A few back to school memories from the ‘73 Queen:

Entering Central Catholic for the first time since June, we noticed a significant change. The walls smelled of fresh paint, the first floor corridor boasted of a new terrazo covering, and the new gym floor was covered with a tarp. As we looked again, however, nothing really changed. Old friends returned and the spirit of Central Catholic sparked anew. The opening assembly ushered in the school year as it had many times before. Soon we were walking through the halls, fumbling with lockers, and making the most of a few moments of study. September was here and with it a challenging beginning.

There’s a new website in the works for alumni of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Scranton: www.nepacatholicschools.com. This new resource will connect alumni from various schools, post information on reunions and alumni gatherings, and celebrate Catholic education.

September 1985 ushered in a year of “new beginnings” for Bishop O’Reilly High School. Faced with near closure the year before, students looked forward to another year at their beloved school. With August usually comes some sadness at end of summer vacation. But in 1985, Queensmen were grateful to return home to Bishop O’Reilly. Nearly losing the school must have been quite a wake up call to students, parents, and teachers alike: count your blessings. The 1985-1986 school year, however, was a joyful time. A time of new beginnings, yes, but cause for celebration as well. “Bishop O’Reilly will stay open.”

Click on the thumbnails to see the yearbook images full size.

Bishop O’Reilly Class of 1984 is planning their 25th Class Reunion, to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Wyoming Valley Country Club. For more information, visit www.BishopOreilly.com for all the details! Or Contact Janel Jorda at www.web-tactics.com.

What: BOR class of 1989 20th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
When: SAT., APRIL 4th 2009
Where: APPLETREE TERRACE at NEWBERRY ESTATE, Dallas

Contact information is still needed for the following list of classmates. If you have a CURRENT e-mail address, home address, or phone number for one of the people listed below, please e-mail that information to either JoEllen Drapiewski Paterson at joellenpaterson@verizon.net or Joanne Derwin at jderwin8@msn.com. Thank you.

Still need correct contact information for the following classmates:
Amy Allardyce
Dawn Appel
Dan Chisarick
Ray Baller
Jen Barilla
Adam Bialer
Tammie Bilby
Sharon Brennan
Liz Calderon
Camille Clark
Megan Fisher
Gary Glaser
Joe Goldsworthy
Kristen Homza
Katie Jennings
Kristen Johnson
Robby Lanunziata
Bernie McDonald
Mary Pat Millham
Cheryl Mizenko
Lisa Morris
Tim Murray
Erin Napersky
Aaron Perhach
Scott Popson
Mike Rakos
Marty Reynolds
Dawn Rismondo
Diana Roccogrande
Hank Rogers
Mike Sanfillipo
Lucia Sitar
Michele Spitzbarth
Bernadette Stefanik
Chris Swantek
Donny Wilce
Morgan Woods
Lewis West
Brian Zupko

Thanks for your help everyone! I will be in touch and I look forward to seeing all of you in the spring!!

Happy Holidays,
JoEllen Drapiewski Paterson

The Holy Redeemer community is deeply saddened to report the death of Ian Pope, a member of the Class of 2010.  Ian was killed on Tuesday December 23, 2008, afternoon in an automobile accident in Edwardsville. We all know how great of a person Ian was. He made every person he knew feel great. He treated his friends  like his family and he will be missed very much by us all.

For anyone who wishes to know Ian’s wake well be on Friday December 26th from 5:30 pm to 9:00 at St. Nick’s and the funeral will be Saturday December 27th at 8:30AM under St. Nicks Church for the Funeral

Could you believe that it has been one year already? It seems like yesterday we stood outside of the Bishop O’Reilly High School building and said our final good-byes, or for some it may be the moment you first walked into your freshmen homeroom on the first day of school all those years ago. And with the end winding down, for some, it marks the start of their new lives such as going off to college, or new jobs, and for others, with only final exams left, their just glad that summer vacation is here. 

This past year has been hard for most of us, starting at a new school, new teachers, with people who we saw as our rivals on the playing field, and at the start, many thought that a Queensman and an Argent or an Eagle could never become great friends. But as the year went on friendships were formed, rivals became teammates, events were planed, cheered for the red and gold, dances were attended, report cards were sent home, games were played, test were taken, detentions were given, and we said our good-byes to the graduating class of 2008.

 So as we hold our memories and friends from Bishop O’Reilly or West Side Central Catholic dear to our hearts, we can now share those memories with our old and new friends and the enjoy the new memories we have made over this past year. We will always be Queensmen or Queenswomen but for some we can also say we are the Royals.

Last evening, 224 Holy Redeemer seniors gathered at King’s College for their Commencement exercises. A Baccalaureate Mass was held the previous evening in the same location. While the first graduating class of the regional Catholic high school faced many challenges, including the transition to a new school for their senior year, they were also blessed with many successes, friendships, and fond memories.

Out of fairness to the seniors, three valedictorians and salutatorians were selected, one from each of the former high schools. Representing Bishop O’Reilly were Robert Duffy, valedictorian, and Edward Dal Santo, salutatorian. Congratulations to all of the Class of 2008 on this momentous occasion. We’re proud of you, Royals!

Bishop O’Reilly alumni may also be interested to know that Good Shepherd Academy (the former O’Reilly campus), will be graduating its first eighth grade class on Friday. A Mass will be held at 6:00 PM at St. Ignatius Church, followed by commencement exercises.

The year was 1973. The program read, Central Catholic Glee Club presents “I Believe in Music.” The cover depicted the 350 members of the Glee Club. This is how it began for an anxious audience. It ended with applause and praise for the members and their director Sister Martin Marie, I.H.M.

The 1973 spring concert highlighted individual talent both in solo and group performance. “The Gift of Song” featured a lovely melody accompanied by the beautiful strains of a flute played by Theresa Chopko. An all-female group provided a lovely rendition of “Three Hungarian Folk Songs,” and at the intermission the audience was treated to selections from “No, No, Nanette.” The strutters performed a snappy Charleston routine to “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” The final number, “Anthem for Spring,” featured a special ballet group.

Vocal soloists were Jerome Stone, Doreen Menta, and Susan Shorts. Ann Marie Zarella starred in a dance interpretation of “Born Free.” Tradition followed true to form when the senior couples waltzed to the fantasy music of “Ten Minutes Ago.” When the imaginary curtain fell, applause resounded throughout the Central Catholic auditorium in recognition of a splendid presentation.

 Click on the photos to enlarge them.

On a side note, the first annual Holy Redeemer Spring Concert featured a Senior Waltz, carrying on the glorious Central Catholic/Bishop O’Reilly tradition. The waltz was directed by Mr. Thomas Hanlon. If anyone has any photos to share of this year’s senior waltz or memories of school years past, please email me.

I received an email the other day from Joe Yanik, president of the class of 1999, regarding plans for the tenth year reunion in 2009. No decisions have been made yet about the reunion’s details but there have been recent developments in its planning. Joe also mentioned that class members and faculty curious about the reunion are welcome to join the Class of ‘99 reunion group on Facebook for more information.

Interested in helping to plan the 10 year reunion for the Class of 1999? Please contact Vicki (Artim) Hislop at vartim@hotmail.com.