Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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22 A G A WAM HIGH SCHOOL Chairman: Once more we, the Class of 1936, are assembled—this time in a reunion rather than in a class. It is now 1950, fourteen years after our graduation in 1936. I know that many of us have forgotten the details of those happy days we spent together in the Agawam High School. It is for this reason that we are reunited here this evening. We shall now turn the pages of the calendar back a few years and review the “History of the Class of 1936 ” As a group of young and innocent Freshmen, we started our high school career by running around trying to locate our home rooms. After finding them to be Study Hall and Room 20, with Miss Mansfield and Mrs. Pond as faculty advisors, we settled down to work. At our first class meeting the following officers were chosen: President, Gordon Byrnes; vice president, Dorcas Pugh; secretaiy, Madeline Conte, treasurer, Charles Rivers. David Novelli and Marjorie Wilcox were elected to represent the Freshman Class in the Student Council. In the field of sports we had two promising young stars; David Grimaldi who aided the football team to win the Western Massachusetts Championship, and Carolyn D’Amato who succeeded in fulfilling the requirements to receive an “A” in girls’ sports. This first year in High School was uneventful. The biggest thrill for most of the class came in the last assembly of the year, when Mr. Williams announced that “classes will not meet until September.” After a summer of fun and frolic, we returned to school to carry on our high school career as Sophomores. I, shall now call on Carolyn D’Amato who will give us a brief resume of our second year. (The chairman is seated and Carolyn D’Amato rises to speak.) Carolyn D’Amato: We started our Sophomore year by having as our home room teachers, Miss Phealan, Miss Dickerman, and Miss Mclntire. The following officers were chosen to lead the class: President, Gordon Byrnes; vice president, Patricia Atwater; secretary, Madeline Conte; treasurer, David Novelli. Our Student Council representatives for this year were Mary Hart, Vincent Gallerani, Ernest Copson, and Alfred Tompkins. In the fall the annual operetta which was “Pinafore” took place. Many Sophomores started to develop their musical talent by taking part in the chorus. This year was the start of a series of social events which were to follow in our Junior and Senior years. The class was introduced into society at the Sophomore Party which was held on February 12 in this auditorium. David Grimaldi again succeeded in making the football team as fullback and Bernard Babcock became a team mate. Girls receiving “A’s” were Rose Zerra, Doris Roulliard and Carolyn D’Amato. (Carolyn D’Amato is seated and the chairman rises to speak again.) Chairman: Thank you, Carolyn. Again the members of the class of ’36 enjoyed a fine summer vacation, but Septem- ber rolled around very quickly. We were now Juniors, the year that the social light shines brightest. At this time we shall turn the pages of the calendar back to our junior year with Robert Costine. Robert Costine: (Rising) At the beginning of our Junior year, Miss Dickerman and Miss Mansfield, our faculty advisors, called a class meeting. Gordon Byrnes, our former President, had moved to Florida for his permanent residence. Vincent Gallerani was

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YEAR BOOK 1936 21 yet accustomed ourselves to our highly complex world. In the first place, we are trying to do too much. We are so busy doing everything that we can’t seem to accomplish any- thing. We students have so many interests both in extra school activities and in social life that we are unable to do our best in our classes. We know better, but for some reason or other, we can’t seem to be content to lead our own lives. We are not happy unless we can become heroes, unless we can have a hand in everything, unless we can imitate someone else. Even after leaving school, we continue our haphazard ways. Rather than endeavoring to understand and remedy existing governmental evils, we spend our time ignorantly criticising; wholly indifferent to the call to duty. We know the difference between right and wrong and yet when a problem of social welfare pre- sents itself, we are afraid to express our own opinions and fail to stand for the thing we know to be right. We are actually afraid of being ourselves! So artificial have we become that few of us know when or where to stop. Our nerves are keyed to such a pitch that they refuse to relax: and restlessness, nervousness, and irritibility control our actions. Isn’t it clear that in such a state of mind, we cannot go on molding our nation? For our lives do determine its character. Only with a light heart and a clear head can we begin to tackle the problems and difficulties which help to build a nation of true stability; and until we do accomplish these ends, we are not going to solve our problems. Just as the potter must adhere to certain fundamental principles in the molding of his vase, so must man develop a philosophy regarding his life. The potter must take care that his clay is neither too moist nor too dry, too thick nor too thin, when he subjects his vase to the baking oven. He must be temperate in his pattern, his work- manship, and in his time, if he is to realize perfection. Likewise we must become tem- perate in the use of our time. We must find out what we want to do; then do that one thing and do it well. Only by getting off this merry-go-round of purposeless activity, only by adopting the molder’s philosophy, can we prevent our nation from following the fate of Rome. We must content ourselves with living our own lives according to Van Dyke’s simple creed: Time: 1950. Place: Agawam High School. Scene: A reunion banquet held in the Agawam High School Auditorium by the Class of 1936. The chairman and several other guests are seated at the head table of the banquet hall. Chairman: James Devecchi. Speakers: Carolyn D’Amato, Rose Zerra, Robert Costine. (Chairman is speaking as curtains part.) Let me but live my life from year to year, With forward faces and unreluctant soul. Not hurrying to nor turning from the goal; Not mourning for the things that disappear In the dim past, nor holding back in fear From what the future veils; but with a whole And happy heart, that pays its toll Too Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer. DAVID R. GUY History

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YEAR BOOK 1936 23 chosen to take the position of President. Patricia Atwater and Madeline Conte repeated as Vice President and Secretary respectively. Leonard Carulli became our new Treas- urer. We now had seven new members on the Student Council, with Mary Hart as secre- tary. The Cabaret, which was held in November, started the social activities of the year. The decorations gave the auditorium the appearance of a Cotton Club. A large atten- dance contributed greatly to its success. Rita Donais, David Guy, June Wheeler and Leonard Carulli had prominent roles in the operetta, “The Red Mill.” You must remember Rita's song, “Just Because You’re You,” She has another song for us tonight, “Indian Love Call.” (Costine is seated) (Rita comes to front of stage and sings.) Costine: (Rising) Thank you, Rita. The assembly given by the Junior Class afforded splendid entertainment to the stu- dent body of the school. The stage represented a broadcasting station and events in the past history of the school and the class were presented in a clever and amusing program. I am sure that we all remember the “Children’s Hour” which made such a big hit. In May several members of the class traveled to Northampton Business College to represent the Agawam High School in the annual Commercial contest. Maiy Hart, Jen- nie Zielinski and Leonard Carulli unheM the past reputation of Agawam at this typing contest, and Jane Dunai brought back first place honors in bookkeeping. Then came the gala event of the year, the Junior-Senior Promenade. The auditor- ium was beautifully decorated to represent an Egyptian oasis. The outstanding colors were blue and silver in honor of the class of 1935. Abrahamson and his Commanders pro- vided the music and entertainment. At graduation in June, Mary Hart and Melva Smith acted as Junior Marshals for the Class of 1935. Our own social activities of the year ended with a class picnic at Babb’s Beach, where we all enjoyed a good time. This year the varsity football team had one of its most successful seasons in its his- tory. It brought the Western Massachusetts Championship honors to Agawam for the Second time m three years. David Grimaldi, whose 68 yard run defeated West Spring- field, also had his most successful year. He gained the position of fullback and captain of the Western Massachusetts all-star team. He was also crowned leading scorer of the Valley. Bernard Babcock, Aaron Whitlock, Ralph Pfersick, and Charles Jasmin aided the winning cause. Basketball claimed Bernard Babcock, James Grady, and Vincent Masi, while track, a new sport introduced in the Agawam High School, appealed to Ber- nard Babcock, James Grady, David Grimaldi, and Charles Jasmin. The girls who were honored with “A’s” were Ruth Brown, Verna Barton, June Wheeler, Patricia Atwater, Rose Zerra, and Carolyn D’Amato. (Costine is seated.) Chairman: (Rising) Thank you. Alas! We were Seniors. We now assumed a more dignified air than we had in pre- vious years. Were thrilled by the fact that we were to have the front rows in the Assem- bly. Our last speaker of the evening will be Rose Zerra. She will review for us the long list of events of our Senior Year. (Chairman is seated). Rose Zerra: (Rising) Miss Ward and Miss Smith were appointed our faculty ad- visors for our Senior year. Vincent Gallerani, Patricia Atwater and Madeline Conte were again elected President, Vice President and Secretary. David Novelli was elected Treas- urer. The Student Council elected David Guy, President, and Mary Hart retained her posi- tion as Secretary. The other Senior members were Simon Ramah, Raymond Crosier, Vin- cent Gallerani, Phyllis Gosselin, and Ethel Smith.