Date: Fri 21-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

schools-graduation-McHugh

Full Text:

With cut: A Popular Graduation Speaker Returns

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Over the years, Newtown High School's graduation speakers have included radio

talk show host Don Imus and CBS News commentator Douglas Edwards, but only one

person has ever addressed a graduating class on more than one occasion. On

Friday, June 21, NHS math/history teacher Bob McHugh will make his third

appearance at the podium in front of a graduating class.

The annual event in Bruce Jenner Stadium will begin at 5 pm. Also addressing

the class of 1996 will be valedictorian Kate Zimmerman and salutatorian

Courtney Elf.

Mr McHugh, a 22-year veteran of NHS, spoke at two other graduations during the

1990s and is known for his humorous speeches which always manage to get the

students involved.

Mr McHugh, who lives in Newtown, believes he has been chosen by graduating

classes on three occasions because he teaches predominantly seniors, thus,

he's fresh in their minds when it comes time to vote on a speaker.

However, NHS Principal Bill Manfredonia believes students see the teacher as

someone who truly cares about what and who he teaches.

"Clearly, I think Bob is an excellent teacher and I think what students see in

him is that he cares about them, he has high expectations, and he has a great

sense of humor," he explained.

Mr Manfredonia said in recent years, students have opted to choose faculty

members as their commencement speakers.

"The faculty addresses have been outstanding," he said.

Senior class adviser Diane Olbrys sees the speeches given by faculty members

to be more meaningful to the students because they know the speaker and the

speaker knows them.

"They can relate to the speaker better if they know him or her," she said. "A

lot of the kids who have Bob for psychology really like him. They think he has

a good message."

In his first two speeches, Mr McHugh's recurring theme was "grow up, but don't

grow old." He told both the class of 1990 and the class of 1994 to always do

your best, but never take things too seriously.

Mr McHugh declined to divulge the contents of his address, but said it would

be an all-request speech.

"I solicited suggestions from people on what they thought a graduation speech

should be, so this speech will actually be several different speeches,

including a request from the class of 1996," he explained. "I can say this,

`it will be a very light-hearted speech.' There will probably be a few

chuckles, but there is a message."

Like every year, Mr McHugh said he's praying for good weather.

"I checked the weather forecast last night and chose the station with the best

forecast," he said. "Channel 4 was calling for showers, but Channel 3 had a

better forecast so I went with Channel 3."

Newtown hasn't had to move its commencement exercise inside since 1981 when

the fire marshall refused to allow the ceremony to process until the

jam-packed NHS auditorium became less crowded.

Former NHS Graduation Speakers

1996...NHS teacher, Bob McHugh

1995...NHS teacher, Tom McMoran

1994...NHS teacher, Bob McHugh

1993...NHS teacher, Ray Clark

1992...NHS teacher, Martha Wilson

1991...NHS teacher, Mary Tomaino

1990...NHS teacher, Bob McHugh

1989...NHS teacher, Robert Tremaglio

1988...Ken Venit, WTNH anchor/High School Bowl host

1987...Judge William Lavery

1986...NHS secretary, Frances O. Stevens

1985...NHS asistant principal, John Lynch

1984...State Representative Mae Schmidle

1983...John Daly

1982...Raymond D. Sipherd, Sesame Street producer

1981...Katie Kelly, WNBC critic

1980...Douglas Edwards, CBS News commentator

1979...Dr Kathleen McGrory of ECSU

1978...Edith Alpenfels, anthropologist

1977...unknown

1976...Talk show host Don Imus

1975...Timothy Kayfus, student

1974...Kathleen Addis, student

1973...Secretary of State Gloria Schaffer

1972...Daniel W. Lufkin, state DEP commissioner

1971...WCSU Dean Dr Gilbert Teal