When they left the Economic High School in Bolesławiec in June 1977, before setting out into the world to begin their adult lives, they promised one another that years later they would meet again at that school and in that classroom. Four years of studying together had bound them with strong ties of affection and friendship. They formed a group of young people full of enthusiasm and joy for life. They were good students, but above all, they were kind and likeable. They were everywhere, and one could always count on them. They were united by a passion for taking action. When I look through the rich pages of the class chronicle, I wonder how they managed to combine all that activity with their studies. I admire their enthusiasm and the breadth of their interests.
They looked after children from the State Children’s Home, helped elderly people, collected recyclable materials, took part in competitions and academic olympiads—and won them (Maria Wyspiańska, Leszek Szymkiewicz, Elżbieta Szymczak). I cannot count how many times they grabbed brooms so that the city would shine with cleanliness. The forest they planted rustles, recalling their youth. They were interested in poetry and theatre. They performed in many fascinating artistic programmes presented on the school stage and at the city theatre, without burdening their parents with the costs of events. There were contacts with Mr and Mrs Machulski’s theatre and with Mr and Mrs Gucwiński from Wrocław Zoo, and so on. There is not enough space to list everything they did during those four years of study.
Were they perfect? Probably not. Along the way there were “slip-ups” and obstacles that were sometimes impossible to overcome. Several students “got lost” along the way before reaching their final year. Well, that is student life. It was so then, and it is so today: people fall into traps prepared—unfortunately—often by themselves.
Those who persevered (and there were 41 of them) set out into the world with a wealth of knowledge and ideals. Both figuratively and literally.
Many of them now live outside Poland: in Canada (T. Robak), Spain (K. Kowalska), West Germany (E. Szymczak, I. Jadach), and Czechoslovakia (E. Burniak). Many have scattered across Lower Silesia; today they work in various positions at workplaces or run their own businesses. Their friendships stood the test of time. There is also a class marriage (Janka and Lesław Szymkiewicz).
And so, on 13 June this year, a reunion took place 15 years after they had completed school. These are moving moments: after many years, sitting once again at a school desk. Tears appeared in many eyes when, as in days gone by, the bell announced the start of a lesson in room 24—so well known to everyone.
It was an extraordinary lesson, a return to the enchanted world of youth. Memories moved past like a colourful kaleidoscope, forming a harmonious picture of those times. The heart grew warm, all faces were cheerful, for a moment free from the worries of everyday life. Time stood still, and memories flowed like a broad river, revealing the secrets of school life one after another. The reunion lasted several hours at the school and at the “on the boat” café. Everything was captured in frames by the camera and in photographs...
At last, the time came to part. There were only final handshakes and assurances that they would meet again—this time in five years—and the first REUNION OF GRADUATES in the history of the Zespół Szkół Zawodowych im. mjr. H. Sucharskiego came to an end.
DO NOT FORGET THE SCHOOL, BECAUSE IT REMEMBERS YOU! “Even if the sky sometimes tires of its blue, Never let the light of hope go out...”
Continue to be warm-hearted, kind and open!
Those who took part in the reunion:
Teachers: B. Bialogrzywiec, J. Rydz, K. Bojko, J. Muzyka, K. Fe dyszyn, K. Sójka, Z. Kłosowska, J. Pietrzak, J. Grzędzińska, W. Sadłowski, homeroom teacher L. Napiórkowska.
Graduates: M. Andrukonis-Wawrzynowska, E. Burniak – Plichova, M. Homecka – Banasik, H. Dziedzic – Bieniewicz, K. Poreda-Martes, D. Wołkowska – Sławecka, J. Szewczyk – Szymkiewicz, L. Szymkiewicz, H. Łysy, A. Gołębiowski, T. Zadwórna – Zazulak, L. Szuter – Depko, K. Szaja – Kurdyś, M. Szwatro – Habel, J. Krasicka – Bigos, E. Borowska – Miżdal, B. Kiełbasa – Kulczycka, G. Pieniążek – Burdzy, D. Mazurkiewicz, B. Polańska.
SEE YOU IN FIVE YEARS!
LUCYNA NAPIÓRKOWSKA-FIJAŁKOWSKA