Harborfields High School Class Of 1987 Reunites After 30 Years

Nearly 100 members of the Harborfields High School Class of 1987 attend its 30th class reunion on Saturday. Photo Courtesy of John Tilden

Several members of the 1987 Harborfields High School football team attended the reunion. Photo Courtesy of John Tilden

Members of the Harborfields High School Class of 1987 presented the school with the football team’s 1987 Division V League Championship plaque at Saturday’s football game. Photo Courtesy of John Tilden

The Harborfields High School Class of 1987 hung several mementos during its 30th reunion. Photo Courtesy of John Tilden

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Members of the Harborfields High School Class of 1987 reunited after 30 years on Saturday at the Tornadoes’ home football game against Comsewogue.

John Tilden, 48, said nearly 30 alumni, including 15 athletes from the 1987 football team, attended the game to support the Tornadoes. At halftime, alumni presented the school with the team’s 1987 Division V League Championship plaque.

After the game, members of the class gathered at the Greenlawn home of classmate Anthony Labadie for the formal reunion party.

Tilden, who co-owns Tilden Lane Farms in Greenlawn, said it was a fun evening of talking, reminiscing and dancing to music from the ’80s.

Planning for the reunion began nine months ago, Tilden said, as many alumni have to travel to Greenlawn from California, Florida and other locations outside of New York.

Tilden, who currently lives in Millersville, Maryland, grew up in Greenlawn and was part of the high school’s bowling team and National Honor Society.

He said four teachers were part of the nearly 100 attendees of the reunion as well. “The teachers said that we were a special class," Tilden said. "We were memorable and it was worth coming back to see what we had done as adults.”

With a graduating class of 320, Tilden said many became successful in their adult years, with a few artists and published authors in the group. Singer Mariah Carey was also part of the graduating class, but didn’t make it out to the reunion.

Through a 50-50 raffle, the class raised nearly $300, which will be donated to the Harborfields Alumni and Community Educational Foundation.

Tilden said that many made new old friends from the class because of the reunion.

He added, “People were very glad they came and I think we got enough people excited that we’re already planning our 35th reunion. It was a wonderful time.”