Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

Page 17 text:

Teacher. At the Hallowe’en party the following year, the Class of ’29 boosted the freshmen far along Lindbergh’s path of glory when airplane rides were given free of charge. Tommy. Some of those planes landed pretty hard. Jackie. They found out all about tripe, too. Teacher. The class did not forget childish sports even as juniors and seniors. There were two Christmas parties at which everyone dressed as a kid. It surely looked like kindergarten as they played games and opened their presents from Santa Claus. Peggy. I thought Santa Claus came down the chimney, but they say one year he came in a tiny automobile and the next year he come down a rope from the gym balcony. Teacher. It did not take the school long to recognize exceptional musi- cal ability, as those in the class took minor parts in “The Windmills of Holland” and “Sailor Maids.” In their last year they took a big share of the leads in the “Gypsy Rover.” For a little while there were members of the English Nobility in the class, as Cud Pond became Sir George Martaindale, and Doris Parker was Lady Constance Martaindale. Jackie. I don’t see why Larry Roy didn’t get a part in one of those operettas. You just ought to hear him sing in the locker room. Teacher. In the junior year the Class of ’29 gave the second cabaret to be held at the Agawam High School. The gym was attractively deco- rated as a Japanese Tea Garden. Even though the class didn’t become fabu- lously rich from the profits, everyone had a good time. In May of that year the class made its official entrance into society at the Junior Prom. The auditorium was beautifully decorated with blue and gold balloons and streamers in honor of the Class of 1928. Armfuls of purple lilacs made the stage look like a real garden. I shall have to refer you to Ruth Renton and Harry Abell for more information about picking lilacs on dark rainy nights. During the four years of high school many of this class were members of different school organizations. In their last year thirteen seniors were on the Agawam Mirror Staff with Helen Rudman as Editor, and Doris Roberts as Business Manager. The class, of course, was represented in the Student Council whose President and Secretary in 1929 were Clifford Pond and Helen Rudman. Several girls of this class were elected to membership in Alpha Beta Gamma, the honorary society of the Commercial department. The class also felt very proud to have five members asked to join the Pro Merito Society. They were Marie Bozenhard, Alice Fickweiler, Pauline Corri- veau, Eva Richard, and Doris Roberts. Ruth. They must have been awfully bright to have all those honors. Teacher. Well, not necessarily. The teachers always said that intel- lectual ability was somewhat lacking in this class, but they couldn’t criti- cize its skill in athletics. As members of the football team Sliech, Kellogg, Assad, and Pond helped to bring a number of victories to Agawam. In basketball, it will be a long time before'Mr. Smith again finds such a pair of guards as Larry Roy and Cud Pond, who played on three championship teams. In the last season several of the other boys came to the front on the

Page 16 text:

CLASS HISTOMY Scene: School Room. Teacher. Now the Bell has rung. Let’s settle down to business. To- day I am going to tell you the history of some remarkable people. Peggy. Lindbergh? Tommy. Babe Ruth? Larry. Clara Bow? Teacher. History will doubtless speak of these persons as much more wonderful than any you have mentioned. They are the members of the Class of ’29. Jane. Oh they always say that about every class after it has left the school. Teacher. First I’d like to have you copy down the names of the class officers as I have written them on the board. Freshman Year President — Helen Rudman Vice-President — An na Fay Secretary — Robert Greenwood Treasurer — Grace Decker Sophomore Year President — Richard Merrell Treasurer — Clifford Pond Junior Year President — Clifford Pond Vice-President — Catherine Burke Secretary — Ruth Renton Treasurer — Lawrence Roy Senior Year President — Clifford Pond Vice-President— Ruth Renton Secretary — Anna Fay Treasurer — Lawr ence Roy Ruth. That Clifford Pond must have been pretty good to get his name on the famous list so often. Teacher. This class started its High School career in September 1925. While very young and innocent freshmen they were given a Hallowe’en party by the sophomores at which they were duly initiated as the incoming class. Jane. My big sister said that there were ghosts in the halls, people hanging by their hair and everything. [14]

Page 18 text:

basketball floor. For three years Harry Abell twirled the baseball and he was loyally supported by Merrell, Roy, and Pond. Jane. But what about the girls? Teacher. The girls of the Class of ’29 were not far behind in basket- ball, in fact the senior girls alone formed a first-rate basketball team. In one sport they were even ahead of the boys as some of them played field hockey for three years. Peggy. Isn’t there some sort of monument to mark the spot where this class had its home room — like Bunker Hill? Jane. But that is to commemorate a battle. Larry. Oh that is all right. I’ve heard about all the boxing matches that Cud Pond and Charlie Assad had. Teacher. For three years the class sat in Room 15 which used to be the back corner before the addition was built, where they had full benefit of the steam shovel. When the fire occurred next door ’29 had front seats. If the trusty fire chief, Steve Sliech, had been on hand, the destruction of Ely’s chicken coop would have been averted, but as it was, brave Jasper saved the burning ruins. This home room was rather large for such a small select class. There- fore the junior year was enlivened by the presence of ten seniors who were so ready to share their great wisdom, although it wasn’t always appreciated. However, they were forgiven in June and the class worked hard to make a beautiful setting for the 1928 Commencement. Jane. I came to that graduation. The flower garden seemed to be made out of some radiators and Mr. Phelps’ trellises. Teacher. The most exciting event of the last year was the senior play. “The Patsy” was in all ways the most successful senior play ever given in the Agawam High. Doris Parker had the leading role as the lively Patsy and Cud Pond was the hero whom she won in spite of her dear loving sister, Grace, played by Catherine Burke. As mama and papa in family life, Marie Bozenhard and Henry Arnold surely brought down the house. The other parts were taken by Thomas Holmes, Doris Roberts, Napoleon Dupuis, and Harry Patterson. From the profits of this play the Class of ’29 was able to have a wonderful banquet at Hotel Bridgway and to give a fine gift to the school. With the coming of spring the class started to think of the Junior Prom — given in their honor. In honor of the graduating class the juniors made a beautiful canopy of rose and silver to cover the ceiling of the auditorium. The beautiful setting and music made everyone feel that the 1929 Prom rivaled any that had ever been given. The spring term was a busy time for the seniors, as class pictures had to be taken, programs made, lovely new clothes bought, and everything made ready for graduation. In spite of being so busy the seniors had time to regret that their high school career as the Class of ’29 was almost ended. [16] Helex Rudmax