The Hall family didn’t quite plan this, but they’re happy to see the symmetry between three generations of John Halls, who graduated 60 years apart between 1961 and 2021.
John H. Hall started it all in 1961, followed by his son John A. Hall in 1991 and now grandson John Z., who graduated this week and will head to Alfred University in the fall where he will play football.
“It’s pretty cool because not many people get to experience something like this,” said John Z., who had the honor of graduating with the Class of 2021.
John A. – the middle generation John so not to confuse you – also had two daughters graduate from Sachem North – Amanda (2010) and Kaitlyn (2017) – but this one is extra special because it’s another John and that 30- and 60-year connection rounds out the tribute.
John H. is still amazed by the growth of the community and school district from when he graduated with just 108 students in 1961. He is a retired Nassau County Police detective and former Sachem Board of Education trustee and former president of the Sachem Touchdown Club.
They all still live in Holbrook. John A. lives in the house built by his great-grandparents, next to the house he grew up in where John H. still lives. A remarkable stretch of community longevity.
“There’s pride in our family to be part of the Sachem community,” said John A., an IT Engineer with Northwell Health, and current board member of Sachem Sports Club and president of the Sachem Touchdown Club.
“Seeing the school being so small when I graduated to what it has become over the decades,” is a memory in itself, said John H.
For John A. and John Z. it came down to experiences on the football field. Both played for the Flaming Arrows and relished every opportunity to put on the black and gold.
“I never thought I’d have a son graduate from Sachem 30 years after I did, let alone a grandson 60 years later,” said John H.
We’ll check back in 2051 to see if John Z. keeps the tradition alive.