JULY 27, 1996

The Junior Company Foundation was founded in 1995 and one of the first activities planned by the new board of directors was a reunion of all present and past Junior Company members. Approximately 300 youngsters had participated in the Company from 1978 to 1996. It was the enormous job of the board to track down the addresses and contact all Juniors, or their parents, about the reunion. By contacting relatives, neighbors, classmates, employers, friends, and using old Junior Company address lists, approximately 250 members were notified. They were literally located all over the world.

"Wow!", "Really fun!", "Great experience!", were some of the remarks made during and after that July '96 event. Approximately 125 Juniors, about 50 parents who came to represent their absent Juniors, and former instructors and directors attended a Saturday luncheon at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater, better known as "the Music Hall." The social hour was filled with fun and laughter seeing old familiar faces, now all grown up. Many members brought their spouses. Many brought their tee shirts and memorabilia. Several Juniors, not able to attend, wrote notes, called, or sent telegrams. Dan Pessano was extremely proud as he looked around the room at his "Kids," as he calls them. The instructors, directors, and special guests such as Alta Parret, who played piano for so many, many preshows, seemed to enjoy themselves as much as the Junior Company members.

The current Junior Company performed its preshow on stage to an encouraging audience. Dan delighted everyone with some video and audio clips of many of the early days of fun Junior experiences. The Foundation Board members unveiled a Wall of Honor dedicated to Dan Pessano. It displayed the name of every Junior Company member, as well as a salute to the parents who helped make the experience possible. It hung on the back wall where the parents always stood in the Music Hall. It also included many names of family, friends, and season ticket holders who helped the Foundation get started. Penny Bradberry and Denise Graziani presented to the Board a very generous check from Roger Rocka to continue the theatrical educational scholarships. Then a group photo was taken, as always, by Peter Nazaretian.

Many friendships were renewed and the reunion affirmed the "fraternity" that truly exists with Junior Company members all over the world.