Northwest Catholic High School - Noweca Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

Page 38 text:

In Memoriam MR. ROBERT C. JOHNSON January 9, 1939 — November 22, 1980 When we came to school that Monday morning, November 24, time stood still. We had all been notified of the sudden and tragic death of Mr. Robert C. Johnson, our Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, the previous Saturday. He was only forty-one years old a gentle and compassionate man, whose calm always made us feel stronger than we really were. Mr. Johnson was the epitome of Northwest Catholic High School. He would have been tremendously proud of the support we showed for one another and for his family. Teachers, administrators, and students were not ashamed to cry or to express their extreme sorrow together Many of us went to Chapel to pray, to prayer services in the auditorium, to the wake, and to the funeral. The tragedy of Mr Johnson ' s death telescoped our community in a way that can not be denied. It brought into focus very clearly something that Mr. Johnson knew and lived so well: That life is very short, very fragile; that we are not in control of all that happens; and most importantly, that the quality of how we live is so much more significant than how long we live. As Assistant Principal, Mr. Johnson brought calm to many a troubled situation. He was a quiet man. a gentle man, a Christian man He knew how to listen without over-reacting, without getting angry. He listened with compassion and understanding. Each individual was appre- ciated for his or her own uniqueness. He knew when to listen and when to speak, when to wait and when to act. Our lives have been enriched for having known Mr. Bob Johnson. One of his favorite expressions was by Von Goeth If you treat an indi- vidual as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to become and could become, he will become what he ought to be. Because Mr. Johnson has touched our lives, we will become a little more gentle, a little more compassionate, and a little more loving. 34

Page 37 text:

The individuals at Northwest Catholic are as unique as the institution itself. As with a community atmosphere, people participate actively in various aspects of school life. The diverse backgrounds blend together to form a caring environment in which we work and play. Our school is not defined by the stereotypic images frequently associated with a Catholic high school. We incorporate many backgrounds, ethnic mixes, socio-economic groups, and geographic areas. We are better for it. The poeple of Northwest reflect a truer picture of the real world. Together we grow academically, intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually. People

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SR. MARY FAITH GLEELAN, Assistant Principal and Dean of Studies. During our stay at N.W.C., we all have come to know the administration in various ways. Whenever aca- demic concerns arise, we find our way to Sr. Mary Faith. It is Sr. Mary Faith who listens to our complaints and patiently guides us in our educational goals. Without her guidance, students would have dropped courses and made decisions which they would have later regretted. SR. DORIS REGAN, Principal. The principal of Northwest for the past four years, Sr. Doris originally was a Latin teacher here. Now, she is the dominent figure in our com- munity. As principal, she is able to channel the diverse make-up of our school toward the goal of a Christian com- munity. With her guidance, our coming together becomes a reality. MR CHARLES LARSON, Dean of Students. Appointed temporary Dean of Students after the tragic and sudden death of Mr. Johnson, Mr. Larson has assumed the duties with the same skill and care that he brings to his many suc- cessful basketball teams. Enforcing discipline brings Mr. Larson close to students, assisting them with care to work out problems because of his background in the guidance field. Administration 35