Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Dedication: New Castle High grads make mark in world

May 05, 2006

By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News

They serve presidents and Supreme Court justices.

Others battle polio and cancer, while some examine moon rocks and work with astronauts.

The community has been entertained through their music and heartened by their generosity.

The common thread? They were all New Castle High School graduates.

As the New Castle Area School District prepares to dedicate its new junior-senior high school Sunday, the New Castle News looked back at the accomplishments of alumni.

City residents may know of the work that Thomas Francis Jr., a 1917 graduate, performed in fighting polio and influenza. About a half-century later, Dennis Slamon would leave New Castle on his way to develop the breast cancer drug Herceptin.

But did you know about Patrick Maiella? This 1988 graduate has worked on technology to destroy chemical warfare agents. Today, he is part of a team creating a device to analyze biomolecules.

“I don’t think my accomplishments compare with those you listed,” Maiella wrote in an e-mail to The News. “I will not be offended if I am not included.”

Although modest, he deserves a place among New Castle’s best.

Other graduates have stayed close to home.

Fitness expert Leslie Sansone, class of 1979, created the popular “In-Home Walking” and “Walk Away the Pounds” video series. Her studio and production facilities are in nearby Neshannock Township.

Rudelle Thomas, a 1987 graduate, was chosen Ms. Woman of Color in 2004. An ordained minister, she is also a motivational speaker, author and businesswoman.

While impressive, the list that follows is woefully incomplete. The News asked its readers to provide the names of former students who have excelled or made positive contributions. We thank them for their help.

But there many, many more that need to be recognized.

“This community is blessed with some of the finest students anywhere,” said Angelo A. Perrotta Jr., class of 1954. “The students at New Castle can reach any goal they desire.”

Perrotta should know. He served 39 years as an educator and principal in the school district.

“I strongly believe that the New Castle community is one of the finest places to raise your children.”


The List:

David G. Jenkins
1900
Judge, 44 years with Mahoning County common pleas court

Louise Treadwell Tracy
1914
Actress; married to actor Spencer Tracy; founded John Tracy Clinic for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Students; received Sixth Annual Award of the Save the Children Foundation in 1955; member, President’s Task Force on the Physically Handicapped

John S. Powers
1914
Judge; former Lawrence County district attorney

Esther Hamilton
1916
Popular Youngstown newspaper columnist and reporter; covered Lindberg baby kidnapping trial

James K. Pollock Jr.
1916
Professor of political science, University of Michigan; Medal of Merit recipient, U.S. government’s highest civilian award; served on Hoover Commission; vice chairman, Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations; named Pennsylvania Ambassador in 1952

Dr. Thomas Francis Jr.
1917
Designed and led the field trial for the polio vaccine; mentor of Dr. Jonas Salk; leading authority on influenza

Carroll D. Kearns
1918
U.S. congressman, 1947 to 1962, Mercer, Erie and Crawford counties

Edmond M. Hamilton
1919
Prolific science-fiction writer, also wrote under pen names Alexander Blade, Robert Castle, Hugh Davidson and Robert Wentworth; married to famous science-fiction writer, Leigh Brackett; writer, D.C. comics “Superman” and “Batman” series; graduated at age 15; Jules Verne Award winner

Bill Klee
1921
Earned 12 varsity letters during high school career; New Castle high school teacher; coached under legendary Red Hurricane coach Philip Bridenbaugh; devised line play that led to six of seven WPIAL championships for New Castle; developed notable track athletes, such as Walt Mangham

Herbert Francis
1922
Director, Vanderbilt University’s department of radiology

Harold V. Cohen
1922
Dean of Pittsburgh theater critics; reviewer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dr. Wilbur E. Flannery
1924
First physician to use penicillin in New Castle; president, Pennsylvania Medical Society; chairman of the board, Pennsylvania Blue Shield Corp.; founder and president, International Academy of Hospice Physicians; author; Jack Butz Humanitarian Award recipient

Mary Margaret
Long Mullen
1924
Philanthropist; donated $50,000 to Lawrence County Youth, Inc., $25,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center, $25,000 to the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, $50,000 to the Community Y, $25,000 to First Methodist, $25,000 to the Sankey Youth Center, $50,000 to United Way of Lawrence County and in excess of $350,000 to create scholarships for New Castle graduates in the name of her favorite teacher, Nora W. Long

Charles A. Shepp Jr.
1929
Philanthropist and community leader; estimated that he donated more than $750,000 to causes; noted for involvement with the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, Easter Seals, City Rescue Mission, the Pennsylvania Society for Crippled Children, the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens, the Salvation Army, Riverside Apartments, Lark Enterprises, I Care House, Lawrence County Historical Society and the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County; co-chairman, Old-Timers Day; president emeritus and former president, Lawrence County Building Trades

Thomas Phillips Johnson
1930
Attorney; co-founder of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, Pittsburgh’s largest law firm; former co-owner and vice president, Pittsburgh Pirates; editor, Harvard Law Review; assistant to the secretary of the Navy; president, Lawrence Savings and Trust Co.; donated $750,000 to Rollins College

Arthur Reid Gorman
1933
Music director, Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Mich.; trumpeter, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra; designed trumpet for beginning students

Jack Cole
1933
Cartoonist, created “Plastic Man” character; works appeared in “Boy’s Life,” “Colliers,” “The Saturday Evening Post” and “Playboy”; started comic strip “Betsy and Me”

Rear Adm. George
R. Muse
1933
Served in three wars; graduate, U.S. Naval Academy

Woodson “Woody” Collins
1935
Veteran journalist, specializing in religion; started career at New Castle News and later worked at the Butler County New Record and The Vindicator in Ohio; community volunteer; City Rescue Mission’s first public relations director

Brig. Gen. William C. Chip
1937
Quartermaster general, Marine Corps; 30-year military career that covered three wars; graduate, U.S. Naval Academy

Jack Mathews
1939
Superintendent, New Castle Area School District

Forrest Raffel
1939
Co-founder, Arby’s

Lindy Lauro
1940
Professional football player, the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals and Eastern Football League’s Jersey City Giants; New Castle head football coach, record of 220-103-15; he coached six undefeated teams, won three WPIAL championships and 10 Midwestern Athletic Conference titles; inducted into Pennsylvania Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame and the Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame

Alexander Stavas
1940
Clerk, U.S. Supreme Court, 1981 to 1985

J. Fred Rentz
1942
Former president, New Castle News; philanthropist; foundation fellow, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association; former trustee, Westminster College Board; received honorary doctor of public service degree, Westminster College

George Zambelli
1942
President, general manager of Zambelli Internationale Fireworks Manufacturing Co.; known as “Mr. Fireworks”; Silver Buffalo Award recipient, 2003

Joseph Diana
1942
Vice chancellor for administrative affairs and assistant vice president for business affairs, University of Illinois; served with MacArthur Foundation

Russell Horchler
1942
Superintendent, New Castle Area School District

Dr. Edward Levine
1942
Professor, Loyola University of Chicago

“General” Robert E. Lee
1943
Professional football player, Detroit Lions and in the Canadian Football League

Tony Razzano
1943
Football player, University of Pittsburgh; scout, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers; director of college scouting, San Francisco 49ers; helped form World Football League; sports agent

Gene DeCaprio
1944
Former New Castle Area School District assistant superintendent; director, Westminster College Celebrity Series; recipient, Army Commader’s Award for Public Service

Bill McPeak
1944
Professional football player, Pittsburgh Steelers (All-Pro); assistant coach, Steelers; head coach, Washington Redskins; offensive coach, 1972 Miami Dolphins, which posted the league’s only unbeaten mark through regular and post-season play; director of scouting, New England Patriots

Philomena Sparano Jurey
1945
White House correspondent and division editor-in-chief, Voice of America; author, “A Basement Seat to History” and “Bella Giornata and Elbow Grease”

Rear Adm. Lewis E.
“Red” Angelo
1947
Director, Medical Service Corps; director, Naval Medical Command

Dr. Nancy Lamancusa
1948
Family practice physician for 42 years; delivered more than 500 babies in New Castle hospitals; past president, Lawrence County Medical Society; charter member, Visiting Nurses Association of Lawrence County; Outstanding Young Woman of America, 1964

Dr. Donald Levine
1948
Professor, University of Chicago

Arden L. Bement Jr.
1949
Director, U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology; David A. Ross Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering; head, School of Nuclear Engineering, Purdue University; member, the U.S. National Science Board

Dr. Thomas J. Bashara
1950
General practice physician, 25 years in New Castle

Margaret Panella
Anderson
1950
Judge, Orange County, Calif., common pleas court

William Panella
1950
Lawrence County district attorney

Glenn McCracken Jr.
1953
President judge, Lawrence County common pleas court

James E. Stephenson
1953
Violinist, U.S. Military Academy band, Cincinnati Symphony and the Houston Symphony Orchestra; also played with the Cincinnati Opera, the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera

Francis X. Caiazza
1954
Judge, Lawrence County common pleas court; magistrate judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, appointed in 1994; adjunct professor of law , School of Law, Duquesne University

Angelo A. Perrotta Jr.
1954
Educator, 39 years with New Castle Area School District; principal, New Castle High School; college professor

Dr. John Bonfield
1954
Superintendent, Warwick School District, Lititz, Pa.

Dr. George Giacumakis
1955
Director, south Orange County campuses, California State University; president and executive director, American Institute of Holy Land Studies, known today as Jerusalem University College; author

Joseph A. Scungio
1955
Educator, 40 years with New Castle Area School District; superintendent, Neshannock Township School District; voted New Castle News’ Most Influential Lawrence County Resident of the 20th Century, education

Rear Adm. James E. Eckelberger
1956
Director of supply operations, Defense Logistics Agency

Lt. Al Joseph Jr.
1956
Police officer, more than 30 years of service, Rochester, N.Y., Police Department; author, “We Get Confessions”; certified instructor, interview and interrogation; solved high-profile case involving man who raped 28 women over a period of six months in 1988

Dr. Gerry DeCarbo Angel
1957
One of the first registered nurses to enter private practice in the 1970s; faculty, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing; author, “The New Assertive Nurse”; mental health nurse specialist; consumer advocate, long-term care insurance and Medicare health insurance

Thomas George
1958
Businessman, developer; leading figure in redevelopment of New Castle’s downtown; restoring former Warner Brothers theater

Thomas L. “Tim” Foster
1959
Oversaw business aspects of U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, served 31 years in the program; Adm. Hyman G. Rickover’s point man on public issues; assisted Columbia Accident Investigation Board, which investigated loss of space shuttle Columbia; founder and president, TAF Inc.

John F. Mastrangelo
1959
Educator, 36 years with New Castle Area School District

Dr. Reggie Bonfield
1959
Superintendent, Northgate School District, Pittsburgh

Dr. Ronald Joseph
1960
Dentist, practiced in New Castle from 1970 to 1984

Joseph R. Noviello
1960
President, former St. Francis Hospital

Harry Toscano Jr.
1960
Professional golfer

Dr. Jack Failla
1960
Orthopedic surgeon; team surgeon, Pittsburgh Pirates; flight surgeon, Navy; founding partner, the Tri-State Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Clinic; associate clinical instructor in orthopedic surgery, University of Pittsburgh’s school of medicine

Paul Martin-Maki
1960
Faculty, Manhattan School of Music; world-renowned organist; director of music, St. John Episcopal Church, Larchmont, N.Y.

Susan Levine
Wittenberg Liebeler
1960
Chair, U.S. International Trade Commission; professor of law, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles; founder, Lexpert, Malibu, Calif., consulting firm

Dr. Howard Solomon
1960
Dean, Tufts University

Ralph J. Cicerone
1961
President, National Academy of Sciences; chairman, National Research Council; researcher, atmospheric chemistry and climate change; Albert Einstein World Award of Science winner; Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, 1999 laureate; and American Geophysical Union’s Roger Revelle Medal, recipient

Joseph A. Martin
1961
Superintendent, New Castle Area School District

Israel L. Gaither
1962
National commander, Salvation Army; first African-American to serve as the Salvation Army’s chief of the staff; served in following roles with the Salvation Army: divisional commander, field secretary/secretary for personnel, chief secretary, territorial commander and chief of the staff; honored for global leadership and ministry

Dr. Louis A. Zona
1962
Executive director, chief curator of The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown; two-time recipient, YSU Distinguished Professor Awards; Gari Melchers Medal, 1996, Artist’s Fellowship of New York City; author

Thomas Piccione
1963
Judge, Lawrence County common pleas court

Nicholas DeRosa
1963
Educator and administrator, 42 years, New Castle Area School District; trustee, Slippery Rock University; New Castle councilman; community volunteer; former president, National Association of Wolves

Dr. John Mangieri
1964
Dean of the school of education and dean of graduate studies, Texas Christian University; Fullbright Scholar; author; educational consultant; director, Institute for Literacy Enhancement; president, Center for Leadership and Personnel Development; Exemplary Models of Administrative Leadership Award winner

Dr. Dennis Slamon
1966
Cancer researcher, University of California at Los Angeles; director, Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program; Dorothy P. Landon American Association for Cancer Research Award winner; developed breast cancer drug Herceptin; UCSD-Salk Institute Translational Medicine Award winner

Dominick Motto
1967
President judge, Lawrence County common pleas court

Dr. Thomas Zumpella
1967
New Castle High band director; first New Castle alumnus to direct band

George J. Gabriel
1967
Superintendent, New Castle Area School District; elementary principal; director, special services; administrative assistant to superintendent

Louis M. Ross Jr.
1970
Senior electron microscope specialist, University of Missouri; manager, electron microscope facility; researcher, studied rocks and soils obtained during lunar missions and meteorites; director, Microscopy Society of America; membership chair, Microbeam Analysis Society; co-author, 22 publications; past president, Central States Microscopy and Microanalysis Society; master level, USA track and field official; past board member, Missouri University Track and Field Officials Association

Dr. Jane Wolanin Karski
1971
Dentist; she and her sister Kathleen were first sisters to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh dental school; former president, Lawrence County Dental Society; noted for Faberge-style eggs, including one presented to Pope John Paul II; church organist for 37 years; performed during high Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

Mark Marcucci
1972
President, Macsteel Quanex of Jackson, Mich.

Dr. Kathleen Wolanin
Montgomery
1973
Dentist; she and her sister Jane were the first sister dental team to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh dental school; church organist for 35 years

J. Craig Cox
1973
Judge, Lawrence County common pleas court

Rick Razzano Sr.
1974
Football player, Virginia Tech University and Cincinnati Bengals

Dr. Victor J. Thomas
1974
One of 40 people nationwide to participate in five-year accelerated program combining undergraduate studies and medical school; received bachelor’s degree in science from Pennsylvania State University in 1977 and doctorate of medicine from the Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1979; graduated cum laude from both institutions; chairman, department of orthopedics, Passavant Hospital; president of the medical staff, medical director of the Orthopaedic Care Center and a member of the board of directors, Ohio Valley General Hospital; fellow, American College of Surgeons and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; and medical director, The Center for Musculoskeletal Evaluations.

Ludwig Picarro
1975
Senior vice president, Zurich American Insurance Group
Note: Killed in Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center’s twin towers

Bruce Clark
1976
College football, Penn State; two-time All-American defensive tackle; NFL, Green Bay Packers (first-round draft pick, 1980) and New Orleans Saints; Arena Football, Detroit Drive

Debra A. DeBlasio
1976
Principal, Thaddeus Stevens Primary Center and Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center in New Castle; coordinator, Reading First Program, New Castle school district

Marianne Thomas Gilson
1976
Art therapist; director of quality improvement, Penn Foundation Behavioral Services, Sellersville, Pa.; former director of partial hospital psychiatric program, Penn Foundation

Dr. Shawn Jones Elliott
1977
Co-owner of a patent involving carpet manufacturing and recycling carpet; owns six gym franchises with more than 4,000 members and 50 employees

Leslie Sansone
1979
Fitness expert; developed “In-Home Walking” and “Walk Away the Pounds” video series; author; contributing editor, Woman’s Day Magazine

Janine Plonka Stern
1979
Artist; director, Canyon Road Art Gallery, New Mexico; has drawing in permanent collection of Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown

Sanjeev Malaney
1979, exchange student
Founder and chief executive officer of MediaTel corporation, one of the world’s leading providers of electronic document delivery services; co-founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Capsilon, a California-based technology company

Dr. Thomas L. McDevitt
1980
Holder of 28 patents and author of 15 technical papers in semiconductor processing technology; honored twice with Outstanding Technical Achievements award, IBM

Bryan Pezzone
1980
Pianist and recording artist; performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Players, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Long Beach Symphony, the University of California Irvine Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony, the International Orchestra of USIU in San Diego and the Eastman Philharmonic; created new works and transcriptions for the Yamaha MIDI Grand Piano; contributing editor, “Piano and Keyboard”

Chris Pappas
1981
Actor, stage name “Cristos Andrew”; appeared in movies, including “In Pursuit,” “Deep Blue Sea,” “Desperado” and “Dust to Dawn” and television

Dr. George Peter Gabriel
1982
Cardiologist, Allegheny General Hospital

Dr. Paul Wawrzynski
1982
Cardiologist, New Castle

Dr. Norman Anthony Gabriel
1983
Physical therapist; owner, Washington Center Physical Therapy

Brian Plonka
1984
Photographer; National Photographer of the Year, sponsored by Missouri School of Journalism

Melissa Amodie
1986
District Judge, Lawrence County

Dr. Kevin Pitzer
1987
Army major, stationed at Fort Meade, Md.; chemistry professor, U.S. Naval Academy; researcher, Walter Reed Army Institute; received patent involving the treatment of malaria

Rudelle Thomas
1987
Ms. Woman of Color, 2004; ordained minister; author, “Able To Stand!”; editor and publisher, “Divine Eloquence”; motivational speaker; owner, Divine Designs 777 Inc.; vice president, Grace and Mercy Ministries

Dr. Patrick Maiella
1988
The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh College Chemistry Award, 1992; R.A. Glenn Award, America Chemical Society’s Fuel Division, 1999; researcher, worked on new technology for the destruction of chemical warfare agents; chemist, Thiokol Propulsion DLVE, research focused on propellants used by the Navy Missile Defense Program; product manager, Waters Corp., currently working with development team on high end time-of-flight mass spectrometers, which are used to analyze and characterize biomolecules

Chandi Lowry
1998
Producer, reporter for WYTV, Youngstown; named one of 25 Most Beautiful People for 2006, “Pittsburgh Magazine”

Stephanie Cubellis
2001
Engineer, NASA’s Johnson Space Center; created database to track operation readiness testing results on software used by the International Space Station; trained astronauts and flight controllers on the motion control system for the space station; director of recruitment, Women in Engineering Program, Pennsylvania State University; Women in Science and Engineering Recognition Award, 2006; Joelle Award, 2006

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