Looking back on high school, there will always be those memories you'll never forget. As Tottenville High School Alumni, those memories are vaguely similar. Here are 12 things only Tottenville HS alumni will understand
1. The E-Wing
We all have our fair share of experiences in the E-wing. Whether it be you yourself creating your own memories there, or walking straight into that couple swapping spit in the stairwell. It was the only place in tottenville without cameras and the only place you wouldn’t be caught by the dean. The E-wing, aka the hook up wing, was probably one of the most unsanitary places you’ll ever be in Tottenville.
2. “Walk and Talk!”
We won’t name any names here, but we’ve all been tortured by this phrase everyday for 4 years straight just as the late bell rings....every single period.
3. Friday night football games
Come fall if you’re a student at Tottenville HS there’s only one place you will be on a Friday night- at the varsity football games. Tottenville has it’s fair share of drama, but those football games were the one day of the week where the only enemy was the opposing team. Shouting, chanting with the cheerleaders, and screaming at the refs; they weren’t kidding when they say we bleed purple.
4. The S/O
If you were on a sports team (and let’s face it, most students in tottenville were), this was the place to be. No matter what time of the day you could walk into the S/O and there would always be one of your friends in there. Whether you wanted to cut a class or just kill some free time, the S/O was where everyone wanted to be.
5. The not-so-appropriate gym attire
Let’s face it, hardly anyone ever got dressed for gym. Those baggy basketball shorts & grey tshirts weren’t actually that bad, but you would fail the class before ever changing into that dreadful outfit on a daily basis.
6. New semester, new schedules
No matter how many times the VP would tell us that guidance counselors could not see us the day our new schedules were given out, there was always a swarm of students outside their offices just hours later. We knew they wouldn’t meet with us, but there we were in a mosh pit, demanding to know why we got scheduled for Mr.Kreda’s health class rather than Schwartzbkurg.
7. Extended breaks
As a Tottenville HS student it was a known fact, rule even, that no one came to school the day before any type of break. Spring break started that Monday, not Tuesday, and same to be said about every other holiday break. Not only did the students abide by it, by the teachers expected it. Some teachers would cut the work load the day before & even tell you not to come to class at all that day. Others would bribe/threaten you to get you to come to class that day, but regardless tumbleweed was rolling through the halls the day before any break.
8. Sporting Events
There’s no denying that the football games were the biggest events at Tottenville HS, but that’s not to say that the other sports events weren’t any less important. Whether it be lacrosse, baseball, or basketball, we lived for those games and tournaments. When game night came around, the whole school would be decked out in purple and white screaming in the stands. And when the morning came we listened to the announcements closely to hear the winning score and lead players. Tottenville was well known for their sports program, and we dominated in all aspects.
9. SING
Countless hours were put into practicing and rehearsing for a short 3 day performance, but that didn’t stop us students from putting our blood, sweat, and tears into it. Everyone participated in SING, and everyone knew that the seniors would win every year (even if they weren’t necessarily better)
10. Cutting a class was easier than attending one
Whether you were leaving 3rd to get Ralphs and coming back for 4th, or leaving and not coming back at all, cutting a class (or classes) at Tottenville was not much of a challenge. Freshman year you thought the security guards out front would stop you, senior year you would bring them back a bagel.
11. "This is Tottenville HS calling to inform you that your child ___ was absent from 1 or more periods during the week of--"
The most dreaded phone call on the planet. Saturday mornings at 11am you knew what to expect. You'd rush to the phone before your mom would hear it or begin to generate every excuse you can think of. Some days, the phone calls would come during a week when you actually didn't skip a class, which made it extremely easy to lie about to your parents during the weeks you did.
12. Mr.Tuminaro
In real Tottenville fashion, it’s only right that we end this article with Mr.Tottenville himself- Mr.Tuminaro. No other principle, let alone faculty member, has cared about a student body more than John Tuminaro. We all remember him for his distinct voice and voluptuous mustache, and we all remember the heartbreak we felt when we heard he was retiring.
Looking back, Tottenville HS has given us some of the best memories yet. Sure HS can be tough, but Tottenville made those tough days that much easier. As alumni we find ourselves yearning for just a day back in those hallways. You know what they say- once a pirate, always a pirate.
