The Great Newtown Reunion: 'The Time Has Come'

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 "The time has come for us, the Alumni of Newtown, to serve the town that has served us so well.  Our united front can be an inspiration to students everywhere; proving that adversity need not forever impede happiness or prevent success."

Those words were written by Great Newtown Reunion organizer Wendy Lee Hewitt in a powerful piece called "Our Story." They sum up why more than 1,000 former students, teachers, administration and parents of Newtown will gather Saturday at Fairfield Hills.

They'll be coming from across the street and around the world -- China, Malta, Alaska, Cancun. Today they're musicians, lawmakers, executives and athletes. But on Saturday, they'll all be Newtowners again.

The Great Newtown Reunion is almost here, and while it's a busy time for Hewitt, she's excited to see the celebration of Newtown togetherness.

"It's truly bringing people from everywhere," says Hewitt, who leads the reunion committee. She herself lives in Florida -- like so many others, she's traveling up to Newtown for the reunion.

For some, the event will also serve as a family reunion. Hewitt thinks of a group of three siblings, all of whom live along the west coast. They saved up to fly into Newtown for the reunion, she says.

"They'll all be arriving next week," she says. "They will be seeing each other for the first time in over 20 years. That's who we're doing this for."

The spark that led to the reunion grew out of social media. As alumni began connecting on Facebook, they shared memories and re-established friendships. After Dec. 14, Hewitt says the town is "calling us back."

"It falls to us now, the fortunate ones," she writes, "whose time in the schools of Newtown was one of achievement, camaraderie and security.  Let us come together for all who call Newtown ‘Home’… the old and the new."

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell will be another guest. The Newtown alumni -- who is running for U.S. Senate in 2014 -- will speak alongside First Selectman Pat Llodra and other guests. And many Newtown organizations old and new will be helping out -- for instance, Healing Newtown has loaned lighting and sound equipment to help make the event as beautiful as possible. Other sponsors include the Newtown Alumni Association and Sandy Hook Promise.
As Hewitt wrote when she announced the reunion on Patch in January:

"Let’s show Newtown and its students that although we’ve graduated and begun new lives, we have not forgotten where we came from.  Without the wonderful educational system in Newtown, chances are we wouldn’t be where we are today.

"The present-day students of Newtown need to know that one day their pain and fear will begin to give way to healing and strength.  Alumni are called upon now to come back... to help Newtown and themselves heal."

Important information about the Great Newtown Reunion:

• The Great Newtown Reunion runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Fairfield Hills Saturday.
• Attendees must present photo identification and a valid admission ticket, and should be ready to submit to random bag checks.
• All attendees will also enjoy free admission to the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport on Sunday, July 28.
• Many individual classes have scheduled meet-ups and "happenings" before and after the reunion. For details, see the Reunion's schedule.