Printed high school yearbooks are forever.
Video yearbooks are not.
Briefly the rage in the 1980s and ’90s, the concept faded quickly once the cutting-edge technology became yesterday’s news.
And then unusable.
But whether your video yearbook is gathering dust somewhere (and you long ago tossed your VCR machine to play it), or whether you never bought one — or if you were not in Westport (or even alive) when these relics were made, but would love to see what Staples was like, back in the day: You’re in luck!
Staples grad Nick Wiener found 5 video yearbooks on YouTube. They’re from 1987, 1988, 1991, 1995 and 1997.
The picture and sound quality isn’t great. But that’s not the point.
Three and 4 decades after they were filmed, edited and distributed — and soon thereafter, forgotten — they live on.
Click below, and relive the glory days: of Staples High School, and video yearbooks.
The 1997 video yearbook cannot be linked directly. But you can click here to see.
Go Wreckers!
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The last time I came to Westport, I stopped by at the library and met up with a woman, who happens to comment on here, and is in the 1965 Staples yearbook. We looked at photos and reminisced I wouldn’t know anyone from Staples in the 1990s I’m kind of a’ stick-to-it’ kind of person though. I had the same dentist for 50 years ( 1967-2017.) Dr. Oliver from Center St. Except for the military, only 5 people have ever cut my hair. Remember Mario from Mario & Mike?
Just a shoutout to the in memory of Richard Mott, who taught social studies at Staples for decades and advised the yearbook during most of those years. Rich Mott, at times, also advised WWPT and ran activities in the Staples TV studio along with Tom Green.
Media at Staples proved formative in my life and in the lives of many of my friends and classmates.
Of note, video tape (and audio/analog) does not age well. As it gets older if may leave “goop” on the heads, rollers and guides. It is becoming a major problem for audio master tapes (Ampex 456/Scotch 256). The only way to treat it properly is to “bake it” and then transfer to a different media. There are various places that do this method and transfer. The tape is not getting any younger.
I wish I was able to have a 6th comment after Bob Grant commented on Poortown Rd and the 1936 name change. It doesn’t surprise me that he knew that. I probably haven’t seen you in 60+ years. Get my e-mail from Dan, if you want to connect. Ed Carlson, Ralph Souppa (sp)..,kick ball.
I’m very grateful to still have my yearbook from Staples and the graduation program too! I’m still peeved at my late mother for tossing my Bedford yearbook though and keep looking online for someone selling a copy of the 1972 edition.
I have my 1960- 1961 Long Lots Junior High School yearbook. I also have my father’s 1936 Staples Yearbook. His humorous One of the Nisticos graduated with him. ( Maybe it was Frank Nistico?) I can’t recall his first name.
I meant my father had a sense of humor. And one of the Nistico brothers graduated in 1936 too.
Jack, what do all day when you’re not posting 10+ comments daily about yourself? Hobbies? Volunteer?
Prison Pen Pals?
Jay, I haven’t worked in 19 years. I don’t travel anymore. 45 trips to Puerto Rico, visiting 30 countries, living and working in Jamaica & spending a lot of time in Spain is enough. You definitely do have a point and you pointed it out in a humorous manner. I promise to do better! I have so many stories. I’m the only person in the world that can claim what I’m about to say. 1) I met Jackie Robinson 2) I met Jack Dempsey. 3) I met a soldier who fought in the Spanish American War 128 years ago in 1898. 4) I met Dan Woog once. Find me someone who can claim all this. I will do better at posting 10 comments per day.