YEARBOOK UPDATE FROM OCTOBER 2003


You may recall when the 35 year reunion was being planned, you were requested to fill out a yearbook update form.  We had intended to share that with everyone sooner, but things happened and it just never materialized. 

Well, I recently had some free time and managed to put together this web page.  Responses were received from 35 classmates.  Names and current locations (as of 2003) are included.  If you would like detailed address info, send me an e-mail at frank@frankpiotrowski.net and I will provide it to you.

I'm sure you will enjoy reading the updates.  There may be a few surprises.

Sorry for the delay.  Frank - June 2005
 


Margaret "Peggy" Balunas Kuzniasz
Glassboro, NJ

Accomplishments:
Having a successful marriage, two great sons, and an adorable grandson. Loved living in England and traveling, compliments of the USAF.

Memories:
Best - nights at Green Valley Farms, Homecoming games, Senior Prom and good friends.

Future:
Retire and enjoy life.
 


Christine Battaglia McLaughlin
Southhampton, NJ

Accomplishments:
Having my two children. Adopting David then finding out I was pregnant with Annmarie 1 week later.

Memories:
Best, being co-captain of the Color Guard, and the football games.

Future:
Raising my children to appreciate the value of life.
 


Garrett Bembenek
Elysburg, PA

Accomplishments:
27 years with my fine bride, 25 years enveloping and developing descendants, 25 years with a bodacious boss, 25 years same home hideout, and 14 years seashore shack.

Memories:
Father Camponovo, senior Pocono trip, gym dances.

Future:
Enjoying and appreciating the above.
 


Charles Blank
Runnemede, NJ

Accomplishments:
God blessed me with five great children; three of my own and two step-children.

Memories:
Worst - Yak using my car senior year Thanksgiving Day football game; he totaled it and I caught hell. Funniest - The total experience of sophomore year in room 105.

Future:
Live on the Jersey shore, fish, golf, and enjoy my golden years.
 


Helen Boyce
Runnemede, NJ

Accomplishments:
Travel

Memories:
Sister Benita falling asleep in Spanish class in the afternoon.

Future:
Trying to finish my associates degree and more travel. An uneventful retirement and grandchildren.
 


Mary Ann Bruno DeMarco
Pine Hill, NJ

Accomplishments:
What makes me the happiest is my wonderful family and dear friends. Seeing my children grow into fine adults who make my husband and me proud. The friendships that started in high school and are still strong today.

Memories:
Freshman year in Sister Michaelita's room - the light over her desk went out and Frank came into the room with the ladder and new bulb. Frank climbed up and dropped the light bulb. The bulb exploded and Frank said the "F" word - everyone laughed. Frank finished the job. Sister Michaelita then explained that Frank's remark was to be forgotten - like it never happened. John Giacobbe dressed as Napoleon. Mrs. Coyle getting fed up with the boys spying on the girls in the locker room and opening the door adjoining the rooms. That's when I saw John Giacobbe naked. I was scared for life! French II with Miss Szumska, for those who were there, will you ever forget the jock strap and Victor Hugo?

Future:
Travel with my husband and friends. See England again with Dianne DeMusis Sweeney and go to Italy. Make money to be comfortable by retirement. Spoil my grandchildren.
 


Paul Christy
New Hope, PA

Accomplishments:
Graduating Magnum Cum Laude from Cabrini College with a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management.

Memories:
Funniest - Monk blowing on Mr. Lux's head. Best and fondest memories are of playing football, and being in Mr. Savage's room with all boys.
 


Bill Cipollone
Williamstown, NJ

Accomplishments:
Retirement

Memories:
Getting caught by Mr. Lux while smoking in the Girls' Locker Room freshman year.

Future:
Travel. Enjoy and his spoil grandchildren.
 


Frank Frankowski
Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Accomplishments:
Successful happy marriage. A great son.

Memories:
Best - graduation; worst - panie meatball; funniest - Al Fatale
 


John Giacobbe
Williamstown, NJ

Accomplishments:
I have been blessed to be married for 32 years and have two wonderful children that live close by, but not at home. I have been fortunate to have started and run a successful corporation, and I am enjoying being retired.

Memories:
My funniest memory was standing out front of the school with only my trench coat on during a bomb scare and Ed Ott trying to pull it up on Mt. Ephraim Street.

Future:
Take one day at a time.
 


Anna Giangrande Warrington
Millville, NJ

Accomplishments:
Graduating with a BS in Business/Accounting from Stockton State in 1983. Graduating from Startech in 1999 with a 99 average.

Memories:
The first day of freshman year when I first saw Miss Szumska. Robert Gambino and I could not control our laughing.

Future:
Buying a home in South Central Virginia and retiring there.
 


Sarah "Sally" Huntley - updated June 2005
Pennsauken, NJ

Accomplishments:
Making it safely to a mature age. Being with my partner, Diane, for the past 24 (now 26) years and finally being able to legally register as Domestic Partners in the State of New Jersey. Helping 3 wonderful nieces grow into responsible adults and 2 "adopted" nieces and an "adopted" nephew also become responsible adults. Having had a successful and fruitful career as a respiratory therapist and cardiopulmonary technologist in both the clinical and research settings. 

Memories:
BEST: Band with Mr. Hatfield, basketball with Mrs. Coyle and my teammates, being the Bison with Susan, freshman English with Miss Szumka and Bill Cippolone and his dead dog excuse, German III with Mr. Lux and hiding in the closet (thank goodness that ended) with Susan, Trig with Sr. Amadea and the car honker each day. 
WORST: Religion IV class with Fr. Leonard

Future:
Enjoying each day as it comes and traveling, especially abroad. Waiting for Diane to retire and enjoying more time to travel and enjoy our nieces, nephew and grandnephews and grandnieces.
 


John Iatarola
Zionsville, PA

Accomplishments:
Many happy moments over the years, but marrying Becky has made my life complete.

Memories:
Funniest - Miss Szumska class 9th grade and Mr. Lux's Mechanical Drawing class 10th grade.

Future:
To retire soon and travel - travel. Enjoying my grandchildren.
 


Charles Kojeski
Voorhees, NJ

Accomplishments:
34 years of marriage, having a beautiful daughter, son-in-law and three outstanding grandchildren.

Memories:
Having to clean the gym floor after school for a week or so for getting caught by the nuns kissing Joanne outside of school.

Future:
Playing with my grandchildren.
 


Steve Kondracki
Norfolk, VA

Accomplishments:
Travel. I've been able to visit 47 states and over 40 foreign countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia. I've bicycled more than 10,000 miles in Europe and am planning next year's trip to Italy.

Memories:
Lunch

Future:
To continue working an easy schedule, keep traveling, and start looking for a wife. I'd like to live in Europe for at least a year or two.
 


Christine Krowicki LaLena
Blue Anchor, NJ

Accomplishments:
Besides having my family - obtaining my paralegal degree.

Memories:
Best - Being in the high school play, concerts, and fashion show. Worst - Detention for something stupid. I forgot the Sister's name, but we had to put our names on our desks in homeroom and didn't have tape. So we all got detention.
 


Ed Kuzniasz
Glassboro, NJ

Accomplishments:
Watching my two sons grow up into great men. Loving my grandson - he's the world.

Memories:
All the friends and finding my soul mate.

Future:
Stay healthy and enjoy retirement.
 


Brian McGee
Bedford, TX

Acomplishments:
My family has made me happiest.

Memories:
Best - all the great people; worst - the day the school closed; funniest - too many to list.

Future:
Work and travel.
 


Jim McHugh
Maplewood, NJ

Accomplishments:
Getting married and watching my daughters grow.

Memories:
Teachers from the truly abysmal to the occasionally inspiring; 350 lb. gym teacher; Namu; Sister Celsia (for whose art project I shamefully did a plaster of paris mold of the Blessed Virgin); "Springtime" (my first and final theatrical experience); forensics; graduation.

Future:
Try to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.
 


Tom McHugh
Lindenwold, NJ

Accomplishments:
Having a nice family, maintaining my health, and staying happy.

Memories:
Best - I have too many good memories to mention in such a short space.
 


Mary McNamara
Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Accomplishments:
Over the years, my happiest moments have been spent enjoying life with family and friends. Love to travel, have a rewarding career and try to allow time to enjoy life.

Future:
Live life to the fullest.
 


Joe Miloszewski
Pine Hill, NJ

Accomplishments:
My marriage to my wife Beverly and watching my sons grow up to be the great people that they are.

Memories:
Homecoming 1967

Future:
To enjoy life with my family and friends.
 


Anthony Mitchell
Voorhees, NJ

Accomplishments:
Teaching and coaching baseball (Varsity Coach) 1988-2003

Memories:
Best - returning to St. Joe's to teach (1970-1979), worst - closing of St. Joe's

Future:
Help build the athletic program at Paul VI.
 


Larry Nelson
Berlin, NJ

Accomplishments:
Marrying and becoming a father (not a priest) is number one in my book. Becoming a good father is a never ending challenge. Graduation from Glassboro State College with my B.A. in Biology is a close second given my rather dubious academic accomplishments at SJHS.

Memories:
One of the funniest was when Robert Balassaitis gave the boys a display of his martial arts expertise by attempting to break a broomstick in half with a karate chop - the stick never broke. The next day Bob came to school with a cast on his arm. Another was when the entire Art class hid in the closet and marched out to greet Sr. Celsia. We thought she'd appreciate the humor until she turned us in to Mr. Plocharski. When I ducked into Mr. Lux's class because Mr. Plocharski was coming down the hall and it was in between classes. I knew I would get a detention. Mr. Lux just kept teaching his German class. After 5 minutes I left his room without him saying so much as one word. Dieses ist gut Mr. Lux ( I really loved that guy, he saved my tail).

Future:
Retire in good health, fish and crab on my Boston Whaler. Enjoy all my hobbies which include Civil War Re-enacting, Astronomy, Photography, Woodworking. I really don't have time for work and should retire.
 


Nancy Nitka Andres
Pitman, NJ

Accomplishments:
Raised three kids and got a house at the shore.
 


Ed Ott
Mt. Holly, NJ

Accomplishments:
Raising my son and seeing him graduate from West Virginia University. Being happily married for 31 years.

Memories:
Homecoming 1967

Future:
Retirement and to enjoy spending time with Nancy, family and friends.
 


Frank Piotrowski
Lisle, IL

Accomplishments:
Finally getting old enough and wise enough not to care what anybody thinks any more while steadfastly refusing to ever grow up.

Memories:
Lots of 'em - Sophomore and Junior years were the best. Freshman year was largely spent trying to figure out the rules of the game, and Senior year was concerned with figuring out what was going to happen after leaving St. Joe's. With tongue in cheek and a wink of the eye - scouting out the gorgeous babes at the pep rallies, football games, basketball games, dances, hallways (one of the special advantages of being a Minute Man - remember them?). Worst - That at times we were so immature and treated each other pretty crappy. Funniest - too many to mention. At the top of the list were all the episodes where somebody goofed on a teacher - the best ones were Al Fatale and Sr. Amadea, Dennis Morrison and Herr Lux, and Jimmy Connolly and Miss Szumska.

Future:
Nothing specific - go with the flow - whatever happens will happen - enjoy life - buy more toys for myself.
 


Tom Saia
Turnersville, NJ

Accomplishments:
Getting two kids through college without going bankrupt, and having a successful marriage.

Memories:
Begging my father for a week to let me use his new company car to take to the Homecoming football game. Then getting into an accident on the way to the field while picking up some friends. My funniest, I can't put into print.

Future:
Retiring to a new home and building furniture as a hobby.
 


Gail Senatore Dolente
Sewell, NJ

Accomplishments:
My husband and children. My work makes me very happy.

Memories:
Worst - being there!

Future:
Work four more years then join my husband in retirement.
 


Linda Skand
Belleplain, NJ

Accomplishments:
Staying out of trouble.

Memories:
Namu rolling down the aisles.

Future:
Retire and be a real estate tycoon.
 


Lorraine Staniul Tanski
Blackwood, NJ

Accomplishments:
Being happily married to my wonderful husband Tom for 30 years (wedding anniversary is November 3). Being the proud mother of a beautiful and accomplished daughter, Melissa, who followed in her father's footsteps and is a 2nd grade teacher.

Future:
A cruise to Bermuda in October for our 30th wedding anniversary. But most important "Retirement in 2004" after 26 years with the Borough of Barrington.
 


Joe Swierzynski
Atco, NJ

Accomplishments:
Having been self-employed and maintaining a better than average lifestyle since 1978. Driving an NHRA Pro Stock Car for 5 years. Appeared on ESPN a couple of times, even made the top 10 one year. The excitement of going fast - - What a rush!

Memories:
March 1967, the day I plan to get my driving permit. Sr. Annuncia decided to hold everyone back at the end of the day because she was in a bad mood (or hungry). She finally cuts us loose. I leave 211 and head out  the Decatur Street door. Instead of pushing the door handle, I push the glass. The breaking glass sounded like an explosion, and my wrist looked like I was an axe murderer. I took off and went to the DMV and got my license. Later I called the office to tell them what I did. Nothing ever happened.

Future:
Hit the lottery and go back to racing Pro Cars. The competition out-dollared me so I had to bail out. I know I can outspend them.
 


Carol Szczech Thomas
Conway, AR

Accomplishments:
My family

Future:
Retire someday and have fun with my granddaughters.
 


Barbara Walat Christy
New Hope, PA

Accomplishments:
Staying married to Paul, my two sons and my six grandchildren. Becoming a registered nurse was also a great accomplishment.

Memories:
Cheering for the Bisons, "the mighty, mighty Bisons", the sock hops, the homecoming dances and being only one of three girls in history class with Mr. Capozzi, senior year. I have fond memories of my four years at SJHS.

Future:
Enjoy retirement and travel.
 


Mary Lou Walter Harrison
Jamestown, RI

Accomplishments:
Being named Scituate (RI) Teacher of the Year. Receiving Distinguished Education Award from Milken Family Foundation; Finding our home on the Narragansett Bay in Jamestown RI.

Memories:
Demerits for my hair touching my collar of my blazer. Laughing at Steve Kondracki's jokes in class! Ski trip our Senior year. A group of girls washing Al Fatale's hair - Fun! Trip to Europe my Senior year with the school. Color Guard - carrying the school flag. French classes with Fr. Leonard as he prepared us for a presentation on stage.

Future:
Enjoy each and every day of teaching until I retire (9 years). Develop my skills as a watercolorist painter.
 


Maria Wilk
Deptford, NJ

Accomplishments:
Maintaining long term friendships, especially with Anna Fronczek Durant and Mary McNamara, and traveling quite a bit.

Future:
I hope to retire at 62 and do more traveling.