From Steve McCarthy:

William Kushner was the teacher every student wanted.  Kind, caring, so dammed smart, and ANIMATED!  You never went to sleep in his class.  He could make a recitation of the dictionary exciting.  Everyone wanted to be in his course.  His reputation got passed down through the classes.  My sister Sue, CHS class of ‘60, informed me that if I didn’t take Mr. Kushner’s class, I was an idiot. (Older sisters do that).  Mr. Kushner made you believe that you could do it. 

I do however, remember when I disappointed him.  He honored me by choosing me for the small part of Sir Charles Marlowe in “She Stoops to Conquer.”  I did not want to let him down, and the rehearsals went well, but in the first two performances, stage fright made me rather “stiff.” (Rather an understatement).  He was incredibly understanding and supportive, even with this “cardboard” actor.  Fortunately, the last performance was given for school kids.  I didn’t have to impress my (and other) parents.  I decided to just have fun on stage, and discovered my “inner ham.”  (What, you all never knew I had an “inner ham”?  I’m shocked, I am.)  I played off of Richard Lester, and while I could never begin to equal Lester’s “inner ham,” (no one could!), I had a blast!  Acting became fun.  But the best part was when Mr. Kushner gave me sincere congratulations for my acting that night.  I felt like I had won the Oscar!

Thank you Mr. Kushner, for what you did for me, and for what you did for every other student who has been lucky enough to know you over all these years.  You have never been, and will never be, forgotten.