Schools

Looking back ... Sachem's Class of 1959

Marked first graduating class in Sachem history.

While the Sachem Central School District may have formed in 1955, it didn't have its first graduating class until 1959.

Sachem Patch was able to get ahold of the first yearbook Sachem issued that year. For those who don't remember, the original high school is the building known as Samoset Middle School today. 

The yearbook still had the "Invictus" name back then, meaning "unconquered" in Latin. The book itself was dedicated to Sachem's first Supervising Principal Walter C. Dunham, who was hired as a teacher at Gatelot Elementary School in 1940, was promoted to principal there in 1947 and served as Sachem's Superintendent from 1962-1976.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"During our four years at Sachem, we have seen our high school grow from a small junior high school to one of the most beautiful high schools in Suffolk County," it says in the dedication. "We have been a part of this growth and we know the difficulties that had to be overcome in order to accomplish it."

Even at this point in district history the term "Sans Egal" was present and Dunham set a tone in wanting Sachem students to make a name for themselves and the community they hail from.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The birth of Sachem High School in September of 1955 was the fulfillment of a dream," Dunham wrote. "It was also a challenge for us. You have met the challenge and today Sachem is well known among the secondary schools of Suffolk County. In the days that lie ahead may you continue to keep in mind our motto, 'Sans Egal,' and make Sachem proud that you are one of its graduates."

There were 77 total graduates in 1959, a far cry from the 1,000-plus Sachem averages today between its two high schools.

In the back of the book the school district sold advertisement space, something they no longer do. Some interesting companies really tell a story of the time: Coste Agency, , the G.A. Proios Agency, , which still exist today, and Five Corner's Deli, the Farmingville General Store (est. 1939), the Holbrook Hotel, all which no longer exist. Also, the Sachem Central Teacher's Association and Sachem Dad's Club still existed back then, according to the ads present.

Original Administration

  • Supervising Principal: Walter C. Dunham (received Superintendent title in 1962)
  • First Principal: Richard Berger (would later serve as superintendent)
  • Assistant Principal: Charles Davis
  • Athletic Director: Dave Rothenberg
  • Guidance Director: Boris Spivak (would later serve as principal)
  • Board of education: C. Seibert, T. Wilson, G. Miller, L. Steidel, A. Bahnmuller, D. Alexander, F. Hugelmeyer, H. Beebe, A. Steiger and H. Fields
  • Notable faculty members: Bernard Brisson (English chair and future Superintendent); Sam Cario (citizenship education and wrestling coach); Peter Creedon (guidance counselor and basketball coach); Fred Kreutzer (physical education and baseball coach); Kiernan Lawler (citizenship education and football coach); Don Woolley (physical education and soccer coach).

Student Activities

  • Student Government: In the yearbook it says, "The student council of Sachem Jr. Sr. High School has helped to build our school on the same foundations upon which this great country of ours was established. By it we have helped to govern ourselves in our school community."
  • National Honor Society: The NHS was founded in the fall of 1958 at Sachem with the first members inducted Dec. 18 that year.
  • Girls Athletic Association: It was the purpose of the G.A.A. to promote physical education activities that stress the enjoyment of sports and the development of good sportsmanship among the girls at Sachem, according to the yearbook.
  • Newspaper: The first paper was called the Sachem Sentinel. Its first editor-in-chief was Ken Brady, while Jean Johhansen served as managing editor and William Faulkes was the advisor. It was a monthly paper back then.
  • Encore Club/Senior Play: The senior class put on a play called "George Washington Slept Here," a humorous piece about a sophisticated city family, the Fullers, who bought a country home that Washington supposedly slept in. The drama club was called the Encore Club back then and they performed their first play in 1957, a comedy called "We Shook the Family Tree." It's second production was "Mrs. McThing," done in 1958.
  • Future Homemakers of America
  • Clubs: French, Spanish, Science, Math, Art, Forensic, Latin, Chess, Band, Chorus, Talent Show and Yearbook

Athletics

  • Varsity Club, Leaders' Corp and Cheerleading
  • Cross-country: Finished fifth out of 44 schools at the Suffolk County meet. First head coach was John Daly. The team placed second in every dual meet.
  • Boys Soccer: Coached by the legend , Sachem finished its first varsity season 4-7-1. On the team was Richard Van Norr, who died that year and is the namesake for the Van Norr Award given to the top three-sport athlete in Sachem. The soccer field is named on Woolley's honor today.
  • Basketball: Team was coached by Peter Creedon and finished 6-9.
  • Wrestling: Sam Cario was the first wrestling coach. The boys were 7-4-1 and outscored their opponents, 281-265. The Flaming Arrows placed second in League III and their biggest win was a 39-8 victory over Amityville.
  • Baseball: The first team was not coached by Fred Kreutzer, but he was at the helm of the program for over 15 years after this season. This team finished 1-9 and also featured Van Norr.
  • Track: Started by coach Robert McNeil, the father of Sachem coaching legend , Sachem's first track team came to compete. They placed second in all of their meets that first year. 
  • Lacrosse: Coached by Donald Annino, the first lacrosse team finished 3-5-1 with wins coming against Plainview, Half Hollow Hills and Huntington.

Here's a look at who was voted "best of ..." for the Class of 1959 ...

Category Students Best sense of humor Gail Snyder, John Gallery, Ann Bocchairo Noisiest Joan Giardina, Edward Lavay Best looking Charles Galisano, Lois Colby Best dancers Maureen Curley, Norman Neill Most athletic Vincent Pomara, Barbara Millevolte Best personality Richard Williams, Barbara Rutledge Most likely to succeed George Svetlichny, Marian Stuart Best school citizens Norman Neill, Joan Knapp


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here