Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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Feeding Hills Creighton Abrams Toots “ Hard work is not an obstacle but a step.” Pro Merito; Sportsmanship Brotherhood Award, 3; Class President, 4; Student Council President, 4; The Agawam Mirror Staff I-2-3-4, Editor-in-Chief 4; Latin Club 3-4; Hi-Y 2- 3-4, President, 4; Football 2-3-4, Captain 4; Dramatic Club 3- 4; Senior Play: Class Orator. Vera Alvergini 57 C ooley St. No. Agawam “lUde “All good things come in small packages.” Pro Merito; Alpha Beta Gamma; Student Council Secretary. 4; ('.lee Club 2-3-4; Dramatic Club 2-3-4, President, 4; French Club 2; Class Vice-President, 3; Secretary Athletic Associa- tion. 4; Operetta, 3-4: I’sher 3; Senior Play 4: The Agawam Mirror Staff 4. Philip Arnold 556 Springfield St., Feeding Hills Phil To take things as they be, that’s my philosophy” Senior Play. Mary Barbieri 94 Moore St., No. Agawam .1 . As her oivn simple self, she was best.” Alpha Beta Gamma; Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Dramatic Club 2-3-4; BasketIxiII 1-3; Ojjeretta 2-3; Publicity Manager of Senior Play: I’sher, 3. Charles Benoit 1324 Main St., Agawam Lamie God's gift to women.” Football 1-2-3-4: Basketball 1-2-3-4, Captain, 4; Baseball 2-3-4; Glee Club 2-3; Operetta 2-3; Student Council 3; French Club 4; Hi-Y Club 2-3-4, Secretary 3; Treasurer of Athletic Association 4; Senior Play: (“lass Prophecy. Nancy Biuso 222 SufTield St., Agawam “Reproof on her lips and a smile in her eyes.” Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Art Club 1. Page Pour

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THE FACULTY Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps, Superintendent Mr. F. . Earl Williams, Principal Mrs. Hazel Aldrich Domestic Science Miss Gertrude Belyea Bookkeeping Miss Nelle I. Button English Miss Mary M. Crowley Art Mr. Frederick T. Dacey Manual Training Mrs. Marion Edgell Physical Training and Coach of Girls' Athletics Mr. Allan M. Hadley Science Miss Dorothy H. Lilly English — Year Book Advisor Miss Klaine Mansfield French Miss Clara L. Mclntire Typing and Shorthand Miss Eleanor Miller Latin and Geometry Miss Ruth A. Perry M usic Mrs. Elizabeth B. Pond Economics Miss Katharine M. Phealan History and English Mr. John Quirk Science Miss Eleanor H. Smith Mathematics Mr. Harmon A. Smith Miss Marjorie Ward Physical Training and Coach of Boys' Athletics History Page Three

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THE ORATION CREIGHTON ABRAMS This year commemorates the two hundreth anniversary of the birth of the greatest American, the Father of our country — George Washington — the man who as a boy led his playmates in mimic battles and as a man led a nation in a dreadfully real war. We are all familiar with his exploits. He has been our idol ever since we marched up and down with newspaper hats, a wooden sword, and a tin pan band. Washington’s winter of suffering at Valley Forge with his army stand out vividly in our memory. Congress refused to send men. money, food, and clothing. The states would not give aid unless the war was right in their own backyard. Washington’s men were starving, freezing wretches, sick of war, their goal of independence lost in a fog of suffering. Even in the face of these despairing circumstances Washington's hope and confidence in the future of our United States never faltered. It took a man who did not jump blindly, desperately at each opportunity offered, but a man, who could think clearly, and act sanely, a true patriot to lead the hopeless cause to victory. Now as then the citizens of the United States are engulfed in a depressing atmosphere. We are not fighting a war; we are recovering from one. It has been reported prosperity is just around the corner, but even though Commander Byrd has been as far as the Antartic no one has found the corner. During a period of depression it is only natural for a people to turn and slash expenses on all sides to cut down the cost of living. As the situation assumes a more serious aspect, the slash- ing of expenses becomes more heedless. Desperation replaces discretion. People think not of the consequences of cutting expenses, only that reduction means the spending of less money. As we once played the young “General Washington” now let us adopt his optimism, his confidence in our government, and his attitude of clear thinking. This building is not just a stone structure; it is a lasting, tangible expression of your interest in the future of the younger generation of this town, your sons and daughters. Ours is not a backward community, a township of simple, backsliding, unprogressive countryfolk. It is a community of confident, progressive American citizens. You have, by way of proof, one of the finest high school systems in the State — organized, efficient, modern. It is obvious that you as taxpayers have done your part of the task well. Your interests and efforts have been sincere but to make them successful the school in itself must do half. Has the school in itself responded to your progressive spirit? This question is most clearly and satisfactorily answered by an hasty acquaintance with what is going on in the school. The situation of Agawam High School reminds me of the circumstances of the second Persian invasion upon the Greek peninsula, the events of which come to us through the writings of an early Greek historian, Herodotus. The Athenians, learning of the approach of a horde of Persians, sent to Sparta a plea for aid, but the Spartans sent back word that the moon was not in the right place to fight so they would not come. This discouraged the Athenians not a little; nevertheless under the able leadership of a general, Miltiades, they set out to stop the Persians. The Athenians were a ery patriotic people: they loved their country and they upheld their democratic government: they were fighting for their homes, while on the other side the Persian army consisted of a great number of mercenaries fighting for pay and led by a selfish king. Darius. True; in numbers the Persians were superior but in spirit vastly inferior. Miltiades in a clever maneuver caught the Persians on a narrow strip of Iteach where the force power” of their vast hordes of mercenaries was a hindrance and there he defeated them. Many times larger than ours are the student bodies of the great city high schools. They have larger typing classes from which to choose delegates. Yet at state-wide typing contests Agawam High Schoool representatives win first honors. It is presump- tuous indeed to think that all of the genius lives in Agawam. Yet there must be some reason for Page Five