Bronxville High: An Alumnus Reflects
A Full-grown Man Looks Back on Where He Came from
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Bronxville School neatly fits kindergarten through high school in a building that, if a student spends his life in Bronxville, he or she will never leave. It feels that way, sometimes. By the time a Bronxville kid has reached high school he has indeed become a 'Bronxville kid', complete with quotes: quietly confident in being able to slack off, affable, horrifyingly suburban with aspirations of the urban, or even urbane, life.
Yet there is no arguing with the SAT scores, the exclusive college selections or the money flowing in and out; Bronxville High delivers, no matter how much the students resist. Achievement, if not born into, at least bears thrusting upon them. There is an active selection of athletics as well, and a few drama and music programs; the school is too small to support the eight thousand strange clubs and organizations some of us may recall from high school, but nonetheless, there is enough to do.
Bronxville students are descendents of superior people, and mistakenly consider themselves superior as well. "Mean Girls" could well have been inspired from the conversations in these halls; woe to the young woman a few pounds overweight or who does not shop at the correct stores. The social scene consists largely of driving around aimlessly and drinking at other people's houses. The school makes an effort to inspire fun without alcohol. It may not have worked out too well.
Bronxville High considers itself, perhaps rightly, an active community member whether or not school is in session at the moment, and the school is part of everyone's life whether or not you have a child there. It's the six-thousand-pound gorilla of the village. A considerate one as an institution, at least, if not on the individual student level.
There is no question that Bronxville offers an academic program that will help any student write his or her own ticket. The social scene, with its mix of catty snobs, chirpy overachievers and well-sired dimwits, may yet give one pause. Perhaps the true value Bronxville High has to offer is not in learning facts about history and math, but in looking around the tiny village and the tinier classroom, and realizing, "I don't want to be here any more. I don't want to be one of these people." Then standing up and walking away.
Like so many things in life, Bronxville High gives rewards based on what you put into it. The academic rewards are solid. The life rewards, if taken in the proper context, are invaluable.
Published by A. Bertocci
Adam is a writer, filmmaker and humorist who writes about media, movies, pop culture and the greatest city ever founded. View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThere was a crawford family that lived on Pondfield road in Bronxville. I believe this may be the one you are looking for. They had several children, Brad would have graduated Bronxville high school in 1975 and Brian in roughly 1980.
I'm looking for some info on distant relatives that lived in Bronxville during the `30s, `40s, and `50s. Since you mentioned that your father went to BHS, which I know at least one of my relatives did, would you happen to know any more? The details are as follows: brothers John and Thomas Anderson, born to Herman and Judith. I believe that John graduated in 1948 from Bronxville High School and Herman had a TV and radio repair shop. That's as far as I've gotten. Anything more you could provide would be helpful. Thanks.
I WAS VERY LUCKY TO GROW UP IN BRONXVILLE ALONG WITH MY 4 SISTERS AND 3 BROTHERS. WE WERE NOT WEALTHY. MY FATHER WAS IN CHARGE OF MAINTAINENCE AT SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE. WE GOT A GREAT EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW UP WITH SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT LIKE BRONXVILLE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
My name is Tony Bonagura. My father went to Bronxville High School in the early 40s. His name was Jack Bonagura. He was born in 1923 so I am assuming he graduated around 1941 (not sure). He was a very good football player and a record holder in the 100 and 220 yard dash (they didn't run 100 meters or 200 meters at that time). His record was 9.9 seconds in the 100 yard dash (a very, very good time in those days).
I would appreciate it if someone could verify how long that was the Bronxville HS Track and Field Record. It may have always been the record prior to converting to the 100 meters. His very good friend Don Crawford had the 880 Yard Run High School record at the time. Both settled down in the Hudson Valley (Gardiner and Highland, NY). I competed against Don Crawford's son in the 440 yard dash in 1962 and 63.
My brothers and I would love any information that anyone may have concerning our Dad's High School records.
Thank you very much. Tony Bonagura (tonyb
Bronxville sucks. It is everything horrible about American culture wrapped into one. Too much access, to much privilege, little to no sense of reality, overboard sense of entitlement. It should just be ignored completely. Or razed and rebuilt by actual humans.
I went to B'ville schools for 8 years and loved to hate the environment there....too many snobs, rich kids and "fakes" yet my education was excellent and I have escaped the glass fish bowl of a place....yet value some of the people I met there....smart folks who know that education is a very important thing and luckily there are more diverse people in Bronxville now....more religions and types of people call it home, yet it's still to pricey for most.
wow wee. i guess it wasn;t that good for you. while it is not my 1st choice of communities to live in, most people grow up and adapt, and find their way. honestley, hings could have been A-lot worse.