Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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Class Officers Left to right: Matthew Alaimo, Vice President; Marcia Della Rocca, Secretary; Daniel Riley, President; Jean Stevens, Treasurer. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Rivers are highways that move on, and bear us whither we wish to go.” Blaise Pascal Rivers are highways that move on . . The river of education has and always will move on. Man, even in his most destructive moods, cannot deter this river's eternal flow. He can only hope to navigate its mighty current as it winds forward. It is inevitable and unpredictable. For all those to whom God gave minds it is a necessary and inescapable journey. It is a course which touches on the shores of the bizarre and the simple; the ugly and the beautiful. To some it is a fascinating awakening to the arts and sciences. To others it is a wonderful study of the universe and its mysteries. Yet, for too many, it is a lifelong and difficult education in the hardships of life. . . And bear us whither we wish to go.” We here wish to enjoy the wonders of our journey down this river. To those of you who have taken a part in helping to make this wish a reality — we thank you. Thank you for preserving the ideals, principles and beliefs of our country. Thank you for the responsibilities that we inherit as the new perpetrators of these historically cherished gifts. Please give us your blessings on our determination to answer the demands of these responsibilities. Please wish us success in sharing these gifts that have helped to make our trip down this river more fruitful. So, with these gifts in our possession, we dedicate ourselves to the many for whom the journey has been a life-long and difficult education in the hardships of life. It is our hope that someday all the people of the world will be able to chart their own course on the river that moves on. 16

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Mentors!

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Class History - 1964 Michael Blowen Many sources join to form a river Rains fall, snows melt, waters creep forth in brooks, stretch out on the passive land and, eventually, if countless other conditions prevail, a river gathers force and moves on toward the sea. When we, the class of 1964, entered Enfield High School in September of I960, the course we were to follow already evidenced the shaping influence of innumerable forces. It was not until that fall, however, that we came together as a class to combine our resources and surge forward toward a common goal. In tracing our history we recall the ex- periences we shared which impressed an indelible mark upon the class united. On entering Enfield High School as bewildered and inquisitive freshmen, the year 'T964'' seemed a goal far beyond our reach. As freshmen we were in a new environ- ment, but our willingness to learn became known to the upperclassmen. Unconsciously we added force to our river by building a strong foundation as the future leaders of the student body. We began by molding lasting friendships with new acquaintances. As we became aware of our status at Enfield, the election of class officers leaped upon us. We chose, to lead us through these formative years, Joe Alaimo, president; Bill Bromage, vice-president; Bev Andrik, secre- tary; and Barbara Hill, treasurer. Our student council repre- sentatives were Rich Post and Jan Daly. Leadership was not the only field in which honor was brought to our class. On the field of athletics Tom Tyler, Bill Bromage, Jim Vella, John Mitchell, Ron Goulet, Bob Bania, Bill Schreffler, John Skower, Bob Currie, Ted Plamondon, and Walt Gagne achieved recognition on the gridiron. On the floor of the basketball court, sharpshooter Tom Tyler, Bill Bromage, Mike Malley, Ted Plamondon, Steve Mai ley. Rich Grzelak, and Paul Staszko suppressed the opposition. On the baseball diamond Bill Bromage, Bob Bania, A1 Bryla, Jim Vella, Bob Currie, and Ted Plamondon led the offensive division while Tom Tyler and Rich Grzelak held any challengers dumbfounded with their superb pitching performances. On the stage of the Drama Guild, Bev Andrik and Pat Bazinet w'ere the freshmen performers in the production of A Bell For Adano. Despite the confusion and havoc which our sophomore year brought, the current, established in our freshman year, continued to take direction and gather force. The new four million dollar high school was under construction which eventually resulted in the division of our class. Those of us taking the academic course attended A.D. Higgins School while the others enrolled in the business course continued on at the old high school. In the latter part of February the academic students transferred into the newly completed arts and science wing of our present high school. If the freshman year was a period of formation, then the sophomore year must be described as a year of reformation. During that year our class was separated physically but the spirit instilled in us formed a tighter bond. Because we had been separated, the officers elected the previous year retained their positions. Tom Tyler, Bill Bromage, John Skower, Bob Currie, Scott Russotto, Ted Plamondon, Bob Bania, Walt Gagne, and Ron Goulet continued their hard-nose press against our foes in the suburban league. Bill Bromage, John Porcello, Tom Tyler, Ted Plamondon, and the Malley Boys, Steve and Mike, resumed their quest for the Valley Wheel Junior Varsity Championship. So, too, was it with our famed baseball team. Tom Tyler, Bill Bromage, Rich Grzelak, Bob Bania, Bob Currie, Walt Zywiak, and Ted Plamondon continued to wear down the opposition's ego. Mr. Gross' Drama Guild continued in their traditional production of plays with the outstanding The Andersonville Trial with Scott Russotto, Maria Johnson, Bev Andrik, Bob Waskiel, Pat Zazinct, and Ed Zawistowski. Perhaps the most impressive event of our junior year was the period of campaigning for class offices. Vivid, expressive, and original are the only words to describe the various techniques used by those seeking office. The long, overdue elections brought into office a set of fresh ideas and new faces. Dan Riley was elected president; Chick Alaimo, vice-president; Marcia Della Rocca, secretary; and John Douglas, treasurer. Also elected were Barbara Hill, Ed Kiernan, Charles Rinaldi, Marilyn Mokrycki, John Porcello, and Bill Bromage as our student council representatives. In junior year Dan Riley replaced George Chappell as editor-in-chief of the Student Ticker, and immediate renova- tions took place. Instead of the usual mimeographed copy published in the past, the staff decided to include pictures and have the paper published by a professional printer. Our Junior Prom, La Soire Parisienne, under the leadership of Robert Kozaczka proved to be a resounding success. Bill Bromage and Ginny Lane were chosen host and hostess for this affair. Robert Bania and Matthew Samborski were our delegates to Nutmeg Boys’ State while Marilyn Mokrycki carried the Enfield banner to Girls' State. John Berg and Paul Catania represented the Hi-Y in the annual Connecticut Y. M. C. A. Youth and Government program at the State Capitol. On the athletic field, the river was beginning to stabilize its course. With Tom Tyler as quarterback, the varsity placed second behind Longmeadow and compiled a brilliant 6-1 record. Ted Plamondon, Bill Bromage, Tom Tyler, Mike Malley, Steve Malley, Rich Grzelak and Paul Staszko all moved up to the varsity basketball and we again finished second behind a highly-touted Easthampton five. In baseball we had our troubles, nevertheless we were grooming new talent for our senior year. The school play again proved to be a significant aspect of school activity as John Patricks’ The Hasty Heart was performet! by the Drama Guild. Chick Alaimo, Scott Rus- sotto, Peter DiRosa, Maria Johnson, Carmen Cimino, Mike Halpin, and Bob Waskiel were our thespians. Who will ever forget Bob Waskiels’ command performance in the leading role? At our final assembly, awards were presented for superior efforts in bookkeeping, stenography, typing, and American History. Honors were bestowed upon Karen Brooks, Susan Browne, Barbara Hill, and Paul Stroich respectively. At last, our senior year arrived. We were then able to see the mouth of the river in the distance. Our class, the respected and idolized group in the school, set the standards for our underclassmen. We had sprouted from inferior freshmen to responsible seniors, from immaturity toward maturity, and had grown in depth, insight, and knowledge. In this final year we elected Dan Riley, president; Matthew Alaimo, vice-president; Jean Stevens, treasurer; and Marcia DellaRocca, secretary. To the floor of the student council we sent John Berg, Charles Rinaldi, Mike Halpin, Barbara Roth, Pete DiRosa, and Edw-ard Kiernan. John Berg and Charles Rinaldi were chosen President and Treasurer of the council, respectively. Early in the year, under the guidance of our senior class officers and the student council members, a very successful and profitable Hootenanny was held to help defray gradua- tion expenses. On the field of battle our Raiders stood up and proved, once more, that they were formidable foes. Tom Tyler brought recognition to Enfield as he was chosen the number one quarterback in the suburban league. In charge of generating a feeling of enthusiasm within the student body were our cheerleaders: Bev Andrik, captain; Marsha Bridge, Ginny Lane, and Barbara Arietti. The seniors who participated in the majorettes were Maureen Ryan and Cheryl Martin. Again on stage, the members of the Drama Group turned out a splendid play with The Teahouse of the August Moon. Bob Waskiel was again unforgettable as Fishby. Also included in the cast were Peter DiRosa as Hakini, Chick Alaimo as Oshira. Our river is now at its destination. The waters that united to reach a common goal must again separate but not without having undergone change. Some of us will immediately assume the responsibilities of making our place in the world while others will go on to higher education. But wherever we go or whatever we do, we shall forever hold sacred our memories of Enfield High School which was not merely a building to us but a giant stepping stone in our quest for recognition. We are all aware of what we have received from our attendance here. Let us also hope that by our years of studying, working and playing together, we have left something of value for those who will follow us.