Sachem High School East Then and Now

Back when the Class of 2005 first entered high school as freshmen, Sachem East was merely a vision in the making. Yet, when that inaugural class began their senior year, they did so in a brand new, grand-sized location, devoid of any history or Sachem accolades. It was up to them to begin Sachem East's legacy.

"I remember our orientation being in a construction zone," said Dana Rostern, a graduate of East in 2005, who this year will return to East on an internship in the guidance department. "To me, it's like coming full circle."

Indeed, East has come full circle in its short existence. The class of 2005 is quick to relate how barren the building was when it was first inhabited. Multiple alumni have discussed how the trophy cases were filled with ginger bread houses, and how stairways were, at times, so crowded that half of the class would be late for their next period. The confusion was so great that signs were erected directing traffic.

Yet, that first year wasn't all complaints. The slogan "Split Happens" became the motto of many seniors that first year, signifying that they understood what had happened and were going to make the most of it.

"It was tough being separated from half of our peers in our senior year," said one alumni. "But they made sure that our prom and senior trip were together so that we didn't feel the split too harshly."

The Class of 2005 took on the task of recreating a Sachem atmosphere. The school newspaper, Eastside View, was named and designed with the help of East's juniors and seniors under the guidance of teachers Larry Patten and Scott Hartnagel. The sports teams had the daunting task of living up to the success of Sachem North, and solidifying East's place amongst the rest.

For Malynda Rascoe, being a part of the Class of 2005 at East represented fond memories of her time at the newest addition to the Sachem community.

"It has been five years since I have graduated from Sachem East and I now have a Bachelors of Arts Degree in government and I am working diligently to further pursue a Masters Degree in Public Administration," she said. "My ultimate goal is to become a successful Attorney and Politician. It is because of guidance counselors and educators like Ms. Jackson, who always motivated and kept me on the right path while in high school, that I attribute myself as being a Sachem East graduate and success story in the making."

Today, the classes of 2010 and 2011 look to the future, realizing the changes that have taken place at Sachem East.

"I remember [my sister] being in the Class of 2005," said 2011 senior Jeremy Milito. "At that point things were very new and didn't seem to make much sense. I wish the Class of '05 could see it today. It's like a new family came up out of practically nothing in such a short time."

Recent graduate Mark Sabella commented on his experience at East saying, "When I first got their it was so big to me and I never knew what exactly was going on. But as I entered my senior year I realized that the school basically had something for everyone no matter who you were, which made the school a great place to be a part of."

It seems that the Sachem Central School District's choice to add East to its legacy was a wise one which affected many. The changes which have already taken place in its short history have been positive, and the future seems bright.

Superintendent James Nolan and his administrative staff are looking to hit a home run with preaching the "We are Sachem" motto this coming school year. It couldn't come at a better time, when East has finally established itself in many walks of the educational realm. Couple with North and the rest of the district, the Sachem name will start to mean what it did during the decades of excellence it had basically since the district launched in 1955.