Blue Hills Regional Technical School marks its 50th anniversary

Photo above shows guests mingling at the 50th anniversary celebration of Blue Hills Regional Technical School on Friday, June 10, 2016. Note the vintage photos and news clips on the screens behind them. Judy Bass photo

By Judy Bass

People walking into the cafeteria at Blue Hills Regional Technical School (BHR) in Canton on the night of Friday, June 10 would have thought they had stepped back in time. A display case of vintage yearbooks had been placed beneath an enlargement of a BHR photo taken decades ago. Screens decorated with sepia-tinted news clippings and black-and-white photos ringed the perimeter of the room. Everything looked festive and ready for a special celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of Blue Hills Regional Technical School in 1966.

The evening, attended by local officials, legislators, current and retired staff and administrators, featured Emcee / DJ Gary Titus ‘75, addresses from Superintendent James P. Quaglia (who also delivered remarks at various points throughout the evening), Principal Jill M. Rossetti, and former Superintendent Wilfrid J. Savoie, who presented information on the creation of the Blue Hills Regional District. Superintendent Quaglia presented citations honoring the Blue Hills Foundation, Adopt-a-Shop, and the Booster Club to Mr. Savoie; Vice Chair of the District School Committee Marybeth Nearen of Randolph, a founding member of Adopt-a-Shop; and Booster Club President Marylou Burton, respectively.

Mr. Bernard H. Baher was recognized with a citation presented by State Rep. Walter F. Timilty for his many years of extraordinarily dedicated service to the school in numerous capacities since the school was founded, including serving as the Avon representative to the District School Committee (DSC) for 22 consecutive years.

Mr. Edward Doyle, currently a vocational resource aide who has worked at Blue Hills for nearly its entire existence, discussed the history of the school, including the distinguished architecture of the building, and Mr. Festus Joyce, retired BHR teacher and Milton representative to the DSC, closed the program with heartfelt remarks about what the school means to him.

Acknowledgements for their work in making the event possible go to the following individuals and departments: Superintendent Quaglia, Principal Rossetti, and Communications Specialist Judy Bass for event concept and planning; Design and Visual Communications instructors Joann Murphy and Joanne Wayland for design services and signage; Graphic Communications instructors Dan Jordan, Chris Deady and their students for printing; caterer Claudia Denelle of That’s Tasty! who provided a delicious meal for the guests; Vocational Department Administrative Assistant Deborah Beane for food arrangements and decorating; Spanish instructor Ana Peach and English instructor Rebecca Ray for assisting Ms. Beane with decorating; BHR Facilities for event set-up; Administrative Secretary to the Superintendent Pamela Donnellan for organizational assistance; and Mr. Fernando Souza of Nuexquisite for decorations.