Monongahela Valley Catholic High School Class of 1969 Holds 50 Year Reunion

Last Updated on Friday, 29 November 2019 21:34

The Monongahela Valley Catholic High School Class of 1969 held their 50 year reunion on September 21, 2019 at St. Spyridon's Hellenic Center in Monessen.

Mon Valley Catholic Class of 1969

The weekend kicked off with a Friday evening social held at the Croation Club in Donora with approximately 25 classmates.

On Saturday, 61 classmates were in attendance as well as two former teachers, Mr. Thomas Kustron and Mr. Philip Pergola. Classmates came from our local area, surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, and states as far away as California, Oregon, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Ohio.

Classmates were presented with gift bags containing a Spartan t-shirt and souvenir towel in maroon & gold school colors and logo. Also included was a copy of the "I bequeath" items to underclassmen of Mon Valley that were handed down in 1969. The banquet hall included a memorabilia table containing yearbooks, commencement program, numerous pictures and newspapers, school jackets, and even the trophy from the 1969 champion football team. A Veterans tribute was on display with a wreath bearing the names of those classmates who served our country.

A memorial prayer and candle lighting ceremony was done to commemorate all of the 16 deceased classmates along with a frame with each of their senior pictures displayed on an easel for all to remember.

Attendees enjoyed a great dinner, an evening of music, door prizes and even a photo booth as old friendships were renewed.

In the photo above right:
A group photo was taken with each classmate wearing their Spartan t-shirt and displaying a sign with "team Spartans beat cancer" as well as get well wishes for an ill classmate. Pictured from (L to R), Row 1: Ann Loftus Haynal, Patricia Mihalic Karki, Dorothy Krajnik Shallenberger, Donna Hughes Simmen, Donna Veliky Macik, Judith Kudra Weinzen, Cathy Delsandro Walsh, Deborah Eberley McWilliams, Jane Sarra, Cary Charles, (cmtee), Geri Haluch Pergola (cmtee), David Frederick (cmtee), Benita Andrews Pichard, Cheryl Damanascus Wilber (cmtee), Denise Rossi Contrael, George Polachek, Patricia Renk Martin (cmtee), Janice Pomponio Suomela, Joyce Lee Amatangelo (cmtee), Maureen Gaydos Leonardo, Joyce Sabol Kopanic, Christine Bartolotta Collura. Row 2: Angela Pascarella Blade, Kathleen Piskor Tubin, Michele Maddock Huey, JoAnna Beresh Stroh (cmtee), Susan Dougert Reagle, Mildred Lynch Rapport, Patricia Lamendola Herk, Carla Fayak, Nancy Nelson Simpson. Row 3: Lucia Petrus Menendez, Alida Bunardzya Lewis, Thomas Petrus, Harry Walters, Joseph Hlavacik, Jeffrey Cornish, Paul Brna, John Bachkay, Richard Kozar (cmtee), Michael Collins, Philip Appolonia, Linda King Dolfi, Phyllis Niccolai DeMedio, Charles Marciak. Row 4: John Tomayko, David Yavorsky, John Hogan, Leonard Sedney, Michael Fuoco, Patrick McGinley, Andreas Kmiecik, Gery Sasko. Row 5: Gary Baron (cmtee), Edward Los (cmtee), William Herk, Ronald Salsovic, Thomas Sliva, Kenneth Krempasky, Mr. Thomas Kustron. Missing from picture, Manny Rojas.