When I started high school, we were still living at Kathleen. We had a fun summer before attending and Jr. High School was behind me. I noticed that from ninth grade to tenth grade I had a “huge” growth spurt. I could not get over my growth in height and weight over one summer! Getting to school was convenient for Dad, as he dropped me off in the mornings on his way to work at Desoto Elementary. It mirrored the enjoyable times of going to elementary school with him. The down side was getting home after school. It was a long walk and many days I would try my luck at hitch hiking, (although not safe for today’s times and probably not then), I did hitchhike about a third of the time to get home. One time I was picked up by a limo and thought that it was so “cool” to have a ride home that way. Of course, when I weighed the fact of how long it took me to catch a ride, it would have been faster just to walk home! Probably not a smart move then, but I turned it into a game and it became self-satisfying when I was able to catch a ride. I do not recommend this for anyone; even though it was something I did at the time.
Even though I missed the elementary school days (as they were such good times) I did look forward to high school. It was a time when I was unsure how I felt about school, but I thought it was time to “grow up” even though my experiences were so uncomfortable during Jr. High School. I did not feel comfortable (with everything around me) during that period of my life. A lot of it had to do with my teeth problem, as my front teeth had been “knocked out”, due to a bike accident when I was younger and my false teeth were very obvious. I did not take PE anymore as I did not enjoy it during Jr. High and thought it would continue to be the same during High School. I listened to a friend of mine from the old neighborhood, Albert Hale. a friend since Jr. High (we rode, modified, and raced go carts together along with a motor bike). He convinced me to take ROTC instead of PE. I thought the first year of ROTC was fine, but the second year proved to be too regimented and that did not work for me! Also, the ideology in service was contradicted by my core beliefs that war is wrong. It was a course which helped me become more reliable and to appreciate the armed forces; but I never had an interest in that field and never felt it was going to do me much good. We had classes two or three times a week and the other days we would march. It became very “routine” causing my interest to fall quickly.
During the second year I made “corporal”, but that was as high as I wanted to go as I realized it was not for me. The school rule was to take two years in order to escape PE. I’m not sure which one would have been better for me, but I do believe this experience made me realize that college would be a better choice than going into the services.
I do remember the fun we had shooting a 22 rifle a couple of times, in a target range (set up by ROTC) and sometimes we would watch movies. Most of their classes, were not enjoyable and I had little interest.
Much of high school was very similar to Jr. High; again I was bashful and had few friends at school. I did not attend many of the afterschool functions other than those that took place during school. At the time, I just could not connect with the excitement of games such as football and other sports that were celebrated. Although I understand their significance, it was not something I wanted to be a part of my life. I continued to work after school and when work was over, I really enjoyed being with friends in the neighborhood. We continued to do many things together and their friendship was something I cherished during high school. Even though some of my friends would attend school functions and games, I preferred doing other things with them.
The weekend dances still occurred, but the Letter Carriers Hall somehow went “downhill” for me, as the crowds were now younger. Other dance places were introduced and were more interesting (such as Sacred Heart). Father Rogue was the priest that would chaperone the Sacred Heart Dances. It took me two weeks to figure out the “rules “, since I was kicked out twice.
The first time, I danced the twist, which was allowed at the Letter Carriers, but not at Sacred Heart; then, I was kicked out again because I “slow danced” with a girl which was not allowed. The rules were no holding during slow dances, but I did not know that. After that, I was fine and went a few more times. It was a great crowd, calmer than the Letter Carriers, and it was fun to meet new people.
Another new place we attended was in Clearwater Beach, which (sometimes) featured bands such as Clearwater Credence Revival. The building is still there (close to the New Hooters), but I have never been back and don’t even know what the building is used for now. Although it was in Clearwater, there was not much traffic so it was easy to get to; the club was small, but packed. It was a fun place to hang out! At this time, I hung with a friend, named David Fernandez which I had known from elementary school. Later on, we became best friends when we attended Jr. College. He went two semesters, then he became engaged, married, and dropped out. After that I never saw him again.
Getting back to the high school scene (it was business as usual) and I took many classes in preparation for college, but only kept a “C” average. In my senior year, my favorite classes were science courses and my favorite teacher was, Mr. Castellano, since he inspired me the most. Physiology was a course that fascinated me and for the first time in a long while, I began to study and enjoyed it. Recently, while talking to a friend at the HVIII (in 2012), I learned from Roland Martinez that Mr. Castellano had passed away. It was sad to hear as I would have liked to met him once more in my life. During High School (while attending his course), we would sometimes see each other at weddings during the weekends. We were not on a social level, but more as a student-teacher relationship with the polite hellos and small talk.
I did attend a couple of football games and dances during high school, but on Sundays skiing was my preference. By then more changes were going on; the family gatherings were becoming infrequent with less family members attending. Now it seemed as though neighbors and friends were the new norm, as our family had become involved with new people, Nonno and Nonna were getting older and although I did not realize it, it became harder for them to attend activities. Our family members had other commitments and it became difficult to schedule everyone to meet up on the same day, as we had done for years. At the time I could not see what was happening, but thought everything was “normal”, but I was beginning to realize that an era was passing (and in a sense it was)! It was a natural progression in life (one that I thought was a happy one), yet now I look back and understand this happens again and again in life. I realize it is part of growing up and a natural progression as, you must learn to change with the times! As I write this, I know I have had a hard time “changing with the times” (even in present times). This is one of the reasons I wrote this story in hopes that people who think like me may learn to accept changes, make the best of them, and appreciate everything we have in life (all the good and bad, as that is what makes us)! We can (at least) have fond memories of everything we want to remember!
Later, I decided to attend one of the football games at Hillsborough High School. For some reason, I decided to take my father’s graduation ring (that I had found in his dresser in his bedroom while living on Kathleen St.). I must have felt this was a way to make me feel grown up for the game or perhaps just a way of dressing up. That night during the game (while playing with it on my finger), I realized I dropped it from the bleachers. This bothered me and I was so upset! How could I have let this happen? The following day I went back to find it, but never could! It saddened me that I lost my father’s ring and told him what happened. He never really scolded me for it. (To this day, I have a hard time wearing a ring for more than a few hours). I was realizing that work was “real” for our parents, as we were now becoming older, and could make our own decisions. We were guided by them; although, we were still very much influenced and dependent on our parents and what they said. The world was becoming “real” and not everything was going to be in our favor or done for us. We were part of the world and no longer the center of the universe! It still was not “sinking in”, as part of me did not want the change to happen; yet I did appreciate the new freedoms that came along with age. Our friends were taking our family’s time because other family members were busy. It just never occurred to me that they would be going through life changes as well! Families had many “plates” to balance: careers, family, older parents, and everything else in life that is thrown their way. The family unit; although strong, was becoming more independent of each other.
Work at the store continued, which consumed most of my hours during high school and dating began, but I was never really into one girl. Dates at that time may have lasted once or twice, but never lasted long as I felt shy and did not want a long term commitment. In the back of my mind, I knew that I wanted to finish college and did not want anything to stop that. I still had many friends, worked long hours, and did not have the need to have girlfriends, as I felt content at the time. I would take out the boat, ski, work, and this filled my life. When I dated, the girls were from other schools. One I met at the beach lived in Orlando, (this was probably the first time I was excited about a girl at this age) and I went to see her a few times, and invited her to a lake party. Tommy Watson and her girlfriend went on a couple of double dates with us in Orlando. She was older than me, but we were comfortable with the difference. I remember family members talking and saying she looked like Paul’s first wife, when she went to the lake party (not sure where that came, from but that seemed to be the day’s conversation).
We wrote each other a couple of times, then lost contact.
Her mom made for us a Red Velvet cake which I had never tasted before. To me it was incredible and I asked her mom to send the recipe to Mom and she made it a few times.
My first date (just really a friend) was older than me, but both of us were shy and we got along well for the few times we were together. I write of her only because it was a new experience in life. We were friends for a summer.
As my senior year approached it was the time for my prom, I panicked and wondered who I would take. I had dates with other girls, but from different schools and did not want to invite them, as it seemed unfair to take someone from another school. (My craziness!) I was unsure about dating, but I really wanted to have the Senior Prom experience and did not want to be left out. I realized it was my responsibility to find someone to take or miss the experience. Therefore, I began dating a junior and thought this was a good thing. We enjoyed the dates we had from going to movies, eating out, or just “hanging out”. We went to the prom, but I felt I was not ready for a long term relationship and ended the “going steady”. It was fun (nothing serious) and I remember her afterwards going by the store and trying to talk to me through the window in the back. I stayed busy at the store as I did not want someone to be with at that time. She was a year younger than me and for whatever reason I did not enjoy that. She was very nice, but I felt it was not the right time for me (even though she was very nice). One of my best friends started dating her. He asked about it and I said it was ok, as I thought they would be good for each other. Later in life, they got married and I was happy for both of them! After that, we lost touch and no longer hung out together. I was truly happy they did get together, as both of them were great people!
In October 2012, I was told by my friend, Roland Martinez, Sandra had passed away a year earlier. For some reason (although we were never close), I thought “highly of her” and felt sad about her passing and for the heartache that my friend, Michael, must have gone through. Again high school was very uneventful, other than the activities that did not involve high school such as the dances, going out on weekends to the Colonnade, or driving around Bay Shore looking for haunted houses. Somehow this became a popular activity where we would seek out an “empty” house at night, go explore it, and create stories about the haunted house. We never saw or heard any paranormal activities, but it was fun just to mentally create them and explore. We never damaged or tried to destroy anything other than go inside, (when it was completely dark) and explore the inside of the house and the empty lots. We would make up stories and try to spook each other and this was all in a good night’s fun!
Around this time, Tommy Watson and I were doing much together (including a couple of double dates) to the beach. We also “hung out” with the old gang, but this began thinning out too.
In the late 60’s, my cousin, Bobbi Mistretta, returned to Tampa and stayed at Nonna’s home. We got together, visited the beach, went to Memi’s house (with Tommy Watson), and rented motor scooters to drive around West Tampa (including the park area where my brother, Bobby Stafford, now lives). Tommy and Bobbi seemed to like one another and they stayed in touch for a while.
High school continued and the time vanished. I think about things we did; like running down the stairs during lunch to find time to eat, or in our Senior year getting “senior privileges” to move to the front of the line, or Johnny Gallo and I “skipping out” during lunch, to have prepared meals at his house or mine, We made sure the locks on our lockers were set, so all we did was turn the dial once to save us time. We would eat and return to class in less than 30 minutes. How we did, it I will never know to this day!
Classes were good (some were hard for me) and when I had “study hall”, it helped me complete my homework as I had to work. Typing class was an elective that I took (which I thought would be easy) and surprisingly it helped me in college; with all the research papers that were required. The typing class was on the second floor and I would bounce my legs up and down, as I was nervous while typing and the teacher would gently come over and remind me of my habit. Our parents purchased a Smith-Corona typewriter, for us which I still have today. It is not used today due to having computers now, but I never got rid of it.
The typewriter was self-contained in a case but could be removed when typing.
The “H” key is missing but I assume it still works.
There were many “pep rallies” before games and we would all attend in the auditorium. Afterward, many students would be “hyped up” and make loud noises while passing in the hallways to show spirit. It was funny to listen to them as we walked from class to class.
One of my history classes was taught by a coach, who was very strict. While taking notes one day my pencil lead broke and I got up to go to the pencil sharpener, but failed to ask permission. I looked up and saw not one, but two pieces of chalk flying by me and him yelling, “You did not raise your hand!” Discipline was very different then, as his behavior would not be tolerated today. His class was never loud or out of control, so to this day I do not regret how strict he was, as there were other classes that were undisciplined and learning was at a minimum. It never bothered me (as I knew the rules), but sometimes I forgot and broke them. I never thought anymore of it, other than to remember never to get up without permission.
Many pranks were initiated at Jefferson High School. One prank I remember was when a group of students let out “crabs” in the basement, causing the girls to yell and scream. A strange rule for girls was that they could not wear patent leather shoes because boys could use them as mirrors to look up their dresses. We all thought it was ridiculous, but I guess it happened to someone to create the rule.
Our English class was fun, as we were required to read books and give book reports. One student Carlos Munoz, would give exciting book reports. His reports came from (Ian Fleming), the new serious of which we were to see in the movie theatres later staring James Bond.
Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was an English author, journalist and naval intelligence officer, best known for his James Bond series of spy novels. While working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Golden Eye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units, 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. His wartime service and his career as a journalist provided much of the background, detail and depth of the James Bond novels.
Fleming wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952. Eleven Bond novels and two short-story collections followed between 1953 and 1966. The novels revolved around James Bond, an officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond was also known by his code number, 007, and was a commander in the Royal Naval Reserve. The Bond stories rank among the best-selling series of fictional books of all time, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
We always looked forward to hearing his reports!
Although high school was not eventful for me; I believe (in some strange way) it prepared me for the future. We were no longer young children, nor adults, but in a metamorphism of change! We needed to change, if life was to have any meaning; so we could grow and to let go. I feel high school (like some of my life) was typical because I was unwilling to let go of the past and weary of the future. There were other times in life when this was not typical. When the same issues arose, I would look back on this experience, and try to figure what I could learn from this time period in my life!
Jefferson High School, Home of the Fighting Dragons
Tampa, Fl.
I graduated in 1965, with a class of 365 seniors I attended the ten year reunion and felt uncomfortable, but now realize I had no reason to feel that way. If there is another and I am able to attend, I would enjoy going.
My final comment is that we as individuals peak at different times; in other words, we mature and grow not due to age, but when the time is appropriate to us. High School was not the time I matured (as I wanted it to), but I realized it was a small step before reaching moments in life when I felt more secure.
High School was a “mixed bag” of learning, emotions, fun, and every ingredient there is in life, but only on a smaller scale.
My last job at South County Career Center in Ruskin, FL. (as the Tech Resource Person) was “eye opening” to see the differences in students. At the time I went to high school (even though I felt so grown up), I did not realize how much more there was to learn. I saw this in the students attending and realized they would be going through many of the same experiences and emotions as I did.
I conclude that the work at SCCC was very rewarding! When I retired, I realized how much I enjoyed my years there! As a student in high school and as an adult, I have finally realized after High School graduation, that it was all good!
Jefferson High School!
“Home of the Dragons”
Our colors were blue and gold.
The old Jefferson High School no longer exists, but has been replaced by the D.W. Waters Career Center. I had the privilege in 2009, to go back there as a tech resource person from South County Career Center and help them install a Reading Program. It was nostalgic to look at the building and recall the rooms I had been in and what they looked like now. The principal offered me some desks from the old school as they were throwing them away, but I had no way of getting them.
The name now originates from the first principal of Jefferson High when it was started.
History of Jefferson High School
At one time it was the new Hillsborough High School…
HILLSBOROUGH’S SEVENTH HOME
As the town began to grow into a city, the enrollment increased and the need for a larger, more modern school building became apparent. Another era in this school’s history came to pass. In 1908, land was purchased at 2704 N. Highland Avenue as a site for a new building. Construction was not begun until December 1910. Architect William Potter designed the three story masonry block building as a closed rectangle with an open center (since then it has been almost entirely filled.)
After Hillsborough County High School moved out of this building, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School was founded here in 1928. Under the guidance of principal D.W. Waters, it transitioned into a high school in 1939 and its first class graduated in 1942. Jefferson High occupied this old building until 1966-67, when the school board decided that its location no longer met modern educational requirements and the first Jefferson High School was closed.
Shortly thereafter, this building on Highland Ave. became the home of George Washington Jr. High. Jefferson High School ceased to exist until 1971 when it was reborn by sharing the Leto High School facility through June, 1973. In the fall of 1973, the Jefferson Dragons moved into their new and current facility at 4401 W. Cypress St.
Entering from the front of the building you would see the trophy case in which Jefferson High would proudly display its winning trophies. My first homeroom was in the right corner of the hallway on the next floor up. This picture was taken during the time it was a junior high school.
To the right of this picture was where my first homeroom was located.
In 1935, the U.S. Army took sponsorship of the corps and they then became the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. (J.R.O.T.C.)
This organization was a source of constant pride and admiration since its establishment in this school. They were outstanding both in this county and state, winning such an excess of awards that some of the recent awards had to be given away due to lack of space. The Drum and Fife Corps was organized in 1914 under the supervision of Dr. Sumter Lowry, and with the material aid of the Tampa Gasparilla Association and the County School Board. The first appearance of the corps was made during the 1915 Gasparilla Carnival after only six short weeks of practice. This was thirty years before my time but wanted to show the ROTC.
Principals of Jefferson High
1928 – 1949 D. W. Waters
1949 – 1956 A. P. Leto
1956 – 1958 Lucile Sumner
1958 – 1961 Braulio Alonso
1961 – 1964 Frank Farmer
1965 – 1967 Ralph Vaccaro
1967 – 1974 Dr. Sam Horton
1974 – 1980 Jack Menendez
1980 – 1991 Ed Ballas
1991 – 1996 Arthur Smith
1996 – 2003 Daniel Riveiro
2003 – 2006 Louis Diaz
2006 – Present Daniel Bonilla