WEST PITTSTON — After speaking with Juan Carlos Cardona of Argentina, you walk away learning there are two things that mean very much to him: his love of Rotary and of West Pittston.
A practicing attorney in his native country, Cardona was an exchange student in his senior year at West Pittston High School, graduating in spring 1964. Rotary International sponsored him in its exchange program.
Cardona journeyed back to the borough earlier this month to visit old friends and to present a book he had written, entitled ‘Rotary, its essence” to the West Pittston Library.
Over the years, Cardona has traveled to Greater Pittston solo or with various relatives in tow; this time his wife Leonora accompanied him. By his account, he has returned to the Garden Village well over 20 times.
“For me, West Pittston High School, that building is the most remarkable,” Cardona said when recounting his days as a senior. “I’ve been inside and it’s very much changed and, when I brought my children, they had a chance to sit in the places I sat.”
Cardona recalls teachers such as Mrs. Harris (Spanish and Public Speaking), Mr. Davenport (Problems of Democracy) and Mr. Shook (homeroom teacher).
“I remember my first day in the auditorium. I was introduced to everybody and everyone applauded at the time,” Cardona recalled. “On my last day at the school, I asked Mr. Ayre, the principal, if I could say good-bye to everybody. I remember I finished my speech with five words, ‘I will never forget you’ and I haven’t,” he said emotionally.
According to Cardona, West Pittston will always be his second home.
High school classmate Judy Moss Stevenson hosted a party for the Cardonas on Nov. 8, inviting over 30 family and fellow classmates.
Over the years, Cardona has kept in close contact with many of his classmates, including Stevenson, Judge Thomas Burke, Elaine and Andy Kuffa, Mike Saia and many more. When in West Pittston, he makes a point to visit some of his hosts like Loretta and the late Atty. Charles Bufalino.
“When I left West Pittston, many friends went with me to the Greyhound bus terminal in Wilkes-Barre,” Cardona said. “Mike Saia told me he had something for me and it was a $2 bill because two friends will never forget and when I got home, I framed it and still have it today.”
Cardona has served a lifetime with Rotary and Rotary International, even to this day at the age of 74. He served as Chief Legal Advisory to the Mayor of Rosario, a city with a population of 1.2 million.
In addition to “Rotary, its essences,” Cardona has written several other books, toured his country and has traveled around the world speaking about Rotary. He is currently the Coordinator of Diploma Course in Administrative Law of the University of Business Sciences of Rosario.
