MyRye.com runs an occasional series called the Yearbook Project. We are highlighting members of the Rye High School Class of 1976 (celebrating their 50th reunion in 2026).
If you graduated from RHS ’76, or if you know someone who did, please contact us.
Today, meet Sue Ball Miles of the Rye High School Class of 1976.
Your Name: Susan (Sue) Ball Miles, Rye High School Class of 1976.
I am on the RHS Class of 1976 Reunion Committee and I am the Facebook liaison for our class.
My parents were Cornelius (Neil) Ball who was the Postmaster in Rye from 1947-1978; he served in the postal service for 43 years. My mother was Audrey Ball; Mom was a nurse in the office of Dr. Anthony P. Balchunas and a cardiac technologist at United Hospital. They both graduated from Rye High in 1935 and 1938, respectively.
MyRye.com: Who were your favorite teachers at Rye High School?
Miles:
- Miss Helen Cannistraci – middle school music teacher and choral director. Miss Cannistraci had done her teaching practicum in Rye in the late 1960’s and then came back to Rye after teaching at a girls’ school in the Bronx. She was a breath of fresh air! Miss Cannistraci encouraged me to sing and play my guitar in her music classes. We sang contemporary music in the junior chorus. Miss Cannistraci has remained a friend of mine for the last 55 years; I am blessed to call her my friend.
- Mr. David Wixted – social studies teacher. Mr. Wixted was my social studies teacher during my junior year of high school and I worked on a special project my senior year where I focused on Adolf Hitler and World War II. My father, Cornelius (Neil) S. Ball served in the Army in the European Theatre during the war, so I had Dad’s unique perspective which gave me great insight into the war and his experiences. Mr. Wixted helped to deepen my interest in history. I believe Mr. Wixted is still alive and living in Newport, R.I.
Tell us about the street in Rye you grew-up on.
Miles: I grew up in Highland Hall on Purchase Street. I was born at United Hospital and went from there to Highland Hall. I had friends on Purchase Street, Highland Road and Wappanocca Avenue, however, once I had my bike, I was riding all over Rye, so I had friends in Glen Oaks as well.
What were your favorite sports or extracurricular activities at Rye High School?
Miles: I was a Girl Scout from Brownies to Cadets. I was active in both junior and senior chorus and served as secretary during my senior year. I was chosen for All-County Chorus my junior and senior years of high school and sang with the Fred Waring Youth Workshop in Shawnee, Pennsylvania the summer before my senior year of high school. Such great experiences and memories!
I was a founding member of the Resurrection Folk Mass Group from 1971 (at the age of 12) until I was in college. We were a close-knit group; when you saw one of us, you saw us all!
What have you done since the day you graduated high school?
Miles: I graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1980 with a double major in Communication Arts and English. I was a member of the Glee Club where I served as secretary my sophomore year, vice-president my junior year and president my senior year. I was also on the day student council, the English departmental board and the college’s long-term planning committee, all while working part-time at Village Savings Bank in Rye as a teller.
Where do you live now?
Miles: I lived in Rye until 1986 when I married my first husband. My husband was from New Jersey and we lived there until we moved to Connecticut in 1995. I received my Master’s degree in counseling, education and leadership from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. I worked in retail banking and human resources in both banking and corporate settings. I retired from retail banking management in 2019.
What in your view are the two or three greatest Rye traditions you remember from your high school years?
Miles: The three greatest traditions in Rye are as follows:
- The Midland School Parade. In our time, the parade was held the week before the fair.
- The Midland Fair.
- “The GAME”-The Rye/Harrison game!
When my husband, Will Miles passed away in 2017, a number of my high school and college classmates attended his funeral service. My husband’s family were amazed that I still keep in touch with my high school classmates. I always say, “I know it may be hard to fathom, in life friendships may be fleeting, however, Rye is a special place. I was blessed to be raised in a terrific community where education and friendships are valued”.
My mother’s RHS Class of 1938 motto was, “Our friendships are forever”. For many of us who are Rye High School graduates that motto rings true.
Thanks, Jay!
Thank you Sue!
