It is said you can never go home again but don’t tell that to the more than 1,000 Miraleste Marauders who went back to school one last time. The resounding success of the Miraleste High School all-class reunion for alumni, faculty, and staff that called MHS home between 1968 and 1991 proves that you can’t believe everything you hear.
Held on a blistering hot end-of-July day on the beloved grounds of the sprawling Palos Verdes campus, people showed up in droves to wander the halls, listen to music, reconnect with classmates, and remember those no longer with us.
The enigmatic Jack Alexander, a 1986 graduate, spearheaded the all-day/all-class affair. Alexander grew up on the Peninsula and was educated alongside his sisters in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. “We had such a great time and I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to go back to see all those people and just relive the whole thing again just one more time,” he shares.
Julia Whitley, class of 1987, created the memorial room in the school library. “I have an unwavering passion for humanity. A friend told me that no matter how much I have been hurt, and high school had a lot of hurtful memories, I have always chosen to work through it and see good or growth,” she comments.
The memorial room, her passion project, and a highlight was visited by nearly every person in attendance. “Creating a space of love, light, and life at the event was important. I used candles and lanterns as beacons. Greenery throughout acknowledged love for everyone who was sent on their wings into life.” Whitley believes life breathes, lives, grows, and can be replanted. “The memorial room space was meant to be alive through memories.”
Collaboration with Alexander, hundreds of volunteers, Whitley, and the entire team created a day for history books. Featuring all alumni sporting events, including a pickleball tournament and a water polo game, six live band performances, delicious food and drinks, and an epic homecoming dance to cap off the night made an unforgettable affair.
The expanding campus of Miraleste High, now operating as Miraleste Intermediate School, is a storied piece of Palos Verde’s history and the Miraleste all-class reunion is a reminder of how a visit back in time to a magical memory-filled place feeds the spirits of many people.
Wow! What a great time everyone! Day was special! I hope they do another one very soon. Love to everyone who volunteered for the day. Thx jack!!
Melanie. What an incredible article.. you are a true journalist..
Thank you so much for your extraordinary words to describe an incredible day.
What a great day! I am so happy I attended. Saw dear old old friends. Lots of laughing, hugs, the music put everyone in a great mood! The multi million dollar view of the LA Harbor, fabulous! The memorial was beautifully done & so heartfelt thank you Julia & thank you Jack for getting the reunion together!
Great Job to all who helped, We’ll done!
Kathi Polly Altamura
Thank you Melani for a beautiful summary of an amazing day.
A huge thank you to Jack, Julia and all those who volunteered to make this experience possible for all Miraleste Marauders and faculty. I think we all turned home with connected hearts.