Freshman Memories from 40 Years Ago

Forty years after I entered high school, I brought my son, Eric, to freshman orientation at Warde High School last Wednesday. The ninth-graders began the year one day early to become acclimated to the high school and their new classmates. The morning session ended with a freshman picnic in the courtyard. 

It was a strange feeling escorting my younger son to the high school which I attended more than a generation ago, especially since my older son graduated from Ludlowe High School this past June.

Forty years ago, in September of 1972, members of the Class of 1976 entered Andrew Warde High School for the first time, too. Tony Procaccini, a regular contributor to this site, thought it would be a good idea to share memories of what it was like for him and his classmates during their first day at Warde. 

Tony Procaccini wrote:

I can vaguely remember what I wore on that first day of high school. Light blue over a purplish pair of pants, not a great match. I was a freshman, after all. It was a warm day, no precipitation. I walked up Cornell Road by myself, along Brooklawn Country Club. Very soon after, I would be walking every day with my great friend and classmate Joe O'Brien, who lived very close to my parents' house.

Things like lockers and a huge gym were new to me, since I went to a Catholic grammar school. I was in the big leagues now! Academically, I kept my nose to the grindstone, and didn't participate in any sports. (That would start in sophomore year).

Some of my freshman teachers were Mr. Robert Anderson (English), Mrs. Krala (Social Studies) and Mr. Duncavage (Introductory Physical Sciences, or IPS). I was also in Concert Band, playing string bass. I still have the case for the bow used for playing bass, which was concocted from a shower curtain, among other materials. I had to explain the bow's case ("What is that?") to dozens of classmates, because I needed to carry it around on days with Band in the schedule.

Most importantly, I started making a lot of new friends who would last all the way to the present day.

Scott Patterson wrote:

Boy, this is really blowing the dust off of my memory, at least what's left of it. I remember that some of my homeroom classmates from FWJHS were in my homeroom in Barlow. I liked having Mr. Buzak as home room teacher. He was a great guy, funny. (He) reminded me of Charles Nelson Reilly. 

Mr. B asked us our birthday month, as he had a cake each month to celebrate our birthdays accordingly. I remember from my seat, you could see the girl's lavatory across the hall, so you could check them out going in and out the door. And (I remember) seeing John Niesyn in a comatose state each morning. I thought that he was a werewolf after a night's long howl. 

Of course, the homeroom was loaded with theatrical stuff, so on occasion, one could do some live improv before classes started. (It) was nice to recall that long ago day, and (I) found myself with a smile. Happy, carefree times.