Back Where We Started: The Miraleste High School All-Class Reunion By Amy Bergant

“With bells on”, said John Doran, when asked if he’d attend another Miraleste High School All-Class Reunion. It’s a sentiment echoed by countless alumni ever since Jack Alexander successfully planned and executed the momentous on-campus event on July 29, 2023. Doran, a Miraleste alumni from the class of 1982, also performed at the event with his brother, Mike, and their band, Jukebox, along with Paul Lemire and others, throughout the 10am to 10pm event. Being on campus was “Really weird at first – things were exactly the same on one hand, and disconcertingly different in others. It brought back some fond memories of friends” Doran said.

The reunion was attended by over 1,000 alumni from every graduating class, along with faculty, staff, and family members, some of whom hadn’t stepped foot on campus since the year they left. “There were several people that I grew up with and hadn’t seen in years, which was surprisingly emotional”, said Doran. That feeling was common for most, especially to those who traveled from out of town to attend. Michele Nasreen-Askari, class of 1976, said, “There is a core group of ’76 alums who still live in the South Bay and connect with regularity, but for the out-of-towners, the combination of reuniting with friends and returning to where those life-long memories took place was something special”.

The morning of the reunion, former MHS water polo players competed in a friendly game, complete with former coaches, Tim Meenan and U.S. History teacher, Randy Beardslee. In 1985, the Miraleste Water Polo team won the CIF 2-A championship, while other years made it to the semifinals or finals. In fact, many Miraleste sports teams and clubs were extremely successful, which led to many trophies. However, once the school closed and reopened as a Middle School, the trophies were unceremoniously taken down. Over the years, they would be moved, and with each move, more and more would get damaged and discarded. Reunion organizer, Jack Alexander, with the help of school custodian, Pete Ramirez, was able to recover some trophies and salvage them. They were then displayed in a case in by the gym for all to see. Alumni are hoping to right this wrong by sponsoring a permanent plaque installation, celebrating all former Miraleste High School champions.

A special place for people to gather was a memorial room in the library, organized by 1987 alum, Julia Whitley. The memorial was dedicated to the classmates, teachers and staff who have passed over the years. Whitley had organized her own class reunions, but realized, “This memorial is our time to treasure moments and opportunities, each day of our lives. It’s out of love and care for our classmates and mentors, that Jack created the event, and collaboratively, the memorial room” Lawrence Burnight, MHS Principal from 1980-1986, attended the reunion and found the room particularly moving. Dr. Burnight also reflected on his time as Principal, “One of the nice things about Miraleste was its size. It was small for a comprehensive public high school; therefore, it was easier to get to know people. I spent most lunch periods on campus; I got to know students and they got to know me”.

When asked how he felt returning to campus after so many years, he said, “For me, in that I commuted from Long Beach each day, it was a reminder of what a beautiful setting the school had. On clear days one could see forever! I also enjoyed visiting with former teachers and staff and watching them interact with former students. Though we were a small school, we had a strong athletic program, and we maintained a fine performing arts presence”. He was especially proud that one of many highlights of his time there was to have MHS chosen as one of the original 30 “California Distinguished High School Schools “in 1986 when that program was in its inaugural year. “It was a tribute to the students, the staff, and the community”.

Alexander thought of everything needed for a great party: Miraleste merchandise, lunch provided by Giuliano’s Deli, a taco truck, and even an ice cream truck for those who needed a treat after the day-long event, which ended with a homecoming dance in the gym. Former students were able to roam the campus, take their own walks down memory lane and reminisce with fellow classmates, or walk over to another class group to say hi. Alexander even managed to arrange a fly over of The Tiger Squadron, and an aerial banner flyover welcoming the legendary Marauders ‘back home’. The School District commended Jack for planning such a special event, providing him with a letter from nearby homeowners who said they were so happy to see Miraleste back the way it was. One of those neighbors, Anne Wold, mother of alumni Eric and Michael, stopped by with her husband Rick, and was impressed how it all came together. “As I stand here on the lawn, watching all these connections, it was so smart of Jack Alexander to combine all these classes. It’s perfect”.

When asked if he’d plan another reunion, Jack told me, “I had promised that I would not take it on again and that was why I got so deep into the details and non-stop promotion.” But this doesn’t mean he can’t be persuaded to step up once again. “I was and still am, just blown away by how much it meant to so many people”. He said he met up with 5-6 people later in the day who didn’t plan to come but saw the posts on social media or received calls and texts saying they needed to be there, so they “just jumped in the car to drive over and join the fun and then said to me, ‘wow, you really pulled this off’ so that was sweet”.

Alexander doesn’t see that as a reason to take credit. “To say I expected anything more than satisfaction that I pulled off such a huge event and made a lot of great memories for everyone, would be lying. I am just happy I was able to give back to the Miraleste community that gave me so much”.

Thank you, Jack. For giving back to the community.

From The Legendary Miraleste Marauders

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Amy (Barber) Bergant is a proud Miraleste High School alumna, who grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes.

She attended the University of Southern California, getting her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from The Annenberg School for Journalism, where she was also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She currently lives in South Redondo Beach with her husband of almost 25 years, twin 14 year old daughters, and their 2 cats, George and Henry. When not chauffering her kids around, she enjoys hanging out with friends, eating good food, listening to great music, watching ridiculous television shows and going to the beach.