An unforgettable 40th reunion for the The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) class of 1974 – June 12 – 15, 2014
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Bob attended TASIS for his last three years of High School. Although he was in the class of 1976, he knew the class of 1974 as the “big” Seniors of his Sophomore year.
On the left a picture of Bob and his pals, under an apple tree behind Hadsall House in the spring of 1976, on the right, Bob sits in the same spot in 2014, although the apple has been replaced by some new landscaping.
ALUMNI ARRIVAL
We joined the Emirates Airline flight from JFK with many of the other TASISites and landed in Milan. On the left, the groggy gang gets their bags loaded on the bus at Malpensa airport. A 50 minute bus ride later we arrived at the school, making the last big bend before the bus stop.
TOP FLOOR HADSALL – BOB’S OLD DORM ROOM
Bob lived in this 4-man loft room his Junior year, with Ray, Tod, and Jon. Bob was sure he’d be able to find evidence of creative beam decoration done 39 years ago.
And then there’s that view at the end of the hall, what used to be the smoking lounge.
HADSALL VIEWS – BACK THEN
Fall 1974 – Bob’s roommates Ray and Tod on the roof of Hadsall, catching some rays. On the right The View from the roof of Hadsall that day.
GIARDINO
Giardino (Garden) is a pre-fab building that was used as a dorm back in the day. Bob lived here his Sophomore year with Ray. It sits behind Hadsall, and has nice views out past the apple tree on the side.
BALMELLI
Bob lived in the loft room with the upper window with Henry and Tod his senior year. It was definitely cool.
OUR DORM ROOM – LANTERNA
Lanterna is one of the many beautiful additions to the “newer” part of campus – development of some fields and a pre-fab dorm into an educational plaza. Thanks to the airlines losing Bob’s bag, we sometimes hung our laundry over “The View”, bringing a little bit of Appalachia to Ticino. Our room was on the next to top floor, second from the right.
VIEWS FROM OUR ROOM
My, my – what views from our dorm room window in Lanterna.
TASIS CREST AND A PEEK AT THE ROOFTOPS
The TASIS crest is rendered above the main entrance to the Salon in Villa DaNobili. Representing: Culture (tower) – Wisdom (lamp) – Truth (sun) – Knowledge (book)
On the right, a view down to Certenago through a passageway in Lanterna.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Wheelbarrows are lined up for some work being done on the new section of campus. Check out the granite work done around the new buildings – certainly built to last.
TALKING HEADS
Camille was taken by the seemingly disembodied heads floating behind a hedge at Lanterna.
VILLA DE NOBILI – NOW & THEN
A 17th Century villa that became home for the school very early on. This building is sort of the Student Union – housing the dining room, the salon, as well as administrative office and dorm rooms. On the left, Is the villa today, on the right, how it looked in November 1973
DINING HALL WEAPONS
These weapons have hung in DeNobili a long time. At one time, the building was a national museum. Camille thought the building had the air of Hogwart’s.
CASA FLEMING
Mrs. Fleming, the school’s indomitable founder, lived in this beautiful house at the center of campus. Each year she held a dinner for each class of students that was a chance to dress well, eat well, and have a view from her tower.
MRS. FLEMING’S BENCH
This marble bench was placed on campus in remembrance of Mrs. Fleming, a strong and beautiful reminder of a lady who shared the same qualities.
PARTING SHOT
A reunion group photo of all of us after our dinner at Mrs. Fleming’s house.
A bunch of old hippies and preppies.