Jimmy Harris, where are you?

Our high school class had been a group of iconic teenagers in American society -- we did not know about violence or drugs.  We were too busy striving to be our best, working hard, playing hard and having good, wholesome innocent fun -- you know, going to Jones Beach, Playland and the Pelham Picture House.  We lived in an affluent suburb of New York in Westchester County among tree-lined streets and well-cared-for homes.

Some of our parents had prejudices which were unfortunately heightened by World War 11.  As an Italian-American family, we -- along with Jewish families and blacks were not permitted to join the local country club nor any of the popular social clubs.  As children, we were made to feel inferior, out of place and not wanted.  We were simply told that these clubs had a 'restricted membership'.  While I lived in one of the larger homes on Monterey Avenue we had an Italian last name and the neighborhood children would say, "My mom and dad say that your family should go back where you belong!"  This mystified me and I kept asking my mom what this meant?  She would shake her head in disbelief and tell me that this was indeed where we belonged and not to think about it anymore.  Later on, at Pelham High I was grateful that my classmates in the Pelham High Class of 1953 were so considerate and caring.  They didn't seem to echo the sentiments of their parents.  Still, I wondered how Jimmy Harris had felt about being the only black male student in our class.  Had he felt the same pain and sadness I had?  He had been President of our Junior Class and Captain of the track team.  He was so popular, an outstanding athlete and well-respected by all in our class.  Unfortunately he moved to Mount Vernon before senior year and didn't graduate with our class.  Sadly, we lost touch and even though we've done exhaustive searches for him we never had any luck in finding him.  A.B.Davis, the school he would have graduated from is no longer there and nobody has been able to access any information about him.

We had a fabulous three-day 50th reunion back in October of 2003.  Aside from 21 deceased members out of a graduating class of 127, most classmates attended.  We had a cookout, a Hudson River boat ride to Bear Mountain (re-creating our own senior day and giving new meaning to the words), we visited Pelham High where we donated a gift check from our class, a gala banquet and three days of memories, smiles and hugs.  The only person we all missed was Mr. James Ellsworth Harris.  Since then we've had more reunions, mini-reunions and gatherings.  Some of us email each other several times a week.

We're in the process of planning our 60th reunion, so Jimmy if you're out there somewhere, please get in touch with me.  We want you with us again.