Wall of Fame induction a time of celebration
By KAREN PELKEY
Farmington Valley Post
CANTON, Oct. 10, 2003 - It was supposed to be Clair "Cubby" Wilder's turn in the spotlight. But instead, the 1938 Canton High School graduate and Wall of Fame recipient spent a few minutes discussing the young student charged with interviewing him in advance of the school's recent alumni awards banquet.
Wilder thanked CHS junior Jessica Sodaro profusely for the 84th birthday card he received from her only a week after their interview. Then, his speech that followed was full of stories about his days as a high school student; the lively man repeatedly made reference to a group of female graduates from the 1930s, asking, "Remember, girls?" and "Isn't that right, girls?"
The dinner, held recently under the bright new lights in the school's gymnasium, also featured highlights from the lives of six other CHS graduates, all of whom were inducted by current students into the school's Wall of Fame. Assistant Principal Jordan Grossman created the wall of plaques in the school's front lobby last year as a way to honor former students who have gone on to accomplish numerous things throughout their lives and have become true role models for today's youth.
The veritable buffeted feast, served by school cafeteria employees - roast pork, apple walnut stuffing, chicken, meatballs, lasagna, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans almondine, rolls, salad, fruit salad, punch, dessert and coffee - refueled the energy of those present, most of whom had spent about a half an hour in the chilly air watching current students ride parade floats down to the high school from nearby Mills Pond Park.
Led by a team of two horses, a train of classic cars, each carrying the inductees and/or their family members, wound slowly through the crowd. Among them was 1960 grad Mike O'Brien's purple 1951 Chevy, affectionately called "The Duke of Earl II."
"It's a copy of the car I owned in high school," said O'Brien, who pieced the automobile together from vintage Fords, Plymouths, and Buicks.
After the cars, members of each current CHS class showed off their own float, but not only was it a chance to entertain parents and alumni - the kids were celebrating the culminating event of their annual Spirit Week, during which freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors compete to see who has the most school spirit.
The Class of 2007 had the largest float, a 1960s-themed truck adorned with "Peace" signs and students in colorful hippie garb. Following the truck were more "hippies" carrying picket signs with black and white pictures of former CHS students.
The Class of 2006 had a Disney theme; the Class of 2005 a Hawaiian theme; and the senior Class of 2004 imitated a wedding ceremony, complete with rattling cans and a "Just Married" sign at the end of their float.
Even Canton's younger students played a part in the weekend festivities, which included sporting events between alumni and current students and a Saturday morning Alumni Coffeehouse. Before the parade, students from Canton Intermediate School - formerly the Canton
High School building - serenaded onlookers with patriotic tunes. Canton Junior High School students, wearing Alumni Weekend T-shirts and pins, greeted dinner guests and served them punch. They gave CHS graduates from 1920 to 1941 a standing ovation, which included an individual salute to George Becker, Collinsville High School Class of 1912, the school's oldest living graduate.
After dinner, musical entertainment by the high school chamber singers and the Wall of Fame presentations, Superintendent of Schools Tony Serio made brief remarks. Also present were Principal Gary Gula, Board of Education member Sue Saidel, First Selectwoman Mary Tomolonius, and BOE Chairman Bob Bessel.
"I encourage each of you to bring 10 friends next year. ... until the entire town is celebrating who we are and what we do," said Bessel.
Grossman, who ran around both during and after the event taking pictures of the happenings with a small digital camera, appeared happy that the school's second Alumni Weekend effort was an even bigger success than last year's.
"This will be an ongoing tradition here at Canton High School," said Grossman, who called for a volunteer to head the Canton Alumni Association Foundation, which could eventually raise enough money to give scholarships to graduating seniors. "This is truly a special community because it doesn't happen anywhere else."
