Peary High: Dust to Dust as the Final Bell Tolls. An article that appeared in the Washington Post on June 3,1984. Courtesy of Judy Barbee Harris, Class of ’67.
Peary High: Dust to Dust as the Final Bell Tolls. An article that appeared in the Washington Post on June 3,1984. Courtesy of Judy Barbee Harris, Class of ’67.
One word: Tears.
Reading this story brought back so many emotions of that time in my life. I remember sitting at the public hearings with students and parents and Dr. Dumais, giving emotional testimony in support of our school. I remember hearing the news and trying to accept the reality that Robert E. Peary High School would close and I would be in its last graduating class. To this day I struggle with that loss that still haunts me as I fill out a job application or anything asking for the school address.
For the past four years, as a member of my local school board, I have told people that my service is a thank you, of sorts, to my current community for how it supported my family during some really difficult times. After reading this story, I can’t help but think that deep down, subconsciously, this experience is a guiding light in making sure that no matter what, I “will find a way or make one,” that doesn’t reflect the pain of our experience.