Chronicle way-back machine returns. We're sophomores - Purple Panthers '64Purple Panthers '64

It’s the Chattanooga Choo-Choo crowd getting ready for Minstrel Show! Phil Dube, Elaine Ambrose, Jeff Powers, and Jane Buckley.

The April 1962 edition of the Cathedral Chronicle led with a promo for the Minstrel Revue of 1962, to take place May 8-11, and featuring several members of our class.

Soloists on the marquee included Rita Arsenault, Dyanne (sic) Dillon, Frances Hull, and Mary Lou Lattinville. Featured dancers included Peggy Morneau and Dan Cotter, while 14 group performances helped fill out the bill.

The only other page one mention for a classmate was the report that Dan Noonan had received a silver medal in the recent state speech finals.

A small article on page three spurred an amusing recollection. The headline reads “Sophs Name Byron to ‘Hall of Fame,'” but the article never says that. It only includes Byron among those being considered for the honor in Sister Agnes Bernard‘s second and fourth period English classes. As I recall, we were to write essays extolling the virtues of our candidates. Some or all were read out loud, and the class was to select the Hall of Famers. Paul Donahue nominated Lord Byron, a flamboyant and notorious Romantic poet who lived fast and died young in 1824. (That’s from Wikipedia; it’s not like I remember those details.) But I do remember being impressed with Paul’s willingness to challenge the usual cast of characters for such things, e.g., heroes, saints, presidents, ball players. I also recall thinking Sr. Agnes Bernard may have been bemused more than scandalized by the choice, as well as Paul’s energetic nomination. I believe Lord Byron made the Hall of Fame.

If we need another reminder of how much time has passed, page four announces the upcoming appearance at CHS of the choral group from the St. Francis de Sales School “for Negro girls in Powhatan, Virginia.” The choral “directress” was a CHS alumna, class of 1933.

Page five has a picture of budding track star John Collins as the Purple Panthers opened their season. Also cited as participating were Dennis Trelease and Dick Grogan. Tom Counos and Bill Wood were on a tennis team that was, according to the report, “Coachless, but not hopeless.”