As life has moved on since graduation, I find that – more and more – having had the M&A experience, has contributed GREATLY to my life. Meeting people throughout my daily adventures, I always seem to meet graduates of M&A (not necessarily from my class nor from my year). There appears to be a bond among alumni. Those daily, long subway rides, apparently, were well worth it! Thank you for the wonderful ‘universal’ education you provided me in 1956. It has made for a wonderful life.

– Alan Hirschhorn, M&A ’56


I am most grateful for the wonderful people I met, both teachers and classmates. Many are lifelong friends. Now as a LaGuardia teacher I will always be committed to, in the words of our school song, “our task unending defending that realm above where dull and lifeless things have caught a beauty that daring dreams have wrought.”

– Paula Washington, M&A ’70 and current LaGuardia faculty member


Please share with us the reasons you are thankful for having received a free, public high school arts education. How has it impacted your life, career, and/or friendships? More responses are posted here.

Also, do you have any projects or news that you’d like us to share with fellow alumni through our website, newsletter, and facebook? Please share them below.

Alumni & Friends organizes class reunions, holds social events, and raises funds for scholarships and awards for current LaGuardia students. If you’re not already a member of A&F, join today: https://alumniandfriends.org/join/