Please do not refer to my high school as "the former East Suffolk High School." The school's name remains unchanged. It should be referred to as" East Suffolk High School."

Article V  Volume II

East Suffolk High is not a former High School

To many former students this is probably a very tribal point. So, consider this an awareness blog.

It is acceptable to say, "I am a former student of East Suffolk High School."

In the near future, a plaque will be put up as a landmark for East Suffolk High School.  I hope the powers that be, do not refer to the school on the plaque as the former East Suffolk High School.

 It came to my attention that the local newspaper accounts refer to East Suffolk High as the "former East Suffolk High School."  The reference should be " East Suffolk High School" because the school still lives - though it is not an active high school - in the hearts and minds of the graduates, former students and teachers as a living entity.  Also, legally, it is still East Suffolk High School.

Eventually, the day will come when all the buildings will be torn down (it may be 25, 50, 100 or 200 years), regardless of when that day comes, we will always be an alumina of East Suffolk High School.

Now, it is okay for you to say, "I am a former student of East Suffolk High School." Because that is what we are, former students.  But the school is not former.

For example, I will say,  "I am a 1960 graduate of East Suffolk High School." The school became inactive after the class of 1965.  However, the name, East Suffolk High School did not become former at that point.
Another example, do you refer to your grandparents or great-grandparents as former? Well, I have to give this example some thought - because you might refer to your grandparents as former.  I'm still right because they were your parents or grandparents and they will never enter into the former category.

In conclusion, it is my hope that the plaque will omit the word former and that everyone will have a better understanding of why East Suffolk High School should not be referred to in print or conversation as "the former East Suffolk High School."

FYI:  I am the writer for three blogs. ESH "Looking Back" is my most popular one, in numbers, and is read in at least 10 countries. Whereas, my blog, "Grady Bryant's Expressions" is read in 14 countries, but the number of readers are lower. My expressions are found at:  www.myopinions999.blog spot.com

Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant. All rights reserved