Larry Solomon:
CLASS OF 1965
Middletown Township High SchoolClass of 1965
Middletown, NJ
Larry's Story
I entered MTHS for the first time on December 3, 1962 and left it on June 22, 1965, two and a half years later as a graduate. And I have to tell you they were two and a half fabulous years. I don't know if you remember or not I came to MTHS from Texas where I had lived all my life until I moved to Lincroft, NJ, and started at MTHS on the 3rd of December. There are things about that day I can remember like it was yesterday. I got off the bus, went to the office to pick up my schedule and then headed to my first home room, Rm 214, Mr. Thomas, he had a strong accent because he was from Jamaica, the Virgin Islands or some island if I remember correctly. And from that moment on my life changed.
I know changing schools in the middle of the year can be really tough for some kids. I was fortunate because when I changed schools I came to MTHS. Those who struggled must have gone to other schools. The difference for me was that from the time I walked through the doors of MTHS I felt accepted. I had a lot to learn, New Jersey was a lot different than Texas and MTHS was a lot different than Memorial High School where I came from in Houston, Texas. I really enjoyed some of the questions I was asked on my first day by the students when they found out I was from Texas, which did not take long because people thought I had an accent. A couple of the questions were "Did you ever see a television before you came here?", "Did you live on a ranch?" And "Did you own a horse?" It was fun. The one thing I did miss was I couldn't wear jeans and tennis shoes to school. Dungarees and tennis shoes were not allowed. I could wear slacks and sneakers, which I did everyday unless the choir was performing. Everyone was eager to help me learn, I never felt put down, I always felt respected and encouraged. I always was eager to come to school. MTHS was always special to me. Thank you for treating me so well and taking such good care of me, you all really helped me be who I am today.
As you may remember I loved singing in the choir. I remember Mrs Haas, the first year I was there and then came Mr. Richard Otey, who sang with The Robert Shaw Corral. He challenged us all to work and work hard especially if you sang in the Madrigal Group. I can say that compared to Madrigal groups I see singing today, our costumes were, let say primitive. Who cared, we were having fun. And you won't believe what I sang in college, The Faure' Requiem, that bought back memories to me. when we sang it at MTHS. I also enjoyed singing and acting in "Babes In Arms", my Junior year. Mr. Otey directed the music in that play as well. It was really fun. Then there was our Senior Play with Mrs. White which was fun as well but it wasn't a musical. Do you remember going into New York City and making a record, I do, that too was fun.
I have so many other wonderful...Expand for more
memories that I could share with you. If I can make it to our 50th Reunion, which I am trying to do, we can share a lot more then. So what did you help me to become:
During my first semester at Aurora College I recommitted my life to Christ. Not having a plan for what I was going to do after college, I decided during my second semester to go into the ministry. I graduated with a degree in Bible and Religion.
Did I become part of the clergy? No, I came to understand that to be a pastor you needed to have a calling and I did not believe I had one so I entered into a covenant with God. My committed to Him, was that whatever job I had would become my ministry. Each position prepared me for a new opportunity for service. That first summer after graduating, I was given a job in The Illinois Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division. From that point on, I worked 40+ years with problematic teenagers. I worked in the Department of Corrections and as a Director of a group home (almost got killed), after that I started working in the private and public educational system as a consultant, a director, and a principal. I then earned a Masters Degree in Social Work(MSW) and held a position as a School Social Worker and a Behavioral Management Specialist. In addition I earned my second Master in Public School Administration and Supervision and became a special education administrator. For the last 15 years of my employment I was a principal of a public alternative school, grades 1 through 12. While I have retired from work my ministry goes on in my local church and Aurora University.
This year my wife, Ruth, and I celebrate our 46th year of marriage. This is her first year of retirement so we are actually living together 24/7 and that is a trip. We have two children. My daughter (39) has a degree in Youth Ministry and works for Youth For Christ in the San Diego, CA area. She is a California girl. My son (33) has a degree in Computer Animation and is a designer for a company here in the Chicago area. He and his wife have 2 children. Their daughter, my grand daughter, is very special to us. She was born with Spina Bifida, Down's syndrome, and a club foot. She is five and is happy almost all the time. She is a strong willed child that makes her a real survivor. They also have a son who is three and a lot of fun. He and I have a special relationship which is really cool.
Shortly after my graduation from Aurora College or Aurora University as it is called now, my Father retired and he and my Mom returned to Texas. In so doing that, they made it much more difficult for me to return to New Jersey. And as life goes I am now retired and I am looking forward to trying to return to New Jersey and being part of our 50th Class Reunion. I think of many of you daily and even pray for you as The Lord leads me.
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