1965 - 66
Class Leaders
Student Body Officers - President: Michael Green; Vice President: Fred Diana; Secretary: Michael Guthrie; Treasurer: James Ravarino.
Senior Class Officers – Brian Riley, president; no vice president; Thomas Bailey, secretary; Anthony Marrelli, treasurer; student council delegates Marrelli, Bailey and Roger Fallon.
Junior Class Officers – Craig Mole, president; James Fake, vice president; Robert Crowder, secretary; Steven Schubach, treasurer; student council reps Schubach, Patrick Hurley, Timothy May.
Sophomore Class Offices – Thomas Cook, president; Joseph Yanni, vice president; Steven Meyer, secretary; Neil Yerkovich, treasurer; student council delegates Steven Fake, Norman Wesley, Neil Yerkovich, John Trosper.
Freshman Class Officers – Robert Barber, president; William Cassun, vice president; Robert Redder, secretary; Robert Mole, treasurer; student council reps Mike Holland, Thomas Fonio, Ralph McBroom.
During the Summer
Social studies teacher Fr. Thomas McNamara received a General Electric grant to study economics at Claremont Mens’ College.
The old high-school building, affectionately called “Mercy High” by alumni, was razed in August.
Part of the cafeteria was turned into a student lounge by 30 students working under Fr. Thomas McNamara. For students joining the club for $1, the lounge offered a pool table, card tables, chess and checker boards and a soda fountain.
The Year
National Merit Finalists: Burt Stanga and Wolfgang Millbrandt.
George Trosper was named one of Utah’s two Presidential Scholars (121 nationwide). The award was created a year earlier by President Lyndon Johnson to “recognize the most precious resources of the United States – the brain power of its young people – and to encourage the pursuit of intellectual attainment among all of our youth.”
Administration: Fr. Thomas P. O’Neill, principal; Fr. John Fallon, assistant principal; Fr. Thomas Gillespie, Superior of the Oblates.
Six new additions to the faculty: Jim Yerkovich (Class of 1961), mathematics; Fr. Philip Dahnken, religion and sophomore moderator; James Smith, speech and world history; Fr. Joseph Becker, algebra, English and journalism; Msgr. Francis Kelleher, English and religion (he had been at St. Mary’s); and Fr. Joseph Murray, Latin and English. They joined Oblate trainees George Baldwin, biology; Joseph Becker, English and math; and Patrick Barney, English; Brother James Dorazio, music and mechanical drawing; Fr. William Flegge, religion; Fr. Murty Fahy, librarian; Gil Cordova, social studies and art; Frank Klekas, health and PE; Fr. Thomas McNamara, social studies; Fr. John Pavonarius, French and typing; Fr. Jerald Merrill, science; John Zoolakis, math; and Chris Segura, Spanish.
In a report on enrollment for 1964-65, the school’s population was 413 boys, including 138 freshmen. It included 37 non-Catholics (8.9%). St. Ambrose Parish contributed the most students (83), followed by St. Vincent’s (47), St. Ann’s (43), Lourdes (41) and Cathedral (32).
The Welcome Dance featured two favorite dances – first senior boys would ask freshmen girls to dance, then senior girls picked freshmen boys – to the surf beat of the Churchmen, an “English-style group” managed by senior Tom Skanter.
The freshman class of 1969 was initiated on Sept. 16. The “tradition” required freshmen to pay tribute to seniors. They were required to memorize a poem “telling of the superiority of the seniors, carry their books or shine countless numbers of shoes.” At an assembly, the freshmen were asked questions they could not answer, prompting senior Don Turner to spray whipped cream into their faces.
Grail Pins were awarded to seniors Burt Stanga, Wolfgang Millbrandt, James McHugh, Michael Baird, Patrick Ingleby and James Langron; juniors James Fake, Vincent Rigdon, Thomas Moran, Craig Mole, Michael Dicks, Clifton Panos, Lawrence Hecht, Antonio Furano, Robert Crowder and Michael Howerton; sophomores Steven Fake, Paul Bray, Owen Duffy, Roland Trujillo, James Fonio, Norman Wesley, Daniel Kranks, John Burnett, Philip Barger, Val Wawrzyniak, Steven Baird, Steven Meyer, David Hooper, Edward Lynn, Thomas Lynch, Lawrence Clement and Dennis Kelley.
The band for Homecoming was the Malibus – John Perri, lead guitar and background vocals; Dan Cook, rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Ed Rudman, drums; and Granite student Alan Vaughn, bass and vocals. They finished second during the summer in a Holiday Eve Surf Jam sponsored by Vox at Music Arts. “The Spirit of ‘66” was the theme.
Mary Brennan was crowned Homecoming queen. Her king was James Ravarino. Their attendants were Kathy Hernon and Bob Gamble. Liz Cotterell’s super-charged Plymouth won the car decoration contest.
The cheerleaders were Bob Crowder, Ron Lilley, Tony Furano, John Tobinski and Jack Fritz. They joined St. Mary’s cheerleaders Mary Brennan, Nancy McGill, Kathy Hernon and Stephanie Kern.
Gerald Taylor was editor-in-chief of the Judgeonian. Steve Rudman was sports editor. Reporters were Robert Griffin, Tom Bailey, Mack Blair, David Daly, David Huffstetler, Mike Green, Tim May, Vaughan Hardman, John Peters, John Tobinski, Art Hudachko, Jerry Diana, Bill Higham, Dan Smith, Tom May, Jim Mangelsorf, Larry Hayes, Don Jensen, Mike Baird, Pat Ingleby, Jim Beach and Raymond Nicholson. Mike Cassidy was the staff artist. Fr. Joseph Becker was the moderator.
Sandy Bryant was editor-in-chief of the Basilean yearbook. He was assisted by Chris Trentelman, Tom Birdsong, Douglas Hadley, George Trosper, Steve Hofmeister, Mike Lopez, Vince Rigdon, John Dorigan, John Carlquist and Lee Holden. Representing the Basilean at Brigham Young University’s 30th annual Journalism Conference were Michael Baird, Don Jensen, Christopher Merritt, Robert Wright and moderator Fr. Thomas McNamara.
A DeSales Club was organized with Dan Franks as president. The other officers were Sam Aloia, Jim Redder and Jerry Taylor. “The DeSales movement is not a club for over-pious young men or for the boy who will attend the meetings hoping that something will rub off on him without his own efforts,” the Judgeonian reported. “It’s a club for you. It’s an organization designed to LET you live your Faith.” Members included Brian Higham, Craig Mole, Steve Guss, Ron Lilley, Bill Corisis, Joe Yanni, Norman Wesley, Bob Barber, Joseph Thompson, Robert Mole, Joseph Lahey, Jim Fake, Tony Furano, Thomas Burchett, Dennis Hession, Steven Meyer, Tom Moran and Larry Hecht.
Juniors and seniors from Judge and St. Mary’s attended a University of Utah lecture about the evils of alcoholism.
“The Glory that Was Greece” was the theme of the Senior Ball in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hotel Newhouse. Stephanie Tabish was crowned queen. Vince Ventura was king. Their attendants were Kathy McChrystal, Leslie Pratt, John Hunter and Roger Dannels.
An exchange student from Rome, Dominico DiMartino, came to Judge and stayed with the Zarr family.
The Biology Club included Michael Kelly, John McKenna, Daniel Franks, Daniel Phillips, Charles Stephenson, Michael Meldrum, James Kaschmitter, Joseph Lujan, Robert Jackson, Keith Lund, Thomas Burchett, Dennis Kelly and John Trosper.
Teacher Jim Yerkovich led the Math Club, which included Lloyd Gronning, Mike James, Dave Crotty, William Cassun, Steve Rockwell, Randall Watts, Dave Seitz and Mark Swanson.
Directed by Brother James Dorazio, the Glee Club sang “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “Adeste Fidelis” at a special Christmas concert at Temple Square. The musical group featured Keith Webster, Paul Cook, Joseph Lahey, Steve Guss, Scott Shields, Samuel King, Stephen Gilliam, Craig Mole, John Timper, Tim Gallivan, John Tobinski, Richard Richardson, Joseph Bradshaw, Ernest Garcia, Rob Mole, Ronald Lilley, Mario Nak, Thomas Moran, Steven Rockwell, Stephen Hoxsey, David Hooper, Charles Stephenson, Ed Rudman, James Milstead, Larry Hecht, Jim Fake, Dave Gilliam, Richard Folsom, R Poulsen, Norman Wesley, Dan Franks, Dan Mates, Mark Fairbanks, Alan Jones, Brian Higham, Steve Fake, Lloyd Gronning, Chuck Dover, Dennis Murray, Steve Watts, Gregory Verbeck, Richard Meyer, John Lalor, Charles Alexander, Joseph Lujan, Dennis Kelly, Kenneth Jarrel, Tony Furano, Richard Rossi, Daniel Amicone, David French, Paul Dicks, Edward Lynn and Thomas Carl.
At the Christmas Talent Show for Judge and St. Mary’s students, Don Jensen and Maggie Aloia played Santa and Mrs. Claus. They sang “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and danced across the stage to the accompaniment of Tom Bailey, Greg Connor, Tom Carl, Kenneth Jarrel and Bob Gaitin. Bailey played guitar while John and Sue Tobinski sang “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” Senior girls Pam Allen, Pam Belsom, Chris Jose, Kathy McFarlane, Ann McEntire and JoBeth Wesley performed a song-and-dance number called “The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus.”
The Sharp family dedicated a flag pole to Judge in honor of their late family patriarch, Jack Sharp. Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal blessed and dedicated the pole in front of the school on Jan. 10.
Members of the Senior Latin Club included Christopher Merritt, Wolfgang Millbrandt, Burt Stanga, David Pino, Brian Higham, William Butler, Daniel McElhatten, Jim Fake, Craig Mole, Larry Hecht, Frank Tomsick, John Timper, Daniel Mates, James McHugh, Thomas Moran, F Loretto, Jerald Coupe, Daniel Cook, Fred Diana, Michael Guthrie, Michael McHugh, Nicholas Woll and John Carey. The club’s adviser was Fr. Thomas Gillespie.
“Bali Hai” was the theme of the Sophomore Strut, organized by class president Tom Cook. Music was provided by “Mods Only,” a local “surfin’ group” that had recently won a Battle of the Bands at the Terrace Ballroom in Salt Lake City.
The Red Cross Club included Dan Amicone, Roland Trujillo, Bill Corisis, Carlos Brussell, Ron Lilley, Rick McKenna, Joe Lahey, John Perri, Dick Meyer, Steve Guss, John Marks and Dan Mates.
The Atomic Energy Commission presented a program, “This Atomic World,” to “acquaint students with the basic principles of nuclear energy, its sources and role in industry, agriculture and medicine.” Robert Nestor from the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies described the structure of atoms, radiation, reactors and fusion.
St. Mary’s girls Kathy Dicks, Stephanie Tabish and Judy Oki defeated Judge boys Donald Jensen, James Ivers and Raymond Nicholson, 118-93, in The Salt Lake Tribune’s Inquiring Editor competition.
“Edelweiss” was the theme of the Junior Prom, organized on the Judge side by class president Craig Mole. Afton Pitt and his orchestra provided entertainment in the Hotel Utah’s Lafayette Ballroom. Jean Laufenberg was prom queen and Ken Yanni was king. First attendants were Becky Balch and Craig Mole. Second attendants were Bob Crowder and Stephanie Kern.
The Judgeonian had a story in May in which Col. Even Clay, state director of Selective Service, reminded young men that they needed to register for the draft within five days of reaching their 18th birthday.
Juniors Jerry Taylor and Ed Fritz were elected president and treasurer of the Diocesan Catholic Youth Organization.
As one of his last activities before leaving Judge to become novice master of the new Western Province of Oblates, Fr. Thomas Gillespie organized a Traveling Assembly talent show that included music by the Malibus and two folk groups, impersonations by Charles Dover and James Nessi, and bluegrass music performed by Tom Bailey, John Carlquist and Tom Carl on the accordion. The crowd included more than 100 eighth graders, most destined for Judge the next year.
Senior Steve Rudman outwrote around 100 other high school sportswriters in a competition at the University of Utah. His Judgeonian editor, Jerry Taylor, received a $50 grant after finishing as first alternate in the Model United Nations writing contest sponsored by the U’s journalism department.
Judge students represented Spain at the Model United Nations. The club was led by president Don Jensen and vice president Brian Higham and included Larry Hecht, Steve Guss, David Huffstetler, Wolfgang Millbrandt, Sean Dowse, Stephen Meidlinger, Craig Mole, Christopher Merritt, Thomas Burchett, Donald Jensen, Steven Kuemmerle, Donald Potter, Burt Stanga and James McHugh.
Plays
“Ten Little Indians,” directed by Fr. Thomas P. O’Neill, starring Larry Hecht, Elizabeth White, Frances Yanni, Daniel Mates, Edmond Fritz, Robert Crowder, Chris Merritt, Tim Gallivan, Melanie Morin, Don Jensen and Brian Higham. Roger Dannels was assistant director. Brian Riley was stage manager.
Sports
Although the football team had only two returning starters, toughness carried Judge to a 9-1 region record, good enough for a second straight region championship. The defense shut out three opponents and held four others under seven points. Hopes for a run in the state playoff ended early, however, as Coach Frank Klekas’s club lost to Orem 21-6 in the Class A quarterfinals. After scoring on their opening drive on an 11-yard pass from Bob Gamble to Don Turner, the Bulldog offense stalled and Orem mounted three scoring drives. Senior receiver Turner and junior running back/defensive back John Pezely received All-State recognition. Team co-captains Jim Ravarino and Brian Riley were All-Region, as was Larry Canoso. Bob Gamble was the quarterback. Pezely was a touchdown machine, joined in the backfield by Jerry Jefferies, Mike Collette, Bill Priattie and Andy Archuleta. Dan Mates and Turner were ends. The defensive line consisted of Canoso, Roger Dannels, Ken Yanni and Riley. Turner was the team MVP. Mike Collette was the most improved player. Underclassmen MVPs were John Pezely (juniors), Joe Yanni (sophomores) and Paul McGill (freshmen).
Gil Cordova was appointed to take over the football program from Klekas, who announced after the season that he was leaving the post he had held since 1955 to take over as football coach at newly opening Kearns High School.
Several close losses left the basketball team with a 6-12 record under Coach Frank Klekas. Big man Brad Panos scored 17.6 points per game to earn All-Region honors, as did playmaker Bob Gamble. John Hunter, Don Turner and Mike Green were the leading scorers. Fred Diana and Greg Kelsey also saw playing time. Steve Schubach, Jerry Jefferies, Greg White, Tim May, John Pezely and Dave Tangaro rounded out the squad. Team MVP honors went to Gamble. Panos was the most improved player. Underclassmen MVPs were Tim May and Steve Schubach (juniors), Joe Uzelac and Pat Kelly (sophomores) and Mike Razzeca (freshmen).
On March 6, 1966, Jim Yerkovich was named the new Judge basketball coach, replacing Frank Klekas. Yerkovich had played basketball through his sophomore season at the University of San Francisco until hurting his back. He had earlier taken over the baseball team from Klekas. A 1961 Judge graduate, Yerkovich lettered three years in basketball, baseball and track and one year in football. He was named to the Chicago World Catholic High School All-American Basketball Team in 1961. Yerkovich then went to the University of San Francisco, were he lettered twice in baseball and was honored as the school’s Outstanding Student Athlete.
Led by captain Vince Ventura, Jim Langron and “freshman surprise” Steve Healy, the wrestling team “propelled itself from the league cellar” under Coach John Zoolakis. Other wrestlers were heavyweight Sam Aloia, Dave Malm, Tom Skanter, Raymond Galvan and Steve Gilliam. Team MVP honors were shared by Ventura and Langron. Healy was the most improved wrestler. Also seeing mat time were Don Phillips, Brent Mascher, Joe Yanni, Ken Yanni, Andy Manzanares, Adolph Trujillo, Ray Torres, Bob Reineccius, Neil Wilcox, Tom Fonio, Mike Ryan, Page Blakemore, John Yanni, Steve Gilliam, Tom Haddon, Joe Pietramali, Ron Bertot, John Trosper, Robert Ross, Frank Murray, Kim Folsom, Mike Pietramali and Dave Gilliam.
Coach Gil Cordova’s swimming team placed sixth at state, carried by a half dozen swimmers who qualified for the event. Team members were Craig and Robbie Mole, Jim Thompson, Mike Cassidy, Sean Dowse, Joe Lahey, John Page, Curt Miller, John Wilson, freshman Joe Thompson, Joe Lujan, Steve Regan, Doug Wesson, sophomore Scott Shields, Craig Moseley, Mark Fairbanks, Dana Siegel, Frank Washko and Mike Sharp. The team MVP was Scott Shields. Most improved laurels were shared by Joe Thompson and Robbie Mole.
Gil Cordova also coached the golf team, whose MVPs were Bob Oswald and Rich Twist.
The tennis team, coached by Chris Segura, had its best season in many years, winning nine of 12 dual meets. Its top players were No. 1 singles player Dennis Rizza, a sophomore, and freshman Ralph McBroom at No. 2. Doubles players were Rick and Ron Davidson and Ed Bettin. They were joined on the squad by David French, Joe Bradshaw, Steve Meyer, Mario Nak and Val Wawrzyniak. McBroom won team MVP honors, while Rizza and Bettin were the co-most improved players.
Under Coach Jim Yerkovich, the baseball team went 7-8, winning three of its last four games. Yerkovich took over the program in January from Frank Klekas. The pitching staff was Greg Kelsey, Bob Gamble and John Pezely, while Hank Marrelli and John Bircumshaw were the catchers. The infielders were Fred Diana, Vince Ventura, Jerry Jefferies, Jule Marine, Max Howa and Lou Pati. Manning the outfield were Keith Webster, Bob Devlin, Dan Cook, Neil Yerkovich, Bob Gamble, Dan Franks and Pezely. Rounding out the squad were Mike Donovan and Anthony Marrelli. Underclassmen MVPs were Pezely (juniors) and Yerkovich (sophomores).
Coach John Zoolakis’s track team was led by sprinters Dominic Lepore, Fred Heffron and Mike Green, hurdlers Tom Skanter and Keith Murdock, distance runner Mike McGinley, shot putter Sam Aloia, javelin hurlers Attilio Valente and Dave Malm and long jumper Steve Rudman. The team MVP was Mike McGinley. The most improved thinclad was Sam Aloia. The rest of the squad consisted of Joe Yanni, Mark Wilcox, Jim Langron, Brent Mascher, Dan Mates, Charles Shumway, Richard Gill, Joe Pietramali, Dick Meyer, Neil Wilcox, Chris Mattson, Jim Smith, Tom Wolff, Pat Flynn, Mike Walters, Mike Ryan, Mike Cassidy, Mike Kelly, Joe Lujan, Curt Miller, Page Blakemore, Bob Gaitin, Lou Banks, Carlos Bussell, Steve Regan, Andy Manzanares, Bob Ruberts, Tom Lalor, Enzo Calfo, Mike Miller, Tom Tallon, Dennis Stefanoff and Dan Phillips.
Coached by Gil Cordova, the Golf Team was led by Brian Riley and freshman Richard Twist and included Frank Washko, Bill Kunzweiler, Jack Jensen, Steve Fake, Tom Conklin, Rick McKenna, Robert Labrel, Mike McHugh, Steve Hession, Brian Riley, Don Turner, Mike Howerton, Scott Shields, Bill Brown, Paul Cook, Tom Fallon, Andy Brennan and Nick Arentz.
Inspired by watching gymnastics at the 1960 Olympics, Judge student Mike Kimball set up his own gym with a set of rings, parallel bars and a horizontal bar in the attic of his apartment and eventually became a member of the University of Utah’s new gymnastics team in 1962. “I had heard that Utah was beginning a gymnastics program, so I made arrangements with LaVon Johnson (ex-Ute coach) to work with the team. This was my first contact with any coaching, other than my own, and it was a great help,” Kimball said in a Deseret News feature about his goal of making the 1968 Olympic team.
Graduation
82 graduates on May 29 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the first graduation not involving girls. St. Mary’s graduated earlier in the day.
Valedictorian: Burt Stanga
Provincial Award of the Oblates: Burt Stanga
Fr. Joseph Keefe Award: Roger Dannels
Science Award: Wolfgang Millbrandt
Moran Award: Roger Dannels
Grail Seal Bearers: Burt Stanga, Daniel Cook and Wolfgang Millbrandt.
Eleven graduates received “Honors at Entrance” college scholarships totaling nearly $3,000.
Academic Awards – English: Burt Stanga; Physics: Wolfgang Millbrandt; Advanced Biology: Robert McDonough; Mathematics: Burt Stanga; Social Sciences: James Ivers; Latin: Burt Stanga; Religion: Daniel Cook; Speech: Brian Riley; Glee Club: John Tobinski; Mechanical Drawing: Michael Collette; Typing: Frederick Spencer; Yearbook: Thomas Bailey and Michael Baird; Newspaper: Gerald Taylor.
This was the final class to include students who had spent their entire academic lives at Judge. They were part of the final graduating class from Judge Memorial Grade School, which transferred its operations to Cathedral. Nick Arentz, Vince Ventura and Kim Folsom were seniors who had started school in Mrs. Powell’s afternoon kindergarten class. Her morning class included Brian Riley, Jim Ravarino, Tim Strelich, Bob Griffin, John Carlquist and Jerry Taylor. “To those who fall into the ‘lifer’ class, names like Benjie the ancient Chinese janitor, Mrs. Small, Sister Francis (Har) Monica, Mrs. Entracka and countless others who made their graduation possible will not be easily forgotten.”
The St. Mary’s class included Mary Brennan, who later married future longtime teacher Pat Clark. Two priests came out of this class: Joseph Mayo and Gerald Lynch.