"The kids who came here, even for a year or two, still call Frankfurt American High School home. I certainly understand why."

These seniors will be part of the last class to graduate from Frankfurt American High School.

"None of us ever imagined it could happen," said guidance counselor Alice Sax, who came to Frankfurt American High School in Germany to teach in 1963. "Frankfurt has always been a focus for the Army in Europe. Everybody came through here en route to points around the world," she reflected.

"It was the hub of U.S. Army, Europe," added Winston Carter, a social studies and history teacher who's been at the school since 1974. "It was the place of maximum excitement, where people were taken care of and funneled through during such tense times as the hostage situation in Lebanon and Operation Desert Storm."

The school opened in 1946 and was first located in the Frankfurt suburb of Bornheim. U.S. Army V Corps moved to Frankfurt in 1952. The corps moved to Heidelberg last November, and the historic high school's physical facility, which officially closes in June, will be returned to the German government.

The school served the children of military families that came to Germany from all over the globe. "We had students from Norway, the former Soviet Union, Spain and Saudi Arabia, among other places," Sax added. "Back then, we had five-day dormitories for students who could go home on weekends and seven-day dorms for those who couldn't," she said. "Students from Giessen, Hanau and Fulda, Germany, were also bused here before American high schools opened in those cities. Among the students were the children of U.S. Department of State employees and members of all the military services."

There were so many students, in fact, that classes spilled over into six Quonset huts in front of the school.

"When the students first arrived in a strange country, having left their friends behind, many were tearful," Sax remembered. "But they were more tearful when they left here."

Sax and other teachers began feeling dramatic changes at the school several years ago, when corridors and classrooms that once bulged at the seams with upwards of 3,500 students suddenly became much quieter. By November 1994, only 400 students remained, prompting school officials to close off entire sections of the sprawling building. A year earlier, the school lost 19 teachers by attrition. Seven others were placed in new jobs.

Six months before his class of 82 seniors was to become the last to graduate from Frankfurt AHS on May 16, Jacob Unutoa admitted he was really sad. "But, we're keeping the school's spirit alive," he said. "Every Friday we have pep rallies, and there are periodic class competitions."

Senior Leo Stone, who'd been a student at the school for three years, said he'd miss "the special place. There are no real problems here -- no violence, drugs or alcohol. It's been a great place to learn and meet other kids from around the world without having to deal with problems that are plaguing schools back home."

"This year has been the best year of my high school life because of all the activities that were available for seniors," added Michael Lane, who played linebacker for the Frankfurt Eagles football team. "We're like one big, happy family."

Senior Kristina Judt, the wife of V Corps soldier Spec. Paul Judt, said "There's more of a feeling of unity here. You don't have to worry about preset standards. The other kids take you as you are. And the teachers here really care about you."

Humanities and photography instructor Jerry Martin used to take students on trips throughout Europe and to North Africa, he said. The high school has been part of his life for the past 31 years. Today, he's heavily involved with the school's alumni association and gets calls from former students from as far away as Japan and Australia.

Some of FAHS's 400 remaining students share time with friends before classes begin.

Like Martin, math teacher Lynn Haight came to Frankfurt with the idea of staying only a short time. Then he met and married a German woman. He celebrated his 30th year at the school last spring. "Sure it's sad to see it close," said Haight. "At first, it was tough to accept. But everything's changed. The housing areas are virtually empty and there aren't any traffic jams. The once-bustling Abrams building is like a tomb, too. People just never anticipated that Frankfurt would close," added Haight.

"Frankfurt American High School, besides being one of the major schools in Europe, has been well-known for its high-quality education," Sax added. "We've had students go on to do wonderful things."

Among those students is retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, who served as commander of U.S. and coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm. He attended the school in his sophomore year.

Numerous other students went on to serve in the military forces during and after the draft. Others have become well-known in their fields.

Richard Axtman, a 1970s-era graduate, invented the medical device that automatically releases medicine into a patient's bloodstream. For some diabetics, it's supplanted painful injections.

Jeanne Larsen, a graduate of the Class of '67 and currently a professor at Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., has published three novels, among them "The Bronze Mirror" in 1992.

Actress and FAHS alumna Julie Smith, whose real name is Julliet Moore, has appeared in about a dozen movies and soap operas, one of which was "Guns and Roses," said Martin.  (HOBBS NOTE:  It is JULIANNE MOORE (played in the 2nd Jurassic Park movie plus others); and as of 1995 there was NO MOVIE EVER MADE called "Guns and Roses."  G&R, as those of us with 3 brain cells know, is a ROCK GROUP!  Mr. Martin does tend to carry on a bit, doesn't he?)

Vincent Sentner, a 1982 graduate, is a computer mogul in Florida, Martin added. And '70s graduate Marlene Sakaue is a high-ranking official at the American Consulate in Bonn, Germany. (Probably this info is credited to Martin, as well.  "Computer mogul" indeed!)

Terry Erickson Brown, a graduate of the Class of '68, became one of America's leading ceramicists, and Anne Payne Larose became a leading sculptress, Martin said.  (HOBBS NOTE: Try finding references to them in ANY art research!)

In sports, former FAHS student Duke Taylor became a top referee for college basketball and soccer on the East Coast.

You could guess what some of the students would become, said Haight. He remembers a kid named Keith Gary, who led the FAHS football team to an undefeated season. Gary, who attended the school in 1980 or 1981, went on to play defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers for about five years.

"The kids who came here, even if just for a year or two, still call Frankfurt American High School home," Martin said. "I certainly understand why."