Anyone remember when Waverly Avenue Elementary School had a Rocket Club?
The club was featured in the “Sachem News” district newspaper in April 1969.
A caption with a photo of students displaying their rocket devices reads: “The Rocket Club at Sachem’s Waverly Avenue Elementary School consists of Sixth Graders who are not only proficient in mathematics and science but who through their own research and testing have become young “experts” in the principles of rocket engines, aerodynamic design, altitude tracking, and recovery and ignition systems. Looking over their rockets preparatory to a mass launching are (l-r) Ronald Hull, Michael Terwilliger, faculty advisor Mr. David Mello, James Reth, Clifford Canepa, Thomas Farrell, Joseph Stuppiello, and Alvaro Escobar. The club meets Monday afternoons and occasionally presents informational and flight programs to other classes and to the community.”
Editor’s note: The following is an installment of an ongoing historical series about the Sachem Central School District. I have the great pleasure of exploring Sachem’s historic archives and bringing to light stories that have been out of sight for decades.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro