Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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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.

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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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Y EAR BOOK 1936 27 Second Witch: Madeline seems to be greatly excited. She's telling them that she has seen David Novelli on the way over. He is a hermit living on a lonely island off the coast of California. FLASH ! ! “Bernard Babcock, coach of professional team, creates astonishing costumes for football players!” Third Witch: Bob Strniste and David Grimaldi, the mainstays of the team, find the costumes very comfortable as well as becoming. Their home park is the old Agawam race track, which has been remodeled by Brandon Letellier, civil engineer. For refreshments stop at the Louis Petersoli Soda Booth and refresh yourself by tasting the Petersoli Special. He is running in competition to Frances Wheeler and Fred Thormeyer. The athletes are giving a series of night games by using the excellent lighting system installed by Joseph Figiel and Robert Costine. FLASH!! “Agawam trio stars on radio.” First Witch: Rita Galvin, Anna Massa, and Clara Vergnani, sponsored by Vincent Masi's Large Loaf Company, rival Grade Allen and George Bums' Program. Their pro- gram follows the Ford Sunday Evening hour which is featuring Priscilla Stocker, talented opera singer. She is accompanied by Doris Rouillard, concert pianist. They are under the very efficient management of Ethel Smith, who has just resigned from the position of public accountant. First Witch: Ruth Brown has refused vo consider a radio career and prefers to re- main in the church choir along with Ruth Otis, Helen Burnham and Jean Grout. Perhaps the handsome minister has something to do with it. FLASH!! “U. S. Joins the League of Nations due to the efforts of Verna Barton.” Second Witch. Verna has charge of the health division of the League because of her excellent reputation as a doctor. She has put the problem of research in Central Africa in the hands of Rita Balboni, Rena Montagna and Theresa Montagna, who have proved themselves capable nurses. Eddie Burke, research chemist, has just turned over to the League his solution which destroys all poisonous gases. He has been given the Noble peace prize for his excellent work. Third Witch: Ethel Jacques is also in Geneva. She has just opened up a book shop in which she is featuring Corinne Roberts’ book of poems. Corinne is the leading poetess of her day. FLASH ! ! “Charles Jasmin suggests Wall Street life for reducing.” First Witch: Charles is leading such a strenuous life as broker, he has lost fifty pounds in two weeks. Second Witch: Three of his secretaries, Margaret Keeley, Louisa Graziano and Rose Mason, have already resigned from overwork, but Elisabeth Wieland and Catherine Shaer. his present secretaries, are still going strong. Third Witch: Charles is quite a power in the Connecticut Valley. He is gradually getting control of the newspapers and has made James Devecchi president of the Shop- ping News. Jimmy has recently put out an illustrated edition in which Barbara Bailey and Helen Rachek did some excellent art work. FLASH!! “Agawam elects first selectwoman, Barbara Talmadge.” First Witch: She ran on the platform to abolish homework in the High School. Second Witch: Janet Baker has proved a very able campaign manager. Simon: Has every member of the Class achieved wealth or fame? Third Witch: In contrast to all these other classmates Carl Mitchell is leading the carefree life of a fisherman on the banks of the Agawam River. Simon: Yes, and I bet he has the most fun, too. By Phyllis Selwood Simon Ramah