Friendship remains strong for first class of Dunmore Central Catholic
Oct. 6—Faith and friendship filled Dunmore Central Catholic High School when it opened in 1964 — and still guide members of the school's first class.
The class of 1968, which had school dances in the hallway, played the first games as the Defenders and helped start the tradition of Catholic education on East Drinker Street in Dunmore, will meet Saturday for its 55th class reunion.
"We grew up together," said Dalton resident Carmen D. Scrimalli, who served as student body president. "You knew a lot about each other."
Five parishes in Dunmore — All Saints, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Casimir, St. Mary of Mount Carmel and St. Rocco — held a successful pledge drive to open the school. Children of the parishes attended the school tuition free.
Four years later, with increasing enrollment of students from the Mid Valley and Valley View areas, the Diocese of Scranton added 19 parishes to the list of those supporting the school. The diocese also changed the school's name to Bishop O'Hara High School, in honor of Bishop William O'Hara, the first bishop of the diocese. The school is now Holy Cross High School.
The building opened in fall 1964 with one wing, and students ate bagged lunches at their desks. In spring 1966, the cafeteria, auditorium and gymnasium opened. Students in the first class felt like "king of the hill," without any upperclassman, said Scrimalli, who found a home on the stage, acting in shows such as "Our Town."
The Rev. Joseph Adonizio served as principal, helping guide the school through its early years, establishing traditions and providing guidance to both students and staff. Parish priests taught religion classes, and religious sisters taught core subjects.
Once dances moved out of the hallway, the school's Fathers Club organized large events featuring live bands, such as Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces. Mothers held a bake sale to buy books for the school library.
Clarks Summit resident Mike Egan, the senior class president, played basketball for the Defenders. The team started with a 2-18 record its first year, Egan's junior year, and then improved to a .500 record for his senior year.
"Even though we were lousy, everyone had good school spirit," Egan said.
Egan, who retired from the Dunmore School District after a career as an industrial arts teacher, plans the reunions each year with Scrimalli, a retired nursing home administrator. Fellow graduates Maurya Dillon, Peggy Iannetta and Bob Cecchini help, too.
About 50% of the class of 99 graduates shows up to reunions, which the group has held every five years. Saturday's reunion will be held at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton.
Egan, 72, and Scrimalli, 73, credit the school for providing a strong foundation for ethics, values and leadership skills.
"We were very close-knit," Egan said.
Contact the writer: shofius@scrantontimes.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.
