Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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24 AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL The first event of the year was the class assembly. The program was entitled “Only Yesterday” and it depicted scenes from the days of old, including the old fashioned school room, dancing, and home scenes. Ethel Smith and Brandon Letellier will show us how they danced the old fashioned waltz. (Rose is seated.) (Ethel and Brandon dance.) Rose Zerra: (Rising.) Again in the fall, talent was needed for the annual operetta, “The Moon Maiden.” Priscilla Stocker played the part of the Moon Maiden and Vincent Gallerani was the Cap- tain. Rita Donais also had an important role. Priscilla Stocker will now show us that her voice has not changed since graduation. She will sing, “The Moon Maiden Song.” (Rose Zerra is seated) (Priscilla walks to front of stage to sing) Rose Zerra: Thank you, Priscilla. Through the efforts of Miss Andrews, the Agawam Mirror was again published after a period of two years. Eighteen members of the Senior Class served on the staff with David Guy as Editor-in-Chief. In December all the grown-up Seniors appeared at the “Kid Party” as little boys and girls ready to play “Hop Scotch.” Charles Jasmin was a perfect Santa Claus. Every- one had a grand time. The Christmas play “Why the Chimes Rang” was given by the Dramatic Club just be- fore Christmas vacation. Phyllis Selwood, Edith Cesan, Vincent Gallerani, Phyllis Gosse- lin and Leonard Carulli had prominent roles. The first event after Christmas was the one-act play contest, which was held at Ag- awam. The schools contending were Agawam, Easthampton and Palmer. The Agawam entry, “Submerged” was a strong contender for the prize, although Palmer took first place honors. Five of the six parts in the Agawam play were taken by Senior boys. The big event of the year for the Seniors was the Senior play. The comedy “Big Hearted Herbert” was chosen as the play to be presented. Ralph Pfersick portrayed a real “grouch,” while Madeline Conte was his long suffering wife. They were ably sup- ported by other members of the cast. The cast of the Senior play will now present a short skit from “Big Hearted Herbert.” (Pose is seated.) (The members of the cast come to the front of the stage and present the skit, then return to their seats.) Rose Zerra: (Rising) The seniors played a great part in the sports of the school this year. David Grimaldi, the captain of the high school team was again chosen on the all- western Massachusetts football team. Bernard Babcock, Aaron Whitlock, Ralph Pfer- sick, Charles Jasmin and Robert Striniste helped Agawam to be a top-notch team. In basketball James Grady and Vincent Masi were important factors in making the Agawam team co-champions in the Valley Wheel. Baseball appealed to David Grimaldi and track to Bernard Babcock, Henry Hermanski, David Grimaldi and James Grady. In the field of girls’ sports, Rose Zerra, Ruth Brown, Edith Cesan, Verna Barton and Carolyn D’Amato received “A’s.” Members of the class shone not only in snorts and dramatics but also in a scholastic way. Almost twenty percent of the class w n the coveted honor of membership in the Pro Merito Society. David Guy acted as president at the state convention of the society held at Agawam in May. In the spring, the Class of 1937 honored the Seniors at a Promenade. The auditorium was made to represent a springtime scene in a warden. Some of the Senior boys were glad of the occasion to show their newly acquired dancing ability.

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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.

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YEAH BOOK 1936 25 The time between Promenade and graduation passed all too quickly. There were Class Night exercises to be prepared, pictures to be taken, year book to be published, new clothes to be bought, and little studying was done. Chairman: Before we knew it, we were no longer Seniors but Alumni. So with sin- cere regret we ended our high school career. (Curtain.) (THE END) By Carolyn D’Amato James Devecchi Prophecy Scene: Dark, black night—thunder, three witches are bending over a steaming caldron. Characters: Representative of the Class of 1936, Simon Ramah; First Witch, Phyllis Sel- wood; Second Witch, Phyllis Gosselin, Third Witch, Edith Cesan. First Witch : (Chuckles softly. Gradually her voice rises to a high cackle. She mo- tions to one of the Witches to bring her the mixing powders.) Simon: (Enters and walks uncertainly toward fire.) First Witch: Who is this mortal who invades our private domain? Simon: Pm sorry, but I was sent here to find the future of the Class of ’36 of the Agawam High School. Second Witch: Why must we be bothered by all these classes every June? If they waited a few years they would know the future. Simon: (Starts to leave.) I’m sorry if I have bothered you. Third Witch: Since you are already here you might as well remain. You might as well know your horrible fate. First Witch: (Mixes powders in caldron.) Hah! The Class of 1936 is beginning to settle down after five years. If ambition is a sign of genius this class certainly has a promising career. Hurry! give me one gallon of ambition. Hah! Hah! we see them after ten years, still filled with youthful enthusiasm and hopes of setting the world on fire with their fame—the fools! (Spitefully.) Give me three pounds of determination! Wait, it is now fifteen years—perhaps I was wrong. They are still pushing on cheer- fully, most of them have good positions, many have gained international fame and still they plod on. Quick! give me a ton of success. Ah, now after twenty years the mist is beginning to clear. I can see them at different occupations. Ah, now I can distinguish them clearly. Why, look in the flame! Witches in chorus: What do you see ? FLASH!! (Flash of lightning and crash of thunder followed by a flash on screen.) “Boyhood pals meet! Chief of Staff Guy has conference with President Gallerani in Executive Office.” Simon: That doesn’t mean Vincent Gallerani and David Guy? Second Witch: You can’t fool the smoke. I can see many members of the class in Washington. Right now Francis Kennedy. Anna Merta and Jane Dunai are taking down notes concerning the interview so that they may give the public the inside story. They are star reporters on the “Sees All, Tells All, Knows Nothing,” daily paper. Moreover Patricia Atwater, as head of the Girl Scouts of America is interviewing the President’s Wife.