Latest news with #goodbye
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tears, memories as students, alumni say goodbye to Passaic High
"Soldier Boy," "Mama Said," and "Dedicated to the One I Love" are some of the greatest hits of The Shirelles — Passaic High School class of 1957. But the song most appropriate on the morning of Saturday, June 21 — as the class of 1989 said goodbye to their old school for the last time — might have been one of the group's lesser-known hits: "The Dance is Over." "I have so many fond memories, oh my god," said Sandra Alvarado of East Rutherford, one of perhaps 100 former students, graduated from this high school 36 years ago to the day, who had come by Saturday morning to take a last look. "I had a lot of fights," Alvarado said. "But that's teenagers." She also remembers parties, sleepovers, anniversaries. "We always did everything together," she said. "And we always kept in touch. This is an epic goodbye. I know we're all going to cry. It's bittersweet." For the past year or more, the various classes of Passaic High School have trooped through these halls to say goodbye to their old school. The class of 1989 is the last of them. Starting in August, the 68-year-old building will be demolished, pending construction of a new school expected to be completed in 2030. Meanwhile, Passaic's high schoolers will be divided up between three existing schools. "Where's the party at?" called out Kyle Monroe, now of Roselle, as the group filed into the cafeteria for a last look. The same, but not he same. The blue plastic tables and red disc seats — a recent upgrade — were not the ones these students remembered eating their lunches at. The seats in the auditorium were unfamiliar. So was the color of the lockers — most of them, depending on the floor, now painted red or blue. The school colors. "They were not this color when we were here," said Shannel Batten of Passaic. "They were brown." But some things were the same. The New Gym was pretty much its old self. That's where the juniors and seniors played — as opposed to The Old Gym where the freshmen and sophomores were relegated. Monroe was there now, to bounce a last basketball. "Playing ball was great here, because the cheerleaders would practice on the side, so we had built-in fans," he said. And a Green Room in back of the auditorium is a veritable time capsule. Actually, it was more a gray room — since the walls were cinderblock. And covering them, floor to ceiling, was graffiti. Mementoes of more than 60 years of student performers. "At the end of the year, the teacher would allow the students to tag the walls," said assistant principal Graciella Romero. "To me, this is nostalgia." Amy "80." Terry & Deidre H. "78." Dave. "72." So read the scrawled and painted inscriptions. Also, "Lark, 73." To which someone appended: "Eats moosemeat." What was that about? It's in this room that Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie "Micki" Harris and Beverly Lee, the original Shirelles, would have waited before stepping onstage for the 1957 school talent show that led to their signing by Tiara Records. A plaque in front of the auditorium commemorates the school's most famous alumni, 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. "Dedicated to the Ones We Love: THE SHIRELLES," it reads. The Shirelles graduated with the school's first class: 1957. (There were two previous Passaic High Schools). The school, over the years, graduated other celebrities. Running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. Safety Jack Tatum. Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court Stuart Jeff Rabner. But the biggest heroes may be the ordinary kids, many of them from struggling families, who found empowerment, purpose, bonding in these cream-colored hallways. Some 2,400 made up the student body last year. "I think the place is special because whether you're from uptown, downtown, or midtown, everybody studied here and everybody's connected and they're all family," said Dr. Sandra "Dio" Montañez-Diodonet, Passaic superintendent of schools. "They had a teacher they loved, or a special place they connected to," she said. The chemistry lab, for instance. Where Monroe once saw a fellow student drop a beaker out of a third-story window. "It was almost like a small explosion," he said. "Everyone said, 'What the hell is that?'" Naturally, he wanted to do it too. Who wouldn't? "But I wasn't going to chance it senior year," he said. Some kids here bonded over sports: the rivalry between the Passaic Indians and Clifton Mustangs is the stuff of legend. Others over theater or other afterschool programs. But the glue that held it all together, said Gouri Sadhwani, is that everyone was striving. "There's a bond that comes when you have this commonality of struggling," said Sadhwani, whose parents came to New Jersey when she was 8. She remembers coming to the school, a "skinny out-of-place Indian girl," and being afraid she wouldn't be seen, wouldn't fit in at a school that — she expected — would be full of "tough" kids. "It wasn't like that," she said. "The teachers were amazing, they saw something in me that I didn't see myself," she recalled. She went on to become deputy executive director for Amnesty International USA and a professor at City University of New York. "This was the best introduction to America I could have ever had," she said. The "toughness" of the school, which others remarked on, was mostly veneer. But it could be intimidating to newbies. Like Keisha Smith, on her first day as a freshman. ""I will never forget my first day of school," she said. "We were all dressed up: new shoes, new shirt, blue jeans with a fresh crease." Parents, naturally, wanted their kids to make a good impression the first day. What they — and their unfortunate children — didn't know is that new clothes are a giveaway. It's how the upperclassmen spot a fledgling. "They were all saying, 'Fresh meat! Fresh meat!' " she recalled. She was later told that "Fresh Meat" was the local vernacular for freshman. It was not a compliment. "Second day, I dressed in my sweats, as casual as possible," said Smith, now a Paterson resident. "But we were marked. We spent our first month in hell." But time has its revenge. The next fall, it was Smith who was yelling out "Fresh Meat! Fresh Meat!" to the incoming class. "I did it to the freshmen the next year," she confessed. This article originally appeared on A final farewell to Passaic High School before wrecking ball
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patrick Scales Says Emotional Goodbye After 10 Seasons With Bears
Patrick Scales Says Emotional Goodbye After 10 Seasons With Bears originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Bears are entering the quietest stretch of the offseason as players and coaches prepare to reconvene for training camp. But as the organization takes a brief pause before the grind resumes, one familiar face won't be joining them. After nearly a decade of anchoring the special teams unit, a veteran presence has officially said goodbye. Advertisement Long snapper Patrick Scales, 37, announced that his run with Chicago has come to an end, marking the conclusion of a 10-year stint with the team. Bears Helmet and GlovesGetty Images In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, Scales penned a goodbye letter filled with gratitude: 'Words will never be able to describe our gratitude for the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bears Organization, or the fans who have cheered us on and loved us through the years. Cheers to the best friends who helped us get here, the family we made throughout the years, and the memories that we'll cherish forever. Chicago, you were a dream come true, and you'll always feel like home. Advertisement Our kids know no life without you, Chicago Bears, and raising them with you was the biggest honor of our life. Thank you to the McCaskey family, who truly feel like family to us. We cherish & love you forever. It is truly an honor to play for the NFL & we're excited and hopeful for what's next, but we'll never forget the team who gave us everything & got us here today. Bear Down, baby' Scales missed the entire 2017 season due to a torn ACL and underwent back surgery in 2024 that ultimately kept him off the field. While he hasn't officially announced his next move, he made it clear he won't be back in navy and orange. In his absence, the Bears signed veteran long snapper Scott Daly on March 17, 2025, to take over the role moving forward. Patrick ScalesGetty Images After a decade of consistency, leadership, and resilience, Scales exits as one of the most respected locker room voices of the past generation. Whether his playing days continue or not, his legacy in Chicago is secure. Advertisement Related: Undrafted TE Could Be the Bears' Hidden Gem Related: Bears' Coveted Rookie O-Lineman Drawing Early Praise for 'Football Intelligence' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNA
06-06-2025
- CNA
How I learnt to appreciate goodbyes – even the painful ones
During a recent trip to Osaka, my husband and I took a one-day guided tour to Northern Kyoto where we stopped by scenic viewpoints such as Amanohashidate, Ine Fishing Village and Funaya. Our guide was a bespectacled, well-dressed Japanese man named Jay. We enjoyed his company very much – he was polite, thoughtful, and unexpectedly funny. The bus arrived back in Osaka around 7pm. Before dispersing the tour group, Jay left us with this parting statement: 'In Japan, we don't say 'sayonara'. We say 'mata' because 'sayonara' usually means 'goodbye and I will not see you again'. 'Mata', on the other hand, means 'goodbye, and see you next time again'. So instead of saying 'sayonara' to you, I will say 'mata' because I will want to see you all again someday.' His words stuck with me. Days passed, and still they lingered in my mind. Unable to shake the idea, I did some research to understand more. The full Japanese term is 'mata itsuka' which directly translates to 'someday, again'. It is used when you're expressing a wish to either do something again (which was previously unsuccessfully attempted or unfortunately ended), or to meet someone again (even though you do not know if it will come true). DIFFERENT SHADES OF 'GOODBYE' 'Goodbye' is a complicated word, often loaded with big feelings. We've all had our fair share of saying goodbyes, and we say it all the time: A casual 'see you tomorrow' to a coworker at the end of the workday; a bittersweet farewell to a lover with whom you hope not to cross paths again; a sombre goodbye to a departed loved one, where you fervently wish for one final moment together. Some goodbyes are light-hearted and full of gratitude. On my trip to Osaka, I spent five days exploring the city and indulging in hearty street food. On the last day, I boarded the plane bound for Singapore. While it was being readied for take-off, I looked out of the window and saw the ground crew waving goodbye to us passengers on-board. I waved back – to thank the ground crew and also Osaka, for the days spent and memories forged. Some goodbyes are uneasy and difficult – but necessary, to pave the way for new beginnings. This is when we close certain doors behind us, in order for new doors to be opened ahead of us. In June 2022, I left my first corporate job – the job I'd had for seven years. It was the job that had seen me through young adulthood and even becoming a wife. It was the place where I'd met colleagues who became dear friends, where I had bosses and mentors who opened up my world. We had bonded through afternoon bubble-tea breaks, birthdays and festive celebrations. It was the place where my career first sprouted – where I'd picked up and honed important skills for work I still use today, and learnt to speak up for myself. Just going by my emotions, I wanted to stay. But I also knew staying put was not what I truly needed. I needed new ways to grow, new goals to work towards. So I made the difficult decision to say goodbye to the camaraderie, comfort and familiarity. Recently, a friend of mine sold her matrimonial home of five years. During our conversation, she confessed that saying goodbye to the house was harder than she'd expected. She teared up recounting the times spent in the home that had seen her and her husband welcoming their bundle of joy, and all the milestones in their child's first few years of life. She knew it was time for them to move to a bigger place. Still, it takes courage to move on and let something new take root. WHEN 'GOODBYE' HURTS Some goodbyes come with pain, loss and grief. My dad lost my mother many years ago to cancer; and I lost him when he too died two years ago. Bidding Dad goodbye was probably the hardest farewell I've ever said. My grandmother – my dad's mum – told me many years ago: 'There's nothing scary about death. You say bye-bye to everyone you love and go where you need to go next.' She is now 92 years old, and has outlived her husband and two sons – my grandpa, my uncle and, most recently, my father. During my father's funeral, I'll never forget the sight of my grandmother bursting into tears when she saw his portrait placed in the middle of the altar. She wept and said: 'How can you just leave me alone and go off first?' She'd been 'prepared' to say goodbye – but even rational understanding couldn't really protect her from the full hurt of a painful goodbye. She's mostly bed-ridden now, and is sometimes unable to remember or recognise me as her granddaughter. Still, I always make sure to show up in her room whenever I visit for weekly family dinners to greet her: 'Ah Ma, I am Ah Bi. I'm here.' Sometimes she remembers me; sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she reaches for my hand; sometimes she is unresponsive. Occasionally, she asks, 'Why you never tell me you're coming? I could've asked the helper to cook more dishes' – forgetting that Sunday dinners are a weekly standing affair for our family. Now, in her twilight years, I often remind myself to cherish and appreciate each moment with her a little more – because as clichéd as it sounds, we really do not know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Some goodbyes, we simply never get to say. It could be as simple as another phone call, another 'I love you', or even getting to say 'I'm sorry for not doing enough for you'. But life doesn't always give us the opportunity for goodbyes or closure – and this is a grief of its own. AGAIN, SOMEDAY 'Goodbye' doesn't just mark endings and changes. It reminds us that life is a series of comings and goings. Sometimes we have regrets about the way things ended or changed. But what matters most is that we learn and grow from each goodbye – each ending and each loss – before we centre ourselves for new beginnings again. We all need to learn to say goodbye to what is no longer meant for us, whether it's a job, a relationship, or even a fun hobby. We need grace and courage to walk away from something that no longer serves us, so that we can find something else that does – new opportunities and experiences, new chances to fall in love again, new interests that make us feel alive. Not all things are forever, and that is perfectly okay. Perhaps there may come a day where I rekindle old friendships that I thought were lost; where I reunite with people that I had once let go of; or where a door that had been shut to me will reopen. When the time is right. When I am ready. Till then, mata itsuka. Chua Jia Ling, 32, is a bank executive.
ABC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Trump praises Musk as billionaire his tenure with DOGE ends
US President Donald Trump gives a warm goodbye to Elon Musk on the billionaire's last day with the Department of Government Efficiency.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emotional moment Jeremy Clarkson holds back the tears thanking glam farmhand for ‘saving his life' on Clarkson's Farm
JEREMY Clarkson held back tears as he thanked his glam farmhand Harriet Cowan for 'saving his life' on Clarkson's Farm. Sun columnist Jeremy, 65, was visibly emotional in series four of his Prime Video show as he bade farewell to Harriet, 24, during a heartfelt goodbye scene. 6 6 The touching moment came as Harriet prepared to leave Diddly Squat Farm and return to her home in Derbyshire. The former Top Gear host, who is rarely seen showing emotion, fought back tears as he praised her hard work and dry humour throughout her time on the show. He narrated: 'No one was upset to see Harvey Swinestein leave,' referring to one of the farm's pigs, 'but it was now time for another departure from Diddly Squat, and that was a bit sad.' In a quiet exchange by the caravan Harriet had been living in, Jeremy told her: 'So, this is it. You're off back to Derbyshire.' 'Yep,' she replied. 'Listen, you've been an absolute star,' he said. 'Thanks ever so much for everything. Absolutely brilliant, and best of luck, and I'll send you pictures of the barley when it's growing.' Harriet shot back: 'Yeah. If there are any f**k ups don't send them to me.' Jeremy responded: 'No, I'm not. I'm not going to tell Kaleb either. That's the important thing. Saved my life, you did. You were brilliant.' He then asked if he could call her for help in the future. 'Yeah, just let me know,' she said. Jeremy Clarkson completes his new look by having his facial hair trimmed with scissors on Clarkson's Farm 'Sorry, let me rephrase that. When we get stuck again…' 'Yes, do.' As the two shared a final laugh, Jeremy walked her to the caravan door. 'I'll close the caravan door.' Harriet replied: 'It's your caravan now. When you and Lisa fall out she can come and sleep here.' 'I like your thinking, 'She can come and live here.' I approve of that,' Jeremy said, smiling. 6 6 Holding back tears, he told her: 'You drive carefully won't you. Thanks. Bye.' Speaking directly to camera afterwards, Jeremy summed up his affection for the departing farmhand in one line: 'She's a superstar, that one.' Series four of Clarkson's Farm, which dropped today, also sees Jeremy struggling with farm work in Kaleb Cooper 's absence. Kaleb has taken a break from farming duties in the brand new series of the programme in order to tour the UK as part of his money-spinning The World According to Kaleb tour. However, this leaves Jeremy to complete much of the manual work on his own. In disastrous scenes, he can be seen stranded in the darkness on his tractor in the middle of one of Diddly Squat Farm's fields as he confesses to being unsure just exactly how to do the work at hand. Out in the field, Charlie Ireland comes over to speak to Jeremy as he questions what he is doing. Admitting he is getting worked up, Jeremy says: "I don't know anything. The fuse has blown [in the tractor], Lisa's in London, Kaleb is wherever the bloody hell he is. "It's coming up for six o'clock and all I've drilled in a whole day is a tenth of the field." Charlie question how in four years of farming, he hasn't mastered the art of drilling to which Jeremy points out that he has only had to do it four times previously as a result of the farming season. Realising that he requires some help if he is to continue making a success of the farm whilst Kaleb is away, Jezza makes a confession. He says: "I'm thinking while Kaleb is away I'm going to need a hand." In a desperate plea, he asks Charlie: "Is it possible for you to go away and find someone to give me a hand? "Because I'm properly struggling." Clarkson's Farm will be released over three installments. The first four episodes dropped this morning. A further two episodes will become available in a week's time - with the last remaining episodes released on 6th June. Clarkson's Farm series guide By Conor O'Brien, TV Reporter Clarkson's Farm airs on Prime Video and follows TV personality Jeremy Clarkson as he manages his Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. Three series have been released to date and here is an overview of what has happened so far. Series 1 Jeremy takes over the day-to-day running of the newly renamed Diddly Squat Farm. Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper, "Cheerful Charlie" Ireland and Gerald Cooper are also introduced. Jeremy starts to assemble what he needs for his farm - as well as laying the groundwork for things to come later. He buys key equipment including a tractor and cultivator, as well as taking on sheep and opening a farm shop. Jeremy takes over the day-to-day running of the newly renamed Diddly Squat Farm. Series 2 This series sees Jeremy look for ways to increase the farm's revenue. One such example is bringing in a herd of cows although this isn't without its issues. Jeremy also had the idea to convert the abandoned lambing barn into a restaurant where he could sell his meat from the farm. For this plan to move forward, he had to get planning permission from the local council. Viewers also meet Pepper, a heifer among the herd who ultimately becomes the star's favourite. Series 3 The third series contained some of the show's most emotional moments to date. In heartbreaking scenes, dozens of newborn piglets died as a result of overlaying - their mother rolling on to them. Jeremy said goodbye to his favourite pig - the Baroness - after she developed cancer and needed to be put down. Dry stonewall expert and "head of security" Gerald Cooper was diagnosed with cancer. Jeremy and Kaleb began a competition between themselves - with Kaleb looking after the arable side and Jeremy taking the non-arable elements. Fellow farmers - and famous faces - Andy Cato and George Lamb appear in this series 6 6
