Background on why Hall High School sustains its high rankings, from a West Hartford native and Conard High School graduate.

By James A. Johnson

This article is dedicated to my sister Dr. Janice Johnson, Hall alum whose unwavering support throughout my childhood permits me to pen this article.

Fall is a time for renewal – back to school a period of promise that brings with it a sense of fresh possibility. Enter William H. Hall High School that originally opened in 1924 in the center of town which is now the Town Hall. The current location is 975 North Main St., West Hartford, CT, with a sprawling campus. U.S. News & World Report most recently ranks Hall 10th in Connecticut and 457 out of 18,000 best schools in the United States.

Today William H. Hall High School, with an enrollment of over 1,400 students, is a four-year public high school named after William Hutchins Hall. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools in West Hartford. His daughter Constance Hall Jones of West Hartford gracefully passed at age 101 on April 15, 2019. Constance graduated from Hall in 1935.

The first African-American student to graduate from Hall was Gertrude Blanks. She is also an alum of Morley Elementary School and Plant Jr. H.S. Later she became an outstanding storyteller with the Hartford Public Library. Gertrude passed into Heaven in 2019 at age 99.

The former superintendent was Tom Moore who left for Niles, Illinois Township School District at the end of the school year in 2022. The current superintendent is Paul Vicinus. The mascot was the “Warrior” and school colors are blue and white. The mascot was changed for ethnic and political reasons to Hall Titans. Previous principals included Henry Weyland, Dr. Robert Dunn, Dr. Elaine Bessette, Dr. Jerry Copsinis, Dr. Donald Slater, and Dan Zittoun. The current principal is Sarah Isaacs who superbly directs Hall’s mission to prepare all students to be educated and responsible citizens. Assistant principals are Dr. Timothy Kessler, Jillian Carnes, and Win Columbano.

Pops ‘n Jazz Extravaganza

The 61st annual production of Pops ’n Jazz featured Hall’s acclaimed jazz bands, dancers and singers opened on March 8, 2019. The 2019 musical extravaganza featured student performers, the Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Choraliers and Jazz Dancers. Featured guest performers included Hall alum and professional Alexa Tarantino on sax and professionals Wycliffe Gordon (www.wycliffegordon.com) on trombone. Gordon is a founding member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a veteran member of Wynton Marsalis Septet. Javier Colon (www.javiercolon.com) is a singer/songwriter, attended University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and was a winner on NBC’s The Voice. Javier has performed with Joss Stone, Steve Nicks, Anthony Hamilton, and many others.

According to Wynton Marsalis, Managing & Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center “Alexa Tarantino is a one-woman wrecking crew….an indomitable force for expression, education and absolute excellence.”

There has been a recent transition in the leadership in Hall’s music and theater departments, and the 67th edition of Pops ‘N Jazz in 2025 featured the theme “In a Sentimental Mood.”

Morley

Back in the day, as well as currently, Morley Elementary School was one of the feeders to Hall. This is where many of Hall’s basketball stars developed their skills on the outdoor court. The basketball court was near the street and drew a bevy of players from the Greater Hartford area. I use to dunk the ball so furiously that sparks flew off the chain-link net. The current principal is Ryan Cleary who is not only an outstanding administrator but was a college basketball player.  One of his many accomplishments is continuation of the annual Red Wagon Food Drive that is a major boost to West Hartford Food Pantry.

The following is short listing of Notable Alumni, including athletes: (*Denotes Best multi-sport athlete of the decade)

1940s

In this decade one name stand above all others – William E. Blanchfield. Bill Blanchfield graduated from Hall H.S. in 1941 and was an outstanding student-athlete particularly in basketball. His team was so good that it upset Weaver led by Walter “Doc” Hurley who years later became principal at Weaver. Bill continued with his stellar performances in academics and sports at Trinity College in Hartford.

Bill Blanchfield was such a prolific contributor to West Hartford that a park is named in his honor – William E. Blanchfield Park located in Elmwood. In addition, Hall established for the past 27 years the William E. Blanchfield Award given every year to a male and female student who excels in athletics and academics.

Bill Blanchfield started at shortstop on the first West Hartford Legion Baseball Team.

If you watch West Hartford American Legion baseball this summer think of Bill Blanchard at shortstop fielding a ground ball and hesitating for a split second to hold the runner on second base, then firing a bullet to first base to put the runner out.

If you are wondering if there is a connection with Steve Blanchfield, tennis coach at Conard and assistant football coach at Hall – Steve is Bill’s son.

1950s                                            

• Bob Willis (Football & Track)*
• Dick DelMastro (Baskeball)
• Don Arcari (Track)
• Ron Willey (Track)
• Tony Newman (Basketball)
• Ray Moore (Basketball)
• Fred Williams (Basketball)
• John Szumczyk (Football-All-State)
• Jack Islieb (Basketball)
• John Novak (Basketball)
• Mike Kaplan (Basketball)

196os

• Paul Lorch (Basketball)
• Jimmy Lawrence (Basketball, Soccer & Baseball)*
• Jim & Graham Bly (Basketball)
• Steve Fish (Basketball)
• Dick Distel (Basketball)
• Charlie Kidd (Basketball)
• Harlan Hornbruch (Football & Track)

1970-1990s

• Betty Remigino-Knapp, Head Cross Country Coach at Hall & Assistant Coach Indoor & Outdoor Track, former West Hartford Athletic Director, UConn Coach Track & Field and many other accomplishments.*
• Charlie Daly, 1971 Educator at Conard H. S.
• Tom McGowan, 1976 (Football-All-State), Captain of undefeated team; Trinity College.
• Peter McGuinness, 1981, Concert Jazz Band (lead Trombone), Manhattan Sch. of Music (Masters in Jazz), The Bluenote & Birdland appearances, Assoc. Prof. of Jazz -William Paterson Univ. and many other accomplishments.
• Sue Sebolt, 1983 Basketball – scored 40 pts in one game, 1,240 career points, All-State in Basketball & Track & Field (4 years); 3-Sport Captain (basketball, track, and swimming.
• Tara McGuire, 1985 Basketball.
• Patrick Zimmerli, 1986, Concert Jazz Band-saxophonist; Composer of Contemporary Jazz & Classical Music. www.patrickzimmerli.com
• Albert Haynes, 1987 (Football); Univ. of South Carolina and Canadian Football League
• Wilbur Gilliard, 1991 (Football-All-State), UConn All-Time Leading Rusher
• Ruslan Inyatkin, 1993 (Basketball); UConn under Coach Jim Calhoun.

Other Notable Alumni:

• Harlan Hornbruch, 1965 Football & Track under Frank Robinson, Class President, AFS Exchange Student to Fortaleza, Brazil, Northwestern University Masters Business Administration Degree
• Lucas Almedia, 2022 Soccer Captain, broke career school record with 95 goals.*
• Dr. Jonathon S. Sasportas, 1983, National Honor Society-Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Board Certified/ABOMS & American Bd. of Dental Anesthesia-Licensed in NY & NJ-www.omscnj.com
• Everett Hackett-Asst. Track & Cross-Country Coach, 2008 Class L Champion, 2017 Connecticut Runner of the Year and qualified for 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.
• Jason Qua, 1985, Clark University Basketball Captain, All American, New England Hall of Fame, 1,796 career points, played professionally in Japan, and many other accomplishments.
• Ryan Richman, University of Maryland, Assistant Coach NBA Washington Wizards, NBA G League-Head Coach Capitol City Go-Go.
• Erica Von Kleist, Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Flautist, Saxophonist, Writer, Composer, Juilliard School-Bachelor’s in Jazz. www.ericavonkleist.com  
• Alita Moses, Jazz Singer, 2014 Winner Montreux Voice competition; Alita Moses-You Tube, Performs with Al Jarreau.
• Dov Fox, Prof. of Law University of San Diego Law School, Harvard-BA, Yale Law School-JD., Rhodes Scholar Oxford Univ., Ph D, LLM Georgetown Law Center; Author-©2019 Birth Rights & Wrongs-How Medicine & Technology are Remaking Reproduction & the Law.
• Brett Leghorn, Yale MBA, Princeton; KIPP LA-Assoc. Director of Operations
• Alexa Tarantino- Concert Jazz Band, The Juilliard School, Founder/Director Rockport Jazz Workshop https://rockportmusic.org/jazzworkshop; Performs with Wynton Marsalis, and many other accomplishments. www.alexatarantino.com
• Alex Putterman, 2012 alum; Hearst Connecticut reporter. Former Sports Reporter Hartford Courant. Also written for The Atlantic, MLB, and Sports Illustrated.
• Brian Rosenworcel, Tufts University, drummer for band Guster – https://guster.com; Band appeared on CBS This Morning & album Look Alive chartered at number 5.
• Sue Sebolt Parra, 1983 Basketball; Stanford 1987; Professional basketball in Norway.
• Tara McGuire Johnson, 1985; Clark University 1989, Basketball Team Capt., First Team Kodak All- America, 1989 ECAC Player of the Year, New England Hall of Fame, and many other accomplishments.
• Shari Cantor, Mayor of West Hartford
• Richie Barshay, Jazz Percussionist www.richiebarshay.com
• Marc Lasry, Co-Owner NBA Milwaukee Bucks, CEO of Avenue Capital Group.
• Steven Kandarian, Chairman, President & CEO Metlife, Inc., retired on May 1, 2019.
• Frank Luntz, American Political Consultant, FOX News, Political pollster.
• Jessica Rosenworcel, Former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission.
• Gregory S. Woodward, Former President University of Hartford; Cornell University, Ph.D., former Dean of the School of Music at Ithaca College, and Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition at UConn.
• Doug Keeler, Ph.D. U. of Wisconsin-Supt. of Schools, Claremont, Calif.; U. of Htfd. Athletic Hall of Fame – Baseball Team Captain and Soccer.
• Janice Johnson, Ph.D. U. of Michigan – Educator.
• David Ashton, Past President, Conn. Assoc. of Independent Insurance Agents.
• Andy Fleischmann, Former Connecticut politician, Princeton and Stanford alum; President  & CEO of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• George Dewey, Engineer – SNT Co./AT & T.
• Grayson Hugh, Record Producer and Songwriter.
• Ken Ravizza, Ph.D – Educator (Cal. State-Fullerton), Sports Psychologist to Major League Baseball, Author, Heads-Up Baseball: Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time.
• Scott Slifka, former Mayor of West Hartford and Attorney
• Jonathan Harris, former Mayor of West Hartford, former Connecticut State Senator and Attorney, former senior director in Connecticut Office of Policy and Management and to Gov. Ned Lamont.
• Grant O’Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Electrical Engineering major, 2018 NCAA Div. III National Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, NCAA All-America, 2018 & 2019 RPI Captain-Track & Field Team, 2019 Division III Male Track Athlete of the Year -Atlantic Region.*  

                               

• Jeff Bleich, former U.S. Ambassador to Australia 2009-13; JD Univ. Calif-Berkely Law School, clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist; Attorney-listed in Best Lawyers in America.
• David Alan Basche, Actor-2005 motion picture-War of the Worlds and other TV roles.
• Grayson Hugh, Songwriter, Record Producer.
• Brad Mehldau, Musician and Composer.
• Haig Shahverdian, former Band Director of renowned Jazz Program
• Jimmy Macbride is an American Jazz Drummer/Composer based in NYC. He has performed with Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis & many others. A Juilliard School alum & the older brother of Alma MacBride an American Jazz pianist, composer & filmmaker. They are the children of David Macbride, a composer of classical music & visual artist Lisa Macbride. www.jimmymacbride.com
• Hayley R. Mullins, Soccer and played Division I Soccer at American University in D.C. passed away at age 22. She was an outstanding athlete and a wonderful person. Many miss Hayley.
• Erin Bellucci, Hall 2016 veteran of Pops ‘N Jazz, kicker on the football team, sang the Etta James classic “At Last”during Michael Buble Concert on Feb. 20, 2019 at Madison Square Garden.

Hall’s Notable Coaches: (*Denotes Current Coach **Space constraints preclude a complete listing)

• Jeff Billing –Cross Country Coach, multiple division and state championships*

• Steve Blanchfield, Asst. Football Coach
• Robert Stuart, Tennis
• Dale Harper (Basketball & Soccer).
• Bob McKee (Football and Baseball); CHSCA Hall of Fame & many other accomplishments.
• Richard Tracy (Track & Cross Country).
• Dave Deacon (Boys Basketball & Soccer), 1988 Conn. H.S. Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame & many other accomplishments.
• Chuck Claffey (Boys Golf), 2022 inducted into the National HS Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame; 2011 Conn H. S. Assoc. Golf Coach of the Year.

• Frank Robinson (Football, Wrestling, Track & Field), Compiled a 201-92-9 record in 31 seasons as head football coach, Enshrined in the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame 1997; National Wrestling Hall of Fame 2003, and many other accomplishments.
• James Soloman (Boys Tennis), 2000 National H.S. Athletic Coaches Assoc. National Coach of the Year, and many other accomplishments.*
• Zeke Seguro (Soccer) – 2019 and 2023 Boys Class LL Soccer Championship.*
• Sue McAuliffe Curnias, (Cross Country, Gymnastics, Track, and Swimming), Coach of the Year Gymnastics 1980, Coach of the Year Cross Country 1988, Coach of the Year Track 1989, Conn. H. S. Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame inducted 2005. *One of the very few coaches to earn coach of the year in 3 sports*
• Kathy Walling (former Girls Field Hockey & Lacrosse), 2008 Coach of the Year, 2014 CHSCA Hall of Fame.
• Bryan Moretti (Boys Basketball)*
• Ben von Mayrhauser (Boys Lacrosse)*
• Brittany Huggins (Girls Basketball)
• Scott Sampietro – Boys & Girls Indoor & Outdoor Track, captured the 1600-meter sprint medley championship at the New Balance Nationals on June 15, 2019. Hall Track & Field is recognized as one of the best in the state.*

For those of you who are familiar with Bob Willis, Ray Moore, Doug Keeler, Jim Lawrence, and this writer the following is how to know you are getting older:

Everything hurts. And what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work. You feel like the morning after, and you haven’t been anywhere. You join the health club and don’t go. Dialing long distance wears you out. You look forward to a dull evening. You stop looking forward to your next birthday, but you are glad when it arrives. 

Keep in mind the above are not the all-inclusive list of notable Hall alums. There are possibly hundreds who are omitted only because of this writer’s limited research and space constraints. In closing, I will not say goodbye but see you later, because I have more good stories to tell.

About the Author

James A. Johnson is a native of West Hartford, Conard alum, and former captain of the basketball team. As a proud ambassador of West Hartford, Jim attributes his success to the discipline, sportsmanship, and friendships gleaned from sports together with a nurturing environment. Jim Johnson is an accomplished trial lawyer concentrating in serious personal injury, intellectual property relating to sports & entertainment law, insurance coverage, and federal criminal defense. He is an active member of the Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas ,and Federal Court Bars. Jim can be reached at www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com.

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