About the Class of 1981 Page
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RFA Class of 1981
This is a place where we will keep some notes about the class of 1981.


Back in 1981.....

Principal: Richard Valeri

Assistant Principals: Thomas Perry, Fredrick Lampman

Population of RFA: 1700 students

1981 Graduation Class Size: 550 students

(source: 1981 Commencement Ceremony Booklet)

Meri-Page Gerling - Valedictory
Joel McGarvey - Salutatory

RFA Football Team wins State Finals at the Dome
RFA Track & Field Team undefeated

KEEP ON LOVING YOU-REO Speedwagon (#1, March)

The History of Rome Free Academy
In 1926, the present Rome Free Academy opened with a principal, 24 teachers, and 450 students. During the next decade, the student body increased to 1100 and the faculty to 42. In 1938, Rome Free Academy suffered a fire which required complete interior reconstruction.
In 1957, a new addition was constructed at a cost of 2,356,601 dollars. The Rome City School District absorbed 33 nearby Common and Union Free Schools to become one of the larger school districts in upstate New York. In 1959, 1,535 students and 81 teachers occupied the "new" Rome Free Academy.

In 1975, new campus expansion and canopy construction were completed. In 1985, the occupancy of Rome Free Academy included 1,700 students and 110 professional staff members. In 1994, Rome Free Academy Football Stadium and athletic fields renovated to include an artificial turf field and all weather track. In 1997, the Rome School District began implementation of the new standards issued by the State Education Department. In 1999, the Rome School Board voted to build a new Rome Free Academy on the former Griffiss Air Force Base. The new school opened in September 2002.

Reunion Committee Members
Antoinette Pacicca Becker
Bill Rossi
Sandy Reilly-Lalonde
Rich Coriale

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RichieC05@juno.com