2019
Stevens Alumni parade
Photos by Stephen C. Fitch '76
1. The Class of 1979 won the Wayne S. Gray Memorial trophy for their
Toys "R" Us-themed float. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
2. The Class of 1994 won the Clara Hornick trophy for their Tootsie
Pops-themed float. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
3. The Class of 1974 won the Alumni Memorial trophy for their
Campbell's Soup-themed float. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
4. The Class of 1969 won the Fredrick W. Carr School Spirit trophy for
their Timex-themed float. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
5. The Class of 1989 won the George Disnard Memorial trophy for their
Dunkin' Donuts-themed float. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
6. The Vermont Civil War Hemlocks gathered this group picture prior to
the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
7. Vermont Civil War Hemlock member Darryl Slicer awaits the start of
the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
8. A spectator takes a picture of New England Patriots cheerleaders
Ashley and Jenna and the team mascot prior to the start of the 2019
Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
9. New England Patriots cheerleaders Ashlee and Jenna pose with team
mascot Pat prior to the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. The mascot is indicating the number of Super Bowl championships
the team has won - six). Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
10. New England Patriots cheerleaders Ashlee and Jenna pose with
8-year-old Kingslee Primrose, a member of Northern Lights Athletics who
performed in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
11. Backwoods Axe Co. performs from their float during the Stevens High
School alumni parade. The occasion marked the first time a rock and
roll band played music from a float during a Stevens High School alumni
parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
12. A member of Backwoods Axe Co. rehearses on the band's float prior
to the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
13. A guitarist for Backwoods Axe. Co. rehearses on their float prior
to the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
14. Sullivan County Sheriff John Simonds and his daughter Paige share a
moment together just before the start of the 2019 Stevens High School
alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
15. The Stevens High School Marching Band performs along Broad Street
at the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The band is
under the direction of Katya Kleyensteuber (not pictured). Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
16. New England Patriots cheerleaders Jenna and Ashlee participate in
the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
17. Bill Ladd (left) and Jim Fitch lead their team of Belgian horses
along Broad Street in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The
semi-retired pair of horses Rock (left) and Prince have participated in
the annual parade for more than a decade. Riding in the
horse-drawn carriage is the Class of 1949. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
18. Homecoming King Noah Sandonato and Homecoming and Queen Leeann
McCarthy ride together in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
19. Prom King Sam Sweet and Prom Queen Clara Avery ride together in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
20. Members of the St. Andrews Pipe Band perform on Broad Street in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The group, formed in 1976, has
the distinction of being Vermont's longest continuously operating pipe
band. Each year, they perform in parades, competitions, concerts,
and other special events. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
21. Members of the Class of 1954 ride in the Leapin' Lena vehicle - a
modified 1927 Model T Ford - in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
22. A pace car from New Hampshire Motor Speedway participates in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
23. Members of the Class of 1964 ride along Broad Street on their float
decorated with popular vintage advertising logos. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
24. Images of vintage ads bring back memories of days gone by on the
Class of 1964 float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
25. Stevens High School Class of 1964 decorated their float using
images of popular vintage ads. For years, products have been endorsed
by great athletes including Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, who not
only had moxie as a player, but sponsored the drink as well.
Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
26. The Class of 1964 used images of popular vintage ads to decorate
their float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Product
executives realized early on that children and animals helped sell
their merchandise. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
27. The Class of 1964 used images of popular vintage ads to decorate
their float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Most of the
manufacturers in this picture are still in business today. Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
28. Members of the Class of 1964 ride on Broad Street on their float
during the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by
Stephen C.
Fitch
29. The Yankee Doodle Band, an American Legion group based in
Rensselaer, New York, participates in the 2019 Stevens High School
alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
30. Members of the Class of 1969 walk behind their award-winning float,
decorated using the Timex watch slogan as their theme. This year marked
the classes' 50th anniversary. Their float won Fredrick W. Carr
School Spirit trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
31. Larger-than-life cardinals about to do battle help decorate the
award-winning float from the Class of 1969, whose float won the
Fredrick W. Carr School Spirit trophy. This year marked the classes'
50th anniversary. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
32. The Class of 1969 decorated their award-winning float using the
slogan from the Timex watch company. Having the cardinal so prominently
represented quite possibly persuaded judges to award the Fredrick W.
Carr School Spirit trophy to them. This year marked the classes'
50th anniversary. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
33. Celebrating their 50th year, members of the St. Mary High School
Class of 1969 ride on their float on Broad Street in the 2019 Stevens
High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
34. Members of the St. Mary High School Class of 1969 ride on their
float on Broad Street in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade.
The class was celebrating their 50th year. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
35. Names of members of the St. Mary High School Class of 1969 are
represented on the banner that was used to help decorate their float.
The class was celebrating their 50th year. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
36. Greeting spectators on Broad Street is Class of 1974 member Sandy
Lefebvre, who donned a cardinal costume before participating in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Her class float won the Alumni
Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
37. The Class of 1974 used the Campbell's Soup Company slogan as the
theme for their award-winning float in the 2019 Stevens High School
alumni parade. The float won the Alumni Memorial trophy. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
38. A larger-than-life replica can of Campbell's soup helps decorate
the Class of 1974 award-winning float in the 2019 Stevens High School
alumni parade. The float won the Alumni Memorial trophy. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
39. An super-size official seal of excellence adorns a replica can of
Campbell's soup, one of the items used to decorate the Class of 1974
float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The float won the
Alumni Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
40. Braving the warm weather, Class of 1974 member Sandy Lefebvre
donned a cardinal costume prior to participate in the 2019 Stevens High
School alumni parade. The float won the Alumni Memorial trophy.
Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
41.Two members of the Class of 1974 display the trophy their class was
awarded prior to the start of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. Their float won the Alumni Memorial trophy. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
42. The Sons of Italy Drum and Bugle Corps. from Haverhill, MA, perform
in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Established in 1939, the
group of musicians is the only Sons of Italy Drum and Bugle
organization in the United States. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
43. Members of the Class of 1979 ride on the award-winning float in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The Toy "R" Us-themed float won
the Wayne S. Gray Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
44. The Class of 1979 decorated their award-winning float using Toys
"R" Us as their theme. The float, which had many popular board games
and toys affixed to it, won the Wayne S. Gray Memorial trophy.
Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
45. Decorating the Class of 1979 award-winning Toys "R" Us-themed float
were many popular board games and toys. The float won the Wayne S. Gray
Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
46. The Class of 1979 use the Toy "R" Us theme to decorate their
award-winning float in 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The
float won the Wayne S. Gray Memorial trophy. Affixed to the float
were many popular board games and toys. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
47. As demonstrated by Class of 1979 member Lori Stillson, the glowing
nose indicates that batteries inside the Operation game affixed to her
class float still operate. The float won the Wayne S. Gray
Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
48. Silhouetted against the deep blue morning sky is a large cutout of
Toys "R" Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe that adorned the Class of 1979
float decorated with a Toys "R" Us theme. Affixed to their float were
many popular board games and toys. The float won the Wayne S.
Gray Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
49. Class of 1979 member Linda Young Mardanes proudly hoists the trophy
her class was awarded prior to the start of the 2019 Stevens High
School alumni parade. The float won the Wayne S. Gray Memorial
trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
50. Members of the Class of 1984 ride in their Wendy's-themed float in
the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Founded in 1969 by Dave
Thomas, Wendy's is perhaps best remembered for their
extraordinarily-successful "Where's the beef?" ad campaign that
utilized actress Clara Peller beginning in 1984. She was 81 years
old when she began doing ads for Wendy's. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
51. The Class of 1984 used the hugely-successful "Where's the beef?"
slogan to help decorate their Wendy's-themed float in the 2019 Stevens
High School alumni parade. The question posed by actress Clara Peller
in the 1984 Wendy's ad campaign took on a life of its own.
Thirty-five years later, I can still hear and picture her in the TV
ad. Clara was 81 years old when she began doing ads for
Wendy's. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
52. The Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps, from Manchester, New Hampshire,
perform in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Founded in 1960
as the Manchester Boys Club Drum & Bugle Corps, they later changed
their name to the Muchachos. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
53. Members of the Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps perform in the 2019
Stevens High School alumni parade. The group, based in Manchester, New
Hampshire, was founded in 1960 as the Manchester Boys Club Drum &
Bugle Corps, but later changed their name to the Muchachos. Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
54. Members of the Class of 1989 ride on their award-winning Dunkin'
Donuts-themed float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The
float won the George Disnard Memorial trophy. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
55. The Catamount Pipe Band performs in the 2019 Stevens High School
alumni parade. The musical group is Vermont’s premiere Scottish
bagpipe band, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Celtic
music, tradition, and culture. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
56. Members of the Bektash Mini Kar Patrol perform once again in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The crowd-pleasing group of
motorized men has become a favorite over the years. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
57. Members of the Class of 1994 ride on their award-winning Tootsie
Pop-themed float in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. The
float won the Clara Hornick trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
58. Centerpiece of the Class of 1994 award-winning Tootsie Pop-themed
float is the Owl who poses the decades-old question of how many licks
are required to reach the Tootsie-Roll center of a Tootsie-Pop. The
float won the Clara Hornick trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
59. The Class of 1994 decorated their award-winning float using a
Tootsie-Pop theme, that included the decades-old question associated
with the popular lollipop candy. The float won the Clara Hornick
trophy. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
60. The Class of 1994 award-winning float was dedicated to Reverend
Stanley Piwowar, who passed away in 2018. He was pastor of St. Joseph
Catholic Church in Claremont for 43 years. The float won the
Clara Hornick trophy, and, during his ministry, the reverend won the
hearts of his loyal parishioners. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
61. Members of the Class of 1999 ride on their float decorated using
the ever-popular "I want my MTV" slogan. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
62. The Claremont Middle School Marching Band performs in the 2019
Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
63. Members of the Class of 2004 walk behind their M&M-themed float
in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen
C. Fitch
64. The M&Ms-themed float by the Class of 2004 reminded spectators
that the colorful, button-shaped, chocolate-filled candies won't melt
in your hand, but will melt in your mouth. Photo by Stephen C.
Fitch
65. A Mt. Sinai Shriner clown operates his motorized, three-wheeled
vehicle on Broad Street in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni
parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
66. A Mt. Sinai Shriner clown greets spectators watching the 2019
Stevens High School alumni parade on Broad Street. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
67. The Colchester Continental Fife and Drum unit performs in the 2019
Stevens High School alumni parade. The musical group, based in
Colchester, Connecticut, was formed in the late 1800, disbanded around
the time of WWII, and reformed in 2004. Their uniforms represent
clothing worn in the late 18th century. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
68. Members of the Class of 2014 ride on their LEGO-themed float in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. LEGOs, the colorful,
interlocking, plastic construction toys introduced in 1949 as
"automatic binding bricks" have become so popular that two LEGOLAND
theme parks have opened in North America - one in Carlsbad, CA; the
other in Winter Haven FLA. According to wikipedia.com, over 600
billion LEGO parts have been produced as of July 2015. Though
initially square and rectangle, LEGOs now come in multiple shapes
thereby inviting imaginative builders to fabricate incredibly complex
and spectacular creations, including the largest LEGO design ever
assembled - a scale-model of a Star Wars X-wing fighter spacecraft
constructed from 5 million bricks. Also, according to
wikipedia.com, in February 2015, LEGO replaced Ferrari as the "world's
most powerful brand." Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
69. A member of the Boston Windjammers plays the glockenspiel on Broad
Street in the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by
Stephen C. Fitch
70. Graduating members of the Class of 2019 ride on their float in the
2019 Stevens High School alumni parade. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch
71. Members of Backwoods Axe Co. gathered for a group picture at the
conclusion of the 2019 Stevens High School alumni parade.
(l-r) Michael Gosselin (drums, vocals), Daniel Griffith (guitar,
vocals), Billy (crew), Mason Simoneau (vocals, harmonica), Rick
Hazelton (guitars), Scott Erskine (bass guitar, vocals). Photo
by Stephen C. Fitch
72. The banner for Backwoods Axe Co. Photo by Stephen C. Fitch