Ellenville Jr/Sr High School hosted very special guests on Friday, September 26. Six distinguished alumni from the Class of 1965—Lew Strudler, Hal Bookbinder, Sue Van, Kathleen Trumbull Loucks, Howard Kosofsky, and Maxine Arlette Katzman Schneider Ajerman—returned to the Media Center to talk about how diverse paths can all lead to success.
The speakers shared how taking advantage of what Ellenville schools offered became the foundation for their achievements. Kathleen Trumbull Loucks transformed skills learned in keyboarding and bookkeeping classes into a lifelong career, reminding students to stay open to unexpected opportunities—even ones outside their comfort zone. Sue Van, who came to Ellenville as an immigrant learning English as a second language, found her pathway through sports, which taught her leadership, resilience, and how to become part of a team. Howard Kosofsky emphasized seizing every opportunity and working hard, lessons he learned starting at age eight and carried through multiple successful business ventures. The consistent theme: say "yes" to new challenges, because you never know which class, which sport, or which experience will open doors to your future.
The message resonated clearly: take advantage of what the District offers, stay curious, don't be afraid to try new things, and remember that the connections you forge here can last a lifetime.
As the '65 Blue Devils reminded our current Blue Devils, "no matter where you start, it is where you go and who you become that defines your journey."