I must to say that it is a pleasure and honor to be the President of the School of Performing Arts Association (SPAA). I guess this is a good a time as any to tell you of my plans for SPAA over the next year. Actually, before I do that I’d like to tell you about how and why I’m writing this. As many of you already know I’m Performing Arts 1964 Music graduate. I was fortunate enough to marry (and stay married to) the former Kandy Chernoff, Performing Arts 1965, Music who is now Kaye Lewis.

Kaye and have had Performing Arts in our hearts all the time but there was something missing and we kept on saying “what ever happened to …..”. I started the Performing Arts Alumni site to find people. I started this site in 2002 for a very selfish reason. It was almost my 40th reunion and I had not seen any of my classmates for almost 40 years. Kaye and I wanted to see everyone again. Well after creating and building up the site I found out about SPAA and the celebrations at the old building.

It was summer of 2002. I was asked to join them at the old building (wow, unfamiliar people from the “OTHER” years of Performing Arts). I was hesitant but decided to go. I stood outside of the building for about an hour and tears rolled down my eyes. People hanging outside with me had that same look. I was still more hesitant to go in because I knew the building was gutted and rebuilt but I went in and just stood in the lobby and introduced myself to Barry Plaxen. It was the first time we met. Barry and I talked, he introduced me to other’s I filled out a name tag (Hey, I looked the same as in 1964 so everyone should have known me anyway but I guess a name tag was in order) so I put one on, turned around and looked at the name tag attached to the person on my right and saw Al Gross (1964 Drama). Is this the same Al? Of course not. This man is older than me…. Duhhhhhhhhh. With tears again we hugged and we were transported back to the 1960’s.

After meeting three others friends from my original class and others from the 1950’s to the 1980’s as well I realized that I have to make it my business to help these celebrations. At that time I knew very little about SPAA but I wanted to find out. Well, working closely with SPAA the next few years flew by with wonderful celebrations for my classes 40th and then the next one for Kaye’s class 40th and then the 2006 celebration this years was the best yet. Even better I’m now connected with people who where at Performing Arts the first year to the last year and you know what? It’s like we went to school together.

These aren’t reunions and we don’t want to call them reunions either. They are celebrations for any one who attended this great school. In the past few years I met people from all years of Performing Arts. I’m friends with people from the 50’s to people that graduated in 1986 who started at 120 west 46th street and graduated from LaGuardia.

So now -On with the show – I mean my plan: Here are my goals:

1. I am striving to find every single former student, educator and friend of Performing Arts and invite them to join our celebrations.

2. As president I also intend to raise a lot of money to make these celebrations better and better (got any extra money you can spare? Please send it to us).

3. LaGuardia students are the children of Music and Art and Performing Arts. So my third goal is for Performing Arts and Music and Art to be totally involved with our offspring LaGuardia. To have all of our graduates attend LaGuardia Reunions, Concerts and celebrations whenever we can. To perhaps even contribute our talents to their events, just as they do now to ours. To make sure that all Performing Arts and Music and Art graduates are as proud of our LaGuardia kids as I am today.

In the past SPAA and LaGuardia were in competition with the dates of our respective celebrations. Now SPAA is committed to having our celebrations earlier in the year (before June). LaGuardia actually sent our kids (their students) to work the stage crew, perform, and design our programs. What more can we ask for except for these new students have the same dreams and aspirations that we had. Remember when we are all gone it’s our children and their children’s, children that will retain the memories we created and told them about.

So those are my 3 goals for me. I intend to make them all come true.

Thanks for letting me serve as the president of SPAA

Steve Lewis