Horace Mann High School

This is where I first became a genius.
Thank you professor Timko. Mrs. Woods. Mr. Breckinridge. Kim Do. Mr. Collins. Mrs. Litt, who I see now is leading educational programs at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens? Most excellent.
Lots of devoted teachers. Some quirky students. Go Lions.
Who could forget Mr. Donato’s 4^th floor of Tillinghast history and economics lectures. They included Yiddish terms (including from Laverne and Shirley. see schlamiel and schlamozel.), the Holland Tunnel effect (yawning), and other errata. Emily predicted the German reunification. Good call kiddo!
The English prof’s comedic impressions of the lil tramp were pretty good but I’m more of a Buster Keaton and Vince Vaughn guy.
We used to be able to go down the hill. I learned a lot racing in video games, playing the carnival. pinball machine «ride the ferris wheel.» and smashing buildings as a gorilla or dinosaur. The pizza was good. And I didn’t get mugged. :) Winning.
Mr «Lombardi» told me I was the worst gym student he ever had. It’s a badge of distinction I bare with honor to this day. And who could forget the square dancing gym classes led by that chunky southern? fellow. Wasn’t he also a wrestling coach? Never have I been so fit in mind and body. Skip to the loo my darling. Is that a bathroom reference? No idea. Round and round we go.
I might have forgotten a detail or two. But it was all worth it. Like Ivan Boesky and Eliott Spitzer I’ve gone on to lead in an ethical and honorable fashion, leading first by example. But I digress.
Mr. Timko’s physics classes taught me how to find God. After our class he taught only theater. I was always a lil sad about that and I am probably partly to blame. But I’m sure he was one heck of a theater teacher as well. He would let us retake tests as many times as we wanted to try and improve our grade. But each time the test would be a lil harder. The point was to master the material. Talk about testing reform. You were a Jedi señor.
And Breck made me feel low for doing a drive by flicking off of Fieldston more by force of his humble example and leadership than by any lecture or harsh words. Character.
There were bad apples too. But to a person Judd said those were his favorites. So to each their own. Although the cool parents made sure their kids didn’t get stuck with them. Thanks for nothing mom and Dad!!!
Magna est Veritas et Praevalet: Great is the Truth and it Prevails. Even if it sometimes it takes a while or gets sidetracked by corruption. :P
I don’t recall carving my name or initials in any of the old wood, but I did free several generations of fruit flies in science class. Oh and I remember the silence of one science professor who scoffed at me when I said jetted water is used for precision metal cutting. he didn’t say anything when I brought in a clipping for the company that made the equipment. Who’s laughing now? I’m Unilocal ELITE!!!
Maybe he moved on. or simply lacked the requisite grace and humility to make a correction. Fortunately there were others who taught me to search out, to question, to struggle, to rethink, and to challenge myself. Ultimately, they taught me that there is tremendous joy in learning. At the arcade and in the classroom. I should also mention Sal’s Salumeria.