Taking one last stroll through East High

East High School was 'a melting pot for all people,' one visitor said.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The halls were dimly lighted, musty and cold; many of the classrooms were in disarray and a few hall lockers stood partially open.
Warming up the atmosphere at the recently vacated East Middle School, though, were the numerous fond memories many people had from when they attended it when it was East High School.
Visitors were on hand Saturday for a three-hour final walk-through to see the school, 1544 East High St., before its date with the wrecking ball in January.
People slowly walked through and took in the sights and feelings of the many classrooms in the three-story building as they recalled their time at the school. Others gathered in the cafeteria, gym or auditorium with former classmates and friends they hadn't seen in awhile and shared memories with one another.
An abundance of memories flooded back for Lil Greene, a 1970 East graduate, as she perused a hallway on the second floor. Greene, now of Mineral Ridge, called the walk-through "a flight back in time" and had fond memories of her days as a cheerleader, homecoming queen and prom queen.
"I had so many beautiful days here," said Greene, who works for J & amp;L Mortgage Funding. "The halls go back to events that were part of your life."
Greene said she thinks of classmates who are deceased as well as others she hasn't seen in a long time. She also recalled how large the auditorium seemed when she came down the aisles dressed as a cheerleader and how small it looks to her now.
"You feel the laughter that took place with certain friends in those days," Greene added.
Became East Middle
East High School opened in 1925 and remained a high school until 1998, when it became East Middle School. Earlier this month, its last pupils were transferred to nearby P. Ross Berry Middle School; the new East Middle School is slated to open in 2007 as part of the district's 182 million schools construction project.
Nevertheless, the thought of new buildings was far from the mind of Ann Blackshear Scruggs, who graduated in 1977 and works for the Mahoning County Educational Service Center in Boardman. Scruggs said it will hurt to see her school torn down, and that many of the friendships she still has began at East.
"I will miss my school," Scruggs said poignantly, with her 16-year-old daughter, Wanakee, by her side.
Scruggs added that she is planning for next summer a 30-year reunion for the East High Class of 1977. For more information, call her at (330) 259-6404.
The memories go back several decades for Ann Bassetti, 92, who was a member of the Class of 1932. Bassetti, who lives in Struthers, recalled walking to school every day from her Bennington Avenue home -- and that she "never missed school a day in my life."
Bassetti fondly recalled how she took shorthand and bookkeeping courses that helped prepare her to work at Youngstown Municipal Court, something she did for 22 years.
"I'm enjoying what I can here," she said of the walk-through. "I'm very happy to see the school for the last time."
Positive experiences
Also visiting his alma mater for a final time was John Minogue of Akron, who owns his own business, Designs for Less. Minogue, who graduated in 1996, said that the school may have a disheveled look, but that many positive feelings and experiences came from the building.
Minogue remembered being part of East's Academic Challenge team as well as being on the yearbook staff and homecoming court. He also called his senior class "a tight-knit group," adding that despite occasional reports of violence at the school, most who graduated went on to make positive choices in their lives.
"There's a lot of compassion we have toward the people of this school. East High School was a melting pot for all people, and it's taught me to respect people the way they are," added John Jemison, East High Alumni Association's president and a 1967 graduate.
The alumni association is planning a Christmas dinner dance from 6 to 11 p.m. Dec. 30 at Archangel Michael Hall, 401 12th St., Campbell. Cost is 25 per person and checks can be mailed to EHS Alumni, P.O. Box 2644, Youngstown 44507.
Notable East graduates include William Cafaro, founder of the Cafaro Company; Atty. Don Hanni; Ed DiGregorio, a longtime Youngstown State University women's basketball coach; Anthony Vivo, former Mahoning County clerk of courts; and Alex "A.C." McCullough, a disc jockey on WHOT-FM Hot 101.