2007 Reunion

CHESTER - Once again, Chester High Alumni Amy Scott Record found the right key and over 100 voices joined her in a valiant attempt to belt out "Dear Ole Chester High..." as a fitting conclusion to another celebration of school days past. Those voices represented a long history with a rich tradition and spanned nearly ninety years. Representing the Class of 1929 was William Cook and representing the Class of 2007 was Jason Ellershaw. Ellershaw also received one of the Alumni Association's annual scholarships. The annual meeting draws a large group of people associated with the former Chester High School, including Chester Residents who graduated from Gateway after Chester High School closed in the late 1960's. This year's meeting was held on June 23 at the Tekoa Country Club in Westfield. Additional five year class attendees included Gordon Kenyon from the class of 1937, Priscilla Suriner, Anita Macia, and Ruth Disanto from the class of 1942; James Pease, Mara Clark, Grace Phelps, Claire Mooney, Shirley Vitale, and Dominic Piergiovanni respresented the sixty year class of 1947. The "half century" class of 1957 included Jaqueline Booher, Betty Butler, Curtis Bush, Jean Stevens, Barbara Koivisto, John Petersante, and Whitney Philbrook. Current President Walter Boomsma noted that Alumni had responded very favorably to this year's request for financial support, but there was still plenty of need and opportunity for folks to "get involved" in the leadership of the organization. Special thanks was offered to Carol Stenico for sponsoring a bake sale to benefit the Alumni Association. Boomsma also noted that the Board will be addressing a number of challenges this year, including some much needed review and updating of by-laws. Any member with concerns or ideas is encouraged to contact any officer or board member. Gifts were given to Rose Meskevich Potruski for the first local reservation, Gordon Kenyon for the first out-of-state reservation and Frances Lafond Bostic for the furthest distance traveled. Election of officers was also held. Elected as President for his third year was Walter Boomsma, Class of 1965; Vice President, Robert Goewey, Class of 1960; Secretary, Edith Cooper Whitaker, Class of 1961; and Treasurer, George Morey, Jr., Class of 1956. Tino Cardarelli, Class of 1952 was elected to the Board or Directors again, joined by Brenda Davenport Budreau (1975). Brenda's election caused several to note that "we finally have a Gateway Graduate in an elected position!" Scholarship Custodians include Maurice Pease (1950), Duane Pease (1964) and newly elected Bruce Cooper (1965). The Association has already started planning for the next annual meeting, scheduled for June 28, 2008. Those associated with or in some way connected with Chester and/or Chester High School are encouraged to be certain the Association has current mailing information by contacting Edith Whitaker, Association Secretary, 324 Russell Road #215, Westfield MA 01085.