Earlier this year, TZHS alumna Lorraine Mahon (‘75) reached out to share a bit of school history.
“In 1974, a club was formed to start the school newspaper, The Tap Press,” she wrote. “A junior named Jimmy DeTemple joined the club and was asked to design the logo…He did a pen and ink drawing of the ‘TZ’ as well as the drawing of the vessel Henry Hudson sailed down the Hudson River, the Half Moon. Jim worked on the school paper as well as being a varsity baseball and soccer player. After graduating, Jim went on and had a distinguished career serving our country in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Colonel.”
Mahon noted that DeTemple had never been recognized for his contribution.
TZHS Principal Rudy Arietta forwarded Mahon’s email to English Department Team Leader Mark Stanford (‘86) and English teacher Christopher Novak, who serve as advisors to the present-day Tapress, which continues to be written, edited and produced by students. Stanford and Novak assigned the story to sophomore Isa McCarthy, a two-year staff member for the student publication.
McCarthy contacted Mahon, who agreed to be interviewed for a story. “It was interesting to hear how Tapress started. It’s cool to imagine that something that began here in the 70s is still happening and that I can be a part of it,” McCarthy said, adding that she hopes to dive deeper into TZ history for future features.
Read her story, “History, School Spirit Inspired Alum to Create TZ Logo,” in the June 2023 issue of Tapress.
Article correction: Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg was built in 1959 and opened to students in 1960.