Advances in medical science make a 100-year reunion likely, the 20th graduating class at Andrew Warde High School was told 33 years ago this evening.The late Charles Abraham, chairman of the high school's English department, addressed the school's 487 graduates in the warm, sun-bathed school courtyard, Thursday evening, June 24, 1976. Referring to a 100-year class reunion, Abraham said, "You will be there."
Other commencement speakers included Mary Palladino, who asked "Which is the Real Success?" and Harvey Samowitz, who discussed "The Ends or the Means," a defense of student rights and privileges gained during the previous four years and the responsibilities the graduates will carry with them after high school.
Following the invocation by Rabbi Arnold Sher of the Park Avenue Temple and the singing of the National Anthem, class president Teresa Frillici welcomed parents and guests.
The last of the three commencement speakers, Mr. Abraham apologized for turning his back on the audience to talk to "his friends." Then, to the applause of the students, he swung the podium around to face the Class of 1976.Abraham told them they have a choice of worlds in which to live --- worlds of dehumanizing computers and terrifying weaponry, or worlds of plenty in which they could "reach out toward the stars." He urged them to learn from the experiences of earlier generations when they make their choices.
"I vividly remember how Mr. Abraham, at the outset of his talk, lifted and turned the podium toward us, and spoke to us directly," recalled Tony Procaccini, president of the AWHS Class of 1976 30-year reunion committee in 2006 and pictured below between teacher Mildred Laskey and Larry Varholak 33 years ago this evening.
"He received a huge ovation from the graduates for that. He talked about our living to the age of 100. On a stranger note, that would also mean we've barely started having class reunions at this point, thus begging the question: Should we start sending in reunion RSVPs now for 2076?"
Procaccini also remembers other details from 33 years ago this evening. "We apparently lined up by home-room, because Larry Varholak was in mine. In other photos, we see that boys and girls were grouped by sex on the courtyard platform, before we received diplomas."
The graduating students were presented by headmaster Robert Genualdi, assistant headmaster Edward Shine, and interim Superintendent of Schools Edward Bourque.
Diplomas were awarded by vice chairman Elizabeth Morris and Sidney Postol of the Fairfield Board of Education. They were assisted by housemasters Paul Guss, Steven Solomon, Raymond Condren, William Bogg, and Arnold Wile, and senior class adviser Robert Cloutier.
"When our caps were tossed, one small misfortune occurred," Procaccini remembered. "A cap landed on Laura Howland's nose, causing a little bleeding. She was visibly upset, on the verge of tears, but a few students, myself included, helped her through this ordeal. Of course, after we all handed in our gowns, it was 'off to the races' or, more likely, whatever graduation party one was attending."
The Rev. James Hood of the Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church gave the benediction, and the students of the Bicenennial Class left the school to the strains of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Procaccini, who contributed all the photos from June 24, 1976, is seen above (second from right) at a family graduation party with (left-to-right) eldest brother Vinny, a 1969 graduate of Notre Dame High School, his Uncle Louis Procaccini, and older brother Joe, who graduated from Warde in 1972.
"Honestly, I can't say it feels like yesterday, but I retain many fond memories of that night, a few photos, and many friendships which are just as strong now, if not deeper," admitted Procacinni, now the music director at St. Patrick's Church in Bridgeport.
"Funny, 'commencement' seems like a strange word for that type of event, but, after we had finished four years at such an excellent school, I can now see that it really all started ("commenced") that night, in many ways," Procaccini added. "By that I mean the rest of our lives, and the continuation of great friendships."
Paul
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