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Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association Newsletter
Volume 5 , Issue 2 February/March 2012
Brian Szpyrka's ’05 Journey to the
NFL - Making the impossible possible
When Brian Szpyrka ’05 represented
Tourtellotte Memorial High School on the grid iron, he
was recognized as one of Thompson’s very best.
After leaving Tourtellotte he attended Worcester State
College, Worcester, Massachusetts, where he
continued to play football. While at Worcester State,
Brian also participated in the Army ROTC program
and was commissioned an officer in the United States
Army. After the service Brian continued with football
and hopes to play in the NFL. His story in his own
words can be found on page 4. continued on page 2
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
Page 1 – Brian Szpyrka
Page 1 – Henrietta LaChapelle
Page 2 – Life in 1906
Page 3 – TMHSAA Lecture at QVCC
Left: Brian Szpyrka
TMHS ’05. Brian
played for the
Tourtellotte Football
team, now called the
Quinebaug Pride.
The Pride is made up
of players from
Putnam High School,
Ellis Tech School
and TMHS. Brian
was one of its star
players. He went on
to play football at
Worcester State
College. His dream is
playing in the NFL.
Page 4 – 1909 TMHS Improvements Cont.
Page 5 – Arts and Academic Hall of Fame
Page 5 – First Washington D.C. Trip?
Page 6 – Eddie Kopacz ‘12
Page 7 – More Treasures Found
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Tourtellotte’s Oldest Graduate
Leaves Much Behind.
WHAT SHE MUST HAVE WITNESSED IN HER
LIFE
The Tourtellotte family recently loss it’s oldest
ever graduate. Henrietta (Seney) LaChapelle, from the
Class of 1923, passed away on January 13. 2012. She
was married to the late Pat LaChapelle of North
Grosvenordale, CT. Born in 1906 in North
Grosvenordale; she was the daughter of the late
Amedee and Josephine (Bellerose) Seney.
She and her husband owned and operated the
employee cafeteria at Cluett-Peabody and later Pat’s
News Store in North Grosvenordale. One of her
proudest moments was when she received a citation
from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for her help with
the rationing program during WWII. She was already
35 years old when the United States started its
involvement in the war. She was a member of St.
Joe’s and the Ladies of Saint Anne.
continued on page 2
ALUMNI BANQUET
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION CEREMONY SET
JUNE 16, 2012
Left: Henrietta (Seney)
LaChapelle, Tourtellotte Memorial
High School, Class of 1923.
Henrietta held the distinction of
being TMHS’ oldest graduate until
her passing on January 13, 2012.
She was the last person from
Thompson that was alive when
Tourtellotte Memorial High School
was dedicated in September of
1909.
Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will begin at 2:00
p.m. at the TMHS Auditorium, admission is free.
Alumni banquet starts at 5:00 p.m. at the
Thompson Speedway - tickets - $40.00. For
tickets contact us at TMHSAA@Charter.net or
contact Eileen Deary at 860-928-2154.

Henrietta (Seney) LaChapelle
TMHS ’23 - 1906-2012
Life in 1906
continued from page 1
Left to right: Aileen Murphy MPS 81, JoAnn Thorstenson TMHS
79, Mary Ellen Jones MPS 83, Memere LaChapelle TMHS 23,
Aileen Witkowski St. Joseph HS 52, Linda Pio, Putnam Catholic
Academy 77 Paula Coderre PCA 76. Missing: William Witkowski
MPS 78, Thomas Witkowski TMHS 80. Photo compliments of the
Witkowski Family.
Henrietta leaves leaves three daughters; Nathalie
Schunick of Baltimore, Lorraine Blanchard of Fort Meyers
Beach, Fla., and A. Aileen Witkowski of Thompson, 13
grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren.
Some of Henrietta’s family that is still involved with
Thompson schools include grandson Bill, who is currently
the Chairman of the Thompson Board of Education,
granddaughters Paula a teacher at TMHS, Ellen, a
teacher in Thompson Public Schools, great-granddaughter
Nicole, a teacher at Mary Fisher Elementary School, greatgrandson
Tommy, TMHS ‘04 who just finished a stint in
the United States Army (Tommy also served in Iraq for
one year), great-grandson Charlie, who graduated from
TMHS in 2010, great-granddaughter Kelly, who will
graduate this year 2012, great-grandson Luke is currently
at Marianapolis, great-grandchildren Andrew, Julia, and
Joey are all in school in Thompson.
Henrietta was just a few weeks shy of her 106 th
birthday.
In Honor of Henrietta LaChapelle’s life, we thought we
would give an idea of what life in 1906, the year she was
born, was like.
The average life expectancy in the US was 47 years.
Henrietta beat this by more than twice!
Only 14 percent of the homes in the US had a bathtub.
There were no paved roads in Thompson, CT.
Only 8 percent of the homes in America had a
telephone.
Children from Wilsonville had to take a trolley to
school.
The Grosvenordale Co. owned all the buildings in
Three Rows.
School busses in Thompson were a thing of the future!
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Norman Ream was among the very few in
Thompson that owned a car.
1906 was the year Mrs. Tourtellotte started thinking
about TMHS.
The average wage in the US was 22 cents per hour.
More than 95 percent of all births in the US took
place at home.
90% of all U.S. doctors had no college education.
Sugar cost four cents a pound, eggs fourteen cents
a dozen, coffee fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month,
and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
Pneumonia and influenza, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea,
Heart disease, and Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma,
New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been
admitted to the Union yet.
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't
been invented yet.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from
high school. In mill towns like North Grosvenordale,
that number could have been slightly higher.
Two out of every 10 US adults couldn't read or write.
Above: Picture of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.
The earthquake was among the biggest events of 1906. The
actual death toll is still being debated today with some
suggesting as many as 3,000. More than 250,000 were left
homeless. Those here in Thompson would have heard about
the disaster through the newspaper. (Public domain picture)
BANQUET NEWS
This year we are featuring the Classes of 1962,
1972, and 1982.
The class of 1962 can contact Janice Benoit at 863-
422-5755. The Class of 1972 can contact June
(Zmituikiewicz) Duclos at 860-942-0687. All others
contact us at TMHSAA@Charter.net
SPREAD THE WORD!!

Visit the TMHS Website at:
www.thompsonpublicschools.org
5 things you may NOT know
about TMHS
1. There have been three valedictorians named
Tourtellotte – Frank Tourtellotte ’20, Charles R.
Tourtellotte ’43, and Mark E. Tourtellotte ‘46
2. John Rivers ran for student council president as an
independent – He received 194 petition
signatures. Anyone remember the year?
3. Damage to the boys’ lav was such a problem in
1968 that the student council offered to patrol it
before and after school.
4. The boys’ lav incident resulted in an assembly
held by Mr. Fatsi, with Dave Cournoyer and
Maureen Mulligan (presumably student council
members) as speakers, to inform students of the
ramifications if the trouble continued.
5. Did you know that a dress code committee was
formed in 1968? This was to address the rockand-roll,
flower-child wave that was hitting
America.
We want to hear! What teacher
made a difference in your life?
At this year’s alumni banquet we would
like to honor an outstanding TMHS teacher;
someone who made a difference in your life. All
you have to do is send your nomination and the
reason this teacher made a difference in your life
to: TMHSAA@Charter.net.
Nominations will be collected over the
next few months and a selection will be made by
the nomination committee in the spring of 2012,
and the winner will be recognized during the
alumni banquet on June 1, 2012.
We Need Volunteers!
Much of the good work we do is because of
the volunteers we are fortunate enough to have, but
much work remains. Volunteers in our association
come in many shapes and forms; from those who
are working weekly to those who help on specific
projects. Currently we are seeking an association
secretary, 2013 banquet chair, Arts and Academic
Hall of Fame members, Hilltopper reporters, and
membership drive workers. If you feel you can help
in any of these capacities, please contact us at
TMHSAA@Charter.net.
If you can’t help in the above capacity, help
us by calling your classmates and have them join
our good work.
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WE WANT YOUR OLD PICTURES
AND STORIES!
We are looking for pictures and stories from
your time at TMHS. They can be about anything
Tourtellotte and can include athletics, classmates,
plays, special events, etc. Each month we would like to
feature pictures from the past. Send them to:
TMHSAA@Charter.net or mail them to Tourtellotte
Memorial High School Alumni Office, PO Box 437,
North Grosvenordale, CT 06255. We’ll scan them and
send them back.
More than 80 attend TMHSAA
TOURTELLOTTE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION
More than 80 life-time learners attended a
recent lecture on Dr. Jacob Francis Tourtellotte and his
brother Brigadier General John Eaton Tourtellotte. The
lecture, given by Joe Lindley ’74, at the Quinebaug
Valley Community College, located in Danielson, CT, on
March 15, 2012, concentrated on their remarkable
military careers. Dr. Tourtellotte served on three man-ofwar
ships patrolling the Eastern Gulf Blockade. He
stayed in the Navy and travelled around South America,
before finally being stationed in Chile.
General Tourtellotte served with the 4 th
Minnesota Infantry, fighting in 11 major battles where he
earned several honors to include a Congressional
Commendation. His unit served mostly with Generals
Grant and Sherman. General Tourtellotte stayed in the
Army more than 20 years, finishing his career as
General W. T. Sherman’s chief of staff. He and
Sherman were friends until their deaths.
The program was part of the QVCC Learning in
Retirement Program.
Above: A lithograph of the Battle of Allatoona Pass,
Georgia. It was here General John E. Tourtellotte earned
General Sherman’s “everlasting respect.” Tourtellotte was
severely wounded during the battle.

(Brian Szpyrka) My Story
For those of you who don’t know me, my
Name is Brian Szpyrka. I grew up in a middle class
family in northeastern Connecticut. My background
and upbringing was essential to the hard work ethic I
live by today. Becoming a professional NFL player
has been a goal of mine since I put on my first pair
of pads at age 8. I truly live by my words, when I
say, “I’m going to turn the impossible, into the
possible”. We all have dreams, but we have to
define how far we are willing to go. How much we
are willing to sacrifice, and how bad we really want
it. I strive in my life to be that inspiration to others.
Know that this is not some half-hearted wish, but an
absolute conviction that I will make it to the top.
After starting varsity for the Tourtellotte-Ellis
Tigers and finishing with numerous awards including
first team all-state, I played four years for the
Worcester Tech Engineers. The completion of
college marked my 14th straight year of playing
football. Upon graduation, out of a sense of duty, I
commissioned into the Army as an Officer. After
being honorably discharged I knew it was time to
continue with my life’s calling. My journey brought
me out to Hollywood, California where I decided to
play my first semi-pro season with the California
Dolphins. I’m proud to say, this fall marked my 15th
football season and I finished as an all-star player in
the league.
I was told when I first started out a year and
a half ago that due to where I went to college and
because of my size and speed, I had a zero percent
chance of making the NFL. These words motivated
me even further. Upon completion of such a
rewarding season, I then concentrated all my hard
work on my weaknesses this offseason; gaining 15
lbs, going from a 4.9 to a 4.5 second 40 yard dash,
improving my shuttle to 4.3 secs, improving to
225lbs for 15 reps on bench, reaching a 34.5”
vertical and signing a sports agent. I realize that I
am NOW ready for the NFL. Now is my time! What I
am trying to do goes beyond just improving my life.
18 months later, those naysayers have changed
their tune. It no longer looks like a possibility, but
rather a certainty that I will make it to the games top
tier. I believe when I make it to the NFL, it will be
cold hard proof that any person can achieve
anything they put their mind to. It will show that,
when what you believe becomes stronger and more
real than what people say, you will achieve the
impossible.
We would like to thank those who made generous
donations to the TMHSAA over the past several
months. All have asked to remain anonymous, but
we felt a public thanks was in order. The donations
will be used to help us continue our good work and
for TMHSAA Scholarships.
Again, many thanks!
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1909 TMHS Roof Project Coming
to an End
Above: A picture of the new copper ridge caps recently
installed (See white arrows) on the roof of the 1909
TMHS building. The copper ridge caps are replicas of
the original caps used in 1909 and replace sheet metal
caps temporarily placed on the roof years ago. The
temporary sheet metal caps contributed to the problems
we have corrected over the past year and a half. Photo
compliments of TMHSAA.
Plaque Lists Valedictorian Glass Case
Project Contributors
Above: Standing proudly in the front foyer of the 1909
TMHS Building across from the WWII Roll of Honor is the
TMHS list of Valedictorians displayed in a large glass
case. Under the case is a small obscure plaque that lists
the contributors who helped to install the board. It reads:
Contributors: Class of ’52, Class of ’53, Alumni
Association, Mrs. Jeannie Greene, Miss Blanche Green,
Thompson Teacher’s Association, Miss Gladys Mowry,
Miss Daisy Stewart, Mr. William Fisher, Student Council,
School General Fund Committee: Mr. James Canty, Miss
Gladys Mowry, Miss Daisy Stewart, Mr. William Singer,
Miss Alice Ramsdell – Ex-Officio, Mr. William Fisher -
Chairman

New Mural in Canty Gymnasium
Above: New Tiger mural located in the Canty
Gymnasium at Tourtellotte Memorial High School. There
is another equally impressive mural in the Thompson
Middle School. Photo compliments of Justine (Bodreau)
Gendreau ’81.
Class of 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees
Selected
The 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame committee has
announced that final selections for the 2012 class have
been selected. Nominations for next year’s class are still
being accepted and can be sent to TMHSAA, HOF
Committee, PO Box 437, North Grosvenordale, CT
06255. The next Hilltopper will feature stories of those
being inducted this year.
Right: This
picture was
found by Mark
Snay of the
Thompson
Historical
Society. It is a
picture of the
1913 TMHS
class trip to
Washington,
D.C. This trip is
possibly the first
class to make
the trip. It is
believed that
Mrs. Tourtellotte
funded many of
the earlier trips.
The photo notes
that this picture
was taken in
Washington.
Photo
compliments of
THS.
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TMHSAA Seeking Arts and
Academic Hall of Fame
Volunteers
With the Athletic Hall of Fame now in its
third year, the TMHSAA is seeking to expand the
Hall of Fame concept to the Arts and Academia.
Many of our students, after leaving TMHS,
went on to establish themselves as leaders in the
world of music, film, dance, art, and academics. The
Arts and Academic Hall of Fames would honor those
TMHS graduates who have made significant
contributions in their area of studies.
Volunteers would establish Arts and
Academic Hall of Fame committee bylaws and
nomination and selection criteria. Anyone interested
in being a member or chairing this committee please
contact us at TMHSAA@Charter.net
WWII HONORARY GRADUATES
NAMED
Four years ago we began the project of
insuring all our WWII veterans who were unable to
graduate from TMHS because they joined the
service during WWII be awarded a diploma. This
year we are happy to announce two more former
warriors are added: They are:
Henry Beaulac
Norman Despelteau
Come join us and celebrate this special event at the
TMHS 2012 graduation. Their stories will be in our
next issue of the Hilltopper.

Eddie Kopacz TMHS ‘12 - Hits the 1,000 Point Mark
HITS SINGLE GAME HIGH OF 44 POINTS
Fellow TMHS 1,000-pointer Greg Guillott ’88
(Part of the ’87 State Championship team) was on hand
in a packed house to see the newest member of the
1,000 Point Club hit the difficult mark. Kopacz scored
his 1,000 point on January 23, 2012 in a 69-65 win over
St. Bernard.
Kopacz scored his milestone point in the third
quarter of the game, finishing the game with 28 points.
He later hit a remarkable 44 points to hit a career singlegame
high. Eddie’s sister Rachael ’11 now attends
Curry College and was an outstanding TMHS athlete in
her own right. Sister Julie is a TMHS junior and sister
Christina is an 8 th grader at Thompson Middle School.
Eddie is the son of Rob and Joyce Kopacz of
Thompson, Connecticut.
At this game, unknown to Eddie, he received
one of the greatest compliments he could possibly
receive. When Jim Naum ’50 was asked who Eddie
reminded him of – without much hesitation he said
“George Dargati.” Congratulations Ed!
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Above: Eddie Kopacz, TMHS Class of 2012 with mom
Joyce and father Rob during a ceremony marking his
1,000 high school career point. Left: Eddie dunking
before a game with teammate Joel Jezierski.. Below:
Eddie with Connecticut Coaches’ Hall of Famer Coach
Falzarrano. Photos compliments of Justine (Bodreau)
Gendreau ’81.

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MORE TREASURES
FOUND
Left-above: The Class of
1959 secretary ledger,
Class of 1959 treasurer
ledger, 1958 secretary
ledger, the Class of 1958 -
1956-1958 treasurer ledger
(including 8 th grade to 12 th
grade), and the 1966-1975
activity fund book. Also
included are old bills, bank
notes, etc. The ledgers
include all the class dues
information, expenses and
student government notes.
The books were donated to
the TMHSAA by the
Thompson Historical
Society. Below: Notes from
September 8, 1958, student
council meeting, president
Eleanor Teguis presiding.
Anyone wishing to see the
books can contact us at
TMHSAA@Charter.net. The
books and the other
information are now being
stored in the TMHSAA
archives rooms.
Note: The treasurer books
show those delinquent in
their class dues… We
wonder what $3.00 is with
43 years of interest!
This newsletter and other projects sponsored by the TMHSAA are only possible
with the support of our members. Please take the time to join our group or to
renew your TMHSAA membership.
TMHSAA Membership Renewal
Due January 1 st of Each Year – Seniors (Age 65+): $5.00, All other Alumni: $15.00
Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Maiden Name: ____________________________ Class: Year: __________________________________________
Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________Telephone: _______________________________
Do you have a favorite story or photograph you would like to share with us? Please mail them along with this application.
PLEASE HELP US MAKE NEXT YEAR A SUCCESS!
Detach and mail to: TMHSAA, PO Box 437, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255
Contact us at: TMHSAA@Charter.net or Call Joe Lindley @ 860-928-5527

Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Office
PO Box 437
North Grosvenordale, CT 06255
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
PLEASE SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO:
TMHSAA@charter.net
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