Hubbard alumni say ’bye to school

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

hubbard

Hubbard High School graduates strolled through the hallways of their alma mater Thursday — remembering what was and looking ahead to what will be.

The high school, built in 1953, is slated for demolition in September when the new state-of-the-art high school will open.

Reminiscing about high- school years and the change from kid to young adult had many graduates wishing they could recapture those carefree days. Another walk for the public through HHS will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today.

Among those sharing memories Thursday were Nancy McAfoose, class of 1962, and her daughter, Lisa McAfoose Liposchak, class of 1989, both Hubbard residents.

“My memories are of Miss Rice, the home-ec teacher, and Mr. White, who taught biology,” said McAfoose, who was a homecoming attendant. “This is a small community; everyone knows one another. It’s sad about the school.”

The school once had a courtyard, which was turned into the media center in 1970.

“I remember sitting in class and looking out there daydreaming,” McAfoose said.

Liposchak took a photo of her old locker, Number 589, as a keepsake. “We had a lot of fun here. ... there were always so many activities that kept us busy,” she said.

She also remembered “how wonderful” the band was and how she served as an office aide.

She’s looking forward to seeing her son, Matt, graduate from the new high school in 2014. “Three generations have gone through here,” Liposchak said.

Bill Barth of Hubbard walked the halls with his daughter, Shannon Barth Whetstone, and her friend, Amanda Dobos, both class of 2001. Barth graduated with Dobos’ father, Ron, in 1964.

Barth said he hadn’t been in the interior of the school for many years but attended many programs in the auditorium for his daughter and her twin brother.

He noted it was interesting so see remodeling and additions by changing wall colors and textures.

Whetstone said visiting the school brought back memories.

Dobos said a family member, Joe Dobos, was in the first graduating class of 1954, and a family member has graduated each decade since including 2010 with Paige Seech, her niece.

“When Mr. [Richard] Buchenic called out the decades at this year’s graduation, there was a family member from each who stood up,” she said. Buchenic is Hubbard superintendent.

Jaime Filo of Cornersburg and Stephanie Burnett of Hartford, both class of 1995, said memories of school came flooding back as they walked the halls.

“It seems like yesterday we were in school here ... and I was running late to class,” Filo said.

“It somehow seems smaller ... and I think it’s sad it will be gone,” Burnett said.

Both commented on changes at the school since they graduated. “This was a close-knit group,” Burnett said. “There was always a homey feeling here,” Filo said.

In the library, Dale Alfredo, a teacher’s aide, was showing a video she compiled. It started with portraits of the first graduating class and chronicled the history of the school to tunes including “Time in a Bottle,” “Memories,” “School Days” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

Buchenic, class of 1962, said he and many others remember Bill Tucciarone, assistant principal, who would stand in the halls and monitor students’ behavior. “He was ‘the man,’” said Buchenic. A student didn’t want to be on his bad side, Buchenic said.

He said he’s estimated that between 11,500 and 12,000 students graduated from 1954 to 2010, which had 198 graduates.

Buchenic, who has been superintendent since 2004 and has 24 years as a teacher and administrator in the district, said it is sad to see the old school demolished but exciting that the district is moving forward. “We have the memories, and this is best for the community,” he said.

He said having a school campus from kindergarten through 12th grades will afford a better use of facilities and resources.

The overall cost of the new school complex is $56 million: $38 million from the state and $18 million borrowed through a bond issue.