Pursley Breakout Reunion

Our beloved 7th-grade homeroom teacher, Marcia Pursley, speaking at the Pursley Breakout Reunion on October 13, 2013:

And reading The Waking, by Theodore Roethke:

Here is a wonderful rendition of that old favorite, Stop, in the Name of [Communism]:

And here is a message from our newest fellow Pursley-terian, Anastasia Royal:

Dear Seventh Grade adults and former teacher of them,

Here is what happened:

I was told I could crash your breakfast reunion because I was dropping Mekhala (Mariam) off. I saw people sitting at the table who I remember thinking were ultra cool and unique at New Trier 40 years ago. What I didn't know was the common denominator: Mrs. Pursley.

I had come from Evanston my sophomore year and felt rudderless at New Trier East. I didn't know Mekhala well during high school but later we were next door neighbors and raised our young children together. But I do recall Tish's windsome worldliness, Carla's gentle gravitas, Gary's wide smile, Ann's perfect eyes, Mariam, now Mekhala's spritely beauty, Mark, now Boone's cagey, yet direct gaze, and Kent's remarkable turn of phrase. Each of you made my high school life more bearable.

I never felt at home at New Trier because all my childhood friends were in Evanston -- even years later when I dropped my children off there, I could feel the knot in my stomach again. But last Sunday, you all made me feel welcome for the first time.

I was profoundly moved by what each of you said and I won't ever forget that morning.

Even though I don't know you as well as I know Mekhala, I love you all. I feel a searing loneliness whenever I am at New Trier settings and I can't adequately or genuinely express myself. So that's why I sang a song about waiting for the ones we love to return. I had to give you something back for all the beautiful things you showed me.

I wait for you all to return whenever and wherever we meet again.

best,

Anastasia

___________

And finally, here is a hauntingly beautiful Swahili song of farewell, sung by Anastasia as a fitting and final close to the Pursley Breakout and Reunion weekend festivities: