Update 6-20-06

Hello,

As promised last week, Linda Tobin Kettering's awards assembly introductions.  Then an unrelated pair of questions.  Then two announcements.
   
    First, a comment from Linda:  For the introduction for Vince Tampio's award, I borrowed liberally from what had been printed in his newsletter obituary.  For Booker's information, I went straight to him.  While he may feel embarrassed by what I said, I think it's important that South's current students, teachers, and staff know who this incredible man is and why he is being honored.
   
    The Vince Tampio Award introduction:  Vince Tampio taught Dramatics at South High School through most of the 1960s.  He moved to New York from Ohio in the late 1950s to work in the theater, and he continued working in theater while teaching at South.  In 1969, he moved to California to work as a director, but his second love was design, and while supporting himself as a scenic artist, he realized he was as happy doing that as directing.  When he retired just a few years ago, he'd worked at CBS for thirty years and had been head of their Scenic area for over ten years.  Among other shows, he supervised painting the scenery for:  All in the Family, Three’s Company, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Sonny and Cher, and The Carol Burnett Show.
       Mr. Tampio started many South High School graduates’ careers in theater:  Barnet Kellman (film and television director, including the series Murphy Brown); Steven Cohen (associate producer of The New York Shakespeare Festival under Joseph Papp); Robert Fiveson (film and television executive); Amy Lieberman (casting director); Paul Zegler (film, stage, and television actor); Richard Eisbrouch (set designer); Ken Ulric (theater director) to name a few.  In fact, Amy Lieberman convinced Mr. Tampio to teach at South for one final year, because she didn't him to leave before she graduated.
          He was a teacher and an artist.  He never seemed comfortable accepting the thanks graduates kept offering him for helping start their careers.  "We were just a bunch of kids having a lot of fun back then," he'd try and defer.  "That's what made it worthwhile."   
        On this stage right here, Vince Tampio inspired many South High School students (myself among them) to enjoy the theater, and for some, to even enter the world of show business.  Vince Tampio passed away in November 2003 shortly before his 71st birthday. The South High School class of ’65 had many members in California who had stayed in touch with him over the years, so to honor his legacy the class of 1965 created the Vince Tampio Theater Award.

    The Booker Gibson introduction:  After finishing college in 1952, Booker T. Gibson spent four years in the Air Force traveling around this country and the far east, doing mostly music work.  When he was discharged in 1956, he thought it would be a "snap" getting a teaching position, since they were building new schools all over Long Island and all his classmates had jobs.
        Most places, including Merrick (where he had grown up) wouldn't even talk to him.  Some important Nassau music teachers started taking him around to schools while he was still in his blue Air Force uniform.  That included all the Valley Stream Central High School music departments.  They were polite.  One night in August, the entire Malverne Board Of Education interviewed him, and he thought the band job was his.  But over the Labor Day weekend, another man was found.  Booker felt really crushed without a job.
        On the morning of October 10th, 1956, Mr. Bergen, principal of Valley Stream South High School, called and asked Mr. Gibson to come right over.  One of their music teachers had been drafted, he said.  Would Mr. Gibson like a job?  Mr. Gibson was hired and stayed for thirty years, retiring in 1986.  In all likelihood, Booker Gibson may have been the first Black man hired as a teacher in Nassau or Suffolk counties. 
        I am proud to have been one of Mr. Gibson’s students.  Whether directing the chorus, teaching in the classroom, or making time after school to accompany a student who loved to sing, Mr. Gibson enthusiastically imbued his students with a love of and appreciation for all kinds of music.  From opera to jazz, rock to Broadway, his obvious love for music was contagious, and his rapport with his students legendary.
        It is my pleasure to introduce to you tonight, Mr. Booker T. Gibson, who will announce this year’s winner of the award created by the class of ’65 in his honor.
   
    The questions, from Amy Miller:  Do you know what years Booker Gibson's wife taught music at Forest Road School?  And is Doris Cohen the sister of Jon Cohen and the daughter of the Mr. Cohen who taught SAT prep courses?  It think this is likely, as they lived on Forest Road, either just before or just past Eastwood Lane.
     
    And the announcements:
   
    From Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  Our Alumni Association meeting last week was great, and many good ideas were generated.  As a follow-up, Laura Ulric sent me the following message after she visited the Westbury Music Fair.  Please let me know immediately if you want one ticket or more.  I don't want Laura laying out money unless there is a firm commitment.
        From Laura:  I just came back from the theater.  Tickets are available for Peter, Paul, & Mary on Saturday, August 5, at 8:00 PM.  They cost $46.50 each, and I will need to know the exact number of tickets people want by Monday evening, June 19 as I'm going to the theater on Tuesday to pick them up.  Anyone who wants tickets must be aware that signing up is a firm commitment.  I don't mind laying out the money, but I don't want to be stuck with extra tickets.  Once I have the tickets, people can mail me their checks.
        Also, as I don't have the names of the people who raised their hands at the Alumni Association meeting, they will have to confirm their wishes as well.
   
    [Again, Emily's e-mail address is:  cre8em@aol.com]
   
    And from Franco Visone and Richard Boyd, coaches for South's girls' and boys' varsity soccer teams:  Soccer has been a staple in our community for a long time, and it's no coincidence that you have been right there with us.  As a result, both the boys' and girls' programs have had tremendous success.  Whether you are a parent, alumni, or a friend of the program, our success is due in a large part to you.
        This year on July 6, 2006, the soccer programs will be sponsoring the Second Annual Golf Outing at Lido Golf Club to provide additional financial support for the teams.  The day will begin at 7:30 AM with eighteen holes of golf  followed by a celebration at Charlie Meaney's restaurant in Valley Stream.  The cost per person is $150, which includes golf and the celebration.  In addition, we are seeking donations of gifts, services, or gift certificates, which may be used as raffle prizes.  These could include certificates for merchandise, dinners, gifts, services, or tickets to events.  We would also be grateful if you or your organization could make a monetary donation to sponsor a hole.  A sign to promote you or your professional or business organization would be placed at the tee box or putting green.
        Once again, on behalf of the parents, athletes, and coaches involved in South's soccer programs, we thank you for your support.  Whether you plan on putting together a foursome or making a donation, we would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible.  Contact Richard Boyd at:  516-395-5003.  All checks can be made out to South High School, and sent to 150 Jedwood Place, Valley Stream, 11581.

Oh, yeah:  Happy Mother's Day.  Happy Father's Day.  And Happy Flag Day.  One of my students just asked if I had a flag on my house for Flag Day.  I said, "Yes, but you can't give me credit for remembering."  I hadn't taken the flags down from Memorial Day, figuring they'd be fine till the Fourth of July.