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

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Page Glam aiafuf '50-14 Natalie Mankovitz, Class Historian As I close my eyes and reminisce over the last four years, my mind whirls and comes to a halt before the unforgettable picture of the first day of our freshman year, February 4, 194-6. As- cending the gigantic Walnut Street Hill, we were filled with confused emotions of hope, anxiety and fear, which the 'ihelpful seniorsn soon banished by concerning themselves with our health and directing us to imaginary un- derground passages and aiding us to restricted elevators. Regret registered in every eye, when Calvin Andrews departed from us. But in losing a dear friend and principal, we gained two admirable, efficient and esteemed men, Mr. William Casey, our respected principal, and Mr. James Man- ning, one of his indispensable assistants, lwho has combined his efforts with Mr. Edward Tobin to establish an incomparable team at Commerce. Many thanks to Mr. Manning for having saved students from wasting too many after-school hours at the p.m. sessions by show- ing his kindness in affording only four p.m.,s when five perhaps would be in order. We presently became aware of the accom- plished school in which we had enrolled, for not only did the Girls' Field Hockey Team and Boys' Varsity Football Team capture the much coveted city titles, but also The Mercury, our outstanding school paper, won first place honors at the convention of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. To add honors to honors, Commerce won mention at the Music Festival in Gloucester, with our freshmen angelic voices blending to- gether to present a triumphant performance. Our sophomore year proved just as success- ful as our freshman year, naturally, ffor our class was topsj and our athletes clinched their second Inter-High Hockey Title and the Base- ball Team won the Inter-High Championship, fthe girls, not to be outdone, captured the Basketball Titlej, rounding out that year's great athletic history. Although we were introduced to the new Twenty-two marking system that term, I don't recall our marks particularly improving, although Libby Moskovitz and Gladys Carlson received their customary E's,,' but Johnny Aquino and James Pedone still obtained . . . Ch, well, let us continue with our History! The accomplishments during our wizened sophomore year reached towering limits, for our class was not only the most brilliant, but also the most athletic class in the history of Commerce. Our tennis team was excellent and our girl athletes, Lois Anderson, Germaine Amyot, and Virginia Grimala, contributed to its many victories. I think that year we lost only . . . Well, let's not resurrect that memory! The Golf Inter-High title was captured and Commerce won its second consecutive Inter- High Baseball crown, which S'Handsome Hank Brennan, Joe i'Jupiter Lanava, Fred 'fthe Headv Smith, and Ray Speed', Steele helped to make possible. Bragging unintentionally, with- out these three men, Commerce might have suf- fered seriously. The girls, striding on the same level as the boys, captured the Year Around Cupn for their basketball championship and Held hockey title, which they obtained through untiring efforts. The commendable program which the Black- friars presented in the assembly hall at Christ- mas with some of the many talented members of our class participating, thrilled us, even though the next day Nurse Higgins was ener- vated by massaging quite a few stiff necks, which had been strained and twisted in the process of craning them, so that we could feast our eyes upon this magnificent performance. Entering our junior year we wasted no time in establishing ourselves as one of the most brilliant, superbly athletic, and admirable classes and we managed to advance through a glorious and tremendously happy junior year, resolved to face all difficulties courageously, overcome all obstacles unfearfully and become a strong, united group. For the third consecutive year the Mercuries clinched the Inter-High Baseball title, with our class once again in the limelight, and the Black- friars presented another triumphant perform- ance by staging 4'Seven Keys to Baldpate with Norman Martin and Eugenie Szlyk sharing the honors. Who knows, perhaps some sunny day when we chance to wander into the Palace Theatre, we may see the superb team of Martin

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and Szlyk surpassing the one of Turner and Gable. We terminated our junior term feeling proud of the fact that we had elected capable and efhcient leaders who had guided us through a promising year. An outstanding President was Patrick Gabriella, a popular Vice-President was Mary Foley, recording our honorable deeds was Irene Ferraro, and spending the little money we had in the treasury was John Gillio. The long anticipated day when the title of seniors was conferred upon us at last arrived. Vi Lazour was elected Editor-in-Chief of our magnificent school paper, The Mercury. Of course, when '50-A took over The Mercury Staff, we published a paper that was doubly applauded and appraised. Graduation plans soon involved us in a tur- moil of excitement and flurry, leaving the girls with smaller budgets for the succeeding year and the boys with just their natural holes in their pockets. For our senior class ofhcers we re-elected 'iPolitician Pat Gabriella, President, chose personality-plus kid, Franny Lorusso, Vice- President, Janet Loftus, Secretary and Record- er of our numerous doings, and Norman Martin in charge of our Treasury without funds. At this time I would like to state the fact that cupid had not been suffering from insomnia for our nfemme fatale, Gretta Catherwood and that red-headed hunk of man,', Bob Erri- cola could be seen hand-holding through the corridors. Some of the outstanding athletes from our senior class who kept Commerce on top al- ways, were Art Flaherty, Hank Brennan, Chet Levins, Fred Smith, Ray Steele and Hal Erick- son. To show our class contained not only brawn but brains, we had the following Horace Mann students: Gladys Carlson, Carolyn Erickson, Arthur Flaherty, Grace Stratcosz, Libby Mosko- vitz and Natalie Mankovitz. Class Day Representatives chosen were: talka- tive Bob Erricola, as Class Oratorg Fingers Eleanor Nasitano, Class Pianistg 'gThe Voice Lucille Melucci, Class Voealistg Mirthful Vi Lazour, Reader of the Class VVill: Talented jason Rosenbloom, Class Musician, and Natalie Mankovitz, Class Historian. A very important social event must be re- corded before we terminate this glorious history of the 1950-A Class, and that is our forthcom- ing Senior Prom which is to be held at the Elks' Ballroom. It will no doubt be one of the outstanding social successes of our high school days. I hope Charley Hagg and Vi Lazour realize this is just a prom and not the first step to a budding romance. In concluding this, the History of the 1950-A Class, we wish to extend our deepest apprecia- tion to our devoted parents, Mr. Casey, and all the members of the faculty, who, because of their understanding and guidance have aided us through four very joyous and fruitful years. We want to thank Mr. Tobin, sincerely, for handling our graduation preparations com- petently and efficiently. We want to extend our grateful appreciation to Mr. Sleeper for making this Class Day a huge success. We shall always cherish fondly the memories of our four wonderful years spent at the High School of Commerce and may each and every- one of us meet with prosperity, happiness and good health in the future. The last chapter of our Book is being com- pleted and we are about to face a wide and chaotic World. We pledge our loyalty and faithfulness to our Dear Alma Mater, and with the help of God and our own persistent efforts, we know we will make Commerce very proud of Her Sons and Daughters, the Class of 1950-A. NATALIE MANKOVITZ Clays Historian Page Twentj three