List the family members’ first names, last names, and maiden names who’ve attended Morristown High School:
Shaun Adair, Justin Adair, Derek Adair, Hollie Adair (Simmons), Tyler Simmons, Joselin Simmons (Portillo), Keren Portillo, Matthew Simmons, Frank Simmons, Deena Simmons, Albert Simmons Jr., Albert Simmons Sr., Dean Simmons, Bette M. Simmons, Wendi Simmons, Iris Adair (Avelar), Gwendolyn Adair (Ferdinanad)

Share your family members' high school graduation years:
Shaun Adair '05, Justin Adair '02, Derek Adair '08, Hollie Adair (Simmons)'76, Tyler Simmons '09, Joselin Simmons (Portillo)'11, Keren Portillo '28, Matthew Simmons '08, Frank Simmons '07, Deena Simmons '05, Albert Simmons Jr. '72, Albert Simmons Sr. '49, Dean Simmons'81, Bette M. Simmons '74, Wendi Simmons'89, Iris Adair (Avelar) '08, Gwendolyn Adair (Ferdinand) '05

How many generations in your family attended MHS?
4

What inspired your family members to choose Morristown across generations? (i.e. traditions, a particular experience, or a shared value):
Morristown has always been home to our family. The high school has always demonstrated a tradition of great education, athletics, and community.

How have your experiences as a Morristown student, parent, or grandparent influenced the personal or professional journeys of you and your family members?
Morristown High School is a true melting pot, a place where students learn side by side with people from every walk of life. Those experiences created a genuine sense of community and taught us how to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals. After college, our entire family found our way back home, committed to giving back to the community that shaped us.

I returned as a physician to care for the very people who helped mold me into the person I am today. Derek serves as a local police officer, protecting the community. Tyler is a member of the United States Army, safeguarding the freedoms we all cherish. Bette served as Vice President of the County College of Morris, guiding and mentoring countless students throughout her career. And finally, the patriarch of our family, Albert Simmons Sr., returned to Morristown High School after college to serve as a science teacher, guidance counselor, and football and track coach.

In what ways has attending Morristown High School created a stronger bond within your family?
Attending Morristown High School strengthened our family bond in a way that few experiences could, and much of that connection was forged on the football field. MHS football wasn’t just a sport for us—it became a shared language, a tradition, and a source of pride that tied generations together. Whether we were playing, coaching, cheering from the stands, or supporting the team behind the scenes, those Saturday games created a rhythm that our whole family lived by.

Any special memories or reflections that highlight the significance of this shared experience?
One memory that will always stand out is the sight of Albert “Pop Pop” Simmons in the bleachers—rain, shine, or freezing cold—watching over us at every game. He had an unmistakable presence, the kind that made you straighten your shoulders and push yourself just a little harder. You could feel his pride before you ever heard it, and that made his encouragement resonate even more.

There was something powerful about knowing he was there—not just as a supporter, but as a living reminder of the standards he carried and passed down to us. They were the same values he learned during his own time at MHS, and he made sure they became part of who we are.