Dedication of the Historic NPHS Sign
September 28, 2019
“This is a special day for North Plainfield High School as we unveil one of its’ iconic symbols; the sign that welcomed students, faculty and alumni to the high school throughout the 1950’s, 1960’s and early 70’s.
At one time, there were two identical signs, bordering the Greenbrook Road entrance to the high school. These signs were made by Arthur J. Utzinger, sometime in the 50s. He served about 12 years on the school board and donated the signs to the school. His two sons, Richard class of ’62 and Tom class of’65, were NPHS graduates.
In the early 70’s, both signs were lost — either from the August 1973 flooding, student antics or both. One sign reappeared in 1990 when it was found in the attic of a local resident and returned to the high school. At that time, it was re-installed at the top of the high school driveway where it remained for 8 years, when once again it disappeared. Refusing to fade away, the sign made its return twenty years later in 2018, when two alumni returned it to Dan Battista, having acquired it at a local garage sale several years earlier. The second sign has never been recovered.
Which brings us to today — the North Plainfield High School Alumni Association, recognizing the importance of school spirit and continuity, decided to have it restored by one of our Hall of Fame inductees, Mark Romanoski and placed here above the Howard Krausche Memorial.
Written by Michael Mandaglio, Co-President NPHS Alumni Association
The front of the sign is the pine tree which represented the NPHS Canucks for almost 15 years. The back of the sign has been updated to reflect the lumberjack image that replaced the pine tree in 1975 and continues as the high school’s mascot today.
Special thanks go out to Mark Romanoski, Dan Battista, Mark Dubyna and Roger Graubard for bringing this project to the finish line. With that said, we proudlynpresent an integral piece of NPHS history”
