Union High School - U Yearbook (Burgettstown, PA)

Page 31 text:

BEST DRESSER Carol Gavazzi Walter Allison Mary Ann Martin Robert Kuzior MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED Harriet Holt Blaine Sayre BIGGEST BLUFFER Barbara Majernik Pete Blue MOST BASHFUL Sylvia O'Palka Steve Roman MOST ATHLETIC Janet St rope Frank Lawrence 27

Page 30 text:

MOST TALKATIVE I MOST VERSATILE Wko’s Wko 3n 1961 Mary Lou Nemeth Stanley Diamond Charles Bernola Martha Robert WITTIEST Irene Johnson Ped Phillips BEST DANCERS Lana Garcia Floryan Sendor? MOST POPULAR Rose Mary Marra John Cunningham MOST MUSICAL Sandy Sprando John Tasz 26

Page 32 text:

C taSA J4isl o As a group of bewildered thirteen-year-olds opened the doors of Union High School on September 3, 1956, the class of 1961 began to take form. Approximately 140 pupils, ranging in size from elfs to normal humans elected Lynn Hill as their President; Jack Kimberland as Vice-President; and John Tasz as their Secretary-Treasurer. With October came the first social gathering in the form of a Halloween party. Prizes as the prettiest, ugliest, most unusual and the most original were presented with Lana Garcia as an Indian princess, Ralph Vigilotti as a ho-bo, and Holly Scott with Charles Webster together as a hound dog, the respective winners. As the school year passed on eager eighth-grade girls initiated the Gamma Tri-Hi-Y. September of 1957 brought an increased enrollment to the freshman class, which seemed to give added vitality. Advised by Mr. Welch, the class chose Lynn Hill, President; John Tasz, Vice-President; and Pete Blue, Secretary-Treasurer. The class social event again came on Halloween as a Hay Ride. A number of students achieved class recognition in the dance ensemble which was composed entirely of freshmen and as U.H.S. representatives to District and County Band. Fall of 1958 found an eager sophomore class at Union. Class representation on the football team and in the band was good. The class Secretary-Treasurer was Karen Kosem, the Vice-President was Lynn Hill, the President was John Tasz. Class participation in school activities increased with seven girls; Gloria Boni, Lana Garcia, Harriet Holt, Karen Kosem, Ruth Martin, Gari Napolitano, and Roxanne Tucci contributing as majorettes and the sophomore cheering squad composed of Alice Alverez, Rosemary Marra, Susan Michalski, Mary Lou Nemeth, Becky Petrucci, and Sandy Sprando saw its first action. Spring was greeted by ’’April in Paris” as the theme of the class party. At this affair the first class king, queen and court were chosen. John Tasz and Pamela Plate reigned as king and queen. Their attendants were John Cunningham, Karen Kosem, Jack Kimberland, Molly Malone, Rosemary Marra, and Ronald Noah. The Junior class and 1959 saw the class blossoming under the Presidency of Janet Lukon, Vice- Presidency of John Cunningham, and the Secretariatship of George Bundy. As the junior class participants in sports increased. Lynn Hill was elected class representative to the Athletic council. Carol Malone and Carol Gavazzi were chosen as majorettes. In the first class business venture, a magazine campaign, the largest total of magazine sales in the history of Union was accomplished and in honor of this great achievement a celebration was held in the gym which featured a girl-boy dodge ball game. Class rings were eagerly ordered in December and then the ’’long wait” for their spring arrival. ’’Mars Moods” set the theme for the class party. The king and queen of the milky way were John Tasz and Karen Kosem attended by John Cunningham, Denise Vermuelen, Jack Kimberland, Pamela Plate, Ralph Scott, Patty McKee, Bob Kuzior, Lana Garcia, Tom Vincenti, and Becky Petrucci. After one of the most impressive class tryouts in recent years, Mr. Brozier started to put a class play together. Publicity Mad” was the title and we remember a few of the cast who went publicity mad in the process. The cast party was held after the third and final performance. At the party, Mr. Brozier was the recipient of a gigantic box which contained a toy lawnmower. The celebration was ended on a cool note many of the attenders will testify, with everybody freezing in Ped Phillips truck trying to find a couple of parkers. Our most crowning achievement came in May when we began decoration of our prom. By much work the gym was turned into a southern plantation which was decended into through a rose-covered trellis. Branches draped with Spanish moss hung above as we danced around a water fountain that shot tiny jets of water up and down into a reflecting pond inhabited by gold fish. We triumphantly named the entire setting, Return to Terra. The leaves were beginning to change their shades when we returned to school as seniors. John Cunningham, Blaine Sayre, and Alice Alvarez were chosen to occupy official class roles. Football season brought with it the week-end dances and the final home game at which we witnessed Frank Lawrence and Roxanne Tucci crowned Football King and Queen of 1960. The McElhany Football Award went to John Cunningham. Then came the Presidential Election of 1960 and the giant campaign and rally sponsored by the seniors. Next was testing time as we worked through college boards, employment and IQ tests. Finally spring came and heralded our final few days at high school. So, in a long tradition, we the class of 1961, will soon receive our diplomas and march into life’s service, but as we look back we won't forget our friends, nor our happy days shared here at Union. 28