NOTABLE ALUMNI OF CENTRAL YMCA HIGH SCHOOL
Mike Royko -- newspaper columnist, worked for the Chicago Daily News, Sun Times, and
Tribune for over 30 years. Also authored the book "Boss" about the late Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago from 1955-76.
Mike Bloomfield -- Blues guitarist, made a name for himself as an instrumental artist
during the late-1960's. Was a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (which later played at Woodstock in 1969), and
was ranked by Rolling Stone as number 22 on the top 100 guitarists of all-time in a poll conducted in 2003 by the
publication.
Barry Goldberg -- A close friend of Bloomfield, the guitarist was involved in the recording
of "Devil With A Blue Dress" by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels in 1966, plus was involved in a couple of bands
with Bloomfield. Goldberg has also been a record producer and (as of July 2012) was working on a documentary about the
rock-blues influence of the 1960s'.
Robert Sengstacke -- A photographer by trade, he was also involved with the Chicago Defender,
which is one of the last African-American daily newspapers and was founded by his great uncle John Sengstacke Abbott in 1905.
His photos of Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others are known and have been featured in various
compositions and with a periodical for the Nation of Islam, "Muhammad Speaks."
Gerald Mittelman -- A 30-yr veteran of the United States Air Force, his background in
computer science helped the USAF develop warning systems for missles and space command to alert the U.S. government in the
event of attack, and spent time with NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).
MEMORIES
from "Duane:"
"I attended
Central YMCA High School only in the summer of 1978. I had a class with Linda Leilani Brown (of Dreamgirls fame).
Central YMCA was located on the southeast corner of Dearbon and Randolph, with the entrance next to the United Artists Theatre."
from Gary Michaels:
"Hey - I had friends who were enrolled at the time in 1971 (early term). I had attended Lake Forest Academy
(junior SATs of 696 verbal, 720 math), Roycemore School (National Merit Letter of Commendation). Thrown out of both schools
through my own devices, I enrolled in Central Y....recalling my endeavors and successes at the fine private institutions
I had been removed from, Central Y was 180 degrees different. Very cool artistic people spread out on the floors."
from an anonymous student:
"Hi, I would have
gone to Central in 1972-74. I don't remember much, but the elevators stuck a lot. White kids were a minority at least in my
classes, and a lot of people asked if I was an albino. I was a towhead and had blue eyes. The teachers were pretty cool and
you could smoke in their offices. A bunch of us ditched there to smoke and drink coffee. I liked the classes were not year-long
like public school. I wound up enrolling in college just shy of 16."
DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION....
about Central YMCA High School? Then we need your assistance! Photos, stories, information, and memories
are welcome about this school of the not-distant past. Please contact us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or in writing at:
Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631