Acton Boxborough Regional High School - Torch Yearbook (Acton, MA)

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THE TORCH 11 CLASS HISTORY THE SHADOW At this time, the Class of 1938 is fast reaching its academic maturity. In the light of our hoped for success, this giant, the largest in the history of Acton, casts its shadow across four years of Father Ti'n1e's domain. This quasi-dark spot is not so dark, for when we examine its intricacies, we find that it is filled with the hope of future success and happiness and that it is embued with a pioneering spirit to attain that end. The Class of 1938 began its high school career under the watchful eyes of Miss Bixby and Miss Boornazian. It was first necessary to Actonize the several wel- comed members from Boxboro. The fact that we had six candidates for high honors during the first month of school proved our ability to adapt ourselves to the new routine of work. Our reception by the high and mighty Seniors gave us the rank and title of full fledged Freshmen, willing to do four years of hard work for the reward of graduation diplomas. By leading the class as president, John Smith followed the precedent established by his colonial predecessor. Those elected to assist in the administration of fresh- man activities lncluded Russell Hayward, vice-presidentg Irene Granberg, secretary, and Leo Roche, treasurer. Marjorie Nelson and Robert Taylor represented the class in the Student Council. After the customary summer vacation, we returned to our Sophomore year to flnd that Mr. Hough would no longer be here as our good friend and leader. His successor was Mr. Walter F. Hall. Our numbers were somewhat diminished, but we were still a Gulliver among all previous Sophomore classes. Probably our most noteworthy achievement as Sophomores was the presenta- tion of a play, which added several dollars to our wealth. Thus began our climb to social fame. Robert Taylor was elected to carry on as president. The other elected officers of the Class were George Downey, vice-presidentg Iris Hamm, secretary, Ralph Spinney, treasurer, and Frances Fairbanks and Leonard Godfrey as delegates to the Student Council. Records show that the Junior year of the Class of 1938 was so successful as to be enviable. The play, A Bunch of Fun, prepared under Miss Boornazian, netted 9. handsome reward for the work involved. During our Junior year a new system of nominating and electing all class officers by ballot was introduced in all grades. Those elected in the Junior class were: Leonard Godfrey, president: John Smith, vice-presidentg Eleanor Leveroni, treasurer, and Irene Granberg, secretary. The Student Council members were Iris Hamm and Roderick MacDougall. Many members of the class hurdled an item of great expense by paying for their class rings. The class selected colors of blue and silver and levied dues of one dollar eighty cents, such dues to be paid by June, 1938, to make one eligible to at- tend the Senior Banquet and Picnic. The Junior Prom became an activity of pront, as well as of enjoyment, under the able direction of the chairman of the several Prom Committees. Although the expenses amounted to more than fifty dollars, a profit of thirty dollars was realized. Our feeling of inferiority to other students had entirely gone when we were flnally seated in Room 16, in charge of Miss Boornazian, our faculty advisor. This was the first occasion in our high school career which found the entire class in the same home room. Those chosen for class officers, by means of the ballot system of election, were: John Smith, president: Leonard Godfrey, vice-president, Frances Stuart, secretaryg Robert Taylor, treasurer, and Viola Thatcher and Dexter Kelley to the Student Council. The flrst of the many major Senior Class activities, the Senior Play, Spring Fever, was held at the high school on one night. It was a success in enjoyment, in experience, and financially. Gifts were presented to Miss Billman and bo Mr. Green- man for their welcomed aid. The Senior boys were numerous on the first string football team, which lost many games by narrow margins while playing against much larger schools. Ralph Spinney was injured in a school game, so we held a benefit dance for him. Since this was a minor success financially, the class voted an additional sum to help de- fray his expenses. His accident brought out the real spirit of sportmanship and loyalty to a fellow classmate which motivates the Class of 1938. In basketball, the spirit to play fairly, but determinedly, manifested itself

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10 Majorie Eleanor Nelson Midge' ' Boxboro Gent-rnl Vnnrse, Student t'nnnril tll. lim-key 1-U, llzisketlinll 422, 41. tilee Ulnh tl, 11, ZS. -tj. Essziy. A lnynl friend, il pnl thnt's trne. XY:-'re sure Alinlgt-'ll gn sinilin' tlirongh. 1 Q' ! ,. Joseph George Perry X ' 'Joe' ' West Acton l'lfllllll0l't'iIll Vnnrse. Basket- hnll 112. -H, Hive t'luli ill, Senior Prom, A friend in need. A friend indeed. 'Cynthia Louise Price Cyn South Acton College Fonrse. Vnledietor- inn, Bnskethnll fl. 2, ft, -U, llm-key 12, Il, Mgr. 4 7 . 'Porch 143, Seeret airy A. A. K-U. Plays QU. ZH, A. A. lhince. Graduation Essny. tJunior and Senior l'roin, The media-nl liehl is open wide. To one with your inl- enl the wnll will di- vide, George Adam Rltford, Jr. Bud West Acton General Vonrse. Fnotliaill 12. TU. Basketball. Q2l, lissziy. A hit of nonsense nun' :intl then Is relished hy the heat nf InL'n. MAJ ffl J 'llonnr Students THE TORCH 1 . E r s s V . E l i r i K1 x I fifsfr-W-A 1 .1-' xllalph Edward Spinney Bud West Acton t'nllQ-ge Course. 'l'rensnx'er 127, Fnntlmll 12. Il, Capt. 45, lilee l'lnls 12, Ill. l'lnyS 12, ill. Ort-liestrn til. -U. , nninr Proln. A. A. llnnue. Ilil4l21l'2llllll'l', tiraulnntinn Hs- any. Like lil'Il?: ltife goes swinging: hy .... A power house trumpet. riding high .... ftvftfrf' Eleanor Lula Tate Ellie West Acton l'ulleg:e t'niii'm'. linsketlinll tli. lileu t'lnls fl, Ill. Play 1253. .lnninr Proin, A. A. ID:uu'e. 'Vrnly n dnnl personality. Viola Gertrude Thatcher Vi West Acton Unnmereinl Course, Basket- ball tl, 2, 3. -H. Hockey lil, Cl. 45. Glen- l'luli ff.. Il. -U. l'l:iy Q-U, Student Vonneil t-H. Yi's nhility tn play l'nt her on our tennis to stnyl fl' Af - ' li I' fy Alfred Whitney jjf' I' Cobleigh, Jr. x- 4' AP ' Boxboro f fl General Course, S e n i o r l'rmn. Although n fnriner at henrt, lle always does his part. 'Vincent Joseph Sheehan Vince West Acton Unllegn Course, Snlntzitor- ish. Class lrlistory. tirntl- nation Essay. Witty, humorous. elf-vcr, Will he tail! . .NEVERI Z V . Honor Students

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12 THE TORCH throughout the season, even to the last game of the tournament. The first string team, composed of five seniors, also lost most of its games by small scores to much larger schools. Nevertheless, they put up a hard fight and, when playing against teams in their own class, proved to be sufficiently good to win the consolation finals at the Fitchburg tournament. The school received the trophy, a basketball player shooting for a basket, as a reward for the team's performances. The field hockey and Girls' basketball teams, composed largely of Senior girls, had very satisfactory seasons. Although organized sports for girls are comparatively new, the prospects point to keen competition for popularity between the boys' and the girls' teams. The Acton Athletic Association dues, now being paid 'by a large portion of the students, were changed from five cents weekly to fifty cents for September and ten cents monthly thereafter. In October, 1937, the Seniors conducted a dance, for the benefit of the A. A. A. from which a satisfactory profit was realized. Perhaps the most controversial issue thus far, concerned the type of graduation exercises to be held. Among the several proposals were essays, with and without an outside speaker, a panel-discussion, a debate, and a mock town meeting. Despite the efforts of the school authorities to encourage the panel-discussion, the class voted to present essays with no outside speaker. The essays in the graduation program are to be given by Cynthia Price, Robert Montague, Leonard Godfrey, Ralph Spinney. and Vincent Sheehan. In order to avoid interference among the several activities of the Seniors and the lower classes, the Senior Banquet and Prom will be held on the same evening, June 15, 1938. The chairmen of the Senior Prom Committees are Robert Taylor, music, Dexter Kelley, publicity, Frances Stuart, decorationsg and Cynthia Price, refreshments. To obtain increased revenue for the class picnic, it was proposed to reduce the amount spent for gifts and to have a food sale. It was hoped that these plans would help the class to cope with the added expenses due to the large number of members. The food sales made a profit of about twenty-four dollars. The class also voted that Senior dues of a diollar and Junior dues of a dollar eighty cents must be paid before enjoying the Banquet and Picnic. In former years, about ninety per cent of the Senior class was pictured in The Torch. Failure to have one hundred per cent pictured was due to the inability of certain members to reach the studios of Purdy, official class photographer. This year, all members who are graduating will have photographs in The Torch, thanks to Purdy's attendance at the school. Probably the most tedious activity of the year to both teachers and pupils was the writing and correcting of the Acton Essays. A sigh of relief echoed in Room 16 on the morning of March lst when all essays were handed to the teacher. On the following day the pupils' worry was assumed by those judging for the best ten. The relief of some of the students did not last, because those qualifying had only 'begun the fight. They have had to revise their essays from two to four times and to prepare for public presentation. Marjorie Nelson was adjudged winner of the contest and George Rifford was second. Wait until the Jolly Juniors are put to the test of essay writing! We all recognize and appreciate the counsel given by the faculty, who, al- though, at times bitterly opposed, intended to benefit us. It can easily be seen that the shadow cast by the Class of 1938 is not so dark as it might have been. Among the more immediate factors contributing to this light complexion is the fact that many memorable acquaintances have been made with teachers and fellow classmates. We know from tales related by our parents that many s-chool friendships have furnished happy, life long memories. VVe hope that these four years will furnish similar memories to us. Probably most of the brightness in our shadowy past is the result of the ever present hope for a happy and successful future. Although some pessimlstically assert that there can be little hope, no one can deny that there is reason for hope in that our future stations of life have been raised by our attendance at Acton High Sghool, We may also say that there is an opportunity for us to be a part of the greatest nation in the history of the world, if we but will it. Therefore, let us, upon graduating from Acton High, enter the world with the same pioneering spirit which has characterized our action in the past four years. Let us determine to be the patriotic citizens for which we have been preparing. One thing seems certain, that, ten or twelve or fifty years hence, we shall look back upon the years of our association in Acton High School and remember them as among the happiest, most enjoyable of our lives. V. SHEEHAN, '38. 1 R q 1- l j i Q ' 'V Ll- fe 7