Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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CLASS HISTORY Unique, Cooperative, Progressive — Thus we symbolize the class of ’36. Little did we realize four years ago how r much the future held in store for us; or how 1 much we were to accomplish during our high school course. In the ninth grade we had a new r method of teaching English and History. Our English class was a crew headed by the able captain, Miss Mueller. We kept a ship’s log w herein all the best literary efforts were preserved. Our History class was conducted as a newspaper, each student filling some position on the newspaper staff. Through this new type of work we developed the now eminent qualities of our class — leadership and individuality. We gave a St. Valentine’s Dance and a St. Patrick’s Dance at which we acquired party etiquette. The History classes produced a musical comedy, “Tintype Blues”, directed by Miss Mueller. Even now some of the characters return to haunt us. June brought with it several events which we will ever esteem in later years. We had a very success- ful class day followed by graduation. This day arrived, clear and warm, the air heavy with the scent of roses. We were excited, but then, why shouldn’t we have been; we were no longer Freshmen! After graduation came the Prom, the first in the history of the school. Our Sophomore year found us the oldest class in the school. We soon adjusted ourselves to this respon- sibility and opened the Christmas season with an unusual holiday party — the success of the year. In Spring we marked our year with a memorable milestone — “The Black and Gold Yearbook” under the supervision and helpful guidance of our English teacher, Miss Mulcahy. Somehow, that September day in 1931 when we entered the school was rather unusual. We were Jun- iors; but, aside from that, the astonishing fact was that never before had Juniors walked the corridors of the Berlin High School. From this time on things happened in close succession. We were actually going to have an Athletic Association which would sponsor sports of all kinds! At a large and exciting assembly Coach Hall had a vote cast for school colors; our boys next appeared in blue and cardinal uniforms. This startling combination seemed to pave the way for future victories. Our athletic activities have made sounder physical specimens of the boys and girls — but far more im- portant, it has made them better sports in the true sense of the word. The Athletic Association later gave a minstrel after which followed several other socials during the year. On the first school day of January, 1935 the Berlin High pupils no longer had to carry their lunches to school, for they could now patronize the cafeteria which had been newly installed. How ' good it was to get home cooking in school!

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SALUTATORY Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Education, Members of Berlin High Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: In behalf of the class of 1936, 1 wish to welcome you all to this memorable occasion, the graduation of the first senior class of Berlin High School. Our gratitude for your helpfulness and friendly advice cannot be expressed in mere words, but the fruit of your labors will be found only in the success that we all hope to attain in life. You have given us our start and now our ultimate success or failure lies in our own individual powers to combat the world. In the struggle for success, our only weapons are education and knowledge, with strength of character as our shield. Our ability to wield these weapons will determine our immediate future. Every person is responsible for his own development and happiness, and such happiness is often found in the pride of success achieved after long effort. Strength of character ranks uppermost in the many qualities demanded by all forms of business. It serves as a successful barrier against all temptations and the person who possesses it has a superiority over all his opponents; he is almost certain to emerge from the fight victorious. All great buildings have their designers and architects; so it is with us. We alone are responsible for our own upbuilding and it is we who must design the blueprints in early life that will lead to the con- struction of firm foundations and characters of steel. Obviously, the more complete the original plans are, the more lasting the final building will be. Set your foundation on solid rock so that you can be confident of its infinite duration. The world can take away your entire wealth but it cannot take away that which is a part of you — your character. It is important to make the world honestly believe that it needs you. Show those around you that you have something new to offer, something that will prove a great asset. Originality excites curiosity be- cause of its rarity ; it is sought after and admired. The idol to which all America bows is Fashion and any new idea, ridiculous or otherwise, catches hold and takes the country by storm. In this way, man shows just how small his mind really is, and how eager he is to adopt the ideas of others. Therefore, strive for recognition of your individual worth. Work slowly but steadily, keep your mind constantly open for new knowledge, and always be prepared to respect the opinions of others. In this way, we command respect from them. It is dangerous to be over-confident, and it inspires the hate and con- tempt of your fellow workers. Self-conceit causes the inevitable downfall and no one will be there to help you. Originality should be the keynote in the design of our character building. We were all fashioned after different models, but through some deplorable means we have managed to make ourselves all alike. Do not become a slave of Fashion; follow it to a reasonable extent and from a reasonable distance, but learn to form your own tastes and habits without being dragged into them. Learn to judge everything, characters especially, for yourself — don’t be a mere parrot who repeats the judgments of others. Be quick to accept the new 1 , the unexpected, rather than a dull routine. To be successful, a person must be optimistic enough to look ahead, to think for himself, and even be bold to a certain extent. The class of ’36 wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the Board of Education for establishing our present complete educational system, and to the faculty for their untiring efforts and patience in aiding us in our pursuit of knowledge. MAH JOB IE JOHNSON

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At last — the month of the Junior Promenade — we were initiating the school into all these traditional customs. Remember, though, you Juniors who follow us, that “WE of 1936“ paved the way for you! We were now heading towards port. For the past three years we had been at sea, but with increasing age and knowledge we were learning to pilot the ship to the desired port, safely. in September, 1935, we were Seniors! The very word “Seniors” held a sort of enchantment, a novelty never known before to Berlin. This senior year meant a complete high school of our ow n. We wondered where we would be placed as a class but all our fears were dispelled when we learned that the Library would be our session room. To our delight, Miss Mulcahy, our class advisor, was our homeroom teacher. But we couldn’t be Seniors in name only. We assumed dignity and a manner which quickly distin- guished us from the rest of the school. The Freshmen were awed at our presence. We asserted our authority in ordaining a code of laws called “Senior Privileges”. It contained many laws, especially annoying to the underclassmen. These laws were enforced by fit punishment for the culprit. I will even dare to say that one Freshman had to act as bootblack to a Senior before the entire senior class. Let us hope he will have forgiven us by this time. We Seniors were busy people with socials, the outside activities, the play, “Murdered Alive,” directed by Mr. Hardy, sports, musical activities, Beacon staff, Choral Club, typing and sewing. Suddenly we became aware of the fact that there was not too much time left before graduation. We tried making money in every way, even selling pennants. Caps and gowns were voted upon. The ring design submitted by Joseph Simeone, class president, was selected by the “Pin and Ring Committee”. The class of ’36 had “Primus” engraved on the ring, dis- tinguishing them as the first graduating class. The ring also was used as the school seal. “ Daddy Long Legs”, the class play on which we so enjoyed working under Miss Mulcahy, the director, was presented in April despite the fact that during its rehearsals the cast was somewhat quarantined with measles and scarlet fever. June came before we realized the flight of time. Class day over, we were eagerly awaiting the Senior Ball, under the capable direction of the chairman, Lester Rich and his able committee. Who will ever forget that delightful night in June, when our girls sauntered in lovely gowns among the potted palms, attended by their escorts? With graduation we docked in a safe harbor and we leave our school which has been so efficiently ad- ministered by our superintendent, Mr. Calvin E. Wilcox. We will long remember these important years of our life as having been spent in most enjoyable preparation for the coming work which we are to pursue henceforth.