Easthampton High School - Echo Yearbook (Easthampton, MA)

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6 P ITEIRARY VISIT TO THE POLISH EMBASSY It was a few minutes before seven o'clock on the evening of Tuesday, April 30, and a group of Seniors, together with Principal Howell K. Thayer and Miss Lou Lyman, were boarding a taxi that transported them to the hhnbassy of the Republic of Poland. This visit was made in accordance with a special appointment secured by Anthony Lis. At seven o'clock sharp, the delegation entered the embassy, the attendant led it to a waiting-room to await the arrival of the attache. In a few minutes, the attache appeared, and after the proper introductions were finished, he led the group to the reception room on the second story. In a moment, the Easthamptonians were in the presence of His Ex- cellency Stanislaus Patek, Polish Ambassador to the United States-an almost unbelievable fact! The attache introduced each guest individually to the Am- bassador, who shook hands with each one, Before he even spoke a word, the Ambassador made a great impression on all. He was as glad to meet them as they were to meet him. His Excellency spoke to his visitors in both Polish and English. He told of his diplomatic life and mentioned the fact that he speaks ten languages, six fluently and four fairly well. He said he was glad to have the opportunity to perform his duty at an occasion like this. His Ex- cellency's very pleasing personality and friendliness made him a real friend of all. The reception was hearty and very sincere. From what the diplomat himself and his attachc said, it was learned that His Excellency Stanislaus Patek has been, and is, leading a very active diplomatic life. For many years after the establishment of the Republic of Poland, he was, until 1926, am- bassador to Japan. From 1926 to 1932, he was the ambassador to The l'nion of Socialist Soviet Republics. Since 1932, he has been not only the am- bassador to the United States, but also the minister to Cuba. His Excellency was one of the signers of the Versailles Treaty of 19203 and a few years ago, he signed with Maxem Litvinoff, one of his friends, the non-aggression pact between Poland and Soviet Russia. The late hlarshal Joseph Pilsudski was also a close friend of the ambassador. After talkng for a while, the ambassador shook hands with each one again in farewell and retired. His attache, in compliance with the ambassador's order, showed the embassy to the group. The attachc led the guests to the rooms and showed the ambassadorls collection of paint- ings as well as snapshots that depicted great events in His lCxcellency's life. nineteen

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lilerary groups, offers its members four important activities, any one of which would be greatly beneficial to the person who entered that group. In the journal- istic group, one's work is mostly for the bulletin, and this prepares students for Echo Board works by working with the dramatic group, material is found for the Senior play and also for the one-act play, literary work in the Lyceum helps one's theme writing and English on the whole, debating work also is beneficial to anyone interested because of the confidence one will get in himself after having participated in a few debates. For some of the meetings, speakers were obtained who were very interesting and who were greatly appreciated by the members. The club has, on the whole, helped all of its members in some way. Miss Alvord's fine work, spirit, and generous advice have helped the club in a way which nothing else could. We sincerely hope that the Lyceum will continue in future years and will keep up the fine work accomplished this year. WARREN LUX '36 PRO MERITO A new constitution has been drawn up and was accepted at the last meeting of the Pro Merito societies in Springfield. Principal H. D. Thayer was elected president of the Board of Governors. Mr. Thayer has shown special interest in the scholarship activities of our school and this honor society. We are gratified, therefore, to note this recognition of his interest and ability. Here are important parts of thc Constitution of the Pro Merito Society. CONSTITUTION Object The object of this Society shall be the encouragement of superior scholastic achievement by recognition comparable to that now given for athletic achieve- ment. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Members of this Society shall be selected by the headmaster of each school for that school from members of the Junior and Senior Classes. The first selection from a class shall be made at any time after the completion of the Junior year, and shall include all students of good character who have finished three-fourths of the work required for graduation, and who have an average gf at least 85 per cent. in all work recorded. A second selection shall be made at anyiconvenient time after the first semester of the Senior year, and shall include allstudents of good character who have finished seven-eighths of the work required for? graduation and have an average of at least 85 per cent. in all work recorded. i EMBLEM The emblem of the Society shall be a pin specially manufactured for the society by the D. L. Auld Co., Columbus, Ohio, and the use of such emblem shall be restricted to duly elected members of the Society. eighteen,

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Among the large hand-painted pictures was one of General John Pershing mounted on a horse. The reception room, the ballroom, and tl1e state dining room were viewed. The short tour being over, the group left the building after shaking hands with the attache. This visit was very thrilling, educational, and interesting. A visit like this, to any embassy for that matter, is a very rare occurrence, especially when the visitors are a group of high school seniors on their Washington trip. The event brought an honor to the school, as well as the members of the group that made the visit. The following people were in the group: Principal Howell K. Thayer and Miss Lou Lyman, chaperones of the trip, Anthony Lis, through whose efforts the visit was made possible, Francis Hadro, president of the Senior class: Rita Anderson, Helen Wrobleski, Stanley Sucheckig Arthur Grabowski, and Victor Laprade. The people mentioned above want to take the opportunity to publicly thank His Excellency Stanislaus Patek for the wonderful reception given to his visitors. The event will remain long in the memories of all. ANTHONY Lis '35 NEGRO SUPERSTITION LEADS TO DESTRUCTION The wind moaned and bowled through the everglades of Florida turning them into a seething mass of vegetation and muddy water. Through this seem- ingly! impenetrable waste of death, a mushy path twisted and turned its way to a small stone hut. Over this path a stout negro woman slowly made her way exclaiming as she went along, f'Lawd almighty! lVhal for I ebber come to dis here place, I'se don know, but I'se got ter hab my fortune told, yah-suh I does, I does. Finally she reached her destination and knocked at the door. A voice said, 9'Who's dere? The visitor answered, It's onny me, Susabella Sassafras Simmons. Yah suhl It's onny me. The voice said, 'Come in. But bewar if yo ain't who yo says yo is, bewarf' The visitor went in and shut the door. She stared in wide-eyed amazement at what she saw, and cried, 'tLawd, but yo sure hab all de tings by wid to bc a fortune teller, yotse got de stars, de moon, a crystal, and eben a black cat. Lawd almighty. What does ya want? inquired an old negro hag who was dressed in a long, many-colored skirt, a bandanna which was around her head, and a large waist covered with many figures, symbolic of the fortune teller. 'Tse sure would lak to hab my fortune toldfl Wat ya done got for pay? asked the hag. 'Tse got dis here brass bracelet I hab, I habfl it Sit in dis here chair den and I'll tell ya whatls what wid you. Susabella sat down and awaited her fortune. A The hag began, Yo hab come on a dark journey to see me. twenty