Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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SAL U TAT O R Y Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Education, Members of the Berlin High Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: The class of ' 38 extends a most cordial welcome to all. We are very proud and honored at having you present to see and hear us during our graduation exercises. At this time, we as a class wish to lake the opportunity to express our gratitude to our parents and to the officers of this High School. It is through them and through their aid that we have been able to receive this education which is such a vital part of our future life. With hope in our hearts and pleasant thoughts in our minds we are now ready to leave this school, tak- ing with us hundreds of joyous memories. If there is an element of sadness in these thoughts, it is that we shall soon be separated. However, this separation can never make us forget what has been imbedded so deeply in our hearts. We shall always have places set aside for our beloved teachers and class mates. During the four years of high school all of us have contributed some little thing to add to the color and honor of the life of our class. Some have been outstanding in athletics, others in some special art such as dramatics or painting, and still others in some particular study. Every one has done his part and has done it with a willingness seldom surpassed. Now that the four years are over, we shall start facing life as it really is. Some of us will enter colleges and other higher institutes of learning: others will work in offices and factories. What ever we do, 1 know we shall do it well. 1 am sure that we will all strive loyally to make our future the same success that our past has been. In this way we shall repay our parents for their sacrifices and thank our principal and teachers for their help. We shall endeavor to make for ourselves a creditable place in the daily life of our town, state, and nation. With these words of praise and hope still on my lips let me again bid you one and all— “Welcome”. VICTOR MARTINO

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VALEDICTORY Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Education, Members of the Berlin High Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: Life lies before us like an enormous mountain which must be climbed. Four years ago we set out to climb that mountain. We had no compass and therefore our parents and teachers had to guide us. Our knapsacks were empty and they, with the help of our Superintendent and Board of Education, had to fill them. Thus far we have traveled together, as one great unit, each of us striving to aid his fellowmen; but finally we have reached the end of our trail. However, this does not mean the termination of our career, for from here numerous paths branch of! ' into the undergrowth. We must now make the greatest decision of our life. We must choose that one path which we shall follow henceforth. We can no longer go on together; each of us must select his individual career. Yet as we stand here about to make that great decision, we are afraid. We know not what danger lurks ahead in the shadows. We fear lest we shall choose wrongly. Must we go on never realizing what obstacles aw ait us in life, never knowing where our paths shall lead? Wonderingly we look up to the mountain top, and as we do, a light flashes across the sky penetrating the dark expanse ahead. At first we are slightly perplexed but gradually it occurs to us that this is the “Beacon of Success” which stands at the utmost peak of life’s great mountain, and pours forth its rays on those who have reached the “Top”. Once more our courage is restored. We no longer fear, the future; we resolve to meet it bravely. You need not fear for us either, dear parents, for our knapsacks are now r bulging with the knowledge you have made possible for us to acquire. We are ready for life’s problems. We have the best com- pass, our Conscience, which shall always keep us progressing in the right direction. For our guide, we have the greatest of teachers, Experience. With these three important assets, we cannot fail. Now, dear classmates, I wish to take this opportunity to bid you a sincere and heartfelt farew ell. Though I deeply regret this parting, 1 joyfully aw ait that day when we shall meet again, at the top of the moun- tain and in unison be bathed in the light from that beacon. EDWARD SCHEER

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CLASS HISTORY The curtain comes down on the last year of the class of ’38 at the Berlin High School. We shall always have a clear picture of the past from this fine performance which took four years of hard study and work. J 1 he first act was well played as the freshman year. Our Superintendent, Mr. Wilcox, and teachers guided us so that we were well started on the road to success. It was during this year we were graduated lrom the ninth grade, as was the custom then in Berlin, and presented a pageant to celebrate the ter- centenary of Connecticut. Everyone in the class took part in this colorful event, which gave the audi- ence a vivid picture of the early settlers. We chose as our class adviser Miss Gertrude Bunce, who guided us faithfully through the Freshman year. One of the first thrills we experienced was in being allowed to attend the assembly programs. As freshmen, we were allowed to enter the Oratorical Con- test which was held at one of the assemblies at which time the members of our class received the honors. Mr. Wilcox saw to it that the school was not lacking in physical training and aided Mr. Hall in giving us experience in athletics. Intramural activities were organized during this year and we were asked to participate. The “Cheer leaders” really sent the boys out “to do their stuff” as the coach would say. I he next act took place in the year 1936. We had now moved up from the “green” Freshman to the Sophomores. Occupying the two basement rooms we were separated from the other classes. Much enjoyment was derived from the performances put on during the lunch periods. It was during this ear that the lunch period was shortened. Mr. Frank Kramer was chosen as our class adviser and was assisted by Mr. John Deming. Athletics were more popular and colorful this year; the color being added by Mr. Harris’ band furnishing the music. Mr. Harris sponsored “The First Annual Musicale” and the operetta H.M.S. Pinafore , in which many of us, as Sophomores, participated. This year drew ' to a close with a picnic held at Great Hill Lake. Though the weather was bad we found many ways of having a good time. Now we were Juniors. Having had a glimpse of the world we settled down to work harder than ever before. Again the class was divided into sections, but with the aid of Adviser Frank Kramer we were still closely connected. Miss Claudelin’s homeroom, in which some of the Juniors were located, visited us frequently to hear the Harmonica Boy’s playing, Richard DeMer’s adventure stories of his travels and ambitions, the girls’ hill-billy singing, Zephorene Ventres’ violin playing, Grace Treichel’s singing, and the “Get-together” band, organized by Dick DeMers. During the last quarter of this school year our class adviser, Mr. Kramer, resigned and Miss Marie LeVan filled the vacancy.