47 Years Later, Former Students Travel From Around World To Visit Their Levittown Teacher

A group of 17 former sixth grade students from retired Neshaminy School District teacher Harry Myrga’s class traveled from near and far to visit him over the weekend.

Students from the sixth grade class of the 1972 to 1973 school year at Samuel Everitt Elementary School in Middletown made the trek to Attleboro Community in Langhorne to visit their former teacher.

The class, which had 21 students, was made up of gifted kids who were taught by Myrga.

“They were very, very bright kids and they were very good students,”  the 33-year retired educator said.

Former student Bobbi Secrest, a current resident of Renton, Washington, said Myrga’s class featured curriculum different than other classes. She noted that the lessons taught in sixth grade have stuck with her throughout the past 47 years.

Harlow Russell, of Austin, Texas, discovered Myrga was living at the retirement community and decided to get the old class together to visit their beloved elementary school teacher.

“We all have distinct memories and that is different than the other classes,” Russell said. “He was a very special teacher.”

Russell added that his business career has benefited from lessons learned in Myrga’s class, including presentations they put on.

Some students live locally but others traveled from across the United States. Former student Carla Vorhaus Oz made the journey all the way from Israel.

Russell said the group of 17 students sent more than 500 emails since September as they planned to visit their former teacher.

During their hours together, the students had a reception and dinner, sticking around afterward to reminisce about their time growing up. Russell offered a toast to Myrga.

Looking back, Myrga said his class was designed to educate students and teach them enjoyable things.

“I feel so humbled by the fact that after all this time we’re getting together,” Myrga said. “You know, people get together for high school and college reunions. But a sixth grade reunion? You don’t hear of many of them.”