Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 Holds 50th Birthday Celebration at Bravo's in Fairfield

The following was written by Tony Procaccini, president of the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 reunion committee.

Once again, the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 reunion committee put on a class event which was well-attended and enjoyed by all. The party took place at Bravo's (ex-Center Restaurant, as we knew it in 1976) in Fairfield Center starting at 7:30 PM on Saturday, September 13.

The evening was offered free of charge to all. Food and drink were abundant, the chatter and conversation were non-stop, and cameras flashed all night, all good indications of the strong camaraderie of this group. Jerry Vigorito, Nancy Leonard, and Mark Vida are all smiles in the photo below.

Debbie Russo served as the event's main organizer, while many other members of the committee helped in very significant ways. The recently-established Executive Committee consists of Tony Procaccini (President), Debbie Kamlani (Vice President), Debbie Russo (Treasurer), and Joanne Amelung (Secretary). Non-committee members Paul Piorek and Donna Anderson donated the raffle prizes.

Turnout was likely around 60 persons, including Keith Horosko, Lauren Karpinski, and Bill Biedermann pictured above. Many who missed the 2006 reunion attended, and all were happy to see them. In addition, three or four attendees were among those "found" only very recently. Thus the evening was most likely their first time back with the class in a long while. Paul Rossitto, Barry Brown (AWHS 1977), and Nina Bonacci, pictured below, enjoyed the party.

The three longest distances traveled by classmates exclusively for this event were those of Marge Gintoli (Florida, by car), Joe O'Brien (Chicago, by plane and staying in Connecticut just 24 hours), and Mark Waxman (Cleveland, by plane). Honorable mention goes to John Varholak, who drove in from Washington, D.C. It was also Mark Waxman's 50th birthday, so we wished him the best individually.

In addition to singing "Happy Birthday to Us" over a class birthday cake, prizes were awarded for, among other criteria, first to leave, oldest classmate, and youngest classmate. The raffle prizes were won by Ken Catandella (who won twice), Nancy Leonard, Marge Gintoli, Mark Waxman, and Joe O'Brien. Joe is now on a two-event streak, having also won a raffle prize at the 2006 reunion. He'll be tough to catch!

Once again, Happy 50th to all members of AWHS 1976!

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".