NFA Class of 1979 Holds Their 40th Year Reunion

By Joy Rene’ Young

NEWBURGH – This past weekend Newburgh Free Academy’s class of 1979 celebrated their 40th year reunion. The kick off was Friday night for the icebreaker at Temple Hill Tavern where many classmates met to greet each other and reminisce. The class president of 1979, Kevin Mcguire was there to greet everyone. Some of the teachers and coaches joined us.

Saturday the class cruised the Hudson River on the River Rose. Mayor Torrance Harvey boarded to wish everyone well. DJ Teewhy Beamon did a great job mixing in our old school music with today’s hits. A fun time was had by all. This was the most diverse group of individuals to ever turn out for a class of 1979 reunion. A team of four, Joy Rene’ Simmons

Young, Krista Brown, Thomas Whitted and Alfonso Bristow joined forces early to make sure a large number of their African American classmates turned out to make the 40th high school reunion epic. In the past, maybe 10-20 attended. After the cruise, many dined at Billy Joe’s on Front Street in Newburgh. On Sunday the class met at Newburgh Free Academy for a photo shoot. After, the class met for brunch and to say goodbye at Blacc Vanilla Cafe on South St. in Newburgh. The food there was fantastic. The owner and the staff made the entire class feel like family. The team is very happy they teamed up with the class president for this event. The team of four has received so much positive feedback that they will be teaming up to do more great events in the future.