By Kyle Coppola
Leesburg Class of 1983 Celebrates 40th Year Reunion
In the year 1983, the world bore a distinct flavor, and for the children of Leesburg High, it was a time of both reflection and celebration. 1983 marked a significant milestone for them as they approached their high school graduation. That year, the Class of ’83 witnessed history unfolding in many forms, from Super Bowl XVII, where the Miami Dolphins were defeated by the Washington Commanders with a score of 27-17, to the awe-inspiring launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on its maiden voyage, known as STS-6, which took place on April 4th.
At the helm of the United States was President Ronald Reagan, and the chart-topping anthem of the year was “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, reigning at the pinnacle of the music charts for an impressive eight weeks. However, perhaps the most profound change for Leesburg High was the integration of the school system, with Leesburg High, once exclusively white, welcoming the merger of Carver High School, which had served the black community, in the mid-1960s. Carver subsequently transformed into a middle school, a role it still plays today. This group of students was just two decades removed from the integrated schools and this was a time that integration was now considered not something new but normal in our society.
Fast forward to the present day, the students of Leesburg High’s Class of 1983 recently reconvened to commemorate their 40th anniversary. As they gathered, old friends rekindled memories, reliving some of the most remarkable moments of their lives.
(A memorial of classmates and teachers who were remembered fondly by those in attendance.)
A poignant memorial was also unveiled, honoring those classmates who were no longer with them on this 40-year journey. The Class of 1983 had weathered various storms since graduation, from the Challenger disaster to the Gulf War, the September 11 attacks, the economic recession of 2008, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their resilience was evident, having navigated the tumultuous seas of history.
Remarkably, Leesburg High School is experiencing a renaissance of its own. The school has witnessed a remarkable upswing in its graduation rate, climbing from 67% in 2017 to an impressive 87% in 2023. This 20% increase was met with jubilation, as it represented the positive transformation the school had undergone.
The Class of 1983 couldn’t help but marvel at the positive changes unfolding at their alma mater, from the flourishing athletics program to the impressive construction academy, the dynamic ROTC program, and the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program. All these improvements have had a very positive impact on the student body and the community.
As the night drew to a close, and the Class of 1983 bid their farewells, one couldn’t help but wonder what the next 10 years would bring. With anticipation building for their 50th anniversary, these alumni were sure to continue playing an essential role in the ever-evolving story of Leesburg High School.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
