1953 - 54
Class Leaders
Senior Class Officers: Bill Liston, president; John Benvegnu, vice president; Mary Gini, secretary; Al Caputo, treasurer.
Junior Class Officers: John Delaney, president; Celeste Gourley, vice president; Leeann DeBouzek, secretary; Charles Eidler, treasurer.
Sophomore Class Officers: Larry Banchero and Pat Cunningham, presidents; Sue Connole and Donna Murray, vice presidents; George Hamilton and Joan Windle, secretaries; Charles Manca and Paul Lochhead, treasurers.
Freshman Class Officers: Tony Smith and Ted Mika, presidents; Lea Rae Nichols and Judy Rogers, vice presidents; Mary Ellen Beesley and Vivian Montayne, secretaries; Ned McDonough and Jerry Francone, treasurers.
During the Summer
Alumnus John Ivers was elected chairman of Catholic Charities.
Thomas Hurley, Class of 1946, received his master’s degree in physics from Notre Dame. His sister, Barbara Ann Hurley, Class of 1949, was studying at the Moore Art Institute in Philadelphia after graduating from St. Mary-of-the-Wasatch.
Mary Louise Gini represented Judge at Girls State. She also was a candidate for queen of Italian Day.
The Year
Faculty: Sr. Claire Antoine began her fourth year as principal and assistant superior of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, overseeing 14 nuns from the order; Fr. William McDougall, religion and English; Fr. Robert Pollock, religion, languages and history; George Melinkovich, PE, coach; Vesta Seidel, domestic science; Claudia Sampson, health; Sr. Agnetis, grade school principal; Sr. Jose Marie, religion, languages, commerce and Pep Club; Sr. Frances Inez, religion and math; Sr. Stephanie, library; Sr. Miriam Rose, music; Sr. Judith Therese, religion, English and speech; Sr. Eva Marie, religion, history and civics. At mid-year, the faculty was joined by Fr. Lawrence Spellen, assistant pastor at St. Theresa’s Parish in Midvale, who taught history, Latin and religion.
Judge had its largest student body ever – 229, with a waiting list – particularly for the freshman and sophomore classes. Students commuted daily from Tooele and Bingham Canyon, as did a half dozen from Magna. Two other students from Price and Cedar City were boarding in Salt Lake. Cumulatively traveling 1,500 miles per week to attend Judge were Glaydus Hayes, Fred Perry, Joe Brusatto, Tom Gallegos, Neil Plummer, Charles Grose, Patricia Croxford, Josephine Gonzales, James Carrico, George Putnik and Conrad Nokes.
The Intermountain Catholic Register published a front-page story touting the benefits of the stalled Bishop’s Building Fund, which had hoped to raise $500,000 to build the gym, which included six classrooms. “The same conditions prevail [at Judge] as in our Catholic grade schools – overcrowding. The new facility will relieve pressure in the present building and create additional accommodations for grade-school students.” The paper said enrollment could climb to nearly 400 “owing to the tremendous increase of students now attending Judge and Cathedral [elementary] schools. The gym was expected to hold 1,000 spectators. “Adequate dressing rooms, lockers and showers will care for all who participate in athletics and physical education programs.” The expansion also would allow the school to offer shop classes, special training in various trades, adult education and CYO activities. In the main school building, a new heating system was installed – “the old method was simply a radiator with a knob for controlling the steam pressure” – and several large desks were refurbished. Students on detention painted them.
Beverly Bell was crowned Homecoming Queen by John Benvegnu, who was named Mr. Football. Bell’s attendants were Judy Brady and Marie Hale. The theme of the dance was “Black Magic.” Benny Sorensen and his orchestra provided entertainment.
Margaret Ann Hedderman and Edward Vitzthum were co-editors of the Basilean yearbook. The staff included business manager Terry Fitzgerald and advertising salesmen Jack Martin and Charles Grose. Typing, layout and art work were handled by Rita Medford, Winifred Mulholland and Robert Brett. This edition was dedicated to Fr. Mark Benvegnu, yearbook co-sponsor along with Fr. James Kenny.
Under the direction of Sr. Miriam Rose, the Glee Club sang two numbers for visiting Cardinal J. Francis McIntyre, Archbishop of Los Angeles, when he came to Salt Lake City to open the Building Fund Drive. They sang “The Lord is My Light” and “By the Bend of the River.” The Girls Glee Club was led by president Lorraine Allam, vice president Judy Brady, secretary Pat Rogers and advertising manager Mary Gilhool. Overseeing the Boys Glee Blub were president Bernard Hale, vice president Terry Fitzgerald, secretary Tom Stevens and treasurer Bill Snarr.
Jack Martin was the top Judge student of seven entered in the Junior Chamber of Commerce’s “Voice of Democracy” contest. He advanced to state competition over fellow students Mary Gini, Joan Lager, Charles Grose, Al Caputo, Terry Fitzgerald and Dick Nichols.
Thirty Judge girls, led by Catherine Bannon and Shirley Rodriguez and under the direction of Sr. Eva Marie, combined with St. Mary-of-the-Wasatch girls to produce 60 dolls that Catholic Charities delivered to needy children for Christmas.
The Cheerleaders were Catherine Bannon, Beverly Bell, Judy Brady, Donna Murray, Marie Hale and Mary Gilhool. Patricia Snarr was the Marching Squad majorette, aided by Sharon Franck and Mary Anne Cunningham. Overseeing halftime activities were Patricia Snarr and Rosie Martinez.
Leading the Pep Club were president Sally Allen, vice president Rita Medford, secretary Ruth Ann Agnew, treasurer Joyce Sawaya and sophomore representative Marie Bennett.
The Ford Foundation Fund gave junior James Hamilton a scholarship that allowed him to enter the University of Utah in what would have been his senior year. During the summer, Hamilton had taken early-admission tests in English, mathematics, social studies and physical science, passing all with high marks. The son of a UofU professor, he was a B+ student at Judge. Hamilton told the Intermountain Register that his testing success was a result of the teaching of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Catherine Bannon was prefect of Girls Sodality. Leading Boys Sodality was prefect Edward Vitzthum.
Mary Ellen Burns won second place in a national essay contest sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans, writing about “What the American Flag Means to Me.” Actor Dana Andrews was one judge.
On Jan. 1, 1954, Fr. James Kenney, the parish priest at St. Olaf, took over the role of Judge administrator from Fr. Mark Benvegnu, who became the first assistant at the Cathedral. During his 6.5 years at Judge, Fr. Benvegnu was known for his fundraising ability and his completion of the gym.
Lawrence Sweeney, Class of 1946, was ordained as a priest Jan. 24 by Bishop Duane Hunt in a solemn ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Sr. Claire Antoine initiated a program to address the mental-health needs of teen-age students, working with the Salt Lake Diocese’s top school nurse and the Utah Association for Mental Health. Topics included “You and Your Personality,” “How You Act and Why,” “How to Get Along with Parents,” “How to be a Juvenile Delinquent” and “Understanding Mental Illness.” Dr. C. Hardin Branch, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah, was the final lecturer in the series.
Funeral services were held for Sr. Mary Annunciata, who taught at Judge from 1946-49. She died in Holy Cross Hospital at age 70.
Planning the Sophomore Strut were Leo Walz, Bill Snarr, Mary Vitzthum, Marie Bennett and Gil Cordova. With the theme “Satin Doll,” it was held at the remodeled Rose Garden Inn, 3638 S. 1300 East. Neil Weight’s Orchestra provided the entertainment.
Seniors and their parents took part in an “old-fashioned dance” in mid-February in the social hall at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
“Dancing in the Dark” was the theme of the Senior Ball at the Union Building on the University of Utah campus. Music was provided by Harold Gertsen’s Orchestra.
The senior class also sponsored a book fair, with book reviews provided by Al Caputo, Patricia Snarr, Mary Barbara Walsh and Mary Gini. Diane Foster, Class of 1953 and then teaching dance, brought some of her students to provide entertainment for fairgoers. Senior Ed Vitzthum and his sophomore sister, Mary, performed a waltz. John Benvegnu was master of ceremonies.
Junior Mary Ellen Burns won second place in a Disabled American Veterans’ essay contest, writing on “What My American Flag Means to Me.” The junior class honored her with a class party and gave her a cake inscribed “Congratulations Mary Ellen.”
The Judge community said a sad farewell to Intermountain Catholic Register business manager Paul Melvyn, who moved to Minnesota. “He was probably Judge High School’s most enthusiastic booster,” said Principal Fr. James Kenny. Added his predecessor, Fr. Mark Benvegnu: “Paul Melvyn worked so hard for Judge Memorial athletics that his spirit became almost part of the teams.” Student body President Bill Liston pitched in: “it won’t be the same around here without Paul and his camera and his smile.”
Senior Alfred Caputo represented Judge at the Rotary Club’s annual Youth Conference. He was one of 10 students to receive Rotary scholarships to the University of Utah. He also won a local essay contest on “Building through Citizenship,” sponsored by the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (CFW). Mary Gini placed second.
Junior Kelly West was featured in the Intermountain Register for his hobby making model airplanes, cars, ships and racers, all constructed to scale.
At the University of Utah’s high school journalism contest, senior Ed Vitzthum received a “Superior” rating and a $50 scholarship to the U. for the story he wrote about an Olympus-Davis basketball game. Senior Sally Allen’s coverage earned an “Excellent” rating while junior Celeste Gourley received an “Excellent” rating for her photographic coverage.
The junior chemistry class visited Fisher Brewery to observe the fermentation process first-hand. The students were under the watchful eye of their teacher, Brother William. When asked about the possibility of students tasting some samples, he said “we are here just to observe.” The senior sociology class took a trip to the Utah State Prison to get a “realistic view of the penal system as it operates in Utah,” chaperoned by principal Sr. Claire Antoine and teacher Sr. Eva Marie.
The student body was divided into 20 teams to sell magazines, all of which met “Catholic Digest” standards. The drive netted $1,327 in subscriptions. Top sellers were John Benvegnu, Marjorie Vitzthum, Jim Carrico and Mary Vitzthum.
“Four Negro Catholic singers” gave an inspirational performance of classical, spiritual and popular music to the students of Judge Memorial and Cathedral schools.
At the close of their course on marriage problems, senior girls conducted a wacky wedding ceremony uniting Mary Ellen Lager and Thomas Welsh, performed by “Father” Marie Jeanette. Mary Gini was the best man. Fr. William McDougall was a “snap happy society photographer.” Freshmen, sophomore and junior girls were invited to the wedding.
Seniors Ed Vitzthum and Joseph Terrence Fitzgerald designed small booklets of notes for a Holy Week retreat. Their notes were mimeographed by Sr. Jose Maria of the commercial department and distributed to other students. After receiving theological and philosophical training at Mount Angel Seminary, Fitzgerald was ordained as a priest in May 1962 along with George Davich of Park City, and Patrick McInally.
May Queen Cathy Bannon crowned a statue of Mary to highlight the annual May procession, which attracted nearly 1,500 people to the Judge football field.
Patricia Snarr earned a ballet scholarship to the University of Utah for an essay she wrote.
The Intermountain Register published a featured story honoring Benji Kaneka, the school’s maintenance man for the past 11 years. “Some have accused him of having a genie at his beck and call, for whatever is needed – be it a hammer or paint, screw-eye or crepe paper, Benji will pull out his massive key ring, unerringly select the right key, disappear into one of his many storerooms, and emerge with whatever is needed.” He was known for his kind words to students and his support at sporting events. The paper also profiled Jack Butte, “the jovial policeman who directs traffic, rain or shine, at 7th South and 11th East. He helps little boys and girls board the bus; his magic personality keeps them giggling, and the smallest first grader is not afraid of his custody.” He died in the spring of 1955 after a short illness.
The four-page Judgeonian newspaper debuted May 28 with Sally Allen and Tom Black as co-editors in chief. Associate editors were Mary Ellen Taylor, Celeste Gourley and Bill McNamara, along with Leeann DeBouzek, John Benvegnu, Don Roney, Elaine Seidel, John Walker and Carl Benvegnu. The paper’s reporters were Mary Ellen Burns, Kay Delaney, John Coletti, Bob Servatius and Conrad Nokes.
Alfred Caputo took top honors in the annual Oratorical Contest. Terry Fitzgerald took second place and Patricia Snarr third. Other speakers were Margaret Hedderman, William Quinn and Joe Rotzler.
Plays
“American Living Room,” written by Brother Dunstan Bowles, starring Margaret Ann Hedderman and Alfred Caputo, with Catherine Bannon, Neil O’Connor, Robert Galanis, Beverly Bell, Patricia Snarr, Rosie Martinez, Patricia Soltis, Lorraine Allam, Joe Rotzler, William Liston, Ronald Lovato, Winifred Mulholland, William Quinn, David Howa, Francis Jellesma, Pete Chiodo, Mary Ellen Taylor, Judith Brady, Wayne Pflueger, Richard Nichols, Joan Lager and Terry Fitzgerald. Charles Grose and Bob Brett created the backdrops. Boys in speech class repainted the scenery. A few days after the last performance, Salt Lake Tribune columnist Dan Valentine awarded a “Valentine” to Margaret Hedderman, who fell down a small flight of stairs each night the show was performed. “Mary is a good toppler,” Valentine wrote, incorrectly citing her first name. “She stands on the stairs and falls down them with grace and ease. It took her hours of practice and many bruises. And it only seems right that Mary receive a public Valentine for her hard work.”
“Accent on Revenge,” by the senior speech class, featuring an all-girl cast.
Sports
The Judge Boosters Club added 74 new members in August and September, increasing membership to 186 when its first meeting was held in early September. The year’s goal was 250. The club was led initially by Joseph Banchero, John Aberton and Jack Guthrie, but after its formal organization, its president was John Schile with James McNamara, Guthrie and Robert Sheeran serving on the board. The boosters bought new uniforms for the football team and received several donations of equipment, including helmets and a blocking machine. Fr. James Kenny, the assistant coach over the offensive and defensive lines, used the blocking machine to develop technique since the average weight of the team’s linemen was 155 pounds, light even back then. Increased interest in the football program was reflected in the turnout: 43 players showed up for early practices. At the microphone were former players John Aberton and Roger McDonough. The Booster Club’s season-ending football banquet drew 300. The club’s first trophy, for Most Improved Player, went to John Webb – “a midget by most football standards (128 pounds).” To build his program, Coach George Melinkovich and assistant John Aberton held four-hour classes each Saturday, focusing on football and basketball skills during the winter, baseball and track in the spring.
The football team finished with a 2-4 record, led by co-captains John Benvegnu and Bob Galanis. The average weight of the team’s linemen was only 155 pounds, and team depth was hurt by a series of injuries in practice. Mike Walz was quarterback, John Benvegnu and Joe Rotzler were the halfbacks, Jim Mascher the fullback. Melinkovich also was high on guard Bob Galanis, tackle Bernie Hale, center Al Caputo and end Bill Liston. Other key players were Jack Cashman, Richard Nichols, David Howa, Peter Chiodo, Don Roney, Bernard Hale, Ronald Lovato, Jack Martin and Francis Jellesma. Highlights included a 51-13 drubbing of Grantsville, with John Webb and Pete Chiodo each scoring two touchdowns.
Finally completed, the gym opened on Jan. 8, 1954, when Judge lost to Murray. Plans to have it available by the start of the school year were scuttled when work was halted in May due to a lack of funds. The Bishop’s Building Fund Drive provided the money to complete it. The basketball court was equipped with 40 lights; the old one only had 16. It also had folding bleachers attached to the wall. A second-story office afforded Coach Melinkovich a good view of the court so he could “keep an eye on things.” In game two, against Cyprus, Judge lost 66-45 to a much taller Cyprus team. John Benvegnu led Judge scorers with eight, Bill Liston had six and John Delaney, Mike Walz and Jack McNamara had four each. The team finished 5-7, featuring seniors Joe Rotzler, Al Caputo, Bernie Hale, Liston, Don Roney and Wayne Flueger and juniors John Delaney, Harry Shaw, Mike Walz, Jack and Bill McNamara, Tom Giblin, Jim Heaney and Hector Jalbert. The Intermountain Register noted that Gil Cordova was among the sophomores who were “practicing faithfully.”
The baseball team, coached by George Melinkovich and Frank Callen, posted a 2-4 record. Players included seniors John Benvegnu, Don Roney, Joe Rotzler and Ron Lovato, juniors John Delaney and John Webb and sophomores Gil Cordova and Bob Sullivan. A season highlight occurred against Wasatch, when Sullivan came in as a relief pitcher and struck out 14 batters in five innings. That followed a lowlight one game earlier when Carl Benvegnu’s apparent game-tying, two-home homer was wiped off because a runner on base when he hit the blast failed to touch third base and was called out on appeal, for the third out of the inning, negating Benvegnu’s shot.
Coach George Melinkovich started a track team, primarily shot putters and discus throwers because of limited facilities.
Olympic ski racer Suzy Harris Rytting spoke at the inaugural meeting of the Judge Memorial Ski Club, organized by Mary Gini, Harold Turner and Mary Pat Rogers with 40 members. Two dozen of them took a trip to Ashton, Idaho for the Washington’s Birthday weekend. A week later, The Salt Lake Tribune photographed Mary Gini and Mary Pat Rogers taking lace-up boots and poles with oversized baskets out of the back of a vehicle at Brighton Resort, where they were practicing to race in the Knudsen Cup for high school students. Harold Turner finished sixth among a field of 51 boys, followed by Butch Palmer (10th) and Tony Tilers (15th). For the girls, Mary Gilhool was 20th, Gini was 23rd and Rogers 26th. At a later race, Peter Pence was Judge’s fastest racer. At season’s end, Turner was selected by popular consent to be Ski Club president for the next year.
The Varsity Club was led by president Joe Rotzler, vice president Ronald Lovato, secretary John Webb and treasurer Carl Benvegnu.
Graduation
44 graduates on June 10 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
General Excellence Award: Margaret Hedderman
McGean Award: John Benvegnu
Moran Award: John Benvegnu
McHugh Award: Mary Ellen Taylor
Cosgriff Award: Margaret Hedderman
Sr. Frances James Memorial Award: Sally Allen
Science Award: Jack Martin
Cosgriff scholarship to St. Mary-of-the-Wasatch: Sally Allen.
A 2001 article in the Intermountain Catholic focused on seven members of the class who still got together regularly for lunch – Beverly Bell Montoya, Rose Martinez Hellstrom, Patricia Soltis Cash, Lorraine Allam Wright, Nora Patka Mancuso, Cathy Bannon Hill and Pat Croxford Wright.
Alumni
Graduate Garr “Mike” King became a lawyer and was nominated in October 1997 to become a U.S. District Court judge for Oregon by President Bill Clinton. He was confirmed and began service the next year. King died in February, 2019; recent alumni Roger McDonough and John Aberton had a radio program on KSL each Sunday about “Catholic News of the World;” Ted Raterman married Morilene Davis at St. Patrick’s Church on Jan. 30, shortly before he headed to spring training after signing to play professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox. He was a shortstop at Judge.
