| NOTABLE ALUMNI OF CENTRAL YMCA HIGH SCHOOL
Mike Royko — newspaper columnist, worked for the Chicago Daily News, Sun Times, and Tribune for over 30 years. Also authored the book “Boss” about the late Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago from 1955-76.
Mike Bloomfield — Blues guitarist, made a name for himself as an instrumental artist during the late-1960’s. Was a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (which later played at Woodstock in 1969), and was ranked by Rolling Stone as number 22 on the top 100 guitarists of all-time in a poll conducted in 2003 by the publication.
Barry Goldberg — A close friend of Bloomfield, the guitarist was involved in the recording of “Devil With A Blue Dress” by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels in 1966, plus was involved in a couple of bands with Bloomfield. Goldberg has also been a record producer and (as of July 2012) was working on a documentary about the rock-blues influence of the 1960s’.
Robert Sengstacke — A photographer by trade, he was also involved with the Chicago Defender, which is one of the last African-American daily newspapers and was founded by his great uncle John Sengstacke Abbott in 1905. His photos of Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others are known and have been featured in various compositions and with a periodical for the Nation of Islam, “Muhammad Speaks.”
Gerald Mittelman — A 30-yr veteran of the United States Air Force, his background in computer science helped the USAF develop warning systems for missles and space command to alert the U.S. government in the event of attack, and spent time with NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).
Linda Leilani Brown — Broadway actress, appeared in the show “Dreamgirls.” More information about the show can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamgirls.
MEMORIES
from “Duane:”
“I attended Central YMCA High School only in the summer of 1978. I had a class with Linda Leilani Brown (of Dreamgirls fame). Central YMCA was located on the southeast corner of Dearbon and Randolph, with the entrance next to the United Artists Theatre.”
from Gary Michaels:
“Hey – I had friends who were enrolled at the time in 1971 (early term). I had attended Lake Forest Academy (junior SATs of 696 verbal, 720 math), Roycemore School (National Merit Letter of Commendation). Thrown out of both schools through my own devices, I enrolled in Central Y….recalling my endeavors and successes at the fine private institutions I had been removed from, Central Y was 180 degrees different. Very cool artistic people spread out on the floors.”
from an anonymous student:
“Hi, I would have gone to Central in 1972-74. I don’t remember much, but the elevators stuck a lot. White kids were a minority at least in my classes, and a lot of people asked if I was an albino. I was a towhead and had blue eyes. The teachers were pretty cool and you could smoke in their offices. A bunch of us ditched there to smoke and drink coffee. I liked the classes were not year-long like public school. I wound up enrolling in college just shy of 16.”
From Glenda Donald (dated 10/25/2018):
“I attended Central YMCA HS, it was located at 29 Randolph, I loved that school. I remember a few of the teachers’ names: Mr. Figueroa, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Norman, Ms. Inwang. It was really was a nice school….we were like a family; it was all love there.”
From Curt Daniels (class of 1973, dated 1/3/2019):
“I (was a) graduate of the class of June 1973 from the Prudential Building. Would like to share memories of going to classes at 19 S. LaSalle in the Loop. Thanks to all the teachers who helped all of us become mature men and women.”
From Cts McCry (dated 1/19/2019):
“I attended Central in 1970. I remember many faces, but few names. Central afforded many of a chance to overcome foolish mistakes we had made.
“The teachers were excellent. I remember Ms. Hastings: English Composition and Rhetoric. Five classmates by name: Hank, Johnny, Kay, Fred, and Mike, from the northwest of the city; Hank from the south side.
“Those were the days of Woodstock and Hair, blues jams in the stairwells. When teenagers given up as lost, gathered their senses at 19 South LaSalle.”
From Jacques Carr (dated 5/4/2019):
“Hello, my name is Jacques Carr, and I attended Central YMCA High School at 29 W. Randoph right out of elementrary school for two years. I had Miss Hastings for English Drama, Dennis Malek for Science, and the others I don’t remember.
“I entered Central YMCA High School in 1975. I had a ball there. For a while, I was the youngest student there. Central YMCA High School was an experience for me. I learned to be at home in downtown (Chicago). I was very comfortable in the “The Loop.”
“I remember John Rizzo and Johnny Norman (teachers), Mr. Muskwe was the principal. I remember Mr. Warner. I think he was my Algebra teacher.
“When I see a YMCA gym today, I feel as if I am a member of a family that I love.”
From Elaine Mayo (former student, dated February 12, 2020):
“I attended Central (YMCA) in the late ’60s. I loved it: the location, the teachers were awesome. We attended all the protest matches of the ’60s…the (Black) Panthers were around, Jerry Rubin. Chicago was the coolest in those days and so was Central. We were just high school kids, young activists with peace, love and positive vibes.”
From Jim Bransfield (student from 1964-1967, dated 9/17/2021):
“Hi, I was a bit of the juvenile delinquent and Central was a refuge of last resort.
“Doc Walters taught a math class. Great guy! I don’t know if he did this from everyone…(but) he gave me his home phone number…he lived somewhere around Alsip? If you were ever in trouble and needed his help, you were to call him and say “Blackberries are Red, when they are Green.
“I would have been there for a few terms sometime during 1964-67, uncertain as to just when.”
DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION….
about Central YMCA High School? Then we need your assistance! Photos, stories, information, and memories are welcome about this school of the not-distant past. Please contact us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or in writing at:
Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631 |
