Andrew Warde High School Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 to Hold October Reunion in New Haven

Alumni from Andrew Warde High School's classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 are holding a reunion Saturday, October 9, 2010, at the Omni Hotel, 155 Temple Street in New Haven. That's the word from Nova Matarazzo of the Class of 1970. Click the image below to access the reunion Facebook page.

"We should have a great turnout," admitted Matarazzo via email. "Please help me promote the event in any way. It is an open reunion for all alumni (from) any year, specifically hosted by 1970, and for 71 and 72."

Music will be provided by the Mill River Band along with Michael Jacob from the AWHS Class of 1971. The cost of the event is $70. Checks should be sent to Nova Matarazzo and made out to AWHS Class of 1970. The price includes dinner, the band, and a cash bar.

Matarazzo said her favorite memories include the chocolate chip cookies, Mr. Bell, Mrs. Hurley, Latin class, and Greg Gallagher in Bye Bye Birdie. She said he will be attending the reunion.

Paul

Tributes Pour In for Walia Triolo, Former Choir Director at Andrew Warde High School

Walia Triolo, age 68 of Easton, beloved wife of Victor Triolo and former choir director at Andrew Warde High School, died Thursday, August 19, 2010, at Bridgeport Hospital.

A memorial service will take place at a date and time to be announced. Entombment will be private in the Oaklawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Fairfield. The Larson Funeral Home, 2496 North Ave., Bridgeport is in care of arrangements. Former students recalled a dedicated and inspirational teacher.

"I graduated from Andrew Warde High School in 1976. Ms. Triolo was a wonderful choir teacher who taught us the joy of working hard for the reward of music," wrote Daniel Paul Heskins of Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

"I think of her every time I hear the Hallelujah Chorus and any of a number of other, wonderful pieces that she taught us," Heskins continued. "She helped me take the voice that God gave me and make it an instrument of love and music. God bless her and my sincere condolences to the family."

"I took Mrs. Triolo's choir class all four years of high school at Andrew Warde," added Robyn Smith of Trumbull. "And I enjoyed them because of her. She always had such passion for music and theater. She was truly a unique woman. Keep your memories of her close. I know I will. My sincerest condolences to your family."

"I graduated Warde in 1977," wrote Mark SaNogueira, Sr. "It's amazing to see here all the lives she touched. And I thought it was just me. We did the Messiah front to back until I heard it in my sleep. I still hear it today. You will be missed 'Wally.' God bless!"

"Walia Triolo was very special to me," wrote Liz Cerreta-Gaughan of Seymour. "There were so many fond memories of our choir group that will stay with me forever, but one in particular comes to mind," she recalled.

"We were performing Handel's Messiah at a home for the elderly at Christmas time. When we finished, one of the nurses came up to her and I, and said, 'I can't believe it! You are truly magical! Mildred over there has not spoken in ten years, and when we did the Halleluiah Chorus, she sang along!!!!'

"This is the magic of Walia Triolo. I am deeply saddened and will always remember this wonderful lady," continued Cerreta-Gaughan. "Rest in peace, Mrs. T."

Paul

Andrew Warde High School Family Mourns Loss of Longtime Math Teacher Theodore Huminski

Theodore "Ted" Huminski, age 82, beloved husband of the late Eleanor Blotney Huminski of Stratford, passed away Monday, August 16, 2010 at Bridgeport Hospital.

Born in Bridgeport December 20, 1927, he was the son of the late Alexander and Stella Huminski. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II as a seaman and towards the end of the war enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in the Far East. He received the WW II victory Medal and Medal of Japan Occupation.

As an educator, Ted taught in several school districts, but most notably in Fairfield at Andrew Warde High School. He was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, the Baldwin Center, and the Shelton and Milford Seniors. He was an accomplished ballroom dancer and was an avid bowler at Nutmeg Lanes.

"As with the news of the passing of any of our teachers, I am sorry to hear that we lost Mr. Theodore Huminski. I remember all my Math teachers very well," wrote Tony Procaccini, a 1976 Warde graduate.

"Mr. Huminski was thorough and methodical, and knew his material," added Procaccini, president of the AWHS Class of 1976 30-year reunion committee. "I am fortunate to say that I excelled in his class, and still remember many of the concepts I learned then.

"From a personal perspective, he seemed a bit on the quiet side, but that's only my impression," he added. "Many years after high school I met a friend of his or a family member - can't remember which now - in Rome, Italy, purely by coincidence. My condolences to his family members."

Survivors include two sons, Bruce Hume and his wife, Eileen Cahill, of Wilton, and Scott and his wife, Dana Huminski, of Gilbert, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Christopher and Julianna Hume of Wilton; three sisters, Dee Pagliuco and Mary Fortuna, both of Trumbull, and Ellie Accardi of Bridgeport; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, August 20, 2010, at 10 a.m. in St Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford. Interment with military honors will be at Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. There will be no visitation. The William R. McDonald Funeral Home, Stratford, is in care of arrangements.

Paul

Former Editor-In-Chief of the Crimson Crier to Contribute Four Editions of Andrew Warde's Student Newspaper from 1967-68 to Web Site

It's always a pleasure to receive mail from Andrew Warde High School alumni. I received the following note from Gene Massafra, the former editor-in-chief of the Crimson Crier in 1967-1968.

Dear Paul,

I found your Andrew Warde Web site and realized that I have to introduce myself. I’m Gene (“Gino”) Massafra, Editor-in-Chief of the Crimson Crier from 1967-1968. I was astonished to see your article on my tenure (and my quotes!) on the Web site. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend school at Georgia Tech, and I’ve been here ever since.

I’d like to make a contribution to the Web site: I’ve got photocopies of four of the issues of the Crimson Crier that we published during my senior year. If you would provide a proper mailing address, I will be happy to forward those to you.

Thanks for your efforts.

Gino E. Massafra, Esq.

Warde Alumni Rob Fried and Jerry Vigorito Receive Outstanding Citizen Awards & Continue to Raise Funds for Families in Need of Helping Hand

The following was written by Rob Fried, a 1977 graduate of Andrew Warde High School and co-founder of Band Together CT. Rob and Jerry Vigorito (AWHS 1976) continue their tireless efforts to help families in need.

Five years ago Jerry Vigorito and I started a charity music organization, BAND TOGETHER CT, to “help Connecticut families one at a time.” We had a simple goal --- to create great musical events that are a lot of fun to attend and unite the community of talented musicians with individuals and organizations working together to raise funds funds for families in need of a helping hand.

The BAND TOGETHER CT organization has no staff nor fixed expenses beyond the nominal fees paid for musicians, theatre rental, and some small printing, marketing and administration expenses. We are proud to state that all additional funds raised from sponsorship money, ticket sales, ad revenue, raffle money, etc., goes directly to the beneficiary of each musical event. This low-cost model allows local charities to raise substantial funds and build closer relationships with their donors.

In pursuit of this goal, the first half of 2010 has been amazing for BAND TOGETHER CT. So far we have helped raise over $90,000 for charities, including the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, Save The Children, Milford Hospital, and Dana Farber Cancer Center.

The second half of 2010 looks exciting with three shows planned at Fairfield Theatre. On September 30 we have Bobby Harden from the Blues Brothers and marimba/pan drummer Arthur Lipner joining us for a Margaritaville concert to benefit Pilot House and its programs for special needs children in Fairfield.

On October 21 we are partnering with Near & Far Aid to produce “One Night Band,” a 1970s-80s Dance Party featuring Christine Ohlman and Gisele Jackson to support its programs to reduce poverty in Fairfield Country. On December 1 we have John Oates from Hall & Oates joining us for a Rock, Soul and Survivorship concert to benefit Connecticut Challenge in building its new cancer survivorship center in Fairfield.

Public coverage of BAND TOGETHER CT has also resulted in recent accomplishments that are helping increase our impact. Last year The New York Times wrote a feature article - “Rock Band That Exists To Benefit Local Causes” - describing our aim of magnifying our community service impact by utilizing larger venues and marquis talent for our shows, while at the same time keeping our homey, down-to-earth, fun feel.

In March, Jerry and I were selected by the American Red Cross to receive its 2010 Heroes Award for Community Impact. In May we were selected to receive the 2010 Kochran Outstanding Citizen Award by the Bridgeport Dental Association.

Additionally, 2010 has been exciting in terms of the outstanding calibre of musicians that have embraced our cause and joined us on stage --- Rock legends Ronnie Spector and John Oates, blues legend Debbie Davies, Christine Ohlman, Gisele Jackson, Crispin Cioe, Bobby Harden, along with many stellar local musicians. This combination of artists along with predominately sold-out shows resulted in our receiving the “BEST OF THE GOLD COAST” for live music in 2009 and 2010.

On behalf of Jerry Vigorito, myself, the wonderful musicians and supportive staff volunteers, all of whom share the BAND TOGETHER CT vision, I thank you for your support. If you would like information about our upcoming shows please visit www.bandtogetherct.com.

Best regards,

Rob Fried

Green Light Given to Begin Expansion of Andrew Warde High School 40 Years Ago Today

Much-needed expansion of Andrew Warde High School was finalized 40 years ago today when the High School Building Committee awarded the contract of an addition to the school to P. Francini and Company of Derby on its apparent low-base bid. The committee decided to accept three of the five alternate proposals, including one which called for the construction of a gymnasium with a seating capacity of 2,300 people.

According to an arcticle which appeared in The Bridgeport Post on August 12, 1970, Dr. Robert F. Pitt, chairman, said the committee is studying two other alternate proposals before making a decision. The bids, submitted a week earlier, are within the appropriation made by the town for the project, it was said.

The building committee decided the alternate bid which would increase the size from the new gym from 1,600 to 2,300 seating capacity at an added cost of $78,500; accepted the alternate for removal of football field bleachers and preparing the base for new bleachers at an additional cost of $3,300; and an alternate bid of $1,150 for the installation of a fire alarm enunciator which pinpoints the source of any fire in the school.

The total construction cost of the project with the alternates is $3,681,950, Dr. Pitt said. Plans for the school were prepared by the architect firm of Lyons, Mather, and Lechner.

Dr. Pitt said that Edward Barry and Maryann Mansfield were appointed to a subcommittee to study an alternate bid for improving four tennis courts and constructing two additional courts at a price of $47,500, while William Armstrong was assigned to look into the alternate bid on a substitute electrical system which would deduct $50,000 from the cost of the school construction, Dr. Pitt said.

Paul