'Here We Go, Conval...'
From the very beginning, Conval High was known around New Hampshire for cheerleading excellence.
The first year (1970-71), the squad was so popular, two spectator buses that included the boys’ varsity basketball team went to Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith to root them on to the de-facto state championship.
A big reason for the early success was the excellence in tradition that came from both Antrim and Peterborough high schools.
The photo about shows the 1967 Class S cheerleading champs from Antrim High (from left): Cheryl Lamonda, Linda Ashford, Pat Hammond, Janet Patterson, Joy Craig, manager Linda Stacey, Betty Hammond, Sandy Putnam, Suzie Keating, Eileen Magoon and Regina Lemire.
In the photo above are members of the ’67 cheering squad from PHS, known for their athleticism and deep voices (from left): Sue Koehler, Marsha Harris, Nancy Fetzer, Sandy Trufant, Debbie Ames, Debby Bowen and Nancy Wheeler; missing from pic are Jill Stewart and Diney Kereazis.
The final photo is from an early Conval High soccer game, where the two traditions became one. Identifiable (from left) are: Linda O’Neil Fontaine, Nancy Norton, and Nancy Jones Russo. More on these squads later this winter.