Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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THE SASSAMON 7 and Paul Carter were elected to Boys' State in Amherst. They were taught government and good citizenship during their two weeks' stay. The Honor Society officers were chosen and they were: Howard Leavitt, President, Marjorie Frost, Vice President, and Irene Meymaris, Secretary. On the athletic fields Richard Clasby, Jim Arena, George Mitchell, Tom Mallery, Bob Drew, jack Kelley, the Varrichione brothers, Frank and Mario, and Fran Dumas all aided in bringing fame to our class. Richard Clasby was awarded a trophy for being the most valuable foot- ball player of the 1948 season, while Jimmy Arena was given a trophy for being the most outstanding baseball player. The captains for the following year's athletic teams were chosen and they were: George Mitchell and jim Arena, co-captains in football, Richard Clasby, hockey, Ted Stamuli, basketball, Don Harris, track, and because most of the boys playing baseball were captains in another sport, a junior boy was elected captain of that sport. We had another great football season, and again beat our rival, Framingham, in the annual Thanksgiving classic. Then came the big social event of our junior year, the Junior Prom. This was to be held on April 30, 1948. It was agreed that it would be held at the Coolidge Junior High School. Eddie McGurr and his all-girl orchestra was chosen to be our dance band. The soft music and beautifully decorated sur- roundings of a made-up night club made this Prom one which will always be remembered as a very successful and wonderful dance. Now we arrived at the part that really made history in high school. Dur- ing the month of April, after many meetings of the junior Executive Board, class advisers and Mr. Maffeo, a plan was formulated to elect our class photographer. Pictures were to be taken at six different studios in Boston, and the class officers were chosen to act as models for the pictures. In October of our Senior year we voted for the pictures, which were picked by a code. As a result, Vantine's was the studio chosen. This seemed to end the happenings of a great junior year, and I believe a good time was had by all. In September of 1948 we the class of 49 started our Senior year with great pride. This year was to be our last, and we wanted to make it our best! Believe me we did! This year we added two more new teachers to the Com- mercial Department, Miss Chellis and Mr. Xanthakyg also a new student, Christine Getchell, and two veterans, Ken Harpell and Hugh O'Rourke, a talented singer, and now we numbered approximately 170. Class elections came fast, and in October our final and permanent officers were chosen: President, Richard Clasbyg Vice President, Alan Piers, Secretary, Ernest Langeving and Treasurer, Marjorie Frost. Our first activity that took place was the Football Dance, which was held December 4, a few weeks after again defeating our rival, Framingham. The lettermen of the football squad were feted at the Meadows for their victory by a successful business man of Natick. A few weeks after that din- ner, the Rotary Club of Natick sponsored a banquet for all the boys on the team. At this banquet, Bob Drew received the Logan Trophy for being the

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6 THF SASSAMON Welcome---Class Day Parents, Teachers, and Friends: On behalf of the Class of 1949 it is my privilege to welcome you to the Class Day Exercises. We are indeed grateful to you, our parents and teachers, for the educational opportunities you have provided for us. May we always make you proud of our accomplishments and may we use the democratic prin. ciples we have learned here to make the world a better place for all. Class History It's been a long, hard, but happy struggle through our three years at Natick High. During these years our class has made more history than many other classes before us. In june, 1946, when we left the junior high and St. Patrick's, our one thought was, W'hat would high school be like? In September a somewhat bewildered and confused 170 novices walked through the doors of Natick High School and took their places alphabetically in homerooms as Sophomores. We were given handbooks which introduced the by-laws and rules of the school. We were also given our schedule cards which came in very handy in finding our classes. The fun began when the iirst period bell rang, and we were on our own, trying to find the right rooms. But with the help of upperclassmen and the safety patrol, we made out fairly well. In our first Sophomore assembly Mr. Maffeo greeted us and went over our handbook page by page. This helped us all very much. Our Sophomore elections were underway in October and the results were: Richard Clasby, President, Frank Agostinelli, Vice President, Marie Mattson, Secretaryg and Augustino Laurini, Treasurer. During our first year we held two dances, the first of which was held on November 22 and the second on April 18. They were enjoyed very much by many of the juniors and Seniors who attended. Mr. Plausse was very much pleased with the fine group of huskies which helped to strengthen his football squad. Soon we passed from Sophomores to juniors, leaving behind us many happy and amusing experiences. ' Class elections were again held, giving us a new set of officers: Vincent Cardellicchio, President, james Arena, Vice President, Barbara Lilja, Secre- tary, and Marjorie Frost, Treasurer. We welcomed Miss Grimes to the N. H. S. teaching staff, andito our junior class we welcomed Frances Gallagher, Kenneth Hicks, Florence Parker, and Barbara Brown. Now our class numbered approximately 168 students. Marjorie Frost, janet Connolly, and Barbara Ainsworth were elected to Liirls' State in Bridgewater, while Ted Stamuli, Peter Zicko, james Powers,

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9 THE SASSAMON most valuable lineman on the Natick team, while again, Richard Clasby received the William E. Hanagan Memorial Trophy, for being the most out- standing backlield player on the team. During the week of January 19 the stage in the auditorium was set as a miniature studio by Vantine's, at which time we nad our pictures taken for the yearbook and also graduation. The Governor of Massachusetts proclaimed a Good Government Day on April 8, 1949. For this one day the duties in the state capitol were performed by high school senators and representatives, and also a student governor. All high schools of surrounding towns held elections for these candidates, and our elections for candidates were as follows: Representative, james Arena, with alternate, Richard Clasby, and Senator, George Mitchell. The Senior Play, Doctor's Orders, was put on two nights, February 16 and 17, with two different casts, under the capable direction of Mrs. DeMeritt. Kay Neary played the leading part and did a superb job both nights as Letty, the owner of a department store. Barbara Lilja and Beverly Nelson portrayed successfully, the part of Mamie, the maid. Alice Hawes, who took the part of Agatha, and Marie Mattson, who played the part of Julia did a very fine job. Grace Palladino and Annette Grogan, who played the part of Rita, were exceptionally good, and we will never forget the fine acting of Rebecca Col- bourne, Janet Wall, and Peggy Nolan, as the hatmakers, who had the crowd wondering where they ever got such silly looking hats. A look to the opposite sex of the play finds Gene Ames and Donald Hubbard starring in the part of Steve, the man of Rita's dreams, Ernie Langevin as Jerome who hnally won Letty's heartg Walter Gorenflo as Michael, the rough and ready detective who caught Letty shoplifting in her own storeg George Stockbridge as Adolph, Julia's father, and jim Powers as Dr. Reynolds, the eccentric psychiatrist, who could have used some wrestling holds to keep Mamie in her place. Between acts, the audience was held spellbound by the singing of Camille Wiggles- worth and Hugh O'Rourke, as well as by a talented junior, Ruth Barber. This play will always be one of our fondest memories. Early in January Marjorie Frost was chosen by her classmates to receive the D. A. R. Good Citizenship Award. At an award assembly in May Dick Clasby was awarded the Ralph Howard Trophy for his outstanding work on the hockey team and the Italian- American Trophy as an outstanding football player, while jim Arena received the Leonard H. Foley Trophy as the most valuable basketball player. The Class Party will be held on june 8, and our last social function, the Senior Reception, will take place on Friday, june 10. With anxiety in our hearts we look forward to these last gatherings which will end our Senior activities before graduation. This now ends the History of the Class of 49,' until each Senior receives his or her diploma to set them out on his own. Some of us will go on to school, while the rest of us will go out to work. So farewell, Alma Mater, and thank you for all your wonderful friendships. VINCIQN1' CARn12i.i.iccHlo