By: Diane Benjamin

Why is this one special? Because a beloved chorus teacher will be the guest of honor.

According to the organizer of the reunion, Kathy Siracuse:

Mr. McFarland had a robust personality and a ton of enthusiasm that inspired his students to sing their hearts out for him. He was truly beloved by ALL!

McFarland started teaching at Fairview and then traveled to Chiddix and NCHS with this class. He worked hard to craft the best chorus and choral groups, spring and Christmas concerts were always top notch. He took students to choral competitions and always got top ratings.

What Mr. McFarland doesn’t know is Kathy located many of his former Madrigals from 5 classes to come and sing for him. This shows how much this one teacher meant to every student he taught. Not only are they surprising him, he and his family were also known as the McFarland Family Singers and produced 3 CD’s so they will be singing a song as well! 

Kathy has a tech guy taping the performances.  He plans to put them on the class Facebook page.

McFarland wasn’t the initial creator of the “Madrigal” singers at NCHS, but he definitely took them to new levels!  When Kathy thinks of Mr. McFarland, she see a guy with thick black hair and black horn-rimmed glasses and a huge smile with a great sense of humor…he really enjoyed life and loved what he did!

Kathy isn’t sure when he left Unit 5, she thought it was shortly after her class graduated.  He then went on to become a Pastor!  The first time she got to talk to him and called him Mr. McFarland…he giggled and said “I haven’t been called “Mr.” in a long time…I’ve been a Pastor for a very long time”!  To those in the Class of ’69, he will ALWAYS be Mr. McFarland!  At 87 now, they are truly delighted that they get to see him again. They will truly give him the recognition and admiration he so deserves!

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Every kids deserves this kind of teacher. Every teacher should strive to be a Mr. McFarland.