Whatever Happened to Andrew Warde High School? Did It Ever Exist?

That's a good question. In fact, if you happen to visit the former Andrew Warde High School, you'll see two monuments near the front entrance acknowledging the proud history of the school. The only problem is that there isn't any reference to Andrew Warde High School. It actually existed from 1956 to 1987. Don't you remember?

Once Andrew Warde High School consolidated with Roger Ludlowe High School into Fairfield High School at the Warde site in the Autumn of 1987, thirty years of memories were all but forgotten. Nearly two decades later, however, due to an exploding student population in town, the Fairfield Board of Education decided to reopen the former Roger Ludlowe High School and return to two public high schools in 2004.

The schools were named Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe high schools in an attempt to unify the secondary student population, while at the same time offering a less-than-sincere cursory nod to the original names of the two high schools. The board never got it right in the first place, originally opting to name the schools Fairfield East and Fairfield West before yielding to public pressure, especially from alumni of the two high schools.

The childish antics of the board, students, and parents could have been avoided if the original names of the schools were returned. This corner has never fully embraced the new names of the schools, preferring instead to refer to them as Warde and Ludlowe. What is most troublesome, though, is the fact that there isn't any acknowledgement of the original Andrew Warde High School by the front entrance.

This came to light last week when I picked up my son from Ludlowe High School. Upon entering the main lobby of Ludlowe, there are several engraved plaques acknowledging the building as former home to Mill Plain School, Roger Ludlowe High School, Roger Ludlowe Middle School, and the current FLHS. In fact, an original school bell from Mill Plain School adorns the front lobby for all to see.

It's about time to pay tribute to Andrew Warde High School. Shouldn't there be a monument alongside the two which sit at the front of the high school? I think so. I am going to write to the Fairfield Board of Education and request that a third monument be placed alongside the others. Andrew Warde High School existed from 1956 through 1987. I should know. I graduated from AWHS! There are many proud graduates who will always call themselves Crimson Eagles.

Let's get a monument in honor of the original Andrew Warde High School.

Paul

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Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Warde Girls' Basketball Team Captures FCIAC Championship Over Stamford, 56 to 42

The following article was written by Mike Cardillo, a sportswriter for the Connecticut Post newspaper. The Andrew Warde High School alumni congratulate head coach Dave Danko and the Warde girls' basketball team for winning the FCIAC championship last night by defeating Stamford, 56-42.

The Stamford girls basketball team is probably relieved that it's playing in the Class LL state tournament, not the Class L division. It means the Black Knights won't have to see Fairfield Warde, or specifically Sabriana Siciliano, ever again.

Eleven days after torching Stamford for a career-high 37 points in a 28-point Warde win, Siciliano once again burned the Black Knights -- this time in the FCIAC championship game. Siciliano spurred a second-half charge by the top-seeded and undefeated Mustangs as they defeated the No. 2 Black Knights 56-42 Thursday night at Fairfield Ludlowe.

Siciliano, who was held scoreless in the first half, finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and four assists to win tournament MVP honors.

"This is surreal," said Siciliano, seen at the left, after the Mustangs claimed their first league title since 1998, when it was known as Fairfield High. "I was getting the chills at one point. (Late in the game) I had an epiphany that we can actually win this."

That epiphany came after Stamford pushed Warde harder than any opponent this season. The Black Knights (17-4) fought tooth-and-nail with the Mustangs (23-0) until Warde finally pulled away in the final four minutes.

"Their depth will wear you down in the long run," Stamford coach Curtis Tinnin said. Stamford actually had Warde on the ropes during an eight-minute span when the Mustangs went scoreless between the first and second quarters.

The Black Knights led by as many as seven points, as senior forward Fiona O'Dwyer had her way with the Warde pressure. Stamford, however, couldn't extend the lead to double digits and make Warde sweat going into halftime. The Mustangs closed the half on a 9-3 run, capped by a rare 3-pointer by Rachel Friedman (nine points, 11 rebounds) as time expired, and trailed only 22-21.

"If we'd gotten (the lead) to double-digits or at least a safe zone, which is a lot with Warde, maybe it would have been a different outcome," said O'Dwyer, who finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

In the first half Stamford slowed down the pace and man-marked Siciliano out of the game, but it didn't take long for that to change in the second half. "It's a credit to them, they spread us out," said Warde coach Dave Danko, a former basketball standout with the Andrew Warde High School Crimson Eagles. "In the first half, we couldn't get it going, but all year my motto was eventually we're going to get you."

Warde got it going quickly in the second half, with an 8-0 run on baskets from Siciliano and Alex Aufiero to go ahead 29-22. Stamford, unlike most Warde opponents, didn't wilt to the pressure and trailed 36-31 at the end of the third, thanks to Jasmin Jones' tireless work on the offensive glass. Jones finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Finally by the fourth quarter, the Warde pressing defense became too much for Stamford to handle, with Siciliano and Daphne Elliott (17 points) wreaking havoc at midcourt and forcing the Black Knights into 18 second-half turnovers.

"We had to crack down on defense, which helped us build the 10-point lead," Elliott said. Stamford went scoreless for nearly four minutes at the end of the game while Warde did most of its damage via Siciliano and Elliott getting to the free-throw line. The Mustangs scored 12 of their 20 fourth-quarter points from the line, while the Black Knights were only 7-for-19 for the game.

"We didn't get frazzled, we kept our composure," Siciliano said. "We knew we'd be able to come back." For Warde's six seniors, the championship was the culmination of four years of work and a great sense of relief.

"You know, when they come back to the school and look up at that banner in the gym, they'll realize they accomplished something we've been working on for four years," Danko said.

Photos courtesy the Connecticut Post newspaper.

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Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Mr. Flint Was a "No-Nonsense Perfectionist," According to a Former Andrew Warde High School Student Now Living in Richmond, Virginia

A story which appeared in this space earlier this month about former Andrew Warde High School German teacher Frank Flint elicited several written responses from former students, including a 1974 Warde product who now lives in Richmond, Virginia.

"Mr. Flint was a no-nonsense teacher who took pride in teaching the language and moved the pace along pretty quickly," wrote Tom Wingreen, who was Mr. Flint's German student during his junior year. "He was a perfectionist at what he did and expected the same from his students. But Mr. Flint never refused to give extra help to any student, no matter how hopeless the situation, not even me."

Wingreen, whose older brother, John, graduated from Warde in 1972 and was also enrolled in Mr. Flint's class, recalled how difficult his junior year was. "I took Geometry, Chemistry, and German II along with the basics, History and English, that year," he mentioned. "It didn't take long to realize I was in over my head. So I didn't do particularly well in his class."

As for the tests Mr. Flint administered? Wingreen compared them to facing an overpowering pitcher from his youth. "Taking one of Mr. Flint's tests was always brutal," he acknowledged.

"The best way to describe taking one of his tests was like watching hitters face Bob Gibson at home plate in the World Series during the 1960s. He just blew me away. Mr. Flint (pictured in the 1976 Flame yearbook) seemed to enjoy that reputation of making the tests a real challenge."

One of Wingreen's favorite memories of Flint's class involved a former classmate and co-worker at Friendly's on Black Rock Turnpike. "I do remember he let us do presentations on Fridays on anything we wanted as long as they were in German," pointed out Wingreen, who attended Osborn Hill School and Fairfield Woods Junior High School.

"There was a student named Anna who did particularly well in his class but was a little cocky about it. I used to work with Anna at Friendly's until she quit after a confrontation with the manager. Anna used to tease me about not doing well in Mr. Flint's class," he continued.

"Therefore, when Friday came, I would do skits about Anna and the Friendly's manager going at it in German. I got some help with preparation ahead of time from some of her rivals so my skits were always top notch. The class enjoyed it, especially Mr. Flint. One classmate signed my year book, 'Remember German class? You were great!' I'm convinced that's what got me a passing grade in Mr. Flint's class. It certainly wasn't the test grades."

Wingreen frequently visits this Web site to take a stroll down memory lane. "I read some of the articles on the Web site, including the one about the Warde women basketball players winning the championship 33 years ago," he wrote. "I recognize one of the players, Debbie Mendell. She was in my art class with Ms. Whalen when I was in my senior year. I don't know why I remember this stuff, but I do."

Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your thoughtful letter and response to the articles. Good luck with your impending retirement. Your memories of Mr. Flint's class are priceless.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School's Girls' Basketball Team Captured First FCIAC Title 33 Years Ago Today by Defeating Westhill Vikings, 62-49, in Norwalk

Andrew Warde High School's girls' basketball team captured the FCIAC championship 33 years ago today by defeating Westhill High School, 62-49, in Norwalk. Kathy Anderson, tournament MVP, led the Crimson Eagles to their 15th victory in 17 games by scoring 20 points, while Diane Dionis and Debbie Mendell had 12 points apiece to aid the Warde attack.

The Crimson Eagles led the entire way against the Western Division champions, marching to a 32-25 halftime lead. The Lady Vikings lost for only the third time in 17 outings. Warde advanced to the title game by defeating Western Division runner-up Stamford, courtesy of Anderson's 19 markers. Westhill moved into the finals by defeating Eastern Division runner-up Ludlowe.

The champions bolted out to a 12-9 lead after the first quarter before taking the seven point cushion into the intermission break. Warde outscored Westhill, 14-10, in the third quarter to increase its lead to 46-35 heading into the final frame. Warde won the final quarter, 16-14, to post the comfortable 13-point margin of victory.

With a new head coach, Miss Mary Beth McGirr, the girls got off to a slow start early in the season, but they staged a remarkable comeback to end up winning the league title. One of the reasons for the team's mid-season surge was the play of Anderson, a sophomore sensation. Her phenomenal improvement from the beginning of the season paralleled the improved play of the team as a whole.

By the end of the campaign, Anderson was habitually leading the team in points and rebounds every game. She earned All-FCIAC first-team honors, and she was named the MVP of the league tournament. But, Anderson wasn't the only reason the team won the coveted FCIAC championship.

The many other players who contributed much to the team's achievements included seniors Dionis, Mendell, who earned All-FCIAC second-team recognition, Gayle Johnson, and Marti Causey. The juniors included Kris Ness and Betsy Niesyn. The FCIAC championship game was played Friday evening, February 13, 1976, at Norwalk High School.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Warde Boys & Girls Sweep Hoop Contests at Ludlowe to Claim Bragging Rights in Fairfield, Much Like Warde's First Hoop Squad in 1956

What a night for the Fairfield Warde High School boys and girls basketball teams! Both teams traveled to Ludlowe High School Tuesday night and swept a basketball doubleheader on the Falcons' court to claim "bragging rights" in Fairfield. However, the night was even more meaningful for both teams for several reasons.

First, Tyler Bisack scored 14 points and Anthony Rodriguez added 13 as the Fairfield Warde boys' basketball team ended a 59-game losing streak with its 47-40 victory over arch-rival Fairfield Ludlowe. The Mustangs' last victory happened over three years ago, when they posted a 39-36 triumph over Staples High School on February 7, 2006.

Meanwhile, the Fairfield Warde girls remained perfect after 17 games by posting their second victory of the season over Ludlowe in relatively easy fashion, 77-43. The Lady Mustangs remain the only undefeated team in the FCIAC with a perfect 15-0 league record. Daphne Elliott scored 24 points and Sabrina Siciliano added 17 to pace the winners.

Did you know that Andrew Warde High School's first-ever boys' basketball game was a 55-52 victory over Roger Ludlowe High School at the Tigers' court at Mill Plain School? Veterans Dick Dakai, Jim Jankousky, and Chris Costello came through with successive field goals in a three-minute overtime to help the Crimson Eagles earn the thrilling come-from-behind victory. The game was played Friday evening, December 14, 1956.

It was a closely-contested battle from start to finish, although the charges of Warde coach Bob Seirup, the former Ludlowe basketball coach, raced out to a 13-6 lead in the opening period and maintained a narrow lead until the final quarter. The score was tied at 49-apiece at the end of regulation. Henry Sprouse sank a foul shot for Ludlowe to tie the game and force the extra session.

Frank Mizak gave the Tigers a 51-49 lead at the start of overtime before Dakai, the six-foot-three, 210-pound former Ludlowe letterman, evened the count by hitting a jump shot. Jankousky followed with a set shot from side court, and Costello's long set shot iced the victory for the Crimson Eagles.

Dakai finished with 20 points and pounded the boards for the winners. Jankousky added 14 points in Andrew Warde High School's first major sports triumph, just three months after the high school opened. The Warde football team dopped all eight games during its inaugural season.

The Warde jayvees edged the Ludlowe junior varsity, 45-42, in the preliminary tilt. Howard Ratner and Tom Tuzzio tallied 11 points each to lead the winners. The Crimson Eagles' varsity and JV teams swept their Ludlowe counterparts on the road that memorable night. Over 52 years later, the Warde boys and girls basketball teams swept another doubleheader at Ludlowe. The more things change ...

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School Students Helped Win Approval of the 'New' Roger Ludlowe High School at the Mill Plain School Site Nearly 50 Years Ago

The Fairfield Taxpayers League charged the Fairfield school administration with having pressured students at both Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe high schools to influence parents and friends to vote in favor of converting Mill Plain School into the new Roger Ludlowe High School. That's according to a story published 48 years ago today, Saturday, February 11, 1961.

The original Ludlowe High School, located in what is now Tomlinson Middle School (seen at left), could no longer house the burgeoning high school population in Fairfield in 1961. Double-sessions were required for the students who attended Ludlowe. Meanwhile, Warde, which opened in 1956, was the sparkling new public high school in town, more than comfortably housing its large student population.

Edward Remeika and James Aurigemma, officials of the league, said petitions for the students to sign were circulated in both high schools. The townwide referendum was to take place less than a week later.

The officials said the petitions read, "We, the students of Roger Ludlowe (and Andrew Warde), being definitely in favor of the conversion of Mill Plain School to prevent double sessions, will do all in our power to have our parents and other voters vote 'no' to double sessions in the referendum Wednesday, February 15."

Mr. Remeika and Mr. Aurigemma also charged that school paper and time were used in the circulation of the petitions. "We feel that this sort of pressure should not be permitted in the schools," they said. "The parents and taxpayers are old enough and certainly wise enough to make up their own minds without the undue influence of the school administration."

Vincent Bussetti, president of the league, also took exception to a statement issued by Emil Frankel on behalf of the Fairfield High alumni for Continued Quality Education. The group favored the conversion. Frankel graduated from Warde in 1957 and went on to attend Wesleyan University.

Christopher Currie, the president of the Roger Ludlowe All-School Congress, said that he and his counterpart at Andrew Warde High School, Samuel Rost, president of the Warde Student Council, were circulating petitions in which students pledged to "do all in our power to have our parents vote 'no' to double sessions" in the referendum on the Mill Plain School plan.

Currie said that the original idea for the petition started when a group of Ludlowe students met to consider what they could contribute in support of the addition proposal. They signed "work volunteer cards," offering to babysit for voters, campaign door-to-door, distribute campaign literature, and demonstrate --- with signs --- at the town's 13 polling places. He said that the response was "very good, just about the best we've had on any project."

Asked why students were opposing a cut in the school day from six hours to four hours, which would happen if the new school is defeated, the student leader said, "We owe it to the students who will come after us to see that they have the same educational opportunities that we enjoy."

He asked signers to accompany their parents to the polls, "just to make sure they cast their ballots."

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".