Alumni have also established the CW Baker High Alumni Association
It's Facebook page can be found here.
Would you like to be featured in the Alumni Spotlight, or do you know someone who should be featured?
If so, contact Kelly Cary, School Information Officer, at kcary@bville.org.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Jeffrey Girard Retires from U.S. Army Congratulations to Col. Jeffrey Girard, a 1981 graduate of Baker High School. He recently retired from the U.S. Army after 25 years of active duty. He received his graduate degree from Duke University in 1996 in artificial intelligence. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum after 9/11. He later served as chief technology officer at Carlisle Barracks, PA, from 2002-2005, before his position as assistant professor teaching electrical engineering/computer science at West Point Military Academy, of which he is a graduate. Jeffrey is the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.
Matthew Dengler was a member of the Baker High School Class of 2006. He is a senior in the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University where he's working toward his BFA in drama. He is currently on a leave of absence from his senior year as he pursues his dream job - a part in a Broadway musical. Dengler is an understudy with the show "A Little Night Music," which he describes as a dark comedy of errors. As a member of the cast he gets to rub elbows with some big names, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, and he still can't believe it. "It all happened really fast. It was kind of overwhelming but it's what I've been working for so it was all very exciting," he said.
Dengler has been preparing for Broadway for most of his life. He started playing the piano in second grade. When he was a student at Elden Elementary School, music teacher Barb Schmid encouraged him to try out for the Syracuse Children's Chorus. "I owe a lot to her," he said. He noted that she gave him the confidence to tryout and helped him to prepare for his audition. He said that when he made the chorus, there was no turning back. That same year he auditioned for Baker High School's production of "Into the Woods" and earned a part. He has a long resume of musical productions he was involved in here in Central New York, including playing the title role in Syracuse Stage's production of "Oliver" when he was in eighth grade.
Dengler said two other teachers, Carol Jacobe and Colin Keating, also influenced him to pursue the theater. He remembers Jacobe cornering him in the hall one day after reading his answers to a questionnaire regarding college plans. "An architect? Matt, we need to talk," she told him. After assuring him he had what it takes to make it in the theater, Jacobe and Keating aided Dengler in preparing for his college auditions. "I really owe so much to the amazing musical training I received in B'ville," Dengler said. "B'ville truly has a top notch music department." Dengler plans to return to his studies this summer to finish his degree. For now, he said he is enjoying every minute of his Broadway experience. "To make a living doing what I love to do is more than I could have ever asked for," he said. Dr. Jason Slaunwhite was a member of Baker High School's Class of 2000. After graduating from Union College in 2004, he earned his Ph.D. in high-energy experimental particle physics from Ohio State University in 2009. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher with the University of Notre Dame.
His degree has taken him across the globe. As a member of Notre Dame's high-energy experimental particle physics research group, Jason is currently living in France and working on the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Jason explained that the Collider is the world's biggest particle accelerator. It smashes atoms together to recreate the conditions that existed during the Big Bang. Jason is collaborating with scientists from 38 countries, recording and analyzing the collisions to learn about the universe in its earliest stages.
Jason said the Baldwinsville Central School District prepared him for his future with opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. His classes in Baldwinsville helped him build a foundation of math, physics, and computer science that prepared him for college and beyond. He especially enjoyed his physics classes, and he discovered a love of running and skiing through extracurricular activities. In the picture below, Jason is joined by his parents, Mike and Mae Slaunwhite, on Mount Blanc.
Jason encourages anyone interested in physics to contact him at jason.slaunwhite@gmail.com.
REUNIONS
C.W. Baker celebrates
The First Annual All-Alumni Reunion
by Tamara Falter Caruso
Last year, Baldwinsville's Village Board declared the first weekend in August to be Alumni weekend. The anticipation of this melding of students was almost too much to take. Facebook was on fire daily with conversations, stories, memories and longing for the weekend to arrive. Nostalgic photos were posted leading to conversations between people who didnt know each other but were connected by a little dot on the map.
Let me tell you something about the people of our quiet little town. They are loyal. There is something special about our quaint village that draws people back. It's a feeling that can't be explained but if you ask anyone who has called Baldwinsville home, they will tell you that they
feel it, too. I've heard people say, "You can never go home." They aren't from B'ville.
The weekend of August 6 & 7, 2010 promised to be a busy one with three separate reunions scheduled. The class of '90's 20th, the class of '80's 30th and the All-Alumni reunion
that was represented by students from most years between 1956 through 2009. People traveled from several states away to attend. The most interesting part was that while there were three separate reunions taking place, one didn't overshadow the others. All ages and all classes mingled and celebrated together all because of the common denominator called
Baker High.
How simply wonderful it was to reconnect with former classmates and create new friendships. The Budweiser Amphitheater on Paper Mill Island was rockin' with the music of Under the Gun. You could find over 1000 people dancing, singing and enjoying the atmosphere of an eclectic group of current and former residents so happy to share an evening together. The end of the concert led to fireworks lighting up the sky over the Seneca River and a barrage of bodies exiting the island heading to several different spots in B'ville that were ready to welcome them.
The Edgewater was bursting with people. Much laughter filled the air as cameras flashed to commemorate these returning B'villians. Eyes met from across the room, arms waved at familiar faces, and smiles lit up the entire place. Many conversations led to connections with siblings,
cousins, neighbors and old friends realizing how many people and places we all have in common.
Many of us ended our night at the B'ville Diner, a landmark of our unique little corner of Heaven since 1950. There is nothing better than having home fries and gravy at 2
am.
Rumor has it that the class of '76 is planning a 35th reunion during alumni weekend 2011 as well as the planning of the 2nd All Alumni Events. Let the planning begin.
Any questions or if you are interested in helping with the formation of the CW Baker High Alumni Association please contact John Blair 315-457-5540, email jjbx@verizon.net or Lynnette Yager-Barbano 973-518-4311, email lybarbano@yahoo.com. Please find us on Facebook under CW Baker High Alumni Association. We are also looking for all class officers and reunion committee heads to assist us in making the C.W. Baker High Alumni Association the very best in its field.
We would like to thank the Village of Baldwinsville Board, the Police Department and the Edgewater Grille for a great weekend.
Baker High School’s “Class of 2000” 10-Year Reunion Scheduled - The Reunion Planning Committee of the C.W.BakerHigh School Class of 2000 is pleased to announce that a 10-Year reunion is scheduled for Saturday, September 4th at Mohegan Manor.We are actively working toward locating classmates.All BakerHigh School’s Class of 2000 graduates are encouraged to Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=144084068543&ref=search ) Email any additional questions to Megan Moran and Tracy Wilczek at bvilleclassof2000reunions@gmail.com.
ALUMNI NOTES
In 1961, Dave Disinger (Class of ’62) painted a mural as an art class project after his art teacher, Dorothy Kimball, encouraged him to paint it. Once he had completed it, the 16’ mural, depicting a football scrimmage, hung in the school gym where it remained for many years until the gym wall had to be repainted.Someone mistakenly threw the painting in the dumpster, where it was later retrieved by varsity football coach Carl Sanfilippo.Coach Sanfilippo stored the painting in his garage for several years before hanging it in the coaches’ office at the high school.
For many years, Dave and his family thought that the painting had been destroyed, until recently when his sister, Barbara Stowe, was touring the high school with the Class of ’67 as part of their reunion weekend.Barbara mentioned to the custodian conducting the tour that she was looking for athletic trophies from her graduating class. He let her and her brother Tom (Class of ’65) into the coaches’ office to see if there were any trophies there. Instead, Barbara and Tom discovered their brother’s long-lost mural hanging on the wall behind the office door.
This past January, Dave finally saw his mural for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Because it has faded over the years, Dave has offered to touch up the painting over the summer.
My name is Gerri Baker Councill. I lived in Baldwinsville and attended St. Mary’s School and then Baker High. I would have graduated with the class of 1964 but moved out of state. I would really enjoy hearing from someone who may be able to share some info about former friends and classmates. I can be reach by email at Gerri@btcchester.com
A big, “hello” from Tami Falter, class of ’77. Graduated early, one year at CCBI, then got married. Twenty-Five years and three children (boy, girl, boy) later, I divorced. Went to OCC (Harvard on the hill), moved a couple of times, and then how lucky I was to reconnect with Andy Caruso. His three boys, his three step-daughters and my kids make for a full house during most holidays and birthdays. They all get along and have decided to bless us with grandchildren. As of this posting, 7/21/09, Arianna is nine months old, Summer is two weeks old and my daughter is due on Valentine’s day with number three. We are living together in B’ville (who says you can never go home?) I work in an office downtown and Andy is in Syracuse as a tire wholesaler. This is a good life. The big test for us was our Disney trip in February. I think Andy likes Disney almost as much as I do. He is a keeper.
Note from Audrei Horton - My name is Audrei Horton.I attended Baker High from 96-97. I would have graduated ,but I moved to West palm Beach ,Florida. I would like to say hi to everyone I went to school with. Things are much better for me now. Back in High school I had a lot of emotional problems resulting from my mom trying to kill herself when I was 11 years old . I had a learning disability called dyslexia, which made it hard for me at times. With all those problems,I also had a disorder called trichotillomania,(obsessive compulsive disorder)where I pulled my eyelashes out.I hated to go to school because I was ashamed and scared that people would notice and make fun of me. Since then,I've been through extensive therapy and am much much better. I'm now a school bus driver for B'ville, which I love. I surprised myself when I passed those tests at the DMV for a commercial driver's license and the behind the wheel road test. It wasn't easy,but I did it and I love my job. If you would like to get in touch with me, you can email me at plaunge79@yahoo.com
Sad news - Janet (Ibbitson) Ritz, class of 1977, passed away at her home today, October 13, after a year-long battle with cancer. She was 48. Cherished wife and mother, beloved daughter and sister, honored friend, she will live forever in our hearts. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Brian Ritz, her daughters Riki-Lee Ritz and Sara Ritz, all of Cato, her mother, Marilyn Ibbitson, her brothers Alan and David Ibbitson, all of Baldwinsville, her sister Susan Ibbitson, Oswego, her two best friends of over 40 years, Karen (Welch) Carlin, Portland, OR and Gina (Lavallee) Carr, Waterloo, NY, as well as various aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Hi, my name is Anita Brand (Freeman) I went to school in Baldwinsville during 1961 - 1965. I didn't graduate from there because we moved. I moved around a lot as a child and the 4 years spent in Baldwinsville were the longest time for me. I would have graduated in 1967. I was in the band and enjoyed my time at Baker High. Please contact me at anita656@missouristate.edu if you were in my class or in band with me. I would love to hear from old friends. Anita
Cheryl Gleason, Class of 1993 - My married name is Cheryl Mero. I got married in 1998 to David Mero who was in the class of 1991. We have 2 girls together, ages 13 and 9. We now reside in Weedsport, NY. I work for St. Josephs Dialysis in Syracuse NY. I would be very interested in hearing from anyone I went to school with. My email address is cmero@twcny.rr.com. I would even be glad to here from some of the teachers I had. Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Anyone wishing to submit information about reunions or alumni notes are invited to send them to the Baker HS Webmaster.
Last updated on 8/19/2010
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C.W. Baker celebrates
The First Annual All-Alumni Reunion
by Tamara Falter Caruso