Worcester High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 0F TIIE CLASS 0F 1940-A Yvette R. Sarazin When it becomes necessary for the members of a class to dissolve the bonds which have united them throughout their high school days, it is only fitting and proper that they close their affairs in a legal manner. Therefore, we the members of the Class of 1940-A, real- izing that we shall soon depart from this high school, being of sound mind, and possessing happy memories, do hereby make this our last will and testament, making void all others pre- ceding it. To Mr. Andrews, our faithful friend and trusty adviser, we leave a sincere appreciation for his fatherly advice, and our ever- lasting gratitude for the inspiration he has been to us during our stay at Commerce. To Mr. Casey and Mr. Tobin, our assistant principals, we leave our thanks for their co-operation in making our last days at Commerce, ones to be remembered. To the faculty we are everlastingly grateful for their loyalty, their devotion, their perseverance, and DARE we say, their patience in dealing with us? To the teachers, we make the following bequests: To Mr. Foley, the privilege of being dubbed, The Robert Taylor of the Faculty. To Miss Ellis, newer and harder Latin examinations in which her pupils will be given a better opportunity to show how much they haven't learned. To Miss Greenwood, a book entitled, Famous Quotations. To Mr. Moriarty, a secret formula which he may use to detect all frauds in absence excuses. To Miss Kavanagh, instructions on How to Bake a Cake Without Beating Two Eggs SEPARATELYX' To Miss Higgins, our school nurse, a large bottle of orange juice, which she may use as she sees fit in dealing with those pupils who are forever trying to be dismissed. To our parents, whose sacrifice and toil have in a large measure made this occasion possible, our grateful and heartfelt thanks with the hope that our livis from this day forth may bring them sunshine and happiness. l28l

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CLASS 0IlATION, 1940-A Joseph J. Kairis PRESENT DAY DEMOCRACY I Mr. Andrews, parents, friends, and fellow-classmates: As we complete our high school course here amid peaceful surroundings and with bright hopes of future accomplishments, it might be fitting to pause for a brief view of a distant scene in sharp contrast. The entire continent of Europe is engaged in a sad conflict. Hundreds of men are losing their lives daily, and countless others are suffering painful wounds of bayonet, shot, and shell. Why this needless slaughter? Why must man fight fellow-man? Is it because aggressive leaders decide that I warfare is the surest way to power and dictatorship? Is it the ever present fear of domination by rival neighbors that impels to ruthless violence? Whatever the cause, the great mass of people, inarticulate and bewildered, are the real victims. Here in the United States, the pleople voice their opinions freely and vigorously. Their word is law. They rule! If t ey want war, war it is. If they do not, there is no force strong enough to drive them into it. They are supreme! In Europe, conscription is the rule, here, the exception. In Europe, men are required to give two of the best years of their lives to military training. Here soldiering is an avocation, not a vocation. Men live in closest harmony, regardless of race, color, or creed. There is no furtive or suspicious glance for the misguided individual who does not whole-heartedly approve our form of government. Ours is a broad tolerance and a kindly one. This country was founded by able men of wide vision who built for the future and not just for the present. They cherished an ideal of government with jealous care, counting no sacrifice too great for the advancement of democracy. Their unselfish devotion and steadfast faith present a challenge which we gladly accelpt. Ours is the task of preserving the great principles for which they labored. Two great documents which they left us, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, embody these principles. The Declaration of Independence declares: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its founda- tion on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them, shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. In the unsettled world of today these words take on new dignity and worth. They strengthen and sustain us in these troubled times. May they inspire us to guard well our great heritage of democracy. As we review our many blessings in this great land, we are not unmindful of immediate benefits which affect our daily lives. I express now, for the Class of 1940, warm gratitude to all whose solicitude and good will have enabled us to reach this present goal. I27l

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The members of the Class of '40-A generously bequeath the following: Eugene Gardiner leaves his presidential dignity to all future class presidents. Frances Alisauskas leaves her pleasing personality and good sportsmanship. William Nelson leaves to the next class treasurer the pleasant task of rising early to collect class dues. Florence Howard leaves a vacancy in the position of Editor-in-Chief of the Mer- cury to some hopeful journalism student. joseph Kairis leaves all his facts on, How to Become an Orator to some member of the Boys' Debating Society. Afra Zampatti leaves her hearty laughs to anyone. Harold Cooper leaves a pillow to make the chair inside the oflice comfortable. Gloria Isernio leaves her dime novels to someone who reads anything at all. Stanley Tomasiewicz leaves his red hair to the fire station on Foster Street. Jeanette Peters and Erial Smith leave a book entitled, Why We Were the Highest in Our Class. Q Louis Parella leaves his short vacations to certain Juniors. Gloria Di Pucchio leaves her excuses to whoever wants them. Alex Labaire leaves his wavy hair to be used on rainy days by those girls who haven't permanent waves. Peggy Richards leaves her famous witty sayings to some humorist of the junior Class. William Sarsfield leaves the technique of eating hot dogs to some cafeteria devotee. Yvonne Kouri leaves a collection of tardy slips to anyone who will pay the price. Don Tupper leaves his ability as a reporter to some future sports writer. jean Dolan leaves her sturdy physique to anyone who merits it. Alden Gates leaves his laugh to Frankenstein. Virginia Paulauskas and Rose Papazian leave their ability as violinist and pianist, respectively, to some member of the orchestra. Helen Naginis and Ruth Waska leave their places on the honor roll to two intelli- gent juniors. Fred Crothers leaves his girl after visiting her. Mary Killelea, Claire O'Brien, and Doris Aubrey leave the school with best wishes to all. Wallace Cotton leaves his ability to pose for pictures. l29l