11/29/23

Stephanie Kishman lost her son to cancer.  She was with him for many of the toughest weeks.  Stephanie, our heats go out to you.

Steven Johnson, 47 of Longmont, CO died on November 18 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a two-year battle with stage 4 metastatic melanoma.  He graduated from Indiana University in 1998 with a degree in journalism. He was photo editor of the Indiana Daily Student and had published photos in various national sports magazines.  Steven was the owner Darkhorse Triathlon, as coach of triathletes from all over the United States. Steven had been a world class competitor for over 12 years and placed third in his age group at the Ironman World Championship in 2011 and fifth in 2012. In college, he was an Olympic ranked rower. His physical conditioning and mental discipline enabled him to survive the rigors of his treatments. Steven is survived by his sons, Beckett 12 and Jackson 8, of Longmont, and his parents Stephanie and Jaret, his sister Sara Mannone (Greg) and nephew Nicholas, all of Durham, North Carolina.

Scholarship Program

The Class of 1964 has awarded a $1,500 scholarship to a male and a female graduate of Solvay High School each year since 2001. In 2017, the scholarship amount was raised to $2,000 to each recipient.     

Each April or so, a flurry of emailing begins with a request from Dan Scaia asking us to open our wallets.  With the initial request each year, the class chatter picks up as we take time from our busy lives to remember each other, the past, our school, and what it was like some 40ish (to be kind) years ago- until our goal is met (I believe we have met our goal each year.) and the recipients are announced.

Once we have gathered the scholarship receipts, the responsibility of presenting the scholarships, at the high school awards presentation falls, traditionally, to Joe Todisco and Pete Alberti, whose eloquence does the Class proud.

As of 2011, the Solvay High School Class of 1964 has contributed $21,000 in scholarships

+++++++++++++++++++

Recipients of Solvay High School Class of 1964 Scholarships:

2023

Mackenzie McCarthy

Jack Haskell 

(Grandson of Gerry Haskell)

2022:

Abbe Sensenich

Matt Hayden 

2021

2020

Rhiannon Ackerman

Nick Lopez

Video Tribute to All 2020 SHS Recipients 

https://youtu.be/ZGxR2w9e7FI

2019

Marcia Hunt

Zachary Sensenich

2018

Mary Catherine Lopez

Ed Nanno

2017

Jonah Cavallo

Halley McNamara

For a video tribute see https://youtu.be/ZGxR2w9e7FI

+++

2016

Chelsea Cook

Michael Perno

2015

Nicole Antonacci 

Dunham Hall 

2014

Cassandra Knight

Kevin Shaw

2013

Elana Chapman

Michelle Ziegler

Jacob Callisto

2012

(awarded to twins)

Anna Salvagno 

 John Salvagno

2011

    Daniel Chilton

    Gabriella Santoferrara

2010

    Daniel Fougnier

    Rachel Prell

2009

    Sarah Cifaratta

    Richard Salvagno

2008

    Patrick Graner

    Manar Sueleiman

2007

2006

2005

2004

    Ashley McGrath

    Ryan Conners

2003

    Kathy Carmichael

    Brian Lesie

2002

2001

    Todd Acchione

    Megan Black

Class of 64 Scholarships Awarded for 2014

It was an exciting night last evening at the Awards Presentation at Solvay High School.  Once again the alumni and community supported this affair by presenting over $136,000 in awards and scholarships to this year's graduating seniors. 

Joe and Pete represented the Class of '64 with class and dignity.

This year's recipients of the Class of ’64 Scholarships were:

Cassandra Knight 

(who will attend Scaia's alma mater, Oswego State)

 and

Kevin Shaw 

(who will be attending Hunter College)

Pete Alberti, at the conclusion of his presentation to Cassandra Knight, while on stage, took the first "Selfie" ever recorded during a Solvay High School Awards Night.  (Note: The only issue was, Pete did not know how to take a "selfie" so he faked it. But it looked good from the audience.)

After the venue, we conducted a short 50th Reunion meeting at Bosco's (previously known as Ducky’s).  I believe that we were able to discuss a few of the open issues that we are addressing relative to the September Reunion, but we tended to re-visit our past and to talk about those kinds of things that happened in the late 50's and 60's.  If your ears were "ringing" last night between 8-9:30pm you now know why. 

Link to Kallet Genesee Theater in CINEMA SIGHTLINES

click  Genesee Theater

September 20, 2014

50th Reunion (2014)

RECAP

The 19th of September was a gorgeous day in Upstate NY and began with a golf outing at Pine Grove.  Team Bagalini (Dave Musengo, Joe Dattellas, Chris Borell and Fred Myers) defeated Team Testone (Ken Rudy, John Waters and Dan Scaia).  It was a great round of gold with a lot of laughs.

Later in the day, the boat left the dock on Skaneateles Lake for a sightseeing cruise with numerous members of the Class on board. “Once again the weather was accommodating and the views were beautiful both on board and on shore.”

 Following the boat cruise, the festivities moved to Anyela's for a little wine tasting. The vineyard was outstanding as the group sat on the deck overlooking Skaneateles Lake and had a glass...or two.

 With all that wine to motivate them, an impromptu assembly invaded Scaia's house where a dozen or so Classmates continued the process of "having fun".

 That evening, Classmates reconvened at the Tyrol Club where some 50 people continued the process of reconnecting.  There were several classmates in attendance that we hadn’t seen in a long, long time.

Early the Day of the Reunion, Saturday , September 20th

The day of the reunion found a luncheon group, organized by Sue Mascette, convening at Eva’s, a popular Polish restaurant on Milton Ave.

 In the early afternoon a tour of Solvay High School was hosted by the principle,  Mr. Jay Tinklepaugh, and 10 high school students (and their advisor, Mrs. Fenton) who acted as guides.  

 Five groups spent over an hour walking through the building (old and new sections) then out onto the athletic complex. The Class was impressed with the loyalty exhibited toward SHS by the student guides.  They related how fortunate they were to be able to attend SHS. One young man said that "Solvay was like a private school run by a public community". They raved about the facilities and the teachers they had. (Note: at the Reunion Dinner an envelope was passed with the suggestion that those who attended the tour donate to Solvay's Key Club on behalf of the student guides. The Class came through once again and presented $262 to Mr. Tinklepaugh.)

Reunion at Drumlins, Saturday, September 20th

The Drumlins was set up perfectly, the food was very good, and the music/dancing was outstanding.  

 As the program began, 3 cheerleaders crashed the dining room in full regalia (Sandy Streib, Stefanie Kishman and Eli Chistolini) leading the Class in a rendition of the Solvay Fight Song (You remember, “We take the S out of…”).  

 As Danny Scaia tells it, “During the evening there was a lot of laughter and some tears. We realized that many of us were friends before we knew what friends were all about.”

 After Steve Zalewski spoke on behalf of the Board of Education, Jay Tinklepaugh thanked the Class for its support over the last 14 years, Mayor of Solvay, Ron Beneditti addressed the Class, Joe Todisco told a few "stories" then Pete Alberti relinquished the podium to Sue Mascette. On behalf of the Class, Sue presented Scaia with a beautiful plaque in recognition of Danny’s efforts over the years in maintaining the Class connectivity, organizing the reunions and spearheading the annual scholarship drive.

Membership has historically been made up of our father’s generation.  Now the group is actively looking for increased membership from the Vietnam, Cold War, and Iraq/Afghanistan era veterans.  

For More Information Contact:

Jim Togni, Corresponding Secretary, 476-8064

Sally Zollo, President,                      720-2541

Pete Salvatore, Vice President,        487-9461

[Note: I began reading Saint Carmella's Grotto on the flight home from the reunion.  Having read only a few chapters, I'm delighted to report...it's interesting (dare I say exciting) AND I can see Solvay.  It's fun trying to place the fictional names with real places and people. I really can't wait to get back to it.  Great job, Judith.

--Russ

09/27/2014]