Earlier this week, officials from Jenkintown 150, Jenkintown School District, and the Jenkintown Library opened an envelope containing personal essays written in 1976 by students from Jenkintown High School’s Local History class, writes Ryan Genova for Glenside Local.

The envelope was sealed 48 years ago by the history class’s teacher, Dan Chittik. He gave it to the library for safekeeping until 2026, when it was to be opened.

After the envelope was unearthed by Ben Bergman of Jenkintown 150 in the library’s archives, the unsealing was bumped ahead by two years with Chittik’s blessing.

“We’re finding some interesting lines as we read through these essays,” said Nina Meister, Jenkintown Library’s director.

The students covered various subjects in their essays, from favorite authors and travels to what it was like living in the 1970s to being caught for underage drinking.

“I know I will be very old or even dead by the time you read this, and you will say that I am very different from you,” wrote one essayist. “But after you read this maybe you will say that we are the same.”

Read more about the essays from Jenkintown High School students in Glenside Local.

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