Curtis Renkin:
CLASS OF 1987
Millburn High SchoolClass of 1987
Millburn, NJ
Seton Hall University - Graduate SchoolClass of 1998
South orange, NJ
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Graduate SchoolClass of 1994
Madison, NJ
Drew UniversityClass of 1991
Madison, NJ
Curtis's Story
Life
I was originally born in NYC and lived in Queens, NY for over 10 yrs. In 1979, my family moved to Great Neck and we lived there until 17 Dec. 1982. My buddies there were named Peter Edelman, Keith Landovitz, and Elliot (the latter in 5th grade only; moved back to Quebec or something). I had an OK time in Great Neck but far fewer acquaintances and crushes than I would later have in Millburn. A girl named Betsy Mitchell was also friendly with me...Betsy met the former Cara Svezia in camp and later went to school with Cara in Washington U. in St. Louis (so I beleive). So socially speaking, Cara's circle of friends picked up the "Curtis baton" from Betsy's when I moved to Short Hills at the end of 1982. My first school day at MJHS was in Jan. 1983.
At MJHS I had a pretty good time; made lots of ceramic projects in 8th grade and wood and metal projects in 9th. Was president of the Computer Club in early 1984--my highest position of leadership ever. Sat with Kelly Rugo at lunch in 8th and 9th. Michael Brendzel (Feb. 1983?) and Laura Becker (nee Votto) (in May) also moved to MJHS in 8th grade. Old crush Elena Saltzman, however, moved away during the MJHS years. I also remember the RR strike when the trains went eerily silent, as well as when the two girls were killed by a train when I was in 9th grade.
At MHS (1984-87) I had a much better time.
My favorite buddy was Will Laverty. We liked to talk politics and a little sports and stuff during lunch. He encouraged me to run around with the flag a bit during senior year--which all you '87ers probably remember. Thanks, Will!BTW, thanks to everyone for that wonderful ovation when I got my diploma!!!
The '87er girl I respected the most was Laura Harper (nee Frankel). This Laura got to know me in Eng. Lit. 2 class in 11th and was very supportive of me during tough times for me in that class as well as in general. She was also very kind to me during the 1997 Reunion, as was Will. Laura is exceedingly bright and filled with kindness and wisdom. Thanks for everything, Laura!
During MHS I was not a very serious or bright kid myself (2.99 GPA with National Merit Commended, however). I did get involved in some easy clubs such as Math, Chess, SGA, and Friends Who Care. Lighter moments in senior year included being the "flag boy" and winning the Halloween contest with my Gary Carter costume. Yes, the Mets won the World Series in 1986! Of course, graduation itself was amazing (worth mentioning twice).
In college, I earned 3 social science degrees in 1987-98 (including my BA at Drew, Class of 1991) but really got going with a "career" during 1998-2001 in computers, after I got a computer certificate and later MOUS certification. I held a job at a computer school through 2002 and then became a private tutor.
I went back to school for an MS in accounting part-time in 2003; should be done by 2007...at Fairleigh Dickinson Univerity. Also dated my first girlfriend Lana during May-October 2003. Don't worry, late bloomers...I'm still single!
My advice to future Classes is to: (1) Know that life doesn't get much happier later on, just more elaborate. Make the best of MHS, and especially get along with the boys and girls of your Class because they tend to know you better than anyone else at school ever will. Also, getting a number (and e-mail) for academic collaboration is a great way to end up with a future buddy, crush, or date...something I failed to do enough, sad to say. (2) Have a career goal early on and get some work experience ASAP, even if you have to delay college for a year or two. College isn't going away, and starting with career goals and maturity compared to your fellow college students can be a lot of fun socially AND academically!
Be sure to write me back if you remember me, or even if you're just curious and would like to reminisce about what turned our to be THE VERY GOOD OLD DAYS, INDEED. :-)
College
I attended Drew University...Expand for more
from 1987 to 1991.
I majored in sociology and minored in psych, political science, and religion. I commuted to Drew freshman year, had Art Malkin as a roommate the next 2 years, and had a single room (the huge Holloway 327!) in my senior year.
I remember my years at Drew as a bit colorful but quiet as well. I earned Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science honor certificate) at the end of my junior year. My 3.32 GPA would have earned me Cum Laude down the street at FDU, but not at Drew where the cutoff was 3.4, not 3.2!
I was appointed communter senator in 1987-88, and re-elected as a Holloway senator for senior year in 1990-91. I wrote several articles for the Acorn in junior year and was on the intramural bowling team during senior year--the only athletic program I was involved with since the 1970s, if ever.
My lady-friends included Cynthia Cavanough (nee Lee), Bev Shames, Ricki Rieckers (MHS 1986 as well as Drew 1990!), Rebecca Spiegler (Drew 1992), and Jean Sandler (Drew 1993). I also came close to going out with Jennifer Mohr (Drew 1993), but lost touch with her after graduation.
My buddies besides roommate Art were David von Schlichten, Glenn Canner, MIchael Nejat (also MHS 1987), etc. Later on at Drew I also met both Darrin Rodriguez (Drew 1992) and Jeff D'Allesio (MHS 1989 as well as Drew 1993). If I've misspelled anyone's name or left them off this list, my sincere apologies. It has been 15 years since 1991, you know. ;-)
My favorite teachers at Drew were Janet Burstein, Doug Simon, Jonathan Reader, Luis Barbosa, Susan Herrick, and Katherine Gray, among many others.
My memorable classes included the government simulation class in Fall 1989, Doug Simon's foreign policy class in Spring 1989, and Chemistry Class with Baldwin King in the Fall of 1988. Also the field trip to NYC on 10 Oct. 1990 as well as to Crown Heights on 12 Nov. 1989.
In senior year I also had to survive on 5 hours' sleep. My neighbor in Room 325 had a 2:15am bedtime and my Mom would give me a wakeup call at 7:30!
But I got to party with my buddy Darrin less than 20 feet away.
That's all for now. Don't forget our 15th Reunion in June 2006!
Regards,
Curtis Renkin
Drew Class of 1991
Workplace
In Great Neck, I delivered Pennysavers for 55 weeks (18 Oct. 1980 to 31 Oct. 1981).
In 1988-90 I worked at Databert in Millburn while studying at Drew.
From 1991-94 I earned an MA in Social Psychology at FDU-Madison, where I also got a Psi Chi award in Psychology, a 3.79 GPA (my best ever), and completed a Master's Thesis. I considered this degree an extension of my BA at Drew because my original plan at Drew was to be a soc/psych double major, but the coursework was too difficult at the time.
Then I got another MA in Counselor Prep at Seton from 1994 to 1998. What a waste; I flunked out of the licensing track. Should've went straight into computers and/or accounting back in the mid-1990's!
From 1998-2001 I completed computer school at Seton Hall and then became MOUS certified at the now-closed Computer Science Institute where I earned money in 2001 as well as 2002. That was my favorite job ever.
I was briefly employed by Staples in 2005, but didn't like my duties, so I quit that fall. If I make a lot of money in the near future, it will probably be based on tutoring poeple on computer software (which I am now doing), my 2004 paralegal certificate, real estate referrals, and later on my accounting degree in 2008-09 and beyond.
I wish my work life had progressed somewhat more than it has, but it is hard finding any entry-level work at my age, and I'm only 36! If only people (including myself) would give me more of a chance. :-(
Oh well, better luck in the near future; we all need it.............
Hope all is good with you all!
Curtis Renkin
FDU M.A. 1994
Seton Hall M.Ed. 1998
Seton Computer Certificate 2000
FDU Paralegal Graduate 2004
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Reunions
