BHS Classes of 1956 and 1957 December 27, 2018

Copyright © 2018                               John F. Oyler 

December 27, 2018

BHS Classes of 1956 and 1957

The Bridgeville Area Historical Society continued its series of “Second Tuesday” workshops this month with a discussion of the classes that graduated in 1956 and 1957. These were large classes with 102 graduates in ’56 and 98 the following year.

Once again there was a change in the football coaching staff as Harry Buzzatto took over for Cyril Lane, after serving as his assistant. Thanks to a well-maintained scrapbook belonging to ’56 alumnus Rick Rickenbach we have a wealth of artifacts from that season, ranging from game-day programs to “Bridgeville News” clippings of many of the games.

After a rocky start Coach Buzzatto’s squad put together a successful season which included wins over Scott Township and Crafton capped with a 22 to 0 rout of South Fayette. At the Touchdown Club Banquet following the campaign end “Buddy” Sims and halfback Al Fletcher were named to an All-Star team from the Chartiers Valley area. Tackle Rickenbach and quarterback Rich Ferris made the second team.

The facilitator showed a disquieting newspaper clipping dated January 12, 1956, that reported the formation of the Chartiers Valley Joint School District which included Bridgeville, Scott Township, Heidelberg, and Collier Township. 

Although this was probably a good move academically, removing the high school from Bridgeville was a serious blow culturally to a community already reeling from the loss of Main Street businesses to shopping centers in neighboring townships. It is interesting to ponder this decision. If indeed it was necessary for Bridgeville to merge with someone else, why not South Fayette or Upper St. Clair. 

On an even more sobering note, the facilitator showed a clipping reporting the death of ’47 alumnus John Schulte in a collision between two U. S. Air Force jets “seven miles in the air over Troy, Ohio”. The Cold War continued to take its toll on our young men.

Another clipping, February 7, 1956, reported the appointment of Ronald and Donald Deep to the Air Force Academy, thanks to Congressman Jim Fulton and Senator Jim Duff. Two months ago we reported that Ron did indeed graduate from the Academy, while Don ended up at Duquesne, and that both had outstanding careers in later life.

Rich Ferris was President of the Class of 1956; Dolores Quaresima, May Queen. We were fortunate to have class member Jerry Pappert participating in the workshop. His comments were a major contributor to its success, especially when he reminisced on playing basketball against Don Hennon. Coached by Ray Donelli, the ’56 hoopsters won their section before losing to Wampum in the playoffs.

Another classmate was Francis “Cisco” Salizzoni. He majored in Business at Penn State, eventually became CEO of USAir and H. R. Block. It is impressive that BHS produced so many business executives in that era.

Thanks to the recruiting efforts of Diane Dolde (Franjione) the 1957 class was represented by five alumni in the workshop. In addition to Diane, they were Ray Browner and his wife Patricia Altmeyer (Browner), Vera Rowlands (Kehm), and Rowene McDonald (Selva). Their comments really brought this class back to life. In addition, Mrs. Kehm showed off an original oil painting of the Bridgeville Public Library when it occupied the building that now serves as the History Center.

Led by Louis Russo, the football team turned in a very respectable performance, winning six and losing three. They were actually in the playoff picture until Chartiers pulled an upset, 24 to 7. A 14 to 0 shutout of South Fayette ended the season on a positive note. The basketball team was not so fortunate in Pat Malarkey’s inaugural season, winning five games while losing fifteen.

The 1957 “Lincoln Log” was dedicated to “one, whose light of influence will guide        us for years to come, Gloria Lutz”. Tributes to her at the occasion of her recent passing suggest that that prophecy did indeed come true.

Class officers included President Ken Bonardi, Vice President Ron Erbrecht, Secretary Judy McKee, and Treasurer Georgianna Chappel. Judy also was selected as May Queen. Marlene Brown was Maid of Honor; Patricia Altmeyer was in the court.

This was the second year of existence for the Chess Club. One of our “Hilltop” neighbors, “Teddy Godwin” was its Secretary; Gilbert Colussy was identified as Tournament Champion.

The ’57 Yearbook included a number of photographs associated with formal dances – girls decorating the gymnasium beforehand, couples dancing cheek to cheek, etc. – that brought back memories of lovely evenings six decades ago. 

The facilitator showed a clipping reporting a Post-Prom party at the Sports Haven, with rhythm and blues star Etta James and disc jockey Jay Michael as guests. It was disappointing that none of the classmates at the workshop had any recollection of that event.

The Historical Society has a copy of the 1957 Commencement Program in its archives. There were eight speakers that year, including Diane Dolde. Her subject was “Schools for Better Citizens”.

Next month, the Second Tuesday Workshop will discuss George Washington’s well documented trip into the Ohio Country in 1770, a trip that almost certainly ended with his returning to Pittsburgh on the Catfish Path, two blocks from the History Center. It is scheduled for January 8, 2019.

In February we will return to our trip through the history of Bridgeville High School, focusing on the Classes of 1958 and 1959. The series will conclude in April with the 1960 Class.