Maria Rolon:  

Hola everyone... wouldn't it be wonderful if we can do it all over again (knowing what we know today)? Some of us may say 'oh no, too hard, too painful, too crazy etc.' but I'm also sure some would change very little... after all if you¿re happy with who, where and what you are today, then you probably wouldn¿t change much and I guess that¿s where I am. My elementary years at PS 123 were truly the best¿ perhaps because of the safe, innocent fun that only children can have. I will also always remember Ms. Romano - a smart, independent, challenge-driven, sexy teacher¿ she was a Sofia Loren look-alike with the smarts and respect that was commanded from women like Grace Hopper (who I personally met in my Navy days). As per growing up in BK - oh how I wish I could see Janet, Magali, Norah, Irene, Pucho, Tracy, Laura, Lisa, Luis, Joseph, Richard and so many more¿ and catch up on our lives¿ after all it was during those times that our dreams were born. If there¿s anyone out there who lived between PS86 and PS123, during the late 60s early 70s please contact me¿ it would be great to identify our degree of separation... and friends wherever you are¿ hope you all are happily living life to the fullest. As per JHS, I moved to Corona Queens in 73 and went to IS61 - Leonardo da Vinci - didn't stay there long since I skipped the 8th grade... but I did meet my 1st official boyfriend - David Vega - the cutest boy in town.......... and then there was FHS - that's where something inside of me woke up and decided going to school was monotonous, boring and that instead I could be having much more fun at hooky parties (my house was a hot spot in those days) dancing, partying and just hanging out w/ friends of all sorts¿ the hustle was out and so was I¿ almost every night of the week¿ at Disco¿s with my cousin Gypsy¿ oh¿ ¿Those were the days, my friend¿ (anyone remember that 68 song?) so yes, WE partied hard at the Starship Discovery, Boomba Macao, Ipanema, Townhouse 48, Limelight (the one in the Village where they filmed 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar') etc. and oh yes... the real naughty bath houses too¿ Even on Sunday's we went out, 1st it was church, then movies and then to ¿Sunday Eve¿ - a dance club on 104th st and then back to doing it all over again. Yeah baby... unfortunately while I wasn¿t involved in any HS clubs I was definitely partying in the city clubs making my own memories. As far as I can recall, I really wasn¿t a bad kid in FHS, I was just truant¿ UNTIL Mrs. Tepperman had enough of me and threatened to throw me out (for the last time) cause I was over 16, truant and wasting a good seat (or so she said)¿ so at the end I had a lot of making up to do¿ summer, day and evening classes¿ all sorts of hard work just to ensure I graduate by 18 and lucky for me, I had great teachers that gave me a 2nd chance (Mr. Cohen, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Freedman etc.) and for this I will always be grateful to them. ...Expand for more