Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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CLASS HISTORY Will we ever forget the bright September morning, in the year 1933, when we first entered high school as freshmen? We strolled through the corridors of the Jean E. Hooker School — freshmen in our ap- pearance, freshmen in our actions, freshmen in our every thought. At our first class meeting we elected the following class officers: President, Walter Mayer; Y ice President, Mary Fagan; Secretary and Treasurer, Mary Paskawicz. The first social functions sponsored by us were a Christmas dance and later, an Easter dance, both being socially successful. In May, Mr. Gorton, our former Superintendent, announced that Walter Mayer and Helen Kriwacki were named valedictorian and salutatorian respectively for their high scholastic standing. The most important affair of that year was graduation. The girls were graced in white evening gowns, while the boys were attired in dark suits. A Freshman Prom, an unusual privilege, was granted us that year and with that, the greatest of all our social achievements, ended the first happy year of our high school days. September, 1934, found us a little surer in the way of our high school career — we were sophomores. Most of the dances and social affairs were given by the school as a whole that year. In the early part of the year we attended an assembly at which Mr. Calvin E. Wilcox, our new super- intendent, was formally introduced to us. Due to the fact that our school was made into a complete high school, new teachers were added to our faculty. Mr. Herbert L. Hall, athletic director. Miss Marion Van Deusen, Miss Laura Salerni, and Mr. Santino Yl. Yasquez, as commercial teachers. Miss Mary C. Mulcahy and Mr. Herbert L. Hall were named Dean of Women and Men respectively. Our class officers for that year were: President, Lillian Taylor; N ice President, Marie Sullivan; Sec- retary and Treasurer, Catherine Holyst. Miss Mulcahy was class adviser. Our leaders seemed to conceal their initiative that year for the Juniors were more ambitious and were busy building up prestige as being the first class which was to graduate from Berlin High School. We helped them, however, in our modest way attended their functions, and gave our full support to make their year, and ours, a suc- cessful one. September, 1935, rolled around and we w ere back again as Juniors. Suddenly our latent initiative burst into the open and class spirit grew r rapidly. Our officers were again Lillian Taylor and Marie Sullivan

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SALUTATORY Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Education, .Members of the Berlin High Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: In behalf of the class of 1937 1 wish to welcome you to this memorable event, the graduation of the Senior Class of Berlin High. Our deep and sincere appreciation of the helpful, willing aid, which you have readily given us, cannot be conveyed in any simple form, but our success will be a result of your untiring efforts. Knowledge, a very important factor in life, leads to success. The knowledge gained on our high school years will lighten the burden of whatever work that may he undertaken. Those who are serious and earnest have a better chance of fulfilling their hopes, for they view life and its varied interests with a more intelligent aspect. Before undertaking any difficult task, one must have some definite plans. Nothing is thoroughly com- pleted without a foundation. We have laid the foundation of our lives in the past few years. If care- fully constructed it will stabilize all our future thoughts and actions. In the end, we will find it to be of lasting value and remembrance. Individuality and character constitute a major part in maintaining ambitions. One must possess certain qualities that will lead him onward. Accomplish all that is possible with the available opportunities. Once the individual becomes indolent, his chances are diminished, for the greatest thief of opportunity is indolence. Failure, laziness, and discouragement then dominate him. Through persistence, the industrious and steadfast improve greatly. The indolent weaken, while the industrious grow strong. During this age, life presents many varied, changing situations. Our minds must be developed to form ideals controlling our actions. Everyone has some desire for the future: wealth, fame, knowledge, or power. Material things and a definite plan, carefully developed, will sustain this desire. To these trying relations we must adjust ourselves. We all view life differently; possess varied talents, used in numerous ways. By depending solely upon our judgment, we will then accomplish something worth while; and our high school years shall grow in value as years go by. I herefore the (.lass of 37 wishes to express its gratitude to our parents for their support in enabling us to complete our high school education; to the Board of Education for a better educational system, and to the Faculty who have shown us a broader, finer outlook on life. CATHERINE IIOLYST

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as President and V ice President and Rena Omodeo newly elected Secretary and Treasurer. Miss Marion V an Deusen was class adviser. This was a big year for us — we did things. We sponsored a very successful Valentine Dance, and in May, the Junior Prom, with Marie Sullivan and John O ' Brien, co- chairmen. And then — our Senior V ear. Seniors — the very word exuded dignity and responsibility. Realizing Ibis, we elected as our leaders: Anthony Pulito, President; Mary Fagan, Vice President; Mamie Bunko, Secretary; and Rena Omodeo, Treasurer. One of the first events of that year was the purchase of our class rings. Then two very successful dances were sponsored by us, one a Thanksgiving Dance and the other a Valentine Dance. Our treasury was greatly enriched by the sale of pennants, 1936 year books and school pins, library- fees and senior socials with Jack Boardman as their capable chairman. The class play and fashion show also aided us greatly in a financial as well as a social way. For the first time in the history of the Berlin High School, several seniors of Ihe commercial depart- ment represented the school in the Connecticut Educators’ Association Contest held in Waterbury. Rena Omodeo won second prize while Edith Barattiero, Adele Lukasiewicz and Waller Mayer gained honorable mentions. Mary Sanada was the fifth contestant. Berlin High was sixth in the final rating of schools. In April, Mr. Wilcox acquainted us with the Valedictorian, Walter Mayer, and Salutatorian, Catherine Holyst. Then the major events began to take place. The Class Night exercises were held and then the Senior Ball under the chairmanship of Jack Boardman. What a pleasant memory is that night of nights. A beautiful summer’s evening, dancing to the strains of a dreamy waltz tune, conversing with many dear friends. A memory cherished by each of us. Finally, graduation, first the presentation of an operetta, “Big Day” and then the bestowing of diplomas. Thus ended our happy high school days. May these reveries, in years to come, bring back pleasant reminiscences of the many joyful and carefree moments spent in the Berlin High School. MABIE SULLIVAN MARY FAGAN