by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Norman Zogaib completed a 25 year tenure as the vocal music director at Hamburg High School in 2023 where he directed numerous choirs, produced 24 musicals and taught classes in music theory, music composition, voice and piano.
Under his direction, the Hamburg HS Concert Chorale performed extensively throughout the Northeast, including performances by invitation with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra with Music Director JoAnn Falletta, and at the ACDA Eastern Division Conference (2010), as well as the NYSSMA Winter Conference (2000 and 2008). The chorale had the privilege of performing at Lincoln Center and nine appearances at Carnegie Hall, including a featured performance in the only Statewide Choral Festival sponsored by Carnegie Hall in 2003. From 2000-2014, the Hamburg HS Concert Chorale was awarded nine consecutive NYSSMA, Level 6, Gold with Distinction ratings and won best overall choir awards at National Choral Festivals in New York City and Toronto.
During his tenure, no fewer than 60 HHS students were selected to the NY All-State Choirs. He mentored dozens of students interested in pursuing careers in music, helping them earn acceptances and scholarships to the nation’s finest collegiate music programs. These alumni are now employed around the country in music education, performance, composition, therapy, business, church, musicology, production and theater.
An active clinician, Mr. Zogaib conducted over 30 all county, area all-state and other honor choirs and has given numerous professional development workshops on music education for teachers. He was the 2005 recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Award for Excellence in Choral Music Education.
Mr. Zogaib served as the President of NYACDA, the board of directors of ECMEA, Voice Chair and All State Chorus Chair for NYSSMA and the Eastern Division representative of the NAfME Choral Music Education Council.
Norm and his wife Renée are the proud parents of 6 children, all of whom attended HCSD, and 2 grandchildren. They currently reside in Central Florida where Norm has continued his career in education as a Middle School Dean of Students.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
From the snow-bound city of Buffalo, New York, born in Hamburg and raised on country and blues, Michael Hund still calls his mother “Ma” and speaks with an easy, cool softness. A true gentleman—and one intense guitarist—Michael became fascinated with the instrument at an early age.
After receiving his first guitar for his seventh birthday, he cut his teeth on the popular rock of the ’70s but soon felt the pull of the blues. His mother, a pedal-steel player in several local bands during the ’60s, encouraged him to explore not only the music of his own generation but also the country-blues tradition she loved. Michael quickly immersed himself in the sounds of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, then discovered Jeff Beck, which opened the door to the blues masters and the groundbreaking Jimi Hendrix.
The rest, as they say, is history!
In 1986, Michael moved to Los Angeles to earn the respect of the city’s top session players, performing on more than a thousand recording sessions and sharpening his skills along the Sunset Strip. A year later he became a steady studio musician, playing venues across the U.S. and signing a record deal with PolyGram Records.
Michael’s debut CD, GraFFiti, showcases searing guitar riffs and soulful, deep-rooted vocals. His influences are unmistakable, yet he’s evolved into a style all his own—a high-octane mix of blues, southern rock, funk, R&B/soul, and country. A typical GraFFiti show offers something for everyone: original songs and inspired covers, from a twangy Jeff Beck tune to a jam-heavy Allman Brothers classic to a hard-driving Janis Joplin number, complete with Michael’s signature theatrics—screaming solos played with his teeth and behind his back.
Honors and milestones followed. In 1992, Michael became the youngest artist ever inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. After the birth of his son that same year, he returned to Hamburg from Beverly Hills and embarked on worldwide tours from 1993 to 2007.
In 2007 he signed with CMG Records in Nashville, releasing an instrumental and vocal album that quickly sold out. By 2012 he was sharing the stage with legendary vocalist Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent). The following year he joined the backing band for Appice Drum Wars and became part of the Texas Guitar Army alongside Hexx Henderson, Pat Travers, Danny B. Harvey, and Kirk Harper.
Michael continued to expand his collaborations: in 2018 he joined a supergroup with Jessie Galante, and in 2019 his original band, Von Hund, began making waves in the music community. In 2020 he became part of the Classic Rock Allstars with members of Talas, Foreigner, Lou Gramm, and Black Sheep. Most recently, in July 2024, he appeared in Guitar World magazine.
Truly, Michael Hund is the kind of guitarist who must be seen!
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Larry served as Executive Chairman for The New Home Company, a position he transitioned to in September 2019 after 10 years as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. He co-founded NEW HOME in 2009. In his position as Executive Chairman, he led the strategic management of the company and was the primary spokesperson with the investment community. Under his leadership, The New Home Company was sold to Apollo Global Management in September of 2021. Larry co-founded The Webb Group in 2022 to provide advisory and consulting services in the homebuilding industry. With his insight and wealth of experience, Larry assists a select group of clients with their strategic needs while focusing on leadership and the customer and team member experience.
Larry’s 35 years of success in the homebuilding industry are distinguished by a conscientious approach toward clients, communities and team members. This includes his many philanthropic commitments such as serving on the boards of HomeAid America, Interval House, and his dedication to helping cities, families and neighborhoods. Larry was twice honored in his career to be named “Builder of The Year” for both John Laing Homes and The New Home Company.
Between 1995 and 2008, he was Chief Executive Officer of John Laing Homes, where he was instrumental in growing it from a small, two-market company to the second-largest private homebuilder in the United States. In June 2006, he sold John Laing Homes in the largest private residential transaction in U.S. history. Prior to joining John Laing Homes, he was Division President for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for Kaufman & Broad, as well as Orange County President of Greystone Homes. In 2008, Larry was appointed Chief Restructuring Officer for LandSource, and successfully negotiated the financial restructuring of large land holdings across the U.S.
Throughout his career, Larry has been honored and recognized by the industry for his philanthropy, marketing excellence and visionary leadership. He holds a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University. Larry has been invited to teach classes in the real estate field at the University of Southern California, University of California, Irvine; Harvard University, Stanford University and Cornell University. Larry was inducted into the California Homebuilders Hall of Fame in 2006. He regularly delivers keynote addresses at national conferences for trade organizations, such as the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Homebuilders.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Larry Petzing played three sports at HHS. He was an all-star on the undefeated 1974 Wall of Fame football team, captain of the basketball team, the main pitcher on the baseball team, the Art Howe and Buffalo Evening News Outstanding Senior Athlete and the Jack Horrigan Outstanding Athlete and Student. In the County of Erie Baseball Association 19 and under league, he pitched 15 straight complete game wins including the two deciding games in the championship series in 1975 for the Lake Shore Reds. At Middlebury College Larry played football and baseball. Starting at cornerback and returning punts the three seasons he was eligible for varsity football, the team won two NESCAC Championships, and Larry in 1978 set an interception record that still stands and was ALL NESCAC and ALL ECAC.
Larry graduated Cum Laude in Mathematics and Economics from Middlebury and Beta Sigma Gamma with an MBA from Rutgers University after coaching football for Middlebury. He then embarked on a 32 year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (20 years as a partner) including: 4 years in the National Office in NYC, co-authoring a published technical accounting book, 19 years in the Boston office as an mergers and acquisition partner, and being elected to serve for four years on the PwC Board of Partners chairing the firm’s finance committee.
Larry is an avid skier and golfer now residing in Sarasota, Florida and in Vail, Colorado with his wife Leslie and their dog Rider. They have two sons – Drew and Dean, who both coach in the NFL. They also co-parented/raised Marcell Cooper. Larry is forever grateful for his parents Harry (Bud) and Helen and for growing up in Hamburg with a great group of friends, teammates, coaches and teachers.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
The 1982 Lady Bulldog’s Field Hockey Team season began with the goal of defending their Division Title of the previous year. This team established the standards for future Lady Bulldogs Field Hockey Teams at Hamburg High School.
The season began with a victory and ended with an undefeated season of 12-0 to qualify for Sectional Playoffs. Hamburg was described as having a relentless offense and a stingy defense going into the playoffs. The team outscored their opponents 79 to 3. The playoffs began taking an incredible 203 shots on goal while allowing only 43 on our goalie. Goalie, Marcie Mauer was credited with 40 saves for the season. The semi-final game against Williamsville East resulted in another shutout winning 5-0. The team then entered the final game of the playoffs against Iroquois who was also an undefeated team.
The day was perfect – the field was in great shape and fans traveled to cheer on their awesome Field Hockey Team. This was by far the best game of the season due to the effective passing game which made the difference in the outcome of the game. The first half ended with only 1 goal for Hamburg to take into the second half. The team showed their explosive offense by scoring 3 more goals before the final horn. Coach Barb Miller of Iroquois conceded that the 1982 Field Hockey Team was in fact AWESOME – a huge victory in itself!
This was the Lady Bulldogs Field Hockey’s First Sectional Championship Team. There were no regionals or states to move onto at the time. A Sectional Banner was truly earned.
Each individual on this team contributed every day. Whether it was scoring or assisting on goals or playing great defense or moving the ball to open players, each player developed their skills as the season progressed and built a strong team of friendship and support for one another.
The offense was led by Carin Obad and Jill Jones each with 23 goals, Kriste Lyon 11, Linda Wilson 9, Maria Dunn 4, Kim Kulik 2, Julie Dauer 2, Jenn Smith, Beth Waldraff, Jean Marie Mrha, and Jody Wuertzer contributing to the goal scoring.
The strong defense of Linda Wilson, Beth Fidel, Alice Lyons, Jodi Wuertzer, Beth Waldraff, Jennifer Smith, Dana Moss, Ariadne Obad, and goalie Marcie Mauer.
We hope the success of this team inspires future Field Hockey Players at Hamburg Central Schools!
