Three St. Michael’s High School students were selected as delegates to New Mexico Boys State for 1956. They were Robert Brown, son of Mr. And Mrs. John M. Brown, 413 Salona; Richard Rodriguez, son of Mr. And Mrs. Alex Rodriguez, 927 Roybal; and Louis Bransford, son of Mr. And Mrs. E.W. Bransford of 525 Hillside. Santa Fe High was represented by Buddy Holmes, Bill Van Buskirk, Phillip Santistevan, Richard Contreras and Roy Beacham. Girl’s State delegates from Santa Fe High were Julienne Loomis, Chere Torres, Donna Kinnard, Librada Rodriguez and Peggy Pick.
The Santa Fe New Mexican interviewed high school seniors from St. Michael’s High School and Santa Fe High on their hopes and plans for the future. From St. Michael’s, senior Michael Cunningham, 17, planned to study electrical engineering and move to the east to work. Donald Gonzales, also 17, wanted to study to be a dentist. Eddie Lopez, 17, said he was sure about college but didn’t know what he would take and he was hoping a basketball scholarship would help out. Fernando Gonzales was set on being an engineer of the civil variety. And Dennis Garcia had his eye on a chemical engineering degree and he had the grades for it.
At Santa Fe High, senior Wylie Lucero planned to be a commercial artist, Lucy Rivera was interested in medicine and planned to be a medical technologist. Jimmy Sikes was interested in engineering and had applied at the Air Force Academy. Cornelia Lowndes wanted to be a high school teacher and was looking for a scholarship. Mary Florence Connery wanted to be a nurse and she was already been accepted at the Church Home and Hospital in Baltimore. Fred Maes wanted to major in physics at the School of Mines in Socorro. And Susan Maguire planned to go to UNM and study to become a grade school teacher.
The drama “Jacob Comes Home” was presented by the Santa Fe High School drama players, featuring Archie West, Corrine Mora, Patti Pick, Tommy Trujillo, Mary Jo Seiber and Gaylord Smith. As an added attraction, a one-act play was shown as well, called ‘Minor Miracle,’ starring Jackson Dennis, Charles Boatright, Richard Henderson and Ray Reynolds.
The St. Michael’s High School Honor Roll was announced. There were literally dozens of names listed among the honored scholars, including elementary school students since, in those days, St. Michael’s had classes from the fifth grade to the twelfth grade.
Space permits mention of only a few from each class. Seniors: Ben Castle, Dennis Garcia, Don Gonzales, Mike Durkovich, Carlos Serna, Andy Quintana and Herman Vigil. Juniors: Robert Brown, Hermilio Naranjo, Louis Bransford, Joe Miller, Ted Montoya, Tom Ortiz, Anthony Serna, Andrew Tafoya and Joe Matta. Sophomores: Richard Apodaca, Tony Blea, David Brito, Pat Lujan, Don Mackel, James Sacoman and Don Sandoval.
Pojoaque High School planned its annual Valentine’s Day Dance but had yet to choose a queen at press time. Among the candidates were Mary Valdez, a freshman, Sally Roybal, a sophomore, Stella Lopez, a senior and Diolinda Roybal, a junior. The new Queen would accept the crown from the outgoing Queen, Patsy Jiron.
St Michael’s High School announced the results of the election for Student Council to take office in the upcoming school year. Ted Montoya won the President’s office, defeating John Sena and Hermilio Naranjo. Ben Castle, the outgoing Student Council President handed over the gavel to new President Ted Montoya in a formal ceremony.
Loretta Armijo won the crown as Queen of the B.F. Young Junior High School Winter Formal of 1956. The favorite of the students, Queen Loretta was attended by Patsy Apodaca, Carol Sue Lewis and Lena Belle Valencia. Trainbearers were Belinda Apodaca and Patty Armijo. Loretta was crowned by Filbert Baca, ninth grade Class President in a ceremony at intermission at the ball.
St. Michael’s High School held a Valentine’s Day Dance with the entire program dedicated as a valentine to Loretto Academy. The lucky boys of St. Mike’s had six Loretto seniors to choose from for the honor of Queen of the Valentine’s Day Dance: Angie Ortiz, Imelda Delgado, Marcia Baca, Theresa Montoya, Helen Montoya and Amelia Romero. When the votes were counted, the most popular was Imelda Delgado. The pretty senior was surrounded by her court – a representative from each class: Pat Vigil, a freshman, Adrienne Arias, a sophomore, Corinne Jacques, a junior and senior Theresa Montoya.
The St. Michael’s High School graduation in 1956 was a solemn affair and the largest, too. Sixty-eight graduates, the largest senior class in the ninety-seven year history of the school. Singled out for honors were Dennis Garcia and Ben Castle. Ben Castle earned the highest scholastic average over four years and was named the class valedictorian. Dennis Garcia was a close second and delivered the salutatory speech. Ben was headed to the Catholic University of America on a full scholarship and Dennis won a scholarship to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.
Santa Fe High School announced 237 graduates in 1956, the largest graduating class in its history. Valedictorian Nancy Mann and Salutatorian John Dendahl gave the principal addresses and Dr. Gayle Renfro, President of the New Mexico State Board of Education, handed out the diplomas.
Loretto honored 47 graduates for 1956. Mary Josephine Brady ranked first in the class and gave the valedictory. She also won a full scholarship to Webster College in St. Louis. Marcia Baca was salutatorian and winner of a scholarship to Loretto Heights College in Denver. Rosalie Baca, who came in third in scholastic standings, won a scholarship to St. Joseph’s College in St. Louis. Three other girls won, through competitive examination, scholarships to other schools – Judy Knight, Anna Marie Sandoval and Angie Ortiz.
The engagement of Miss Amelia Elizabeth Romero to Mr. James Hollis was announced after midnight mass early Christmas Day at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Romero, 316 Houghton. James was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hollis, 183 Hopi Road. Miss Romero was a member of the 1956 graduating class of Loretto Academy and Mr. Hollis was attending the University of New Mexico. Attending the announcement party were classmates of the bride: Angie Ortiz, Dorothy Vigil, Imelda Delgado and Teresa Montoya -- and classmates of the groom: Larry Delgado, Joe Ortiz, Fernie Gonzales, Alfonso Vigil and Manuel Martinez. A June wedding was planned.
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