Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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Ilazel Bennett James St., Feeding Hills Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Art Club 1. Kenneth Blanchard 49 Royal St., Feeding Hills “Shrimp” Qualify not quantity Pro Merito; Hi-Y Club 3; Aviation Club 3-4; French Club 2-3-4; Senior Play Class History; Latin Club 1. Norma Broggi 181 Springfield St. Feeding Hills “ Norm ie ’ The greater the. obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. Pro Merito; Sportsmanship Brotherhood Award, 3; Alpha Beta Gamma; Secretary of the Agawam Mirror Staff 3-4; Dramatic Club 2-4; Secretary, 4; Class Secretary, 4; Type- writing Contest 2-3-4; Shorthand Contest 3:4; Spelling Con- test 1-2-3-4; French Club 2; Senior Play; Class Will. Angelina Castelli 28 King St., North Agawam “Ang” “ Vour plainness and shortness please me well. Alpha Beta Gamma; Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Dramatic Club 2; French Club 2; Hockey 2-3-4; Basketball 2-3; Usher 3-4; Typewriting Contest 4. Jennie Caruso 206 Suffield St., Agawam “ What men dare, dare I. Glee Club 2-3; Hockey 1-2-3-4; Basketball 2-3-4; Usher 4. Madeline Caruso 206 Suffield St., Agawam “Maddy” “More fun. Hockey 1-2-3-4; Basket lull 2-3-4; Alpha Beta Gamma; Usher 4; Art Club 2-3. Page Six

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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

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Agawam’s standing in the front rank. The reason is leadership. The school committee and Mr. Phelps have chosen wisely in selecting the teachers, staff, and principal of our school. Do we, as students, stop to think why teachers spend hours of their own time to help some of us who slip, finding the way too steep? Why do teachers devote extra time to clubs, plays and assembly programmes, which stimulate an interest in their respective courses? We know these things are not required of them. The answer is obvious; they are here to help us, to prepare us for what may come after high schCjol whether it l e a college or a job. The faculty has our best interests in mind. Our principal has led the way in establishing an efficient system and well balanced programme in the high school. While the football team is winning a championship, the commercial depart- ment is gathering more trophies or the agricultural department is distinguishing itself at a judging contest. The Dramatic club presents such a fine piece of work as “The Valiant”, and the Agawam Mirror wins the highest possible standing in the National Scholastic Critical Survey. The extra- curricula activities are fine, a credit to any school yet they do not crowd scholastic endeavors. Agawam High School has reached the peak in both its scholastic and extra-curricula activities. Such success is only j ossible through a hearty cooperation and understanding of the student body, the faculty, and Mr. Williams. So to the citizens of this town: You have done your part and the school in itself has done its part. Your purjxise in creating this high school is accomplished — you have a means of giving the young people of this town the l est possible preparatory education. Since the school has reached such heights let us, as the students, and you, as the owners, be doubly careful that we do nothing to impair its progress. In the school let the understanding between pupils and faculty be broader. Look to the administration and the faculty not as slave to master but as friend to helper. In the maintenance of the school, think of all the consequences before you make a change in system or cutting down of the administrative force. You will not let desperation displace discretion. You will take this high school system through this i eriod of depression just as Washington led his army through their winter at Valley Forge — with a clear head and a confident spirit. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Parents, Friends of the Class of ’32: We welcome you to the tenth Commencement exercises of Agawam High School. For us this is an occasion for conflicting emotions, sadness and joy: joy because we have now, success- fully completed four years of high school work, joy, because we will l e placed in a new life, offering new opportunities, new possibilities; — sadness because we must leave Agawam I ligh School and all that it has meant to us. The faculty and Mr. Williams have been our “Pathfinders”; we have followed where they have led. Mr. Phelps and the school committee have been the chief navigators; they have laid with discretion the course of this high school system. You, the towns- I eople, have been the sustainance of all. You created this entire system; you supported our every activity here at school. How can this lie but a moment of joy as we realize your interest in us, and a moment of sadness that we have but mere words to express our gratitude? Friends, every member of our class offers his sincere gratitude for what you have done and extends to you the heartiest of welcomes to these our class day exercises. CRFIGHTON ABRAMS Page Seven