(Esther McCoy/Herald Star) Most students carry a few memories of their high school years with them into adulthood and continue to picture the building, with its metal lockers and blackboards.
With the disappearance of high school classes in Adena after the formation of Buckeye Local High School, two former buildings of learning remained, with one used as an elementary school and the other fashioned into a
meeting hall for various organizations.
Past graduates and members of the Adena Alumni Association, placed a memorial monument in preservation of the 1921 high school's school location.
Mitch Toto, from the Class of '55, donated the stone and had it hauled to Bethesda to be shaped and the black-onyx plaque installed. The plaque has an etched picture of the high school that is located on North Mill Street and the words to the Golden Wave Alma Mater, written by a 1938 classmate.
Frank Zeroski of Zeroski's Excavating donated time and equipment to set the monument in place.
A report was made on the project at the 30th reunion of the alumni association held at the Hopedale Social Hall. Ray Konkoleski presided, and John Parkinson made introductions, while Betty Walker Campbell gave the invocation.
The 1961 class was honored, with Dick Ferda being instrumental in getting his classmates together, it was noted. Tony Bioarski and Bill Beuth relived moments from the past, both memorable and amusing, and a book was designed and presented for each classmate.
Another new feature was honoring six alumni members for their contributions, with Jerry Anderson serving as emcee of the honors presentations.
Honored were:
James "Monk" Moscrip, Class of 1931, deceased, a star athlete in high school and college. He also played football with the Detroit Lions for the salary of $150 per game. He is in the College Football Hall of Fame in Cincinnati and the OVAC Museum in Wheeling.
He became an administrator at Woodside Acres Hospital.
Tony Violi, Class of 1936, known for his dedication to music and teaching. At 92, he still teaches music to students in the Steubenville City Schools. His Big Red Band played at the inauguration of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon
Johnson. He still marches with his alma mater, Ohio State University, at football games, and he was selected to direct the national anthem at an OSU-Washington State football game before more than 103,000 football fans. He is a World War
II veteran, serving with the 95th Division in Europe and his decorations and citations include the EAME Theater, with three bronze stars; American Theater Ribbon; World War II Victory Ribbon; Sharp Shooter Medal; and Good Conduct Ribbon.
Livia Rotondo Falcicchio, Class of 1939, has given more than 25 gallons of blood in her lifetime to the American Red Cross, while employed at the Pentagon. She helped with the Arthritis Foundation, Heart Association, YMCA & RSVP.
(API) Irene Satory, Class of 1948, was honored for her dedication.
After completing Elementary and High School, in Adena, she attended the Elliott School of Business in Wheeling West Virginia. She received a BS in Education and a MLS (Librarianship) at Spalding College, Louisville, KY.
She is also certified in Montessori training from Drayton Plains, MI.
At a young age, Irene was intrigued by the fact that her mother had a cousin, Sister Rose Clare, in "far away Kentucky".At the age 11 she wrote to her uncle, Adam Stromski, a seminarian , who later became pastor at St. Stanislaus, Maynard, OH.
When Irene was 21, he said "...the Sisters in Maynard want to talk to you," and they invited her to go with them to Nazareth for their retreat.
Her uncle Adam was later ordained Father of St. Stanislaus Parish in Maynard. In 1952 Irene became a postulant who was inspired by the parish, her friends and family.
She served as medical librarian at the following: Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Louisville, KY, St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center,
Little Rock, AK., and at the Nazareth Archival Center at Nazareth, KY,
where community history is maintained. In 2005 she celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. Currently, she lives at Nazareth, KY and with vision loss due to macular degeneration, a magnifier enables her to
continue work on justice issues and she enjoys connections with wonderful friends.
Fred DiDomenico coached Golden Wave football from 1949-52. He attended every reunion until last year when a doctor would not allow it. He is a member of the Ohio Military Hall of Fame, enlisting in the Marine Corps on Sept. 7, 1942, and he received the Silver Star when he endured 60 days of intense conflict to secure an area for aircraft to land.
Mitch Toto, who designed the school monument, started a physical fitness program at age 40 and is labeled Adena's Bionic Man. He ran races, bicycled, swam and participated in many athletic endeavors. Assisted by his wife, Nancy, he bicycled across and around the United States.
The monument design came about after the suggestion by Pete Milicia.
The 2012 reunion dinner was held at the Hopedale Social Hall.
