Alumni Weekend: Reflections from a Class Agent

Class Agent Marie (Hodge) Gordon ('99) shares her thoughts of Alumni Weekend and her 15th reunion with her class in the message below.

Class of '99,

I am still recovering from the many activities and events Darlington School pulled together for Alumni Weekend. The team at our school did a phenomenal job of getting alumni together across so many decades, and whether you attended one event or more like 8 or 12, the pride and enthusiasm for Darlington's mission was felt throughout.

I am incredibly grateful for them, for you, and for having the honor of being your class agent.

At the Distinguished Alumni event honoring Robert L. Berry (’64) and William C. Gordon (’64) on Friday, Bob Berry made the comment that,"Darlington never quits on you. Ever. After you leave here, you will make Darlington connections wherever you go. With each passing day, you will become more and more proud of the fact that you got your diploma from Darlington..."

I certainly feel that way, and I was almost overwhelmed with gratitude this weekend as so many of our classmates - including those who weren't able to make it back to prior reunions - got together to share our memories, our plans for the future and each other's company.

But more importantly, this weekend reminded me that the connections we shared as students at Darlington are still there.

Angelyn Waddell Hill told me that it wasn't a school reunion; it was a family reunion. Out of the 17 students in our class who attended Darlington from first through 12th grade, 12 of them attended Alumni Weekend.

As so many of you reached out to help with this weekend, I KNOW that you haven't quit on each other. If you would reach out to help with a simple (if GREAT) party to make sure your friends had a fun time, I know if any one of us had a real issue, the response would be more than overwhelming. That's truly special.

And now we are already planning our 20th reunion!