School Role Models Formed Warde's First-Ever Boys' Cheerleading Squad Over 40 Years Ago

The Andrew Warde High School athletic department pioneered and championed girls' sports programs in the early-to-mid 1970s. The school was one of the first in the area to field girls' soccer, volleyball, and track-and-field teams.

However, several years earlier, nine spirited students formed the very first Crimson Eagles boys' cheerleading squad. With their unique routines and rousing cheers, the group became a tremedous hit with players and fans alike during the 1967-68 school year. The students were role models to their fellow classmates.

The idea was the brainchild of Pat Tomlinson, the girls' cheerleading captain, Tom Nardozzi, the boys' co-captain, and Miss Diana Alvarez, the cheerleading adviser. The members included Nardozzi, co-captain John Waite, Arthur Baron, Peter Guarnaccia, Howie Klein, Paul Kaplan, Dean Morvay, Vinnie D'Elia, and Bob Nagy.

Nardozzi, who was a Smedley House junior in January of 1968, was an active member of the AWHS band and played in the percussion section. He was also a member of the school service commission and played intramural sports. He was a member of the Big Brothers program and participated with the Troubadors, a Drum and Bugle corps.

Waite, a Barlow house senior 41 years ago, participated in cross-country and track. He had a part-time job at the Rocket Drive-In. He enjoyed gymnastics and eventually hoped to become a physical education teacher.

Baron, a Smedley House senior, was an avid music enthusiast who played trombone in the Warde band for four years. He achieved the honor of playing trombone in the All-State orchestra. He was also a member of the National Thespian Society and Modern Music Masters. He participated in the productions of West Side Story, You Can't Take it With You, and My Fair Lady.

"The school's spirit has been in need of a real boosting for a long time, and I felt that cheerleading was a good way for me to help the cause," Baron said. He was also a member of the Rooster River Boys, a unique jug band, and he served as vice president of the Folk Music Society. He also played with several local jazz bands, was an avid George Burns fan, and enjoyed Math and Music. He hoped to attend NYU.

Guarnaccia, a Wolcott senior, was a member of the School Council and served as treasurer. He was also a member of the Inter-School Council, which was comprised of students from Warde and Ludlowe. He played clarinet in the Warde band and played junior varsity soccer and tennis. He was elected to the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

In addition, Guarnaccia was awarded the Harvard Book Prize for outstanding boy in the junior class, and he was a member of Modern Music Masters. He received a National Merit Letter of Commendation and participated in the World Youth Forum.

The nine cheerleaders wore maroon sweaters over white shirts along with white pants, white socks, and white sneakers. The cheerleader's class number --- '68, '69, or '70 --- was sewn on the left shoulder of the sweater. One of their formations was a pyramid which was constructed during a fight cheer. They also teamed up with the girls' squad in a cheer which culminated with each boy cheerleader lifting one of the girls while she was performing a spread jump.

The boys' cheerleading squad was a tremendous success in 1967-68. The boys became a vital part of the school's scene at football games, pep rallies, and basketball games. The squad became an important force in arousing school spirit at Andrew Warde High School.

Paul