The teachers at Upper St. Clair High School
were similar to those around the country.
Some inspired us to go on and do great things...others
just thought we should cater to them. (see photo above)
No wonder we didn't learn anything in school !! :) :)
Please Note:
If you are already on our site and would like to change your photo
or edit your profile...please e-mail Cheryl with photo and info at....
usc65reunion@gmail.com
Hope you will be able to join us next September!
Dr. Christ passed away the summer of 2014...
Dr. Ronald Christ - Basketball Coach
For those Classmates who were in my class
either in fifth or sixth grade, here is a test question for you:
Do you remember the " ALL DAY TREATMENT ? "
Would you be able to explain it to others?
ronaldchrist@hotmail.com
I am very excited to be invited to the Class of '65 reunion. I taught many of you in either fifth or sixth grade so I look forward to seeing you again. In case you are wondering what happened to me since I left teaching, I became the Principal of Johnston School in 1961. I was only there two years when I was appointed the position of Elementary Supervisor in charge of all elementary schools. While serving in that position, I took a sabbatical leave to spend 15 months at Penn State and I received my Doctor's Degree in 1967. In 1970, I left USC to teach at California University and remained there until my retirement in 2001. I taught teaching methods courses as well as graduate research courses. In addition, I supervised student teachers.
I have been divorced and remarried to a wonderful woman for the past twenty years. We live in Jefferson Hills, which is close enough for us to attend USC basketball games, You may recall that I was the first high school basketball coach USC ever had, serving from 1957-1961 and my love of the game has never waned. Ron Christ
English Teacher... Mr. Brosnahan
Mr. Brosnahan called most of us by our
"last" name and was known to be a tough
teacher. Those that made it through his class
appreciated it in the long run !
"What's your major malajustment ?"
bros1@earthlink.net
2006 Entry...
I retired in 1999 after teaching forty and a half years, most of which were at USC as a teacher and English Curriculum Leader. I feel blessed to have been able to have found a profession that I loved. In fact, after retiring, I have continued teaching. I taught graduate education and observed student teachers for Chatham College. I currently am teaching English composition for the Community College of Allegheny County, Washington County Center. Many of you will remember my wife, Carol, who student-taught with Mrs. Akers. We were married in December, 1963, and will celebrate forty three years together this December. Shortly before I retired, we fulfilled a dream and purchased an old house in East Washington, PA where we currently live. We raised three children, Sean, Kelly, and Molly, and now have eight grandchildren. We spend our time doing a great deal of babysitting, and we also travel, having been to Europe several times. Carol and I hope to be able to attend the reunion which should be enjoyable for both of us, since Carol remembers many of you fondly as do I. Bob Brosnahan
Chemistry Teacher... Mr. Zuraw
Everyone enjoyed this teacher's enthusiasm
for chemistry even if we could not appreciate
the chemistry itself !
zuraw@pulsenet.com
2015 Entry: My wife, Maggie, and I look forward to seeing
everyone at PNC Park in September.
2006 Entry...
After you all left in 1965, I managed to hang on for another 32 years at USC until I retired in 1997 with 40 years in the classroom. In 1995 my wife and I did what we had planned to do for about 30 years. We bought an historic house to restore. We now live on 10 acres just outside of Washington, PA in a house that was built in 1790. We have been working happily on the house and a large barn for the past 11 years.
My family consists of my daughter Vicki from my first marriage who lives near Phoenix. Maggie and I have four children. Pete and his wife Zandra and two grandsons, Calvin 4 and Quinn 2 live near Boston, Michael and his wife Elizabeth live in Lancaster and Julie who lives either in her house on Long Island or her brownstone in Brooklyn depending on when we talk to her. Cathy, our youngest daughter unfortunately died suddenly in 1984 at the age of 12.
In January 1998 I began working part-time for a non-profit agency in Pgh, ASSET, Inc. Our mission is to improve the teaching of science at the elementary school level. I have enjoyed the work very much. Just last week with the passing of the new state budget, we got a multimillion dollar grant to expand our program throughout the state. Vic Zuraw
Girls Phys Ed Teacher...Lois Nesbitt
How can anyone forget "Square Dancing"
with the boys and the white one-piece gym
suits that had to be starched !
laclark@auxmail.iup.edu
2015 Entry...
Hoping to be able to join everyone in September !
2006 Entry...
I will be so excited to attend the reunion. We just came back after visiting our first grandson. He was born on Feb 28...8 lbs and 12 oz. I didn't get married until 1977 so I am about 10 years behind. The first thing I did was go to my library and get my 1965 Clairvoyant and go through it and remember all the wonderful experiences I had at USC. I remembered the GAA girls, leaders club, cheerleaders and gymnastics club. As I recall, the cheerleaders were one of the most talented squads I worked with at USC. Nancy was captain and the seniors were Jayne, Gwen, and Linda. I think there was another Meek on the 1962-63 squad. Not only were they full of pep and great spirit but they were excellent athletes. Of course, I will never forget our GAA and Leaders Club. I had so much fun with them. It was never the same once they organized sports for girls. We were able to get a lot of students involved with activities.
I believe IUP has an outstanding program in teacher education. I was teaching, in my field, classes in teacher education. I specialized in motor development, safety education, and individual and dual sports. I also helped to supervise student teachers. I coached women's field hockey, basketball and finally swimming. I did alot in aquatics. I taught lifeguarding, WSI, beginning and intermediate swimming and fitness swimming. I also taught in our summer Aquatics School with Dr. Ralph Johnson. I retired in 2000 as an Associate Professor of HPE. I had been working on a Doctorate at Pitt but I ran out of time.
Would love to hear about all the success stories from the Class of '65...
Can't wait to see everyone ! Lois Nesbitt Clark
Spanish Teacher... Betty Scalise
Does anybody still have their
" Spanish Notebook ?"
Does anybody even know how to
say "notebook" .... in Spanish ?
bascalise@comcast.net
2015 Entry...
"I was born in Pittsburgh in 1941. I was raised in Beechview and graduated from South Hills High School. My first job after graduating from Pitt in 1962 was at Upper St. Clair. The high school was not yet finished when I had my interview with Dr. Streams. We picked our way through the construction site ! Except for one US History class, I taught various levels of Spanish all three years that I was on the faculty. In 1965, I decided to go back to grad school full time and left Pittsburgh for the University of Wisconsin where I got an MA in Spanish in 1967. I served with the Peace Corps in Colombia (1997-98), married, lived in Michigan for the next six years, divorced, moved to California in 1974, and in 1977, relocated to Madera, CA - a small town in the central valley where I still live. Although I loved teaching, I spent 27 years of my nearly 40 years in the school business as an administrator, mostly as a principal. I retired in 2005. I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend the last decade with friends, family, travel, and community activities. My children & grandchildren are in California, Florida & South Carolina, and there are still lots of relatives in the Pittsburgh area, so I am on the road periodically. I very much enjoyed attending the 40th reunion of your class and hope to see all of you again. My students at Upper St. Clair were a special part of my life and continue to be a part of my happy memories.
Betty Scalise - 2015
Latin Teacher...Mr. Vrsansky
" Serious Up " now...
2006 Entry...
20th year of retirement ... Travel to Las Vegas and California with family ... Good times at senior center with new friends ... Heart surgery 3 1/2 years ago ... Wife passed away 3 1/2 years ago ...Two grandchildren, Samantha, 2 years old and Trevor Joseph, 3 months old.
79 years old and having fun !!!!!
See you at the Reunion.
Joseph Vrsansky
Social Studies Teacher - Peggy BrakemanGrinager
peggygrinager@aol.com
2015 Entry... I look forward to seeing everyone in September !
2006 Entry...
Graduate of Edinboro University - 1960
Did Graduate work at: Clarion University, Pitt at Johnston, Carnegie Tech, Pitt
Taught at Fairview Junior Senior High School, Upper St. Clair High School, North Allegheny Middle, Intermediate, and Senior High School. Retired in 1999.
Married: R. Bruce Grinager in 1964 (42 years now), Worked for General Motor: Pontiac Motor Division, Retired.
Children: Beth Grinager Knaiuff, Carlen Grinager Capenos, Annette Grinager
Grandchildren: Lorraine Capenos, 7, Clayton Capenos, 4, Ryan Kaniuff, 5, and Emma Kaniuff, 1
What I do now: Play in a handbell choir, sing in Cranberry Civic Choral, Docent at the Senator John Heinz History Center, Docent at Sample (one room) School, (built in 1874), Cranberry Historical Society, Red Hat Society, Vice Moderator of Northmont Presbyterian Women, Deacon and Elder and member of the Capital Project Committee at Northmont, attend Club Julian to swim and workout many times a week to keep me strong.
Have been lucky to travel to: England, France, Germany, Italy, Monte Carlo, Norway, Hawaii, Guam, Australia, Argentine, several islands in the Carribean Sea, and have been in just about all of the mainland United States!
Have been very lucky to have a happy, good, and full 67 years of life!!!!
WE OLDER PEOPLE HAVE TO KEEP BUSY!!!!!!!
Peggy "Brakeman" Grinager
Language Teacher...Sue Baggs
" Nest ce pas "
bumer@duq.edu
Math Teacher...Mr. Saunders
Strikes one as being a rather quiet,
thoughtful individual.
When asked what he liked about St. Clair
he said ...I'm impressed by the behavior
of students...no need to discipline...so far
However I do have a few prize prospects
( Now... who would they be ? )
2015 Entry... I look forward to seeing everyone at PNC Park.
2006 Entry...
School year 1964-65 was my second year of teaching after one year in Penn Hills. That year I had mostly freshmen and sophomores... but I did have a senior homeroom. J.J. Bianchin looked like he should have been the teacher instead of me ! I have lots of great memories of USC High School starting with your class. I ended my teaching career in 2003 and now, my wife Liz and I travel (Hawaii last), spoil grandchildren (Ryan and Hayley) and take care of our home in Peters Twp.
James Saunders
jasaunders@comcast.net
Boy's Phys Ed Teacher...Mr. Perinis
Who remembers Coach Perinis driving
around in his "upside-down bathtub" or
was that a Nash Rambler ?
2015 Entry... I look forward to seeing everyone at your
50th High School Reunion in September !
2006 Entry...
I retired from teaching in 1993 after 32 years at Upper St. Clair High School. My coaching included basketball, baseball, and girls golf for 18 years. Cherry, Barzler, Bruschi, and Bob Schnure were some of the boys I recall playing both baseball and basketball in 1965. I am still involved in sports as a swimming official. Civil War living history, since 1988, has been a special way to combine my love of teaching kids and historical reenactments. Every spring, Gary Navoney and I participate in Boyce Middle School Civil War Days. I enjoyed camping and travelling the USA with my motor home for 10 years. Now I travel between my homes in Peters Township, Niantic, CT and rent a condo for two months near St. Augustine, FL. I have been fortunate to be able to travel to Alaska, Europe, and a special trip to my family homeland in Greece last year. I still play golf and enjoy watching the super Steelers, Pirates and being with my wife Jeannette, son in CT, daughter in England and two grandchildren- Alexandra at FSU (in photo) and Andrew graduating from CMU this year. Alex Perinis
Franklin Carr - Guidance Counselor
Mr Carr passed away on July 8, 2015
You may view his obituary at www.postgazette.com
jaelce@libcom.com
2006 Entry...
Graduated Burnham High School 1949
University of Pennsylvania 1949-1951
US Air Force 1951-1954
Graduated California University of PA 1957
Fort Couch Jr - Sr High School
Taught in the USC School district for 29 years. During those 29 years taught Science and Social Studies at Fort Couch Middle School and Social Studies, American Cultures and European History at the High School. Was assisant principal at Fort Couch, assistant principal at the High School, principal at Fort Couch and finally, principal at the High School. Sponsored many of USC's activities such as Student Council, World Affairs, AFS, and Jr. Achievement. Also functioned as the Activities Director, Athletic Director, and Assistant football coach.
Married - Father of four daughters and two sons. All children graduated from USCHS. Daughter Karen (Stoicovy) Momyer is a teacher at USCHS.
Donald C. Stoicovy
Band Director...Mr. Ruzzini
Obituary for Angelo A. Ruzzini...
Home Economics Teacher... Ms. Ross
grammy323@comcast.net
2015 Entry...
Thank you so much for the invitation. I would love to come, but we will be home in Beaufort SC at that time and will have house guests that week. Please tell your classmates Hello from me. My late husband Wayne Ross died in 2001. I remarried in 2007 Steve Sooy and we bought a home on the water in Beaufort SC...but we spend a lot of time here in the Washington County area in the summer. All of my daughters live here.
Thank you again for the invitation and I hope you have a wonderful evening !
Phyllis Ross Sooy
2006 Entry...
Hi all! Gosh - it would be great to be able to be with you - but I have house guests from Isenburg, Germany visiting me and the U.S. all that week and weekend. Have a wonderful time and please keep in touch. Hopefully at the next one I can join you.
I am still working as a Food Service Broker, mostly part-time. I love the job - it is about people and food, two of my favorite things. All four of my daughters, their spouses and my nine grandchildren are healthy and doing well. I am so blessed to have them all within a 15-mile radius of me. There is a special someone in my life and we are spending a lot of time together traveling in his motorhome and seeing the United States by the back-roads. Never expected that to happen after Wayne died in 2001. But he is the widower of one of my college roommates and we have decided to become more than the friends we have been for the past 25 years. I am sure you can guess from this - my life is good and am enjoying every moment of it. Again, the best to each and everyone of you. I can't wait to read about what each of you is doing. Phyllis Ross
English Teacher...Mr. Runkle
Remember Mr. Runkle bumping into
a file cabinet and saying "excuse me"
as if it was a person ?
1965 was his last year at USC...
we were the lucky ones...
mrunkle183@comcast.net
French Teacher...Ms. Rocher
Ooh La La!! ...Mademoiselle...
What "great" glasses you have...
Not sure who's we like better...
yours or Ms. Scalise's.
Were they a language thing?
Mr. Rusciolelli - Social Studies Teacher
Assistant Football Coach
"Took a special interest in his players"
Typing Teacher...Mrs. Fischer
Mrs. Fischer has passed away
Math Teacher...Mr. Thomas Smith
"Witty" red headed teacher of Plane
Geometry who raised flowers and
sold Christmas Trees.
Spanish Teacher...Ms. Haight
English Teacher...Ms. Talerico
Shop Teacher...Mr. Fischer
Choral Director...Mr. Wood
Science Teacher...Ms. Knauber
" I don't see why you people don't understand this... "
English Teacher...Ms. Croushore
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON...
Hazel Akers... Joe Airgiro... George Betcher... Clarence Brown... Dr. Ronald Christ...
Dr. Eichorn... Janet Fischer... Mary Houston... Betty LaValley... Edgar Mehaffey... William Merritt... Dr. Niles Norman...
Capitola Poellot... Jean Koesel... James Shoemaker... John Small... Mr. Stoicovy... Dr. Carl Streams...
John Wasson... Dr. Stanley Zingle... Mr. Franklin Carr... Mr. Angelo Ruzzini