Blue Hills Graduates First Class-This Day In Norwood History-June 12, 1968

Sen. John M. Quinlan, R-Dover, warned members of the first graduating class of the Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School last night that “complacency is the great destroyer of civilizations.” The Dover Republican explained that the majority of mighty civilizations of the past “were destroyed from within, simply because the people in the society did not care.” He stated that there is a critical need for the students to pursue their education, to become involved in politics and the democratic processes and to maintain the spiritual value which has made the United States so strong. Sen. Quinlan, the ranking Republican on the legislative Committee on Education, told the students “your education does not end tonight. The pursuit of education is the highest goal mankind can achieve. Nothing is more important to our future; not our military strength, for power is useless if we lack the wisdom to build a world of peace; not our productive economy, for we cannot grow without a trained citizenry; not even our democratic system for freedom is fragile if men are ignorant,” he said.

Sen. Quinlan said that the Vietnam War, the struggle for human rights and equality, and the tendency toward anarchy are three problems America must solve if it is to remain a strong world power. “It cannot be emphasized enough that anarchy cannot succeed. Anarchy leads to tyranny and mob rule. Someone has to come along and restore order. This is why I don’t rule out the possibility that within 10 years, a right-wing military junta will take over this country to preserve order,” he declared. Sen. Quinlan added, however, that no society in history has achieved such personal liberty for the individual. “America is still worth dying for,” he stated.

Awards Presented: Students receiving awards at the ceremonies were: For academic excellence — Alice J. Campagna of Westwood, Kathleen E. Faunce of Randolph, Irene S. George of Norwood, David L. Higgs of Braintree and Susan M. Smith of Avon. For outstanding achievement — Mary P. Garvey of Holbrook, Paul S. Janus of Canton, and Ronald C. McKinney of Randolph. For technical proficiency — Thomas N. Dinsen of Westwood, David L. Higgs of Braintree, William F. Jones of Braintree, Charles F. Martin of Braintree, Gary C. McFarland of Randolph, Paul J. Smith of Holbrook, Richard Talbot of Braintree, and Joanne E. Tibnam of Avon. For outstanding leadership — Sandra M. Saia of Randolph. The Standard Auto Gear Award for the most outstanding automotive senior was given to Frederick J. LeVangie of Randolph.

Graduates Listed: Technical high school graduates are: Sandra M. Saia of Randolph, Richard A. Blanchard of Avon, Frank L. Johnson of Randolph, Frederick J. LeVangie of Randolph, Gary C. McFarland of Randolph, Francis J. Pellegrine Jr. of Randolph, John H. Skidmore of Holbrook, James K. Spring of Canton, John Tosi of Avon, Richard F. Triss of Randolph, Lyle E. Walker of Avon. Students graduating from the post graduate course are: Hartley G. Batchelder III of Westwood, Edward J. Carr Jr. of Westwood, Thomas N. Dineen of Westwood, William F. Jones of Braintree, Charles W. Martin of Braintree, William W. Sampson of Braintree, John C. Tosi of Braintree.

Graduates of the technical institute program are: Julianne P. Bartkewicz of Norwood, Russell E. Bogle of Braintree, Alice J. Campagna of Westwood, Joanne E. Connors of Braintree, Russell E. David of Norwood, Pauline C. Dennis of Canton, Irene S. George of Norwood, Wayne F. Glynn of Braintree, Ralph G. Grieco of Randolph, William J. Hansen of Randolph, Liam F. Henry of Holbrook, Mark E. Henry of Norwood, David L. Higgs of Norwood, Patricia A. McGrath of Randolph, Jean Murphy of Norwood, Diane P. Rumrill of Braintree, Sandra M. Saia of Randolph, Murial J. Self of Avon, Susan M. Smith of Avon, Barbara E. Stanpas of Avon, Betsy E. Whittum of Braintree, Lorraine R. Wigley of Randolph, and Carol A. Wilson of Randolph. Graduates of the medical laboratory assistants program are: Donna M. Bodycote of Randolph, Kathryn M. Cohen of Canton, Marjorie L. D’Entremont of Braintree, Katherine E. Faunce of Randolph, J. Louise MacGillivray of Braintree, Theresa M. O’Brien of Norwood, Janis J. Parker of Canton, Judith M. Schermerhorn of Canton, and Bonnie G. Titus of Canton. Graduates of the dental assistants program are: Mary M. Crowley of Avon, Susan E. Curley of Avon, Kathleen M. Dowd of Braintree, Cheryl L. Flood of Norwood, Deborah J. Krazier of Braintree, Mary P. Garvey of Holbrook, Ruth M. Hubrich of Randolph, David N. Morrison of Westwood, Paul M. Paulsen of Holbrook, John T. Riffey of Braintree, Anthony W. Roselli of Randolph, Michael D. Sheehan of Norwood, John C. Tosi of Braintree and Lyle E. Walker of Avon.