Franklin High School - Oskey Yearbook (Franklin, MA)

Page 23 text:

Lieut. Fitzpatrick had been elected as our class advisor while we were fresh¬ men. His sparkling personality and amazing tact had made him one of the most popular members of the faculty, not only with our class but with others before. Even though Algebra and Geometry are, to most people, very stuffy subjects, his classes were generally swelling to the doors. Pnpils are fascinated by a teacher of Lieut. Fitzpatrick’s calibre . . . one who flashes a smile continually and interweaves humor with mathemat¬ ics in such proportions as to evolve a very interesting period. Lieut. Fitzpatrick It is very seldom that one finds a per¬ son who accepts the trends of a rapidly changing world and lives according to the age no matter how extreme the al¬ teration. Such a person remains un¬ prejudiced, never grows dull and has the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. One of these rare exceptions is Miss Alice Wiggin, English teacher of long standing at Franklin. A clearer interpretation of the sub¬ ject English is his who has been under her able tutorage. One realizes that English is not merely a study of a lan¬ guage but also a look into many inter¬ esting phases of religions, history, sci¬ ence, philosophy, and the arts, among others. A student ambitious to become a teacher said of her, “She’s one who re¬ news my faith in teaching.” That state¬ ment is characteristic of the considera¬ tion of every member of this class of 1944 and all others who have come in contact with her. Miss Wiggin

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Miss Holmes A faithful stand-by, when it came to chaperoning our social functions, was Miss Marion Holmes, English teacher and Librarian. Without doubt, one could acquire a practical education in Miss Holmes’ Eng¬ lish classes alone. Similar to the courses of Miss Wiggin, her periods are so over- flowing with varying information that one cannot afford to allow his mind to wander even for the shortest amount of time. Students appreciate a teacher who not only performs his duty perfectly and in a likeable manner, but at the same time supports all athletic engagements, so¬ cial functions, and dramatic attempts. Miss Holmes has proved such a teacher and will, we are sure, remain high on our list of true friends. The diminutive Coach Beane, quite a player in his own right, is known throughout the state for his coaching ability. Franklin is indeed very fortunate in having such a fellow handling its court- men when such schedules as it is in the habit of having are drawn up. Football and baseball, during the years of 1940, 1941, and the early part of 1942, were coached by George Colbert. When he became a lieutenant in the Navy, ex- Manhattan ace, James Walsh, succeeded him. Mr. Walsh, Civics teacher, turned out two fine football squads along with a pair of snappy diamond teams. There is no doubt that he has revived football at the school and is looking forward to an even more successful season during the fall of ’44. The students can never forget such games as the 1942 Foxboro engagement and the trio of 1943 games, Medway, Dean Academy, and Northbridge. Mr. Walsh and Mr. Beane

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Lieut. Abbott An uncensored fact is that, in the past few years, basketball has stepped out as the favorite sport for local fans. Per¬ haps this is mainly because of the splen¬ did records that Blue and White basket- eers have enjoyed of late. Unofficially, the best four-year record of any single group of Franklin High players has been racked up by a quintet of boys in the class of ’44. Their record since entering high school as freshmen is 41 wins and 11 defeats in Massachusetts competition. Most of the credit for that record must be given, however, to Coaches Abbott and Beane. When Coach Howard Abbott, who had handled the freshman and junior varsity clubs, joined the Quartermaster Corps, he left all basketball coaching in the very able hands of varsity mentor, Mr, Henri Beane. Miss Mary Marrs, in two years as U. S. History teacher, has accomplished that which very few are able to do . . . the capturing of the respect and admiration of the entire student-body. United States History is one of the most important studies of a high school student and is upheld by a teacher such as Miss Marrs. Misfortune it was that the boys did not have much of an opportunity to en¬ joy classes with the girls’ athletic di¬ rector, Miss Alice Beane. Several of the boys did, however, take her Ancient History course during their freshman year. They also were able to note resemblance to Brother Henri when it came to basketball playing and coach¬ ing. Miss Beane and Miss Marrs