Masuk High School - Exodus Yearbook (Monroe, CT)

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Changes occur from year to year, but there are some elements in an institution which remain consis- tent. Several staff members have helped guide Masuk through numerous changes. They have witnessed Masuk's expansion from a 60 student junior-senior high school to a diverse 1140 student high school. Although hundreds of students have graduated, including entire families (mothers, fathers, and their children), Mr. Hastings, Mr. Sohon, Mrs. Sapei, Mrs. Brown, and Mr. Gustaitis continue to give their time and energy to Masuk students. In this 25th An- niversary Volume, the Exodus staff wishes to recognize these educators for their unique service to the youth of Monroe. These five people, the school historians, have provided Exodus with helpful in- sights and anecdotes concerning the transformations of Masuk High School. The Senior Class of 1962 dedicates this yearbook with deepest respect and sincerity to those who gave unselfishly of their time, effort, and ingenuity to guide our many plans and projects to reality and whose advice and con- ti- nuing encouragement have won them the admiration and appreciation of the entire Senior Class. . . . These words were originally printed as a tribute to Mr. Hastings and Mr. Sohon in Exodus '64. The essence of respect expressed can easily be applied to this staff who served with them. Each con- tributed in their own way to the growth and development of Masuk High School Students. “Every new face brings a smile. Mr. Sohon quips as he reflects on the memories generated by Masuk students. Leaving a job in industry, Mr. Sohon came to Masuk in February of 1960 to teach physics. He en- joyed working with students so much that he stayed one more year and . .. Recalling some stories from the past, Mr. Sohon's blue eyes sparkle as he recounts the St. Patrick's Day when a girl came to school with a bright green stripe through her hair. Many were shocked by such behavior, since the punk rock styles of the 80's were yet to arrive; and an irate principal immediately sent her home. As an active participant in the Masuk Community, Mr. Sohon has been advisor to such clubs as the Mineral and Fossil, the Student Council and remains involved in school politics as a current teacher representative to the Masuk Representative Assembly. A time of recognition and reflection . . . Mr. Hastings, a twenty-six year veteran of the Masuk teaching staff, is currently the Math Department Chairperson. His thorough involvement in school ac- tivities and scholastic excellence earned him the title of Outstanding Young Educator in 1969. Active in many clubs, such as the first school newspaper. The Masuk Mirror, Mr. Hastings' first love is the AFS, American Field Service, which he has advis- ed since its inception in 1960. “What you think about, comes about and so Mr. Hastings found himself accepting an international teaching fellowship in Australia where he and his fami- ly lived from 1971 to 1973. Commenting on some noticeable changes in Masuk's student handbook, Mr. Hastings recalls the days when students were required to walk on the right side of the hall. A student desiring to cross that hall had to go to the end of the hallway in order to switch sides. Although the school code has changed, Mr. Hastings' interaction with his students has remained constant and is for him the most re- warding aspect of his work. 2 Anniversary

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Exodus 1985 Masuk High School Monroe, Connecticut Volume XXV

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Mrs. Sapei, who came to Masuk in 1960, remembers when the library consisted of only two classrooms and a couple of stacks of books which had been donated by the townspeople. Recalling the early days, Mrs. Sapei speaks of the library club she once advised. Profiting from an extreme- ly successful book sale, the club purchased the trophy case which is still on display in the front lobby. Mrs. Sapei actively participated in providing input for the design of the library's pit and open table area. The modest accommodations of those early years are a sharp contrast to the spacious, well-equipped media center Masuk students enjoy today. Mrs. Brown began teaching at Masuk in the business department in 1959, serving as department chairperson from 1962 to 1965. Although her tenure at Masuk was interrupted in the late 60's to teach in other states and to work for the U S. Civil Service over seas, she considers herself a veteran of Masuk. From 1959 to 1964, Mrs. Brown took on the responsibility of book- keeper for student activities, which were mostly well-attenaed dances. Her office was the current vault here at Masuk! Mrs. Brown recalls with pride, advising the Masuk Mirror with Mr. Hastings. In those days the students on the staff had to diligently type and duplicate the whole paper after school. This would present a pro- blem today with so many students working after school. The paper is now printed by the graphic art's teacher and students. Mrs. Brown remains active today in Masuk activities. She has been a member of the MRA since 1976. Recognition Mr. Ronald Custaitis has had the unique oppor- tunity of viewing Masuk High School as a student, a teacher, and an administrator. Reflecting on his memories, Mr. Custaitis recalls that school rules and regulations were much stricter in the early sixties, and that being a teenager was the most unsettling of times. A member of the Class of '63, Mr. Gustaitis par- ticipated in many clubs and activities, receiving awards in both basketball and baseball. He was also an active member of the band, throughout his years at Masuk, serving as band president in both his junior and senior years. Music continues to be an im- portant part of his life. Returning to Masuk as a math teacher in 1969, Mr. Gustaitis remembers those times as turbulent. The relevancy of everything was questioned, including curriculum. Thus, teaching proved to be his greatest challenge. The most rewarding of his three roles at Masuk has been ad- ministrating. As a facilitator, Mr. Gustaitis feels that he can be most helpful in making the necessary changes that time demands. As an effective administrator, his desire is to help guide Masuk to a position of excellence in the years to come. t 1970 3