Class of ‘55 President Charlie Huchet
urges All-Class reunion attendance
Dear Classmates:
The 68th anniversary of our graduation as the Class of 1955 is upon us! Times like this
provoke nostalgia and sentimentality. As Dr. Seuss put it "Sometimes you will never
know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." The reality of reuniting after
separation also jerks us to back, however, to Dick Cavett's (remember him!) observation
that "it takes a certain amount of guts to go to your class reunion."
Putting the nostalgia aside for the moment, we have lived long enough, you'd think, that we would no longer worry about: forgetting names, worrying about our waist size, being embarrassed about our less than stellar accomplishments, finding enough in common to talk about, meeting former estrangements, meeting former crushes, or meeting your former self.
I call upon you, one and all, to ban those negative thoughts as you consider attending our forthcoming opportunity to reunite with our past and celebrate the gift of the present! Be assured that Bob Gregory has represent us well on the All Class Reunion Committee, employing all he has learned from his past planning of our reunions.I hope you have had the chance to read what Barb Gauyna (Bordeau) prepared on the MHS All Class Reunion site to re-ignite our high school years. If you have attended past reunions your know how much you enjoyed yourself and one another. If this will be your "first" summon the courage and self confidence to say "What the hell!"
This may be our last reunion. Give yourself what you deserve. We still have it in us "to let the good times roll!" Go online at www.milfordhigh.com and register.
Charlie Huchet "55”
May 21, 2023
Peter Everill from the Class of 1955 wrote to us on June 14, 2023:
“[I] am so disappointed that I can’t make the reunion. I arrived in the USA in ‘53 and started class in ‘54. I can’t express how well I was treated by the class. I never felt like a foreigner. For that I will always be thankful. Thanks Charlie and all the group. Have a great time.”
MHS Class of 1955
Memories of the Class of 1955
Submitted by Barbara Gaunya Bourdeau
We entered Milford High School in September 1951 full of teenage anticipation and nervousness. Some of us with older siblings and friends were aware of their long wait to attend this newly constructed building; overcrowded classrooms and half-day sessions would no longer exist! Others tended to take having a brand-new building for granted. However, by June 1955 we had learned of our good fortune to have spent meaningful hours in a beautiful, modern, and progressive educational environment. Therefore, we dedicated the 1955 class yearbook in gratitude to City Fathers, the Board of Education, and our parent taxpayers for their foresight to provide this modern new building. The Class of 1955 is and forever will take pride in being known as the first class to have spent four complete years attending THE NEW MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL. Our yearbook theme - ALICE IN WONDERLAND - is indeed a significant reflection of this experience.
Mr. Joseph Foran, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Frederic Gorham, Principal,
Miss Margaret O’Conner Assistant, Principal and Director of Guidance
Mr. Herbert French, Principal - After Mr. Gorham retired
Mrs. Dorothy Hamilton, Vice Principal and Mr. Richard Herman, Vice Principal
replaced Ms. O’Connor when she retired
THE FIGHTING LITTLES our Junior Play and OUR MISS BROOKS the following year further bonded classmates by bringing aspiring actors together in zany rehearsals, tense moments, and exquisite performances under the direction of Civianne Rubin and Denny Menold.
Junior Prom (An Evening in Paris) featured a huge “home constructed” version of Eiffel Tower under the leadership of classmate Tex Fogleberg. The town of Milford, under the direction of classmate, Frank Kittredge, was denuded of all freshly growing flowers which somehow made their way to decorate MHS Gym. Queen Bea Coe and King Charlie Hutchet reigned over some bevy princesses: Mickie Campagna, Pat O’Reilly, Claire Hultman, Pat Robinson, and Audrey Kilbourne.
Senior Advisors, Mr. Mohyde, Miss Smith, Mr. Wilkins, Mrs. Ribak , Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Chilinski, Mr. Tremmel, Mrs. Beale, and Mr. Nolan not only dedicated their lives to classroom instruction but also spent after-school hours to guide us down intricate paths and make wise decisions.
Bea Coe, Bob Dix, Carl Watt, Richard Peckham, Boris Von York, Paul Mack, and Charlie Hutchet represented us at Connecticut Laural and Nutmeg, the Girls’ and Boys’ State conference.
Bob Chapell, Jack Van Raaphorst, John Maryak represented our band while Gail Moriarity, Arlene Bates, Betsy Lidman and Ben McCormick represented MHS 55 chorus at the Fall 1954 All State Music Festival in Hartford. Bob continues to professionally play his sax in Stuart, Florida.
How can we ever forget MHS concert band leading us in singing MHS Alma Mater at every Friday morning assembly during our four years in those comfortably upholstered auditorium seats?
And who does not remember “The Seven Jacks” band that played at our school dances? I hear tell years later from Bob Chapell that they earned $7 for each gig.
The 1954-55 Athletic Council was composed of 10 males and 0 female members. Girls did not enjoy any varsity sport participation. However, the Sports Club under the influence of Miss Tickey was able to reserve MHS gym on infrequent intervals for practice and schedule one Girls Volleyball Sports Day at Arnold College Gym each year. Fortunately, Milford’s Park and Rec Committee led by John and Lorretta Della Russo filled the gap. They organized and supervised girls and boys athletic leagues in basketball, softball, and hardball for many years.
In our senior year Doris Haselman led the Baton Squad and Carol Usinger was captain of the Cheerleaders. Bill Phalen and Paul Mack were our football captains. Under the excellent leadership of Captain Walt Pilkowicz and Coach Roy Lund the “55” basketball team will long be remembered as one of the MHS’ best. Bill Byers captained the bowling team. Mr. Cox Coached the golf team while Paul Mack and Walt Pilkowicz led the baseball team for Coach Lund
Senior Prom ( Ebb Tide) Final Exams, Class Night / Banquet and Graduation rounded out a busy Spring schedule. Soon summer was upon us with varied thoughts to our future activities!!!
DO YOU REMEMBER 1955?
When did Ray Kroc start Mac Donald’s Fast Food Restaurant in California? Yes, it was in 1955.
Other interesting Items in 1955 included:
Popular Films …. Oklahoma, Rebel Without A Cause, To Catch a Thief, and 7 Year Itch
Popular Songs… Mr. Sandman, Autumn Leaves, Sincerely, Rock Around the Clock
The Salk polio vaccine was determined to be safe
Mickey Mouse Club made its TV debut
Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for not giving up her bus seat
USS Nautilus made the first nuclear powered sea-bound trip
AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN 1955 FOR SOME ITEMS
A new house @ $10,950 ……. Monthly rent @ $89 …
Yearly wages @ $ 4,130 … Minimum wage raised to $1 an hour
A new car @ $1,900 …………… A gallon of gas @ $.23.
Tuition to Harvard University …$ 800 a year… A postage stamp $.03
A gallon of milk …..… $1.00
A loaf of bread ……..….$. 19
A hot fudge sundae … $ .25
One dozen eggs ………………$ .82
A chocolate candy bar …$.05
A fountain drink …. $.05 or $.10 ( small or large)
An ice cream cone …. $.05 or $.10 (small or large)
