Haddonfield Memorial High School

Haddonfield Memorial High School, located in Haddonfield, New Jersey, is a historical staple of the town because of its rich history in honoring soldiers who fought not only in WWI but battles as far back as the Revolutionary War. In fact, the school grounds were first used as a military base for the Hessian army between 1777 and 1778. In 1926, this site was formally erected and became known as Haddonfield Memorial High School. The school quickly became known for its expressive patriotism along with its stellar academics and athletics. Memorial High School is one of the largest war memorials in New Jersey, featuring a number of plaques commemorating notable people and events. The school has additionally nurtured various famous alumni such as Gilmore Girls star Scott Patterson, writer of the Halloween movie franchise, Debra Hill, and former New Jersey Governor, Alfred Driscoll.

Haddonfield Memorial High School stands on the same grounds where Hessian soldiers camped during the Revolutionary War in preparation for the Battle of Red Bank. Haddonfield resident and Hessian prisoner, Jonas Cattel, ran to warn the Colonial forces, ensuring a crucial victory for the Colonial army. Cattell worked for John Middleton, who owned a farm on this land. Later, the grounds were occupied by the Braker Mansion, which stood for 200 years and survived throughout the Revolutionary Era. However, in 1926, the town decided to build a larger high school, so the former Middleton estate was torn down to make way.

In October 1927, the school was dedicated as a memorial for Haddonfield soldiers who fought during World War I. The school created plaques with these names, now featured in the school breezeway and outside of the school library. The memorial was unveiled by Commander Harry C. Bossart of Haddonfield Post, American Legion. At this time, the school had about 1200 students enrolled, and they were all located in one building, now called the A-Building. The second building, now known as the B-Building, was built in 1955. An annex of this building is dedicated in honor of principal and superintendent William “Bull” Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds is recognized for his work and his passion for his students, demonstrated by his project writing letters to each former HMHS student who was serving in WWII. His desire to keep in contact with these soldiers inspired them and helped remind them of what they were fighting to protect. In 1972, a third building was created, which included a library and additional classrooms. In order for this expansion to be made, four houses were torn down or moved. There is a clear contrast in architecture styles between the three buildings, which shows how the school’s design changed with national trends.

The community also participated in national charitable projects. During the Great Depression, many in the nation struggled to find work. FDR’s “New Deal” program brought about new infrastructure projects to both improve the country and employ Americans who were struggling. During the New Deal, the Works Project Administration sponsored the creation of the HMHS stadium. This showed the town’s dedication to a national cause. Throughout the years, students in this building have demonstrated their dedication to service work by helping others in different communities. One such endeavor undertaken by the Haddonfield Memorial High School was a fundraiser for town restoration in Mississippi and Missouri after the Great Flood of 1993. This demonstrated the school’s compassion and connection with other towns across the nation. The student council organized this project to support people who were in need. They were able to increase the relief effort and speed up the recovery process for this area and were thanked profusely for their help. 

Despite the town’s small size, Haddonfield Memorial High School has achieved recognition for its accomplishments. The school is well known for its academic rigor, accomplished arts and sports programs, above-average standardized test scores, excellent teachers, and notable alumni. Various Haddonfield alumni have had a memorable impact on the town through their achievements. Relating to its status as a memorial, war veterans such as Ronald Bond and John Dramesi were involved with the wrestling team at HMHS. Ronald Bond was an HMHS three-year varsity wrestler who graduated in 1965 and served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. As a junior, he assisted the Haddonfield Bulldawgs in winning the district team title and co-championship in the Delaware Valley Conference. Throughout his senior year, he went undefeated in dual meets and finished second in the district. After graduating in 1965, Bond entered the Air Force Academy from which he graduated in 1969. Later, Bond was assigned to the Danang Air Base in South Vietnam. Bond was the navigator of the F-4E aircraft that was reported missing in 1971, and approximately seven and a half years after the aircraft's report he was declared Killed in Action. In addition, Vietnam War veteran John Dramesi contributed greatly to the wrestling team throughout his high school career. Dramesi was a member of the high school’s first wrestling team founded in 1949. Upon graduating, Dramesi entered the Air Force, and was captured and imprisoned in Vietnam twice. Dramesi is remembered for facilitating the only two POW escapes from the Hanoi Hilton prison camp by American POWs. When he was first captured, Dramesi was imprisoned alongside future Arizona senator and 2008 presidential candidate, John McCain. In 1967, Dramesi was sent on a bombing mission over Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam where his aircraft was shot down and he was captured. Dramesi’s bravery was rewarded after his release, for he went on to become the chief war planner for the US Air Forces in Europe. The two veterans are honored at Haddonfield Memorial High school for their heroism displayed throughout the Vietnam War.

In addition to these notable veterans, Haddonfield Memorial High School has many alumni that have found success in their respective fields. Class of 1990 basketball star, Matthew Maloney, led the basketball team to a 1989 Group 2 State Championship and scored 1250 points over the course of his four year varsity career. Maloney went on to play basketball at University of Pennsylvania and then, most notably, for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Erin Donohue, a track and field athlete from the class of 2001, was another example of alumni success in athletics. Donohue is the HMHS record holder in various track and field events, and continued her career at University of North Carolina. She eventually qualified for the US Olympic team and ran the 1500 m at the 2008 Olympics. Another notable track and field alumni of Haddonfield is Marielle Hall, class of 2010, a long distance runner who competed at University Texas Austin and ran in the 2016 Rio Olympics. In baseball, Rawly Eastwick, Class of 1969, had a 6 year MLB career, led the National League in saves, and won two World Series in the 1975 and 1976 repeat by the Cincinnati Reds. Bob McElwee is an alumni who played in the Sugar Bowl while playing football at the US Naval Academy. He also became an NFL referee, participating in multiple Super Bowls and various playoff games. On the silver screen, Debra Hill, Class of 1968, was the writer and producer behind the famed Halloween films. She even named the town in the film, Haddonfield, Illinois, after Haddonfield, New Jersey. Scott Patterson, Class of 1977, is best known for his acting as Luke on the popular television show, Gilmore Girls. I.F. Stone, a well-respected journalist in the 20th Century, ran his own paper during his time at HMHS. The variety of talents and achievements from these alumni demonstrate this historic town’s lasting excellence. Haddonfield Memorial High School continues to produce talented students who dedicate themselves to both their studies and their extracurriculars.

“The Old High School was built in 1908 and ran along Chestnut Street near the corner of Lincoln Avenue. Although originally built as a high school, as early as 1922 the Board of Education considered the 10 room brick building inadequate for high school use. When the new high school on Kings Highway opened in 1927, this building was converted to a junior school. In 1962, it was demolished for the construction of the present Middle School"¹

"The dedicatory program, at which time the stadium will be formally turned over to the Board of Education by an official from the Works Progress Administration, will be preceded by parade from the Henry D Moore field to the high school"²

"Most War Dead Are 'Well Remembered' But Not All Local Towns Have Monuments For Korean Vietnam Casualties." The Haddon Gazette (Haddonfield) May 19th 1983. , 16-16.

"Evening Bulletin Comments on Haddonfield’s new High School." The Haddon Gazette (Haddonfield) October 20th 1927. , 1-1.

Daughters of the American Revolution: Haddonfield Chapter. Accessed June 7th 2021. https://www.haddonfield.njdar.org/jonas_cattell.html.

Rauschenberger, Douglas B.. Tassini, Katherine Mansfield. Lost Haddonfield. Haddonfield, New Jersey. The Historical Society of Haddonfield, 1989.

Cohen, Phil. Haddonfield NJ War Memorial, Haddonfield NJ War Memorial. Accessed June 7th 2021. http://www.dvrbs.com/monuments/haddonfield/Haddonfield,NJ-WarMemorial.htm.

"New Stadium Set For September 30th" The Haddon Gazette. September 21, 1939. Community History Archive.

Haddonfield Memorial High School. Accessed June 7th 2021. https://high.haddonfieldschools.org/.

"Bulletin Board." The Haddon Gazette (Haddonfield) November 22nd 1990. , 4-4.

Haddonfield Memorial High School: Shield. Haddonfield, NJ. 1984.

Haddonfield Memorial High School: Shield. Haddonfield, NJ. 1974.

Haddonfield Memorial High School: Shield. Haddonfield, NJ. 1939.

¹ Rauschenberger, Douglas B. Tassini and Katherine Mansfield. “Lost Haddonfield”. Historical Society of Haddonfield, 1989, pp. 141.

² "New Stadium Set For September 30th" The Haddon Gazette. September 21, 1939. Community History Archive.