Graduates of Bronx High School
of Science Meet
Photo courtesy
of Lorraine Bertan The first meeting of the NST
Alumni of Bronx H.S. of
Science was held on Monday,
January 29, 2018 to celebrate
the upcoming 80th anniversary
of the founding of this prestigious
institute for learning. The gathering
was the brainchild of Lorraine
Bertan, who reported that various
graduating classes were represented
and everyone “enjoyed meeting
each other and reminiscing about
our high school days.”
Bronx High School of Science
was founded in 1938 as a specialized
science and math high
school for boys in an 1918
Gothic-gargoyled edifice, located
at Creston Avenue and 184th
Street, in the Fordham Road-
Grand Concourse area of The
Bronx. Inaugural principal, Morris
Meister, put his imprint on the
school from its formation, selecting
its colors “green to represent
chlorophyll and gold the sun, both
of which are essential to the chain
of life.” Through Meister’s efforts,
the school became co-ed in 1946.
Bronx High School of Science
is one of nine “specialized”
public school in New York City
and is ranked among the top
50 high schools in the country.
Admission involves passing
the 3-hour Specialized High
Schools Admissions Test, taken in
November by an average of 30,000
eighth and ninth graders each year,
of which only 1,000 to 1,050 applicants
are accepted.
Eight former students have won
the Nobel Prize and seven, the
Pulitzer Prize, among the many other
prominent honors awarded to the
school’s graduates. Alumni include
astrophysicist and current Director
of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil
deGrasse Tyson (1976), author
(Ragtime, Billy Bathgate and The
March) E. L. Doctorow (1948) and
journalist/screenwriter Mark Boal
(1991), who won two Oscars as
screenwriter and producer of The
Hurt Locker.
Bronx Science graduate Bertain
Seated (l. to r.); Susan Nettler, Roberta Prashker and Pearl Strauber.
Standing (l. to r.); Lorraine Bertan, Dorie Kronwith and Sandra Muller
urges any NST resident to contact
her at 347-235-0608 or via email at
Lsb2023@nyu.edu.
“We would like to meet with you!”
Give Yourself the Gift of Music
Take advantage of a new
Dr. Bert Konowitz speaking about one of his instructional publications on jazz impov
and exciting opportunity to
perform in the “Towers Improv
Ensemble.” All instruments
are welcome; all styles of music
will be taught; all in a friendly,
non-competitive setting—perform
and learn how to improvise. It’s
easy and fun!
Join former Columbia University
professor, Dr. Bert Konowitz, who’s
spent a lifetime teaching musicians,
from beginner to seasoned vet,
around the world.
You will love the projected repertoire,
which includes Broadway
shows—past and present—
Gershwin, Sondheim, Rogers &
Hart, and many others.
Got the idea? Want to play
a solo? You got it! Play jazz?
Konowitz is a professional pianist,
so can accompany and assist you
in sounding terrific.
He also has loads of
original publications, which can be
arranged for you and an ensemble.
Google “Bert Konowitz” to learn
more.
Call 516-946-8296 to reward
yourself with the gift of music!
March 2018 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 33
