ROCHESTER, N.Y. — "It's not about the eclipse," Patrick Moriarty said. "It's about you guys being here to share this time with my family, me and each other."
Moriarity was addressing students who showed up Monday to watch the total solar eclipse. It was an invitation he had first made 45 years earlier.
When Moriarty was a 22-year-old science teacher in Rochester, New York, he promised students in his Earth science class that they would reunite for the 2024 eclipse.
"I said to the kids, 'Hey, why don't you just go ahead and circle that eclipse and we'll get together,' and after I did that, I did that for the next 16 years with all of my classes that I taught Earth science to," he said.
In later years, Moriarty's Facebook page reinforced the invitation, but many students had remembered what he had said in class. More than 100 people showed up on April 8. The former students said they were grateful that Moriarty had kept his promise.
"Definitely the longest homework assignment in the history of any teacher," Kevin Thompson said.
Chuck O'Brien said Moriarty was more than just a great teacher.
"He was an inspirational teacher," O'Brien said.
Nick Stathis, a 1982 student, drove more than five hours to attend. He said his current job as a science teacher was inspired by Moriarty.
"It's a tribute to both the eclipse but also the power of teaching," Stathis said. "Both Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty affected a lot of people."
The group took joy in being together to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event.
"Everybody got so quiet and just let the environment around them take over, and it just seemed very magical," Moriarty said.
Moriarty jokes he will plan another reunion for the 2044 eclipse.