'Then and Now' Highlights Duffy's 60th Anniversary Celebration

students have been actively engaged all year in planning the elementary school's 60th anniversary.

On Tuesday, the students in Clare Taylor's 5th grade class capped off the end of their elementary school experience, and the close of the school's 60th anniversary year, by presenting West Hartford Town Manager Ron Van Winkle with a hardcover memoir book that the students had written and illustrated themselves.

Students also hosted an assembly recently, celebrating the school's history. Former students and teachers, as well as former Principal Gerry Sandler, attended the June 7 assembly and spoke to the Duffy community about their experiences, and the many things that have changed in the intervening years.

A slide show highlighted Duffy's greatest memories, and students Isabel Lubin and Jay Falvey shared a historical timeline they created, noting how much prices for certain goods have risen since 1952. The audience sang Duffy's original alma mater, and students put on a fashion show comparing styles in the early 1950s to today.

Former special education teacher Elsie Stoddard talked about the school's long history of inclusiveness and acceptance of students of all abilities.

Van Winkle, a Duffy alum who was a kindergartner in 1952 when Duffy Elementary School opened, has been involved with the school's anniversary celebration all year and was featured in the slide show of Duffy's greatest memories.

Several months ago, a group of students interviewed Van Winkle to create his memoir, as part of the Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools' "Who - What - Where - When - West Hartford" grant sponsored by Dr. Peter Pegelo of .

Five of Taylor's students worked specifically on Van Winkle's memoir, with each focusing on one of the "stories" in the book, with assistance from others in the class who created the illustrations. Although he was interviewed for the project, Van Winkle did not see what was written until it was presented to him on Tuesday.

Student Miles Brown said he really liked getting to interview Van Winkle. "It was nice that we were in charge," he said.

Emily Mock-Rossi said, "It was cool to draw the pictures."

Grace Faenza said she liked seeing the stories they wrote become part of "an actual book."

Gabriel Suarez really liked learning about Duffy, and Liam Lacroix had a great experience as the technical expert on the team, recording Van Winkle's interview.

Van Winkle was thrilled with the memoir. When asked which chapter he was most interested in, Van Winkle said, "My love life! I've got to read that!"

The class hopes to present two more memoirs on Wednesday, and in addition to a copy given to the subject of the memoir, copies will be kept in the Duffy library and the West Hartford Public Library.