One of my favorite community contributions is to serve as the master of ceremonies at the Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame dinner, which honors 10 graduates who have made their marks throughout the world.

The fifth annual dinner was Saturday night at the Farrell High School cafeteria, and the Hall continued its tradition of honoring alumni from all walks of life — scientists, NASA engineers, retired majors and colonels, educators, chemists, doctors, dentists, lawyers, entertainers, and others. It’s always a very special time.

Lou Nicastro is 87 years young and was the last male cheerleader at Farrell in 1940. He taught for more than 30 years in Youngstown, and has been singing for more than 65 years. He stole the show Saturday, leading the crowd of more than 200 in a rousing rendition of the Farrell High Fight Song, after he brought them up to speed on the words.

Tom Nevant, my chemistry teacher at Farrell, told of how special it was for him, living nearby as a youth with his parents, to watch every day the construction of Farrell High School (today’s elementary school) brick-by-brick as a part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration.

Drs. James Kollar and Brian Generalovich, local dentists for many years, talked about their times at Farrell, lauding their teachers and coaches for reinforcing the foundations of their lives. Both Generalovich and Kollar starred for Coach Ed McCluskey’s state basketball teams. Generalovich, six years younger than Kollar, paid special tribute to him, for serving as a role model and developing his interest in dentistry.

Jerry Sharell was Jerry Stiftinger at Farrell High, but the entertainer and former senior executive for numerous record labels changed his name to contain parts of Sharon and Farrell. He has worked with most of the top musicians in his career, and the song of thanks that he performed at the close of his acceptance speech was heartfelt to say the least.

Dr. Dean Matanin, the youngster of the group of inductees at 56, is a leading doctor of pharmacy in western Pennsylvania, and he too lauded Farrell High School, and Nevant in particular, in preparing him for the challenges of pharmacy school.

Ron Clarke, who graduated in 1961, spent more than 30 years as a senior official with the Department of Defense, traveling through all parts of the world, always carrying the same piece of luggage that he received as a gift for being a member of the 1960 state championship basketball team.

Mark Magnotto, who was one of the country’s leading litigation attorneys for CIGNA, relived his days in Farrell, and as a part of a Friday night tour of the school to kick off the weekend, marveled at the condition and the facilities offered at the complex on Roemer Boulevard.

Dr. Martha Bruce graduated in 1948 and was an absolute inspiration, overcoming polio as a child and fulfilling a lifetime goal of spending eight years in Africa, teaching at an educational college and spending countless hours with Nigerian children.

The family of late Superintendent John G. Sava accepted his posthumous award. He served as a teacher, coach and administrator as well as superintendent. His grandchildren, Jessica and John, related their memories of their grandfather.

It was an inspiring evening of gathering with alumni who have been successful and hearing the reasons behind their achievements, and how they were nurtured by family, friends, neighbors, teachers and coaches to succeed in a community and school that they fondly call Farrell.

The editor's e-mail bag

I got the following message from ex-Farrell resident Mike Roscoe of Pinehurst, N.C., reacting to my column last week of the effects of old Farrell neighborhoods on the kids who lived in them.

“I enjoy reading your column as it brings back great memories. I also remember the ‘sleep out,’ begging my mother to let me go, never ever getting any sleep, and having an incredible time.

“Of course, we did occasionally get into trouble. One of these overnights was at a childhood friend’s back yard on Hamilton Avenue, George Ondich. We all were sharing a pack of cigarettes, interspersing laughter with coughing and hacking. After a few minutes, we noticed a shadow getting closer and closer. As we quickly found out, it was George’s dad.

“One by one he calmly peeked in our sleeping bags (we all dove deep inside) and asked who was in there. After an eternity, he finally found George. Soon the air was filled with wailing as Mr. Ondich administered a lesson on the evils of smoking on George’s rear end. I laugh every time I think about that. Farrell — what a great place to grow up in the 60s.”

Among others was this one from Gary Yonchak of Masury.

“Kudos on your recent editorial regarding neighborhood policing, it was right on point. I recall growing up on Lunn Boulevard off of Mercer Avenue, and later in Hickory (Hermitage), knowing that family and neighbors were always keeping an eye on the kids and rarely were there any problems or vandalism. Sad to know now that times have changed so much that kids are less accountable and parents less responsible.”



Jim Raykie is the editor of The Herald and writes this column on Mondays. His e-mail is jraykie@sharonherald.com