Saroyan remembered Madera High students

For The Madera Tribune

William Saroyan.

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William Saroyan didn’t seem to need anyone’s approval. He almost never went to a college or university to speak because, as he said, “I can’t be bothered; it’s too much trouble and just a little silly.” However, on Jan. 27, 1977, he came to Madera High School to speak. Let me tell you how that came about.

It just so happened that Brenda (Najimian) Magarity was teaching English and drama at Madera High, and it also just so happened that her family knew Saroyan. In fact, Brenda became his unofficial driver — not a chauffeur, but a friend, a driver.

At some point in the 1976-77 school year, Brenda decided that she wanted Saroyan to come to her class, so she asked him, and can you believe it? He said yes.