Chester alumni, together again

By Ginny Privitar
CHESTER — The Salisbury Firehouse Hall buzzed with conversation and laughter as about 100 graduates of Chester High School and their guests enjoyed a fine dinner and reconnected with former classmates.
They told funny stories about their high school days and brought old friends up to speed with news of their current lives.
The Chester Alumni Association hosted the annual reunion this past Saturday, with a Loughran’s-catered dinner that included roast beef, penne a la vodka, chicken Marsala, and other delicious comestibles. After a brief business meeting, Amy Roe Barnes, Class of 1956, announced the scholarship winners.
Delia Fentazi won The Ruth Parkin Carroll Memorial Scholarship and will be attending Boston University with a major in biology. She plans to work in the medical field. Her proud parents, John and Lisa, attended the dinner with Delia’s younger brother, Liam.
“Of course, we are very proud of her," said Lisa. "Since she was a little girl she's worked hard to be on the top of everything she wants to do.”
Austin Van Der Meulen won The Chester Alumni Descendant Scholarship. He will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall and plans to major in math and philosophy. Austin graduated from Chester, as did his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
“Just proud of him carrying on the family tradition," said his father, Matt. "four generations coming out of Chester.”
Others who won scholarships, but were not present at the reunion, were:
Jocelyn Gavilanez won The Chester Alumni Vocational/Technical Award. She will pursue a degree in the culinary arts from Johnson and Wales University.
Alexandra Upeslacis won the Chester Alumni Scholarship. Originally known as the Latin Award for the highest average in the subject, it was first given in 1926 for the princely sum of two dollars. Today it is worth $800. Alexandra will attend Clemson University, where she will major in chemical engineering.
Bridget Burke Scrobe, Class of 2016, who won the Ruth Parkin Carroll Memorial Scholarship last year, is in her second year at Sacred Heart University, continuing her study of biology and headed for a future in the medical field. She won an additional award for successfully completing her first full year of studies.
Scholarship winners completed an application and wrote essay for consideration.
The years fall awayOne table of guests celebrated with lighted cupcakes the fact they were all over 80. Joined by others, they sang “Happy Birthday."
Graduate Steven Golding traveled the farthest, coming from California for the annual reunion.
“Chester was a wonderful place to go to school," he said. "It was a small class so you weren’t just a number. When there’s only 43 people in your class, everybody will know you. There’s not much of a problem with knowing everybody at the table.”
Charles “Sandy” Johnson and Edward J. “E.J.” Szulwach were among the oldest graduates to attend. Both celebrated the 70th anniversary of their graduation from Chester High School.
Patricia Goodrich, who has worked for the school district for 16 years, was named an honorary alumna and presented with a plaque.
The evening also included raffles, a silent auction and a 50-50 raffle. Guests were able to peruse the many yearbooks and graduation programs from years past. The alumni association is always looking to expand its collection, so if you’re cleaning out the attic and come across items to add, let them know.
The Chester Alumni Association's website is chsnyalumni.com. The organization is also on Facebook.