Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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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.

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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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By this time athletics were in full swing. To aid in deferring the expenses incurred in outfitting a base- ball outfit, a junk campaign was enforced, whereby the boys collected and sold junk. “School spirit” actually came into the picture at this time. Our Junior Prom turned out to be a social success. The auditorium was beautifully decorated with blue and while streamers. Again this year we chose (ireat Hill Lake, a popular place among the Ber- linites, for our class outing. In April the commercial department entered the Conn. Business Men’s Association Contest at Waterbury and brought home several honors, which was good, considering the competition with larger schools. At last we were “dignified” Seniors, the reigning class in the Berlin High. For the first time in the his- tory of the class we were united in one homeroom with Mr. John Deming as our class adviser. A court was organized where I he violators of the “Senior Privileges” were summoned and Judge Morse pre- sided. One of our assemblies was staged by the “Shower Room Boys” who demonstrated their talent in singing. In November we held our first social event of the year in the form of a Thanksgiving Dance. “Cooky” Beatrice, King of Swing, and his R hythm Kings appealed to the large gatherings at our socials held semi-monthly. Besides the Senior Ball. I he Winter Carnival Dance was one of the most gala affairs of the year; the Snow Queen dressed in an ermine robe, preceded by her ladies, was crowned by Mr. W ilcox. It was finally decided to have the pictures taken on Saturday March 26. The photographs were taken by Zamsky Studio as was the custom. Our next production, “The Right Mr. Wright”, proved to be the ‘right’ class play ‘all right, all right’, because of the fine entertainment by the ‘right’ participants. We scored another success by putting on a Fashion Show and Card Party during the month of May. The popularity of this was due to the artful modelers demonstrating the fashions. This brings our resume of the represented revue to an unforgetable conclusion. Perhaps at a later date we will be able to present a sequel to this drama, in which we may reveal what the years have uncovered in the way of further individual honors. We hope that the notable supporting cast will be as happy and successful as it has been in the Berlin High School. LOUISE NICHOLS WILLIAM HANNON ALFRED RICH