Life lessons learned from Rock Rivalry

Part one in a series of two stories

On April 12, 1986, the East Rockaway High School Alumni Celebration of 50 years of Rock Rivalry took place in a format honoring the unique tradition of “Entrance.”

Classes from the 30s through the 80s were grouped by decade and performers gathered to perform a skit that showcased what Entrance was like during their school years. Groups of people, many of whom had never met, all worked together to once again write a script and songs, choreograph dances, rehearse tirelessly, tap dance endlessly, sing harmoniously, and ultimately prove that a group of strangers could utilize the many lessons learned during their Rock Rivalry and Entrance productions of years past.

As Audrey Weis Salvemini (’69), Office Engineer-Communications LIRR noted in the show program, “As with any of our regular Rock Rivalry performances, it takes the time and talents of many different kinds of people to make the whole thing come together successfully.”

This was certainly true of our Entrances while in school, but more so for a show done as adults with careers and family responsibilities to juggle. Yet we all agreed that one of the most important lessons learned during our high school days of Rock Rivalry was time management.

East Rockaway Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher (’56) was the driving force behind this extravaganza and his motivation, organization and dedication to this event and Rock Rivalry itself were very much appreciated. As he said at that time, “Rock Rivalry was an important part of our education, a learning experience during which important life skills were acquired that we would need and use throughout our lives. Rock Rivalry taught us the power of cooperation, of working together in complex ways toward a common goal,” — a statement Meagher, a founder and the first president of the Alumni Association, believes is still true today.