As their graduation gift, the Class of 1966 donated a handsome sign reading “Staples High School — Westport, Conn.”
John Lupton (left), Class of 1966 president, shakes hands with '67 president Dick Sandhaus at the sign's dedication ceremony. Principal Jim Calkins looks on.
It was dedicated in a proud ceremony at the North Avenue entrance to the school.
A few weeks later — on Halloween night — vandals smashed it to pieces.
Now — a mere 44 years later — the same Class of ’66 is helping again.
Led by former class president John Lupton, a group of alums — in cooperation with Staples’ current PTA and the Nistico family — is raising funds for 3 important, long-needed projects:
- Lighting for the current entrance sign — the lintel from the original (1884) school, which now sits on North Avenue by the tennis courts. Right now, it’s impossible to see at night.
- Fixing the decrepit letters identifying the north and south entrances to the Lou Nistico Athletic Complex. (Nistico — the late owner of the Arrow restaurant — was a friend and mentor to many members of the Class of ’66.)
- Sprucing up the two fieldhouse entryways.
The vandalized sign, a few weeks later.
The 3 projects will be done together — and immediately. The target date is Graduation Day for the current Class of ’10: June 23.
The estimated cost is $2,500. Though the Class of ’66 is taking the lead, contributions are being sought from all alumni, parents and friends of Staples.
“If 100 people give $25 each, that would cover it,” Lupton says. “If people can give more, that’s great. Of course, every donation helps.”
Thanks to the Class of ’66 for spearheading this effort. And what a lesson to the Class of ’10: Your ties to high school don’t end the day you leave.
(Checks can be made out to “Signs For Staples,” and sent to: Signs For Staples, PO Box 2582, Westport, CT 06881. For further information, email: jlupton07@optonline.net)