Here are a few of the graphics to be found in the Hamilton Library's Local History "JUNIOR FOUR" folder. I just found the article at the top of this post which told of the genesis of that legendary Dayton Street school. A close friend of mine, "Gus" Perilli is a member of the Junior Four Alumni Society" and I have promised to let him have my folder on Junior Four for the use of the Society.
4 comments:
Tom:
As noted several time previously, I spent the happiest days of my life at jr.#4. I entered there in sept. 1946, and because of my olive skin, and dark hair I became an instant "Paisan". I still have the 47, 48, &49 Argus here in Virgiia to which I refer many times during the year. I still keep in touch with my friends who I met that first week. People like Johnny Licardo retired renown Phsyciatrist, the worlds best pharmacist; Carlo Benedetti, Tony Ponticello, broker to the stars in Las Vegas, Vince Silvestro, Rick Delorenzo of Tomatoe Pie fame, etc.,etc.
The teachers were dedicated, talented, and caring. I hated to go home after school. Active in sports, and the on Stage, I had leading roles in all three Operettas while there.
In 1947,Mrs.Renyolds, Max Stern, and Miss Egan the music teacher all who put the Operetta on, took us all to NYC to see a Broadway Show. With my dad bedridden, I could not afford to go. The teachers would not hear of it, and paid my way. I made sure I attended the funerals or wakes of those teahcers who were so kind to all us kids.
Not only did Surpreme Court Justice Sam Alito's father teach there, but his Aunt Helen work in the main office. She was a lovely lady. I communicate with Justice Alito, and sent him copies of the Argus with his dad, and /aunt's picture in it.
Got a nice note back from him which goes to my grandson for historical safe keeping.
Wonderful school, great teachers, and still fond memories 66 years later.
Mike Kuzma
Tom, thanks. I should look in the basement for my Argus. I went to THS in 53-54, so my Argus would be for the 52-53 school year I think. With Bo Belinsky included.
Great Memories.
HI TOM....WALKING TO JUNIOR 4 WAS A LONG WAY FROM VILLA PARK IN 1932. MOST OF THE GUYS TOOK DIFFERENT ROUTES EACH DAY. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED BASEBALL FOR A SCHOOL AND IT WAS GREAT TO GET TIPS FROM OUR COACH MR. WOOD, MISS DUNN WAS A BIG HELP TO MANY STUDENTS AND WENT OUT OF HER WAY TO HELP. GREAT MEMORIES FROM A NICE SCHOOL. REGARDS
Junior Four was a huge change from the K-6 grades at Harrison. At Junior Four you were allowed to begin specialization for your career by learning real-life skills in the shop classes, from woodworking (remember the Scotty Dog lamps?), printing and bookbinding, metal work (how about that forged and rivited fork made of band-iron?) and ceramics (slip-casting those Dutch figurines by the dozen in the mildewy plaster molds).
Upstairs in the main building, we were taught the sciences by excellent teachers. I had Mr. Hirsch for three years, and he taught me how to think like a scientist, trying to get me to test my ideas and share the experiments with my classmates.
The science closet out in the hallway was filled with some great old apparatus that was probably bought when the school was new.
There was a closet between Mr. Hirsch's and Miss Papp's room that was stocked with chemicals to really give you a flavor of working with reagents and even dangerous materials.
So how did all this training work out? Fifty years later I'm still in the game as a research scientist, and my resume still says that I won the coveted 9th grade Science Medal (1961).
I even learned the fundamentals of aviation, having several paper airplanes that landed in the Rose Garden traced back to me by the Vice-Principal, J. Reynold Strunk. They had my name on them. ;-)
Hard to say which school was better - Junior Four or Trenton High. Each taught me the lessons I needed to know for life.
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