On Sunday evening, with the air of a family reunion, six generations of alumni gathered at Hamilton Avenue School to celebrate the elementary school’s 100th anniversary.
“I’m seeing generation after generation here,” said David D’ Andrea, the master of ceremonies at the centennial celebration and graduate of Hamilton Avenue school. “I mean you’ve got like five, six generations. Just to see how important the school was to everyone growing up in our lives was huge.”
When D’Andrea gave his speech, he asked those in attendance to raise their hands as he called out each decade of the 20th century, from the 1990’s back to the 1920’s. The crowd exploded in applause when 97-year-old Tom Reale stood up, showing just how many generations present in the room have been touched by Hamilton Avenue School. Tom Reale happens to be D’Andrea’s oldest living relative.
According to D’Andrea, Hamilton Avenue is so special because of “the close-knit families and the diversity. It’s so diverse and we’re all happy together and hard working people. So, they appreciate their children getting a
good education.”
“This is my home school,” said Helen Mohamed Brown. “My mother went here. I went here. My sister, my brother, six of my children, my grandchildren… I have great-grandchildren who went here. Everybody is so caring. It’s a loving place. Chickahominy is a loving place. It’s the best part of Greenwich.”
State representatives wanted to show their appreciation for the school
as well.
“First of all, I represent the district of Chickahominy,” said Michael Bocchino, state representative for the 150th district. “But second of all, there’s this wonderful group that for 100 years has been so proud of all they have done at Hamilton Avenue. This is truly a family. Any time you have an opportunity to come to Chickahominy and experience what they bring to the table, you always have to take that opportunity, because it truly is a family environment, a real neighborhood, a real community. And it’s built around this wonderful school.”
There were 12 members on the anniversary committee, including the chairman of the Chickahominy PTA, Catherine Fiorito-Brunetti.
“Once we realized that it was our 100th year anniversary, we started gathering community members, teachers, past teachers, and alumni,” said Fiorito-Brunetti. “And we thought if we took a little bit of all of those people together, we would be able to get a little bit from the older generation, the younger generation, and try to reach as many families
as possible.”
Hamilton Avenue School has a long-standing reputation for bringing people together. Two friends who were united 70 years ago at Hamilton Ave School have never parted since.
“We met in 1945 in kindergarten, under Miss Close. And we have remained the best of friends for 70 years,” said Patricia Gasparino of her friendship with Rose Vetti. “And we are so close. We couldn’t be closer if we
were blood.”
“And as years went on we were in each other’s wedding parties and were sponsors for the baptisms of our children. She had three girls. I had three boys, all within months of each other. Then I went on to have a forth and she passed out,” said Patricia. “And our children have remained
good friends.”
“You name it and we’ve been through it. Good times, bad times. We laughed, we cried, but we never left one another’s side,” said Rose Vetti. “It was a connection we made when we were five years old, and if God’s willing when we’re 105, we’ll still
be friends.”
Hamilton Avenue represents a community that shines in the face of adversity. “The families weren’t wealthy, but there was food on our table. The doors were open and there was love in every single home,” said Rose. “We remember those times and it puts a smile on our faces. Hamilton Avenue was our life at that time.”
The centennial celebration is another thing that will no doubt make a lasting impression on the alumni. “All these people we’ve seen all our lives,” Rose said. “It’s just a wonderful feeling to look at them and say, ‘Hey,
I remember you. You’re
so-and-so.’”
