Alumni Spotlight
Richard Boucher What are your fondest memories as a student of AWHS? The education I received at AWHS from 1952 to 1956 started me on the path to a successful college experience, a fulfilling career, and consequently a rewarding life. My high school years provided me with many wonderful memories. I enjoyed the dances in the gym on Friday nights, the sports events that we all faithfully attended, and the fun pep rallies, the variety shows and the drama club productions. One outstanding memory took place an early October day in 1954 when the sisters marched us all into the cafeteria for call elections. In those days, there was no campaigning for office, no speeches, no slogans and no posters. Our class advisor, Sister Mary Marine asked for nominations for class president. I as surprised to be nominated and then shocked to win the office! It was one of the most exciting moments of my life! A special part of my junior year was having a male teacher for the first time in my life! Having attended a parochial elementary school, I had always had nuns. Mr. Robert O’Brien began his long career at AWHS in September of 1954 and I was one of the fortunate ones who had him for History. He was a superb teacher! In my senior year, I was elected president once again. Sister Gertrude guided and directed me along with a cast of hundreds through the Senior Class play, Cyrano de Bergerac. A professional makeup artist gave e a huge nose to play the role. (I still wonder how I could have memorized all those lines!) In 1956, tuition was $125 a year. The Mitre and The Crosier were inaugurated. The senior prom was held in the gym and graduation soon followed. Graduating from Archies makes one feel elite; not snobby, just special. Have you stayed close to the friends you made at AWHS? After graduation our classmates went off to various colleges. We have stayed in touch and every five years since graduation have held a reunion. The group of eight who have organized the reunions have become very close. We travel together with our families. Our teenage friendships at Archies have become quite cemented! We are like family. What are your impressions of AWHS today? Now 55 years since graduation, when I receive the AWHS magazine, I read it thoroughly and enjoy it. President Carmen Marinao is right when he says that AWHS is a family. I am proud to be an “elder” in that family. When I ask my friends if they’d like to be 15 years old again, most reply, “Oh no, those were tough years!” However, I’d choose to be that age and back at AWHS in a heartbeat! I am aware of all the Archie’s offers to the students nowadays; foreign exchange students, opportunities to travel abroad, collegiate dual enrollment programs- wow! I’m impressed! Please include a brief biography including: The questionnaire asked for a brief biography, so here it is. My life in a few words. I was a French and Spanish teacher at Brockton High School from 1961-1999, 38 years. I loved every minute f it! I married Victoria Walmsley in 1963 and we have three children, Joseph, Robert and Elise along with 4 grandchildren. In my retirement, I am enjoying my vegetable and flower gardens, reading, writing letters and cooking. Previous Alumni Spotlights:David Skill '64 We are proud to introduce this new feature to our website! On a regular basis, we will shine the spotlight on one of our thousands of alumni who have made their mark on the world after AWHS, while remaining an active part of the fabric, fiber, and family that is our school. |
