Graduation Day was one of our most memorable days during our four years at Andrew Warde High School. You're invited to share your photos with us in this album. (This page is under construction)
These 45 photos, taken in May, 2006, show our high school as it is today. The school is now called Fairfield Warde High School. The Fairfield High School Mustangs nickname was kept after FHS split into Warde and Ludlowe two years ago. Andrew Warde High School became Fairfield High School in 1986 when the Board of Education voted to consolidate both Warde and Ludlowe. We were the 20th graduating class at AWHS, and this year marks 50 years since its opening. (Photos and captions by Paul Piorek)
Andrew Warde High School athletes had a banner year in 1976. Nobody will ever forget the dramatic come-from-behind 4-2 baseball victory at Roger Ludlowe on May 12, 1976, or beating Ludlowe twice on the gridiron in the same season. This album features highlights of Crimson Eagles' teams from the 20th graduating class at AWHS. (Scans and captions by Paul Piorek)
Who will ever forget our teachers at Andrew Warde High School? They were a memorable group of educators. They were serious, comical, dedicated, bizarre, friendly, experienced, rookies, and just plain unforgettable. (Scans and captions by Paul Piorek)
Whether it was drama club, the Flame yearbook, band, or cheerleading, Andrew Warde High School offered something for everyone 30 years ago. (Scans and captions by Paul Piorek)
Whether it was drama club, the Flame yearbook, cheerleading, or a host of other activities, Andrew Warde High School offered something for everyone 30 years ago. (Scans and captions by Paul Piorek; this page is under construction)
The Andrew Warde High School "Class of 1976" reunion committee, chaired by Tony Procaccini, has been hard at work over the last several months. They met in April and again in June at Three Corners Restaurant in Fairfield to prepare for the August 19 celebration.
Many non-committee classmates have helped significantly, and the committee thanks them for their tremendous efforts.
Photo (Front L-R) : Tony Procaccini, Leslie Allen, Debbie Russo, Donna Palenchar, Lauren Karpinski, Kathy Diel, Paul Piorek. (Back L-R): Mark Vida, Jerry Vigorito. Missing from photo: Debbie Kamlani, Andra Locke, Sue Manthorne and Joanne Amelung.
"Good afternoon, Andrew Warde, this is Tony Pro for the PAC with the afternoon announcements..."
Yes, this is what you heard every day during our senior year before the 2:05 bell rang. (And it got Tony out of last period early.)
Tony Procaccini, chairman of the 30-year reunion committee, has kept in touch w/many classmates over the years. While at Warde, he was active in sports (Varsity baseball and cross country), music (Band) and many activities (PAC, yearbook, newspaper, etc.). With help from a large and enthusiastic reunion committee, it looks like we'll have a great event!
He also thanks the many non-committee people (too many to list here) who have helped from near and far. Their help has been crucial.
Left: (June 6, 2006) Tony Procaccini promoting our reunion on cable News Channel 12 (CT), with "Education Notebook" host and news anchorman Eric Greene. (Photo courtesy of Channel 12)
Tom Knuth, M.D., retired Army Colonel and trauma surgeon, currently lives with his family outside Chicago. After Warde he played basketball at Bucknell University. His 25-year military career involved forwarding surgical teams on every continent, at times in places that can't be disclosed. He was also Director of the Army Trauma Training Program. In 1993, he created the Southeast Regional Trauma Network, where he trained 600 Army and Reservist professionals. After having moved 13 times, he and his family settled in Mahomet, Illinois, while he serves as the Carle Clinic trauma surgeon.
Though he has been away from CT most of his adult life, he was in the area often up until about a year ago, teaching trauma courses of short duration in New York City. Classmate Tony Procaccini caught up with him during one of those visits.
Bob Henry, All-FCIAC star of Warde Varsity baseball and multiple batting record holder, currently lives in Gillette, Wyoming with his son B.J. Bob's immediate family still liives in CT, including brother Pat Henry, a lawyer living in Fairfield.
Another star athlete from the Henry family is Bob's cousin J.J. Henry (Fairfield Warde High School), a Fairfield native and a professional golfer. Most recently, he won the 2006 Greater Hartford Open and is a PGA Tour Player. The GHO victory catapulted him to a #6 ranking for the Ryder Cup Team (the top 12 golfers in the country). J.J. is in the Fairfield High School Hall of Fame.
"Half-a-Deck" has remained in touch with close friends, including Joe O'Brien, Joe Murtha, Tony Procaccini, BradBartmess and Joe Milici. Since a few years ago, he has made CT a twice-yearly destination, to visit family and gather with friends, usually at Three Corners Restaurant in Fairfield. The pizza, beer and good stories abound at these "mini-reunions."
Many of us in Fairfield remember Bob's father Robert Henry, Sr., who passed away in 1984. Mr. Henry, called "Mr. Fairfield" by some of Bob's friends, was a former Town Clerk, was active in his parish (Assumption) and in many civic activities and followed his sons to many of their baseball games. At certain points, he actually rooted "Go, Henry!" as son Bob batted (or pitched) against son John Henry (Warde 1973). Seems like he was rooting for both, not to be partial to either kid!
Bob is deservedly proud of his family, and continues to be a great friend to many of us in the Warde Class of 1976. He says he'll be there on August 19, 2006.
Floyd Scholzis recognized as one of the world's preeminent woodcarvers and painters. He has been carving for 38 years, and the last 25 have brought tremendous success as an artist, author, teacher and musician. He has authored 5 books on his art form, and his portrayals of eagles, hawks and owls have garnered him an international reputation and following.
He holds seminars at the VermontRaptorAcademy and his sculptures win top awards, commanding prices up to $300,000 from professional collectors. His carvings have been featured in Smithsonian, Forbes, Yankee, Guitar Player and many other publications.
Floyd also excelled in sports. While at Central Connecticut State College, he won the New England Division I decathlon champioship three consecutive years. In 1979 he won a Gold Medal at the NCAA championships while setting a new national record. A three-time All-American, he still holds 5 track records at CCSC and the New England Division II decathlon record.
Floyd and his wife Beatriz divide their time between homes in Vermont, Florida and Venezuela.
After completing studies in Architecture at the University of Miami (FL), John moved to and settled in Fairfax, Virginia. He has been a Principal and Director of Design for HOK, the world's largest architectural firm. John recently started a practice in Virginia which specializes in environmentally sustainable architecture. He is an avid backpacker, mountaineer, rock climber and kayaker with documented "first ascents" to his credit. Baseball and softball remain two of his passions, too. (Seems logical; he played baseball all four years at Warde.)
His greatests achievements? Two daughters, Kyle, 22 and Shae, 19. John is counting the days until he can live "off the grid".
Popular classmate Mike Jann (far right in photo) is alive and well in Los Angeles. If you watch "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, you hear his comedy. He is one of Jay's writers, and always was a funny guy!
Stephan Lang, an accomplished musician and one-time barefoot kicker for the Warde football team, currently lives in Toronto, Canada, after a long period in Moscow, Russia. After graduation he vainly pursued stardom as a glam rocker and recording engineer in LA (see photo album) before settling down to a career as a top-level Russian interpreter. Steve's worked with the likes of Henry Kissinger, both Bushes, Vladimir Putin, and Margaret Thatcher, to name a few, and always seems to be on the road these days. Whenever he's in New York, he tries to catch up with Tony Procaccini, his fellow string bass player in the Warde Band.
I still live in Fairfield, and I'm raising my 12-year-old son, Billy, on my own in the same home in which I grew up many years ago.
It seems as though I've had a microphone in my hand ever since I graduated from high school. I am the morning meteorologist at News 12 Connecticut in Norwalk and rise every weekday morning at 2 o'clock. I also provide the "live" morning weather forecasts for WNLK in Norwalk and WSTC in Stamford. And, I'm the "voice" of Metro Traffic and Weather, always reminding you to "Know Before You Go."
Dear Friends, I have been blessed during the 30 years since our graduation. My career as a Radiation Therapist gives me great satisfaction. I have two daughters, two stepsons, and have found true love in my second marriage, with Larry. Performing in musicals and singing in my church choir are two of my greatest passions.
