Annual Andrew Warde High School Science Fair Made Headlines 53 Years Ago Today

The annual Andrew Warde High School Science Fair made headlines 53 years ago today. According to the Tuesday, March 27, 1962, edition of The Bridgeport Telegram, the two-day event was held Thursday and Friday, March 29 & 30, 1962.



The exhibit featured a radio telescope, a model of a solar system, a demonstration of a silk worm, fall out shelters, an atomic reactor, a Van de Grass generator, a rocket, and a micro wave transmission.

Winners were awarded a year's subscription to the Scientific American or a complete Science library. They also entered their exhibits in the Southern New England Science Fair at the University of Bridgeport.

Paul

Rock 'n' Roll's Jay and the Americans Performed at Warde Nearly a Half-Century Ago

Which were the top rock 'n' roll music groups when you attended high school? Now, imagine if one of them appeared in concert at Warde when you were a student? That's exactly what happened nearly 50 years ago when Jay and the Americans performed at Andrew Warde High School early in 1966.

According to a story which appeared in the Bridgeport Sunday Post March 27, 1966, as the immortal lyrics of 'Coca Cola' blasted out loud and clear in the Warde auditorium, the audience shrieked and school council members breathed sighs of relief and pride. They had accomplished the incredible feat of bringing Jay and the Americans to school. The famous rock 'n' roll band gave two performances.

Plans for the event were initiated in December of 1965 in answer to a request by senior Bob Kaplan. Martha Whiteman was appointed chair of the project, which became known as Martha's Folly.

Through the work of agent Bud Filippo, the school's first choice group, The Lovin' Spoonful, was booked. However, they received an offer of a West coast tour which made it impossible for them to appear on the scheduled date.

Council president Rich Sloan and Miss Whiteman, who is recording secretary, spent a frantic week in conference with Mr. Filippo. Luckily, they were able to get Jay and the Americans who were also high on the priority list.

The program combined such hits as "Let's Lock the Door," "Cara Mia," and "In a Little Cafe," with comic numbers. In homage to television, they sang a medley of commercials. No video, to my knowledge, exists of their visit, but I'm sure it must have looked and sounded like this.

Also performing was a well-known Warde rock 'n' roll group known as the Valiants. The members of the band, all seniors, were Ron and Allen Kaplan, Jason Eisenberg, and Jonnie Rich. Jay and the Americans were impressed by the group's performance and expressed interest in helping the boys in their recording attempts.

The profits from the concert were donated by the school council to the exchange commission.

Paul

Warde Students Took Advantage of Snow Day to Build Easter Bunny 48 Years Ago Today

One of the snowiest March days on record in Fairfield happened 48 years ago today, Wednesday, March 22, 1967, when 11.1" of snow fell. Two students at Andrew Warde High School took advantage of the unusual March Winter weather by making a snow bunny.

This photograph graced the second page of The Bridgeport Post, Friday, March 24, 1967. Click the photo for a larger view.

According to the caption, "The Easter bunny, usually soft and cuddly, gets a new twist here from two Andrew Warde High School students who took advantage of the abundant snow to make a sculpture which is expected to slide, not hop, down the bunny trail Sunday.

"Gail and Robert Contolini, a senior and junior at the Fairfield school, designed the snowy mass, which is on display on the Warde grounds. The artists and their sister, Nancy, who helped in the project, live at 114 Rosedale Street, Fairfield."

Although I'm not certain, the Nancy Contolini mentioned in the article may have been my homeroom teacher in WS-11 in the 1970s. Here is the front page of The Bridgeport Post from Wednesday, March 22, 1967:

Paul

Robert Genualdi Remembered as a True Renaissance Man

The following story was written by Phyllis A. Boros and appeared in The Connecticut Post today. Robert Genualdi, the longtime former headmaster of Andrew Warde High School and Fairfield High School, passed away last weekend at the age of 84. 

A gentleman, friend, teacher, role model, composer, professional bassist, conductor, mentor. That was Robert S. Genualdi, who many described as a Renaissance man or simply "a legend."

Genualdi, of Bridgeport's Black Rock section, died Saturday morning at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport following a short illness. He was 84. He is survived by his wife, violist-educator Dorothy Straub Genualdi, and many relatives.

The Spear-Miller Funeral Home of Fairfield is in charge of arrangements; there will be no calling hours and burial will be private. His family has announced that a Mass in celebration of his life will take place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 481 Brewster St., Bridgeport.

Considered a pillar of the Connecticut musical community, Genualdi touched the lives of thousands upon thousands of youngsters and music-lovers alike since relocating to Connecticut about 55 years ago.

Born in Chicago, Genualdi received bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Northwestern University prior to moving in 1960 to Westport, where he taught for many years. He would later take on various roles in the Fairfield public schools, including that of headmaster at Andrew Warde and Fairfield high schools.

Genualdi served for more than 25 years as music director and conductor of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras before retiring in 2007; he is credited with making the group among the best in the state.

One of his students from the GBYO years is Joshua D. Gersen (whose parents live in Fairfield), who was recently appointed assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic for the 2015-16 season.

"Mr. Genualdi was one of my first and most important teachers," wrote Gersen in an email. "He had a profound impact on my education as I know he did for countless other students. He was always so dedicated and generous with his time.

"For many years, after our GBYO rehearsal on Saturday mornings, Mr. Genualdi invited me to his home to give me private lessons in everything from music theory and composition to conducting," Gersen wrote. "I would not be where I am today without his guidance and patience throughout all of those years. He was the first person to ever give me the opportunity to get on the podium and conduct a live orchestra, and for that I will be eternally grateful."

Another one of his former students is Chris Hanulik, principal bass with the renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic, who emailed the family on Monday: "Bob Genualdi was one of the finest bass teachers and educators I have ever had the privilege of knowing. The fact that I have had the pleasure of playing professionally for the past 31 years is due in no small part to the lessons and attitude that Bob instilled in me as a young player."

Hanulik noted that Genualdi's legacy is a grand one.

"I have continued on countless occasions to pass along these same lessons to my students," he wrote. "I hope that `Mr G.' -- as he was affectionately referred to by his students -- would be pleased to know that his legacy continues on in bass players around the country."

For many years, Genualdi regularly performed with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, as well as with the New Haven and Greenwich symphony orchestras.

One of his good friends was Greater Bridgeport Symphony Music Director Emeritus Gustav Meier.

"Bob was the kind of musician who inspired the conductor," said Meier, in a chat from his Ann Arbor, Mich., home. "He showed such love for his instrument and the music. If I was struggling (in rehearsals) with putting a piece together, I just had to look at Bob (and) the joy and satisfaction that should prevail at all times in an orchestra would return. I want to thank him for that. He was a true friend and a wonderful role model."

Along with his wife and Barnum Museum Director Kathy Maher, Genualdi for many years organized and produced the national Jenny Lind Competition and its associated concerts, presented for decades in honor of Lind, a soprano, who was promoted in the United States on an 1850s' tour by P.T. Barnum. The concerts would feature the American winner as well as the champion of a similar contest in Sweden.

Unfortunately, the festival canceled its affiliation with the event last year.

But on Monday morning, Maher received word that the Swedish Jenny Lind will indeed come to Bridgeport for a concert this summer "like the way Barnum did it." There will be no American competition, but at least the Lind name will remain alive in Bridgeport.

"So sad I didn't get to tell Bob we found a way to keep up with the Swedes"; Bob would have been so happy, Maher added.

Andrew Warde High School Community Mourns Passing of Former Headmaster Robert Genualdi

Robert S. Genualdi, a musician and retired educator who lived in Bridgeport, died Saturday, March 14, 2015, surrounded by his family at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Genualdi was born in Chicago to Biagio Genualdi and the former Elizabeth Doll. He was a conductor of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras and a founding member of the Fairfield Country String Teachers Association and with his wife, Dorothy Straub Genualdi, helped run the P.T. Barnum Museum's Jenny Lind Competition for many years. He also gave private music lessons and composed music. He played string bass in the Miami, New Haven, Greater Bridgeport, and Greenwich symphonies.

Genualdi served as headmaster at Andrew Warde High School and Fairfield High School (at the former AWHS campus) from the Autumn of 1975 through the Spring of 1993. Mr. Genualdi also served as Acting Principal of Staples High School in Westport.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Genualdi is survived by his sons, Joseph Genualdi, of Kansas City, MO, and Robert and wife Rena Genualdi, of Danbury; daughter-in-law Cydne Gillard, and five grandchildren, Biagio Genualdi, Francesca Genualdi and husband Arturo Medina, and Sam Genualdi, of Chicago; Joanna Genualdi and fiancé Stephen Yannantuono of Sandy Hook; Robert Scott Genualdi of Danbury, and two brothers, Joseph Genualdi of Plant City, FL, and Martin Genualdi of Scottsdale, AZ.

His first wife, Mary Ellen, died in 1991; his sister, Rose Peters, died in 2003. A mass of celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, at 10 a.m. at Saint Ann's Church, 481 Brewster St., Bridgeport; interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, Music for Youth, Inc., the Fairfield County Children's Choir, the Connecticut Dance School or Saint Ann Church.

Paul

Crimson Eagles Dropped Heartbreaker to Stamford Catholic in CIAC Boys Basketball Tournament 48 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's boys' basketball team dropped a 59-57 decision to Stamford Catholic in the CIAC Class L basketball tournament at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk 48 years ago today.

Mark Kluytenaar, with ice water in his veins, converted all six of his free throws in the last three minutes to give the Crusaders the spine-tingling two-point victory over the Crimson Eagles. It was the third straight win for SCHS over its fellow FCIAC rivals.

Warde trailed, 47-40, early in the fourth quarter before Jim Howard canned nine of his team's next 11 points during an 11-4 run to pull the Eagles into a 51-51 tie before Kluytenaar's heroics on Wednesday evening, March 8, 1967.

Faced with a pressure-packed one-and-one situation at the foul line, the calm Kluytenaar, who averaged only 5.8 points per game during the regular season, sank both charity tosses to give the winners a 53-51 advantage.

Dick Redmond added a subsequent basket for the Crusaders to increase the lead to 55-51. Rich Fekete answered with a hoop for Warde to cut the deficit to two points. However, Kluytenaar, the six-foot junior, canned another pair of free throws to make it 57-53 before Fekete answered with another bucket for the Eagles.

Warde's Tom DeLuca picked up his fifth foul with 42 seconds left in the game. Kluytenarr buried two more shots from the foul line to increase the SCHS lead to 59-55. Warde's final basket came on a Howard layup as the final buzzer sounded.

Coach Wes Aldrich's Crimson Eagles finished with a 14-6 overall record, while Stamford Catholic improved to 13-8.

Kluytenaar led all scorers with 25 markers. Larry Jost (14 points) was the only other Crusader to finish in double figures for Coach Lenny Rivers. Fekete (21), Howard (18), and Danny Haines (11) paced the Crimson Eagles' attack.

Paul