Belmont High School - Blueprint Yearbook (Belmont, MA)

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history teacher. The class was enthralled by Mr. Downes’s description of the young lady. The Form also had a new arrival in the person of Mr. Ebbott, who came and went mysteriously and expounded upon the fatalistic forces in The Return of the Native. We turned somewhat groggily from this gloomy thinking toward the lighter aspects of life, for instance: heated coat room brawls, skips to Howard Johnson’s for lunch, soft shoe dancing in physics class, and the vexing problem of finding out which classmate was dating your best girl. Our first Friday morning assembly production, featuring John Govan’s campaign speech and Robin Barnes’s earnest efforts to extinguish a fire, was received so well that we felt duty bound to attempt something more daring. And so on one bright Friday in May a little known faculty adventure was reenacted before the School. Bob Studley portrayed Mr. Willey’s postgame enthusiasm for the Princeton Tiger when he aroused Mr. Keller and Mr. Sawyer from sleep in a Jersey motel with cries of “Tiger, Tiger, Princeton Tiger! The whole affair was taken in a jovial spirit and remains a classic example of what fun a Friday morning assembly can be. Our final athletic efforts crowned a year of outstanding success in sports. After a slow start, the baseball team gained a tie for the Private School League championship, largely through the efforts of Captain Jim Gill, Don Walters, and Tom Dwver. Our lone representative on the crew. Bud Staples, helped the first boat to its finest season in many years. The serenity of post-College Board life was broken only by “Spike’s gentle reminders that one of the requirements of his course was a thesis. In April these words fell on deaf ears. In May, if one listened intently, one could sometimes hear the famous words, “Do you know what you’re going to write on?” The usual answer to this was “No. Period.” When a few industrious souls ventured down to the Harvard libraries for research, however, they brought back the information that collecting material could be fun, especially if the trip was concluded by a short sojourn at Jim’s Place. The trickle became a flood. In some miraculous fashion Friday midnight, June 1st, found all but one of our masterpieces on Mr. Downes’s desk. Barnes apparently felt that he could best do his thesis in the balmy air of Virginia. So far he hasn’t been heard from. Perhaps at our tenth reunion ... Having completed the theses, we undertook to show a doubting faculty that we had retained some knowledge of our courses. We entered this last exam period in low spirits, but Justin Smith’s party provided the stimulus to carry us through to the bitter end. Seeconk was the scene of frolicking nymphs who enjoyed this escape from studies in Justin’s pool and home. Bob Studley’s overexuberance at the party necessitated a window seat for him during the ride home in Harv Smith’s car. Harv’s first stop the next morning was the Quickie Car Wash. Now a couple more exams was all that stood between us and freedom. The commencement exercises were suddenly upon us. On Thursday morning, June 7th, the Reverend Mr. Charles M. Styron di-rected the enlightening Baccalaureate services in the chapel. That afternoon Mr. Hamilton awarded the prizes for studies and extracurricular activities. Louis B. Carr of the class of ’33 addressed the Prize Day gathering. In the evening a full house attended the Glee Club’s final concert in the Field House. Will Little, Bob Blacklow, and Bud Staples helped make the evening such a memorable one. Confused shouting could be heard early the next morning as the desperate dance com-

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full equipment for this secret organization included the Mole Whistle, a flit gun, and a rubber dagger. All the club members could afford was a rain hat to distinguish them from other idiots. The rival Fifth Form organization, the Worms, was immediately wiped out. The prerequisites for membership to Jim Gill’s VL club held the membership down to Jim himself. It was doubtful whether even Jim merited membership, but no one was in any position to evict him. Assisting Barnes in the hegemony of the third of these organizations, the De-pants Sigourney Club, was Barber Ben Draper. The club held a Sigourney night each week which was devoted to the molestation of Andy. The fall season was marked by success, as Will Little captained the football team to a good season and Harv Smith’s soccer team tied for second in the league. It didn't take long for the Sixth Formers to appreciate the enchantment which comes with carving panels. Howie Ulfelder attacked this project more vigorously than did any of his classmates. Mr. Innis, better known to 11s as just plain “Skinny,” appreciated the Form’s unerring attendance at his classes; but the last week, strange to say, found him finishing many of the panels himself. We might say in passing that Robin Barnes set a new modern record of not breaking wood until the last week of school. Ihe Form again showed its groat acting ability as Barnes, Harvey Smifch, Ted Davis, and Ben Draper took the leads in the Dramatic Club’s production of The Merchant of Venice. One of the high points in the play was provided by Spear Carriers Dave Turley, Pete Frye, and Don Walters. There was some disagreement between the class and the faculty over dismissal time, and although Mr. Hamilton clarified the point, there continued to be strange disappearances. Through lack of evidence the investigation as to whether Ulfelder and Faulkner were really sick was dropped; nonetheless their all-day absence after chapel created a tremendous stir. Our athletic success continued during the winter season as Truman Casner’s hockey team won the Private School League championship and Scanlan and Cranney’s basketball team compensated for their second place in the League by winning a private school tournament. After the winter sports seasons the Form settled down for a brief but harrowing period of study in preparation for the College Boards. The pressure was relieved that Saturday night at Truman Casner’s open house, the second of a long series of parties which were to occupy the energies of the Form over the weekends during the last part of the year. It was at these parties that the boys really let down their hair and got to know each other. Bob Studley was very often the life of the party with his songs and impersonations, but Bud Wiser was the real stimulant. The spring vacation was featured by a Critch Crochet expedition to Washington consisting of Ulfelder, Patterson, Smith, and Scanlan. Ostensibly educational in purpose, it quickly turned into a seven day orgy. Someone has a vague recollection of Harvey Smith fishing in the sink at 3 A.M., and of several excursions into the blissful land of hallucinations. Fondly remembered also are the impressions of Southern femininity, due in part to the thoughtfulness of that dashing rebel, Barnes, who made the introductions. Spring term passed quickly but was enlivened by several interesting events. Not the least of these was the arrival of a bouncing baby girl to the wife of our extraordinary

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mittee directed its recruited helpers in preparation for the prom which was only twelve hours away. At ten thirty on Friday morning our graduation exercises took place. We were honored to have the Reverend Mr. Francis B. Sayre, of the class of 1932, and recently appointed Dean of the Washington Cathedral, to give the principal address. We were saddened by Mr. Hamilton's announcement that Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Fisher are leaving the faculty. Their contributions as educators and friends will not soon be forgotten. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were hosts to the class and their guests at a supper dance that evening. This generous gesture made our final day together one of lasting enjoyment. The prom followed the dinner, and good support by the whole school made the dance a great success. The parties at Bob Ward’s and Harv Smith’s were the scenes of our farewells. Much of this history has been facetious, purposely so; but as we part and wend our separate ways in a new era of our lives, we take with us the thought which our Headmaster, Mr. Hamilton, quoted from Robert Frost: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”