Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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CLASS HISTORY “Good night, Mr. Carbo, made quite a mess, didn’t we?” Ruefully Jeanne surveyed the cluttered auditorium. “Shake a leg, old dear, or you’ll be here ’till morning.” That was Pat Lawrence, of course. “Night, Mr. Carbo, bet you’re glad to get rid of us.” Donald O’Brien gathered up a pile of books and followed the others out of the room. The Senior Class of Berlin High had put the finishing touches on the decorations and were going home to belated suppers. Mr. Carbo pushed a pile of rubbish into a heap and smiled a little as he remembered a September morning four years ago. He had stood by a window watching this same group come up the walk. A hundred and twenty freshmen walked into the building that morning. Some were bewildered, some awkwardly self-conscious and some just a little too cock sure of themselves. But High School proved a great leveler. Norman Johnson was first class president, Robert Bacon, vice-president, succeeded by Leonard Kane, Anita Achilli secretary, and Vera Swanson treas- urer. Why were they chosen? Elements of leader- ship, trustworthiness and competence. They did their work well but they will be the first to tell you that nothing would have been possible without the full cooperation of the whole class. That splendid class spirit has prevailed all through the four years. In putting up the decora- tions for the F reshman Dance there were no shirkers. Albert Scagliotti had driven around all day collecting tables and chairs. This was the first attempt at a social activity. Time passed quickly and it was the end of the year. It was time for the class picnic, greatly enjoyed by students so eager and enthusiastic. When September came the Class of ’41 was seen to occupy the Sophomore place. Again class spirit prevailed. More activities took up the time. The best was the Sophomore Hop. Much preparation was put into it by the committee and voluntary help of the class officers, Albert Scagliotti, presi- dent; Norman Johnson, vice-president; Anita Achilli, secretary; and Vera Swanson, treasurer. Another class picnic was organized and many more attended than in the previous year. After two years of getting accustomed to Berlin High School, the class now more matured and ready to take responsibilities, came to school to start their Junior year. It was tough going having to begin with a new teacher and settling the prob- lem of class rings. The ring committee, headed by Shirley Thomas, took a vote as to whether the style of rings should be changed. They were changed according to the desired ring. Then came the “Spook Dance” long awaited by all. It was original and clever especially the members of the class who made the floor show amusing. Soon after, Mr. Phelps left and Miss Fowler, a competent teacher, assumed the duties of class adviser. She was of the most help at the Junior Prom. The committee put the students into a Hawaiian setting very cleverly arranged. There they were for four enchanting hours never to be forgotten by all the Juniors, the chairman, Donald O’Brien ; and class officers, presi- dent, Albert Scagliotti; vice-president, Norman Johnson; secretary, Anita Achilli, and treasurer, Vera Swanson. The Juniors were fortunate in hav- ing Thornton Roby carry off the prize given by the Legion Oratorical Contest. There were also some very promising athletes coming into the limelight such as Leonard Kane, Jack McQuecney, Albert Pesenti and others. All these wonderful happenings were brought to a close with a class picnic. The last and most pleasant step in High was taken when that same group of four years ago came marching down the Senior walk to carry on the high traditions of its class. Robert Edgerly, an out- standing honor student, was chosen class president. Other officers chosen who were just as outstanding all four years were Leonard Kane, vice-president; Kathryn Wachtelhausen, secretary; and Vera Swanson, treasurer. Some of the Seniors who were outstanding all year and took many responsibilities were Norman Johnson, Muriel Blackburn, Sam Valenti, Barbara Smith, who won the D.A.R. Citi- zenship Award, Jeanne Emerson, Donald O’Brien and others. Donald O’Brien had to carry many responsibil- ities, being elected editor-in-chief of the Lamp, chairman of the Senior Card Party and Fashion Show, also chairman of the Senior Ball. Those duties were fulfilled and a great success resulted. The Senior Musicale was presented in a different manner. The “Seven Last Words of Christ” was the work of the entire Senior Class and much of Mr. Harris’s time. The class play was overflowing with talent, due to the many experienced dramatic club members. Rehearsals were held at night, enabling those who worked to take part in it. All in all a grand and successful play was produced. The last of the Senior activities was the Senior Ball, the gayest and most enjoyed dance. The Seniors who had left school for work were there to make the affair complete. When Senior week arrived, many happy-go-lucky Seniors were think- ing seriously of the pleasant memories of the past four years while plans for the future struggled for a time to crowd them out. Graduation exercises came, very impressive, happy and yet sad for many. By the time Mr. Carbo had finished sweeping the room he had reviewed all the major events of the past four years. He had contrasted the present matured class with the childishness of the same class four years ago. He placed the broom in the closet, adjusted the shades and walked out of the room, closing the doors on four years of the memories of the Class of ’41. Elizabeth Emery Carol Knowles

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CLASS INVENTORY Girl Boy Class Wit Jean Lawrence Thornton Roby Most Natural Mary Moore Robert O’Brien Most Pleasing Personality Dorothy Potts Leonard Kane Class Dreamer Margaret Skene Bryan Bigelow Class Tomboy Jean Lawrence Most Independent Kathryn Wachtelhausen Harry McKeon Done Most for Class Vera Swanson Donald O’Brien Class Couple Mary Notaro Samuel Valenti Most T alkative Gertrude Fitzgerald Casmer Budzinski Class M usician Jeanne Emerson Bryan Bigelow Class Actor Norman Johnson Class Actress Jeanne Emerson Best Athlete Jean Lawrence Leonard Kane Best Dresser Gertrude Fitzgerald Harry McKeon Most Likely to Succeed Mary Notaro Henry Lukasweicz Handsome Robert O’Brien Prettiest Virginia Goodwin Class Artist Lillian Bunce Jack Hall Most Popular Student Jean Lawrence Robert Edgerly Neatest Mary Moore Edward Dehan Most Daring Jean Lawrence Robert Thomson First to Marry Jeannette Willett Albert Scagliotti Best Natured Eunice Ventres Albert Pesenti Class Bluffer Helen Indelak Casmer Budzinski Bashful Mary Alice Tomkins Jacob Gacek Absent Minded Carol Knowles Bryan Bigelow Flirt Shirley Thomas Dignified Margaret Wilson Samuel Edelson

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CLASS PROPHECY It is June 18, 1951 when we board the S. S. Mac- Kenzie for the Berlin High School’s Class of ’41’s reunion at Donald O’Brien’s Ranch in Buenos Aires. Just as the gangplank is being drawn up Doris Johnson and Helen Indelak dash from a window-shopping expedition in time to catch the boat. On deck which is being scrubbed by the efficient swabs, Bud O’Brien and Cas Budzinski, we see Captain Francis Prior and his secretary, Agnes Starzec, surrounded by an enthusiastic group of our former classmates including Alice Mirante, Rose Quarello, Frances Kozuch, and Lucy Simeone. Going in to find Henry Lukasiewicz, chief purser, we are greeted by the switchboard operator, Anita Achille. Across the hall the ship’s hairdresser, Helen Duly, is putting the finishing touches to a per- manent on Elsie Drachenberg. Farther down we notice a sign reading “Helen Mayer, Dress Maker” and peeping in we see her draping Gert Fitzgerald in some bright red material for a gown. Gert was voted one of the best dressed women in 1950. After our baggage is checked and our cabins taken care of, we stroll out on deck to find our other class- mates traveling to the reunion. Who should we bump into but jeanne Emerson and Virginia Good- win. Jeanne is now a famous violinist and “Babe” is still manhunting for a pair of “Smiling Irish Eyes.” Then running across the deck to greet us is Kate Wachtelhausen who is taking time out from one of her round trips between Reno and Yuma for the reunion. Next we catch sight of Mary Alice Tompkins fiercely betting on the deck horse racing game, and there is Beatrice Bittner trying to sell moth balls to a wealthy passenger. Hearing a jolly laugh we turn around and recognize the one and only Pat Lawrence exchanging jokes with Mildred Genovese and Shirley Thomas. Pat is now a car- nival contortionist, Milly a Fafnir stenographer, and Shirl a busy switch-board operator. As we stroll still further along deck we see seated in deck chairs two women in Nun Habits who turn out to be Mary Notaro, now Mother Superior in a New York Nunnery, and a companion, Sister Irma Carsanico traveling to the reunion. Then who should we encounter but Norm John- son and Bob Thomson talking over beef prices. Norm and Bob are now sales agents for the South American Cattle Co., Inc. Walking into the dining room we find five more of our fellow alumnae gossiping a mile a minute over tea and cakes. They are Eunice Ventres, Edith Skinner, Liz Emery, Lillian Bunce, and Shirley Brown. Four delightful days are spent on shipboard re- newing old acquaintances and talking over old times. Soon, however, we draw near the harbor of Buenos Aires and prepare to leave. Excitedly hang- ing over the railing other clas s members watch someone approach on a surfboard. A loud cheer and we recognize our own Dottie Potts. Soon we land and are driven to the O’Brien Ranch, escorted by the Buenos Aires police. Even here the Irish control the police force as we see Cap- tain Leonard Kane and Patrolmen Edward Dehan and James McLaughlin. At the ranch we meet some others who have ar- rived before us. Here we find our former president, Robert Edgerly, now president of the South Amer- ican Banana Co., and his able assistants, Margaret Wilson, private secretary; Barbara Smith, vice- president; Norman Peterson, treasurer; and Thorn- ton Roby, head chemist and research worker. Also there to greet us are Mary Moore, recently promoted to sales managership of the Oldsmobile branch; Leroy Riggott, now training his young “Bambinos” for the tennis championship; Helen Hanford, the famed Argentina nightingale; Maggie Skene, famous orator; Muriel Blackburn, first woman edit or of the South American newspaper; and Norma Hamilton, following the example of the famed Osa Johnson, just returning from a big game-hunting expedition in the Belgian Congo. After exchanging greetings our host offers to take us on a tour of his noted cattle stables. The first thing we notice is Dr. Carol Knowles, cattle veterinary, and her assistant, Anne Adamo- vitch, examining a sick cow. Standing by to help are stable hands, Edward Domkowski and Sammy Edelson. Henry Pacyna, stable hand by day and clarinet player by night, explains to us that the cow stables have been designed by John Hannon, in- ferior decorator. Leaving the stables we see Joseph- ine Pajor trying out one of the riding horses. That night others join us for the grand reunion. Coming into the dining room we meet Senor Guido Ramy, owner of an adjoining ranch. We catch sight of Sammy Valenti and Butch Scagliotti, joint owners of a grocery store, entering the ball room which is a new and modern feature in ranches these days. Approaching us we see Jackie McQueeney, foreman of the ranch. He leads us to a table where Albert Pesenti, Walter Paskiewicz, Pete Kornichuk, and Paul Miranti, soldiers, are engrossed in an in- teresting discussion of war. At a nearby table is Jeanette Willet celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary with her husband and Edward Jr. at her side. Coming through the door we spy Vera Swan- son, treasurer of the ranch, and Elizabeth Gelmini, assistant treasurer, talking to Harry McKeon, Berlin playboy. Joe Prata, sociologist, greets us and then joins Jake Gacek and Jack Hall, waiters in a New York restaurant. Then as the orchestra, under the leadership of Bryan Bigelow, begins to play we watch Rita Pede- mont and Flora Ramy, famous dance team. When the act is finished, Bryan Bigelow announces that the party is over and so after a night of fun and merry-making together the Class of ’41 once more continues to go their individual ways. Muriel Blackburn Norman Johnson Thornton Roby