Rock Rivalry: A lasting legacy

Second in a series of two stories

It is interesting to note that from the time East Rockaway High School opened its doors in September 1936, Rock Rivalry has been an integral part of each school year, first being held in December 1936.

It has changed over the past 73 years and modified to keep it up to date, but enduring are the joys of freshmen believing that they will be the first to win the Cup and the heartaches of seniors discovering that dream will not come true.

As Entrance Co-Chairman for four years, Deborah Lerner (‘69) was instrumental in creating a cohesive production out of chaos. Now a president of a public relations consulting firm, she notes, “There is probably very little I’ve done professionally that doesn’t somehow have its roots in my experience as Rock Rivalry Entrance Chairman for the Class of 1969,” Lerner said. “Working with a group of creative crazies trying to pull a public relations strategy together? Script meetings in my living room. Learning how to cope with corporate egos? Song rehearsals with 25 teenage boys, none of whom wanted to date me anyhow. Pulling off a major event that involved at least one celebrity, required scripted remarks for a dozen other participants and have TV coverage? Being part of a group that is made up of the most wonderful classmates in the world, who as a team turns an idea into a script, into songs, into dances, into costumes and into a show that 40 years later can still send shivers up my spine.”

In 1969, leveling the sports playing field was the fact that JV/Varsity athletes were not allowed to participate in RR sports (basketball, table tennis and volleyball) and JV/Varsity cheerleaders were not allowed to cheer. Art interpretation had its own requirements and was judged separately, as were mural and stand.