Summer 2009 Alumni Web Site — Volume 19 No
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CONGRATULATIONS NPHS CLASS OF 2009 North Plainfield High School Alumni Association 145 Cedar Street, North Plainfield, NJ 07060 Published by the NPHS Alumni Association Summer 2009 Alumni Web site — www.nphsalumni.net Volume 19 No. 2 From The President . The community of North Plainfield suffered a great loss Dr. Marie O’Brien on April 21, 2009 with the passing of Dr. Marie O'Brien. October 23, 1919 – April 21,2009 After serving the Borough's educational system for over 56 years, Dr. O'Brien left a legacy of dedication, love In her 56 year career at North Plainfield High School, and passion for the English language that few educators Dr. Marie O'Brien taught three generations of can boast. If you could listen to some of the letters students how to write. As a teacher of English, head written by her former students at her service at of the English department, and district supervisor of St. Mary's Church, it would give you goose bumps. language arts, Dr. O'Brien always stressed the These students were doctors, writers and professional importance to students of becoming a good writer. people who showed their appreciation to Dr. O'Brien "The more you write, for exposing them to this love of writing, speaking, the better you will literature and the plain, good old English language. become" became Dr. Speaking personally, I am not a doctor or a highly O'Brien's rallying cry. professional person but Miss O'Brien left a touch of The Dr. Marie O'Brien her Irish heart that is hard to explain. I swear, she must Excellence in Writing have mastered the art of teaching by osmosis. When I found out who my English teacher was, I think I broke Award was created to out in a cold sweat. But after being in her class for a celebrate Dr. O'Brien's short time, I felt comfortable with the class with fiftieth year in the district Miss O'Brien and with a language that used to sound and to recognize the huge like Greek to me. To this day I still have bad dreams contributions Dr. O'Brien about showing up in Marie O'Brien's class without my has made in that area of homework but to my surprise, sixty years later I can still teacher. That award has recite a passage from Macbeth. been generously supported by generations of alumni To honor Dr. O'Brien for her dedication to teaching who gained a great deal in Dr. O'Brien classes. the English language, on behalf of all of her former Dr. Marie O'Brien held a Bachelor of Arts in English students, the NPHS Alumni Association would like from Montclair State University; a Master of Arts to dedicate the Fourth Alumni Directory to the memory from Columbia University; and a PhD. from Indiana of Dr. Marie O'Brien. University of Pennsylvania. Even with these Personally, words are not enough to show my apprecia- degrees, she never stopped learning and has amassed tion for everything she has taught me, so I would like more credits in graduate study than any other to keep her memory alive through twenty years of professional in the district. The recommendation alumni newsletters. I'm sure there are many misspelled that accompanied Dr. O'Brien's original placement words and errors but I am also sure she will forgive me papers from Montclair State many years ago has seeing they were written from the heart. held true for her entire career: Mario Caruso, President, NPHS Alumni Association “She is enthusiastic and sympathetic . Her PS: Congratulations, Class of 2009, on your graduation love for teaching is evident, and manifests from North Plainfield High School. itself in the attitude of her students.” Page 1 NPHS Alumni Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees The fourteenth annual North initially at McShea College Center gold and platinum recordings for Billy Plainfield High School Alumni at Allentown College. Beverly Ocean, George Benson, Natalie Hall of Fame Dinner will be held earned her BA at Moravian College Merchant, Freddie Jackson, on Saturday, October 3, 2009 and her MEA at Lehigh University. Stephanie Mills, Tom Jones, Laura at the Italian American Club Nyro, Anne Murray, Mel Torme, Joseph A. Scarola, 1965 in North Plainfield. Jennifer Holladay, Phil Woods, The Medicine Fania All - Stars, The CTI All-Stars, Each year, outstanding graduates Dr. Scarola is the Assistant Vice Jonathan Butler, movie scores for of NPHS are selected to enter President and Senior Scientific One Fine Day, You've Got Mail, the Hall of Fame. This year's Advisor for Drug Development Object of My Affection, Titus, Frida, inductees are: for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals World- Slaves of New York, What Planet Grover G. DeVault, 1948 wide. He is currently responsible Are You From, and countless jingles Military – Ministry for devising strategy and directing and TV shows. Terry has toured Community Service the clinical staff for development extensively with artists such of drugs for Wyeth in the challenging Grover DeVault has devoted his as Roberta Flack and the environment of Japan. Joe joined life to the Military and Ministry award-winning, all-star, Manhattan Wyeth in 1988 after twelve years as well as community service. He Jazz Orchestra. of private practice. After joining is a highly decorated military Terry's drum book The Featured Wyeth Research, he became involved officer (LTC) and his records Drummer is published by Music with the development of investiga- demonstrate achievements and Sales/Amsco/G.Schirmer with an tional medication, initially in the accomplishments rarely reflected audio CD of Terry playing the exer- area of arthritis and subsequently in by others. Legion of Merit and cises accompanied by John Patitucci organ transplantation. He directed Bronze Star for combat during 20 and Barry Miles. Terry latest drum two successful programs, culminat- years of active duty. Founder of the book is The Stick Bag Book of ing in the regulatory approval in Christian Military Fellowship and Jazz, Funk, Fusion, published by numerous countries of one medicine the International Assoc. of Military Music Sales. for arthritis and one medication Chaplains, and is currently develop- to prevent organ transplant rejec- TEACHER ment of the chaplaincy of PA State tions. Joe is a Summa Cum Laude, Police force. Very detailed book of Ethel Piness Abrams, 1935 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers, accomplishments will be available Education and received his MD from Johns at the HOF committee meeting. Hopkins. Joe and his wife the former Ethel started her professional career Beverly (nee Gaston) Barbara Lombardo, have four as a Social Worker in Newark, after Kochard, 1969 children and will be retuning to graduating from Cornell University. Education their home in Collegeville, PA in She married and raised two sons March of 2009. before returning to the workforce as Beverly is currently Vice President an English teacher at NPHS in 1964. for Student Affairs and Dean of Terry Silverlight, 1975 Her career at NPHS spanned more Students, at Moravian College, Music and Entertainment than 20 years, she taught English on Bethlehem, PA. She has held this Terry Silverlight has been involved every level of jr. high through position since 1990, and is respon- with many facets of the music seniors. She was a very popular sible for Moravian's residence life, business and has contributed his teacher who helped students see the counseling, student activities, musical talents as a leader, com- relevancy of literature to their lives. student conduct, career develop- poser, producer, arranger, drummer, Ethel provided students with a num- ment, academic assistance, author and educator to projects in ber of truly creative experiences. campus safety, Greek Life, leader- almost every style of music. She worked with other teachers to ship development and many more develop interdisciplinary units in activities. Prior to her position at Terry began his recording career English. She was the driving force Moravian, she was the Director of at the age of 14 when he played behind the development of the school Development at Albright College. drums on his brother Barry Miles's art festival, dubbed "Creations." She Before her work at Albright, album, "White Heat", an innovative was a mentor to both students and she was the Assistant Dean of harbinger of the fusion movement. new teachers, and she was a truly Students at Moravian College. She Since then, he's performed all over unique educator. Ethel died in 2006 was in college administration the world and has played drums on at age 88. Page 2 Gift Reunion Alert! Suggestions These suggestions are convenient 2008 Reunion Contacts ways for graduates to buy practical 1933 Art Lederer, 908 754-8252. gifts and, at the same time, contrib- 1934 Art Lederer, 908 754-8252. 1938 Contact Manny Ferri, 908 755-7413 or Edith Ruthenback ute to the NPHS Scholarship Fund. Brokaw, 908 722-5347. Choose from: 1943 Contact Harry Martin, 973 663-2410. 1948 Bob McCarthy, 908 322-6666. • “North Plainfield and Its Neigh- 1953 Contact Paul Carlton, 732 752-2666. bors,” a 90-minute video (also in 1958 Vince Lipani, 908 369-5623 (H), 908 359-4652 (W). DVD) history of the Borough. 1963 Contact Kathy Meden DeAngelis, 732 249-1791; $25.00 + $5.00 S&H Cheryl Meyer McDowel, 908 769-5951. 1968 Gerry Garatino Burns, 610 438-2788 or e-mail: • The Images of America books [email protected]. May 3, 2009, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Edison. about North Plainfield, $19.99 plus Combined Reunion with Class of 1969. $3.00 S&H. 1973 Ginny Gehander Carbone, contact the Alumni Association. 1978 Mark Fisch, 732 866-9512. • Commemorative or memorial 1983 Carol VanWinkle Mastrobatista, 732 560-9708.