Stewart E. Lerch remembers the day a kindly teacher taught him a lesson in geography that went way beyond studying the world’s features and countries.
Lerch, 79, of Muhlenberg Township, was a ninth-grade student at Reading’s Northeast Junior High School, now middle school, at the time.
He remembers standing before a world map, scanning the South Pacific, when his teacher Mr. Jones walked in.
“Why aren’t you in your seat?” Jones asked the boy.
“I am looking for New Guinea,” Lerch said, explaining “My father was killed there during World War II, and I don’t know where that is.”
Lerch was 7 months old when his father, Stewart E. Lerch, was killed at age 23 on May 21, 1944, while serving in the Army. He was buried in Manila, Philippines.
Jones gently pointed out both places on the large map.
“He took the time to show me and to talk to me,” Lerch recalled. “And he told me to never stop asking questions about my father.”
Lerch hasn’t.
A member of the Northeast Alumni Association’s board of directors, he shared the story Friday during a program and reception for the school’s alumni.
The event kicked off the yearlong celebration of Northeast’s 100th anniversary.
The school opened Sept. 5, 1923.
More commemorative events, including a spring block party, are planned, Principal Karen Hodge told the assembly of about 300 alumni, teachers, family and friends.
Lerch was one of several alumni to share poignant and humorous anecdotes, tales of embarrassing moments and recollections of favorite teachers.
In addition to Lerch and Hodge, the speakers included Dr. Noahleen Betts, president of the Reading School Board; Dr. Jennifer Murray, district superintendent; Charles Jones, alumni association president; and Mark Detterline, an alumnus and school board member.
Bill Evans, chief of staff for state Sen. Judy Schwank, presented a senatorial citation in recognition of the anniversary.
The program was planned to resemble a junior high assembly like those many of the alumni experienced during their school years, Hodge said.
After a brief welcome and introduction, the principal picked up a flute and took a seat to play with a band made up of alumni and district staff.
Conducted by music teacher Shanalyn Eckenroad, the band played a selection of tunes, including the Northeast Centennial March, composed and arranged for the occasion by alumnus Thomas Shade.
The program also recognized those military veterans currently serving on Northeast’s staff, Brian Miller, math teacher; Khaled Ashraf, assistant principal; and Ron Loeb, custodian.
At its conclusion, alumni were treated to a reception in the library and tours of their alma mater.
Sisters Connie and Sharon Oakes and their lifelong friend Terrie Bachman Frederick sat at one of the library’s tables poring over some of the memorabilia on display.
Connie Oakes of Mohrsville is a 1977 graduate of the junior high school. Her sister Sharon of West Lawn graduated from Northeast in 1981 and their friend Frederick of Womelsdorf in 1978.
The trio grew up in northeast Reading and were inseparable during their school years. They walked together to and from the school as students and reprised their camaraderie Friday night, though they traveled together by car.
It felt odd to be back in their old junior high, the women said, noting the many changes to the building.
“It’s really different,” Sharon Oakes said, “but they didn’t put any new seats in the auditorium.”
The auditorium retains the original wooden seats, enough for 1,100 students, installed in time for the Sept. 5, 1923, opening of the junior high, the first Reading school built specifically for that purpose.
Now a middle school, the building serves students in the fifth through eighth grades.
“We are all so thrilled to be here celebrating the anniversary of our bellowed Northeast Middle School,” Murray said.
Source: Berkshire mont
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