Dear Tamalpais High School Class of 1961:

You are invited to contribute an autobiographical sketch for the 40th
reunion of the graduating class of 1961. The sketches will be printed up and
distributed at the reunion. It is hoped that the biographies will provide a
fitting remembrance of the weekend, Tamalpais High School, and us.

Format and style: The classes of 1962 and 1963 prepared autobiographies for
their 30th and 32nd reunions. Their approach, seems to me, an excellent
model for us. However, "model" may be misleading, as the entries were highly
varied.

Most people told their story in an easy-going, chatty manner. Some people
spoke quite intimately, especially in regards to children and spouses. The
typical starting point was graduation, but some biographies began with Tam
High and Mill Valley elementary school experiences. Almost everyone included
some discussion of their family and work. A partial list of the how these
stories were told includes anecdotes, highlights, proudest achievements,
lowest points, major disappointments, sketches of family members,
reflections-often with much affect-and lists of job titles, spouses, and
kids. The reflections included thoughts and feeling on marriage, remaining single,
divorce, remarriage, single parenthood, partners, kids, parents, siblings,
moves, and career upturns and downturns.

But family and work were usually only part of the story. A majority of the
contributors discussed other interests. The topics were diverse, including
political activities, religious interests, spiritual awakenings, hobbies,
volunteer work, travel experiences, drug use, feminism, therapy, the
Vietnam war, favorite musicians, high school teachers, college experiences, cultural
concerns (political correctness), pets (especially dogs), favorite cars,
motorcycles, the state of the environment, the state of the world, and local
flora and fauna. (And this is not an exhaustive list.)

Length: The classes of 62 and 63 appeared to have a 1000 word target (about
4 to 5 double-spaced pages). Some were shorter and others longer.

Goal: The success of this document is a matter of numbers. The content is
inherently interesting. Hence, the more of you who send in your bio, the
more compelling the story of the class of 61.

Time line: If all bios are in by end of 2nd week of September, I should
have time to have them printed up. Obviously, the earlier you send yours in the
better.

What to do: Send your bio to me. E-mail would be most convenient. But if
E-mail is not feasible, send by postal service or FAX. If you know of
someone not on the address list of this E-mail, please let them know about this
project or contact me so that I can try to reach them.

I look forward to your biographies.

Gene Heyman
41 Martin Road
Wellesley, MA 02481
gmheyman@mclean.harvard.edu
FAX: (617) 855-3711 (use cover sheet addressed to me)

Gene M. Heyman, PhD
Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory
Neuroimaging Center
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 855-2719
FAX: 617 855 3711
gmheyman@mclean.harvard.edu