Norma Monty '42
Norma Monty '42 was inducted into the Fine & Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2010. During her years at AHA, Norma rounded out her education with a wide variety of activities. She was a member of the drama club, the Gay Pretenders, all four years and served as president in her senior year. She began her acting career in sophomore year with a role in The Rise of Silas Lapham and by junior year had the role of Rip himself in the drama Rip Van Winkle. Norma acted in two dramas her senior year with roles in Quality Street and The Taming of the Shrew. She also produced and directed a series of skits that were performed for the student body. She was a member of the Glee Club for four years. Her involvement on campus however was not restricted to the arts. She was on the staff of Echoes 1942. She was the secretary of Le Cercle Francais (French Club). She joined the Athletic Association, Sodality, Camera Club, Chemistry Club and was on the Executive Board of the School Spirit Organization (SSO).
Norma pursued her Bachelor’s degree at the College of St. Elizabeth and received a Master’s with honors from Columbia University. She completed 75 Doctoral credits at New York University in TV and Film Drama. Norma also attained Doctoral credits for Curriculum Development & Supervision at both Columbia University and Rutgers University. Norma’s path to success began in New York City when she became a copy editor at Denhard, Pfeiffer and Wells. She then became a teacher of English on the high school level and taught in the following New Jersey high schools: Matawan, Fallsburg and Middletown Twp. At Middletown, Norma was the English Department chairperson for 19 years and during her tenure, the school opened its first tv studio,implemented a film production course, an integrated Humanities with English, Creative Writing and Journalism. She published her curriculum initiatives in the English Journal. Norma then moved on to Edison Twp School district where she wrote and guided curriculum development for grades 7-12 and was responsible for the supervision of 150 teachers in six secondary schools.
After resigning from a very successful career in education, Norma joined her sister Gloria in California on the set of General Hospital as a writer. She would eventually become the Head Writer for the hit daytime series where she remained for ten years. Norma also served as Assistant Producer as well as Associate Producer. The writing team was recognized with three Emmy nominations for writing. Norma and Gloria together created the characters Luke & Laura and Anna & Duke that kept viewers captivated and coming back for more every afternoon. Norma especially remembers the day that John Stamos came in for a casting call. She saw real potential and convinced them to cast him as Blackie. Norma is so proud of that moment and how that one decision catapulted him to success.
Norma reflects over her career “Life is a series of choices and experiences. Education was fascinating, I enjoyed being a writer and I worked very hard.”
Norma passed away on July 3, 2012.