Berlin High School - Lamp Yearbook (Berlin, CT)

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VALEDICTORY Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Edu- cation, Members of the Berlin High Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: Edison, after months of constant work on the electric light, came to the belief that he was on the right track. After making hundreds of tests and after years of research, he finally developed the incan- descent bulb. It is said that the future is limited by oneself. Are we, as in- dividual members of the Class of ’41, able to concentrate on our future and attain our goal? For some of us, this day will be followed by the beginning of college. To others of us it is a beginning of a new life wherein we will gain our first knowledge of the business of earning a living. But regardless of whether we step forth into business, into college, or into homemaking this day marks the birth of new ideas; new interests; new associations and new experiences. Life is full of challenges. We must be able to meet each one. Throughout our school day, our life has been carefully guarded at home and at school. Now we are to be thrown upon our own re- sources for the first time. Now that we have completed our high school education, the initial step in laying the cornerstone for our future being, we shall have to strive just as Edison did when he achieved his ideal — namely, to go forth with an aim in life. Be a creator. Be a person that builds instead of one who destroys. Always be a person with character; the person who tackles every job with enthusiasm, determination, perserverance, and zeal; the person who respects the other fellow and gains by other’s experi- ences. We, the Class of ’41, pledge ourselves with all sincerity to put forth the determined effort necessary to achieve our ideals of the future. Barbara Ida Smith

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Class Will Paul Mirante wills a Kingdom to go with his crown to Sebastian Amenta. To “Night Hawk” Donald Griffith, Raymond Misteri gives his sleepless nights. I, Mary Moore, leave my careful driving to Ines Richie. Mary Notaro wills her beautiful curling eyelashes to John O’Brien. Donald O’Brien bequeaths his many managerships to the next “Blot.” To Myron Goodrich, Robert O’Brien gives his de- votion for false fire alarms. I, Henry Pacyna, leave a genuine quarter to W. Atwell Kelsey. Josephine Pajor wills her cognition of cowboy har- monies to Kasimer Nalewajak. To Arthur Crandall, Walter Paskiewicz gives his fame as Lochinvar. I, Rita Pedemont, leave my pots and pans in home economics to James Austin. Albert Pesenti wills his “good boy” attitude to all High School villains. Norman Peterson bequeaths his falsetto catcalls to Elsie Peplau. To Francis Odermann, Dorothy Potts gives her beaming smile. I, Joe Prata, leave my worn handkerchief to any Junior who wants to cover up a job. Francis Prior wills his unfinished home work to his brother Philip. Rose Quarello bequeaths her window flirtations to Katherine Danko. To Sylvia Overstrom, Flora Ramy gives her artistic execution of powdering her nose during home room. I, Guido Ramy, leave my trips to the office to Roy Fielding. Leroy Riggott wills his harem to Jack Prendergast. Thornton Roby bequeaths his Einstein methods to Harold Peterson. To Peter Kriwacki, Albert Scagliotti gives his foggy look and daily strolls. I, Lucy Simeone, leave my “corny” jokes to Audrey Collins. Marguerite Skene wills her everlasting penny to buy a stick of gum to Aldo Tarca. Edith Skinner bequeaths her height to Alice Cameron. To Doris Bighinatti, Barbara Smith gives her High Honors and memberships in the many clubs. I, Agnes Starzec, leave my excuses for staying at home to Josephine Rampone. Vera Swanson wills her task as treasurer in the various clubs to Rena Fiori. Shirley Thomas bequeaths her position in the lime- light of social life to Helen Gontarz. To Carmen Leone, Mary Alice Tompkins gives her shyness. I, Robert Thomson, leave a book on how to care for a car to William Poppel. Sammy Valenti, “King of the Drums,” wills his talent to the next Gene Krupa of the school. Eunice Ventres bequeaths her modest quietness to Marjorie Cooney. To Phyllis Doolittle, Kathryn W achtelhausen gives her Latin vocabulary. I, June Ward, leave a book that I failed to read, “Increase Your Height in Ten Easy Lessons,” to Doris Prata. Jeannette Willet wills a wedding ring to Lois Schroeder. Margaret Wilson bequeaths her eloquence in de- livering a poem to Mabel Read. To Philip Black, James gives a supply of sand to be carried in his car for future fires. To the Juniors we leave our advantages, “The Lamp” for the inscription of their yearbook and the hopes of a promising year. To the Sophomores, we leave our special abilities. To the Freshmen, we leave our loftiness of manner. To the Faculty, we leave our deep appreciation for their willing help through the years. In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hand and seal at said Berlin, on the 17th day of June, A. D., One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-one. Signed, published and declared by the Class of Forty-one, as and for, their last will and testament in the presence of us, who in their presence and at their request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Pat Lawrence James Zwick Sammie Valenti Mildred Genovese Mary Notaro Robert O’Brien

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SALUTATORY Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Edu- cation, Members of the Berlin High School Faculty, Parents, Friends, and Classmates: We, as representatives of the 1941 graduating class, feel it our privilege and honor to welcome you who have assisted us in our educational endeavor throughout our high school years. Why is it that the graduating class of 1941 has had more rapid success in gaining a position in life than any other class leaving Berlin High? This is primarily due to the world crisis which has developed out of Europe, also to the National Defense program which is the outgrowth of the militaristic hysteria abroad. However, it seems that Berlin in particular has lost a great num- ber of its students to this cause — why is it that this is so? We feel that this is because of the aggressiveness coupled with ability and the training of that ability which has been so capably directed by our faculty and which has been so graciously backed by our parents and friends. We certainly will be ever grateful for the willing assistance granted us in our enterprise and studies. And we feel that without it we would not have accomplished what little we have so well. Now that we have climaxed the first period of our lives we feel both proud and happy. It is now the second and more important period toward which we look with awe and apprehension. The question that is uppermost in each of our minds is that of what the future holds for us. None of us know exactly what we shall be doing a few years hence; those mystical doors are now closed to us but will soon be opened and our opportunities revealed. Should the future be as fruitful as the past we can be compara- tively certain of a large degree of success. Again we extend our welcome — and many thanks to the Board of Education, the school officials, and our parents and friends. Donald O ' Brien Robert Edgerly