It's so good to see you. They're all grown up now. How are you? I am so happy to see you. But to his former students- Fritz Killeen.

Mr. Moriarty. You animal.

How are you? Pat Moriarty will always be Mr. Moriarty, their former Earth Science Teacher at Sprye Junior High in Rochester. That's where in his first year teaching in 1978, he flagged his students about an eclipse way down the road in 2024, inviting them all back to watch together.

I said, Hey, why don't you circle this April eighth, 2024 Eclipse? And you know what? We're going to get together on that.

And you said that in 1978.

'78. And my kids looked at me like I was crazy.

He did the same thing every year for the next 16 years, every class. Then, some four decades later, posted a reminder online. That's when this happened.

Rick Mince, class of '79. Chuck O'Brien, class of 1982.

Andrea Malefeu, class of 1988. One by one, they showed up. Rick Minz.

Oh, Rick. How do you look, Rick? How do you look, buddy? You look different, man.

Dozens, just for the pre-party. How many of you haven't seen Mr. Moriardi, Pat, since you left high school? Wow. You came back just for this. Did your surgeon think you were crazy for postponing your knee surgery for this party? Yes, he did. He tried to convince me that my knee was more important, but he doesn't know Mr. Moriardi. Now, today, more than a hundred of his former students are by his side from Rochester and beyond, way beyond. A few flying in from Boston, Minneapolis, Virginia, and Detroit. Some dressed for the occasion. Look at those Moriardi Eclipse T-shirts.

When I had these kids, they were ninth graders, and ninth graders wear a teenage mask, and they don't let you know that you're getting through. And now they're adults, and the mask is off.

Mr. Moriardi's impact on me was to really confirm my interest in science. Now I'm a teacher. I'm teaching Earth science, so it has really come around.

A once-in-a-generation moment for a once-in-a-lifetime teacher.

It's not about the Eclipse. It's about you guys being here to share this time with my family, me and each other. I wish every educator had of this. I am so privileged, and thank you so much for being here.

Tendra. So is there going to be a test on Friday?

To have them actually show up and be a part of this day in this event and sharing memories with their friends. It means so much more than the Eclipse. How cool was that?

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