Class of 1981 Reunion Brings Back Magic Of High School

Some people take their class officer jobs very seriously - Marianne Sarazen Lonati, for instance. Social chair of the EGHS Class of 1981, Lonati never really stepped down from that role. Last Saturday, she and 70 others gathered at the Fireman’s Hall for the class’s 30th reunion - the fourth reunion she’s organized.

“I love organizing the reunions,” she said. The fact that she married another EGHS ‘81 alum, John Lonati - “We started dating our junior year” - made staying involved easier. There was no need to convince her spouse to spend an evening with a bunch of strangers.

Indeed, it was anything but a roomful of strangers at the Fireman’s Hall on Saturday. As people arrived, they were scooped up by someone thrilled to see them. One guest was particularly popular - former EGHS and Cole principal Lou Lepry.

“We loved Mr. Lepry,” said Lonati. He was their principal when they were at Cole, she explained, and in 1976 they took action when a superintendent came in who wanted to possibly get rid of Lepry.

“We staged a walkout,” she said. “The entire school left because they were going to get rid of him. We loved him.”

The affection seemed to be mutual on Saturday. “They were good kids,” Lepry said, teasing, “they didn’t tip over any cars.”

For Jack Folloni, what made high school special was the invincible feeling he and his classmates had then. “Being 18 is the pinnacle of a boy’s life,” he said.

The Lonatis live in Massachusetts, but Marianne’s mother still lives in EG, so they visit frequently. People came from as close as Cowesett and far as Texas.

“I miss East Greenwich,” said Bethany Dryer, who lives in Texas, “I miss the water.”

Lori Wright of Warwick was attending for the first time. “You didn’t need it,” said Kris Della Cioppa, “you’re right here." Della Cioppa lives in Tampa, Fla. "I’ve gone to every reunion," she said. “It gives you an excuse to come home.”

The first reunion was in 1991, then 2001 and 2006. But, according to Lonati, they may not wait until 2016.

“We are talking about getting together in two years to celebrate our 50th birthdays! Oye, 50!”