Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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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.

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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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26 A G A W A M HIGH SCHOOL Simon: Who is the President's wife ? Third Witch: Don’t ask so many questions. Patricia is taking time off to call on Secretary of Agriculture Richard Taylor. He is quite a lady’s man now, and is often seen with Mary Hart who is a stenographer in the Supreme Court. FLASH ! ! “Ralph Pfersick and Aaron Whitlock, co-inventors of a motorless automobile built for two.” Simon: Why two ? First Witch: One steers and the other pushes. Simon: I bet Aaron does the pushing. Second Witch: Ah, they stop at Daubitz’s garage that specializes in these inventions. Here may be seen Utzinger and Waniewski as mechanics. Ah, another invention ap- pears! For the younger generation Roger Merrell has just made a gadget to do solid ge- ometry homework. All you have to do is press a button and out comes the answer. Third Witch: And June Wheeler, head of the mathematics department at the new Agawam College has just protested to the Supreme Court that this invention creates un- fair competition with the brains of the growing child. She has brought in as witnesses Raymond Crosier, biology professor, and Grace Halladay, social studies teacher, also Mar- jorie Wilcox, Rebecca Fiske, and Phyllis Gosselin, who fear that mechanical devices will soon put them out of a job. First Witch: Caroline D’Amato, gym teacher at Agawam, is of the opinion that the device affords time for physical exercises which is far more important. She is backed in this opinion by Rose Zerra who is captain of the Big League of Women Athletes. FLASH!! “Phyllis Selwood, rising movie actress, startles Hollywood in a costume created by Edith Cesan, famous designer.” Third Witch: Phyllis’ favorite color is Agawam Crimson which has been developed in Simon Ramah’s dye works. Second Witch: Yes, and she often appears at the night club where Alfred Thompkins and his jazz band entertain. At present they are featuring Rita Donais, well known torch singer. She has just introduced a new song, “Don’t Call Me Red, It Makes Me Blue.” Third Witch: Also in Hollywood we have Gordon Wells who is making everyone for- get Clark Gable and Gary Cooper. He makes a good deal of money writing testimonials for soap companies. FLASH!! “Melva Smith startles Court of St. James by introducing latest tap dancing step.” First Witch: She is accompanied by Dorcas Pugh and Jennie Zielinski, her favorite hair dressers, who have created the latest fad in hairdressing called the “Melva Swirl” which can withstand any amount of physical exercise. They are staying at the home of Dueaga Squazza who is secretary to Kind Eiward VIII. Second Witch: This Agawam group recently dined with their old classmate Francis Gensheimer who is on a World tour before settling down in California for a long rest. Simon: He never did quite recover from all the hard work he did in high school. FLASH ! ! “Leonard Carulli and James Grady, who are sailors, are enjoying life in Hawaii.” Simon: I bet Leonard is enjoying the bananas. Third Witch: And I can see Madeline Conte landing on the beach. She flies over every weekend. Simon: But how can she do that? First Witch: Oh, she has a new plane designed by Henry Hermansky. He has made several successful models.