We're a viable group and we're here to help," Pelletier said, adding the Pinkerton trustees help the group by sharing responsibility in caring for the historic Alumni Building. Pelletier added Headmaster Mary Anderson always shows her support and "gives her all" when it comes to working with the Alumni Association.

"Her door is always open and she has been a very supportive person to deal with," he said.

Many graduating classes plan their own reunion times each year, Perrin said, especially when a prominent reunion year is approaching. For others, attending the biennial luncheon is a great way to gather and reminisce about times at Pinkerton Academy. The Academy also names its "Honored" as well as "Honorary" alumni at the event.

Pinkerton grad Barbara Ellingwood is quick to say she's from the "terrific" Class of 1966 and even though her years at Pinkerton ended, she never left the spirit of the institution behind.

Ellingwood is still very active in the Alumni Association, serving on its executive board and helping people stay connected once high school years cease. She was named to Pinkerton's Hall of Fame last fall.

"We had a class of about 170 and I got to know most of them and was able to relate to them," Ellingwood told the Derry News before receiving her Hall of Fame honor. "I was always able to have friends and have kept many of them to this day."

Ellingwood said she is proud that her classmates still gather on an annual basis every July to catch up. The years at Pinkerton were full of memories, she added, and to this day, those memories and traditions remain a big part of her life.

"We had friendships that were very, very strong and we always tried to include everyone," she said.

Pinkerton Academy's biennial Alumni Day luncheon

When: June 21 at noon; registration begins at 11 a.m.

Where: Pinkerton Academy senior cafeteria, Spaulding Center

Info: Price is $20 and reservations should be in by June 10 to: Pinkerton Academy Alumni Center, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry, NH 03038, or call 437-55217 for information.

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