Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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The Junior Class

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ether government is character more important than in a democratic country. Desir- able traits of character are not forced upon a citizen by the government; they are self imposed. To fulfill these huge responsibilities and to preserve the countless liberties of a democratic country, education is essential. Education and democracy arc inseparable. The United States leads the world in education. In 1930, our percentage of illiter- ate people was 4.3—a rate lower than that of any other country in the world. Each vear we spend three biilion dollars on education—more than any other country In no other nation are there so many well-equipped public schools, so many colleges and universities as there arc in America. In no other country are there so many scholar- ships granted and loans made for the purpose of furthering education. Thus we see that educational opportunities in America are far superior to those in any other country. In spite of these facts, our educational system is apparently inadequate to fulfill the responsibilities of a democratic country. At this moment some of our countrymen, apparently unable to sec through fallacious propaganda, are being deceived by Com- munist and Nazi agitators within our own borders. Moreover, it is still possible for politicians to sway masses of voters to either side of an issue with a few well-chosen words. Still another problem is the growth of crime. J. Edgar Hoover in his address to the National Fifty Years in Business £lub on May 20, 1939, made the following statements: “The subversive forces of crime are gradually undermining the corner- stone of American Democracy. Every 22 seconds a serious crime is committed in our supposedly civilized land; every day, from dawn to dawn, 33 of our citizens are murdered. There are in America today over 3 6 times more criminals than there are stu.'ents in our colleges and universities; for every school teacher there are 4'4 criminals.” False propaganda, unintelligent voting, and crime—these are only a few problems that challenge our democracy. What are we to do about them? During the 150 years since Washington’s inauguration, our nation has made great progress. Now, 128,000,000 people dwell in a land which extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Transportation has been revolutionized. Great strides have been taken in science, medicine, and invention. With such a heritage of achievement we can face frankly the problems that beset our democracy, confident that in educa- tion wc shall find our best solution. Roland Perusse (With apologies to Charles Dickens) Time: 1950 Scene: In the apartment of Kathleen Norris and Alice Kennedy in New York City (As the curtain rises, Kathleen is reading a book while Alice is manicuring her nails.) Kay: Alice: Whac was that? It’s just someone at the door. It seems to me you’re letting that ghost story run away with you. (She opens the door and admits two old classmates from Agawam.) Why, Kay, it’s Ruth and Norma! It’s years since I’ve seen you two. Hello there! How are you? Oh, we’re fine. We just stopped in for a minute while we wait for train time. But we can stay only a minute. Come in and sit down. (Both sit down.) You should have seen me jump when you knocked at the door. Alice: Kay: Ruth: Alice: Kay:

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Alice: Kay: Alice: Kay: Nonna: Alice: No.ma Alice: Ruth: Kay: Alice: Kay: Ghost: Alice: Ghost: Kay: Ghost: Alice: Ghost: Kay: Ghost: Alice: Kay: Ghost: Kay: A’ice: First Ghost: Kay: Alice: Second Ghost: Kay: Ghost: Alice: Ghost: Kay: Yes! She’s reading a ghost story, and I think she almost believes in them. (Without conviction) No, I don’t, but— Now Kay! Don’t be silly. Everyone knows that there aren't any such things as ghosts. Why no, of course not, but this story is so real I bet if I didn’t have a strong will, I almost could. The class of 1939 certainly was outstanding. I often think of the good times we used to have. Do you ever hear any news of our classmates? Goodness, no. I’m so busy these days I never think of them. In fact, forgot about Agawam long a o. All the things we used to do were so childish. (Weakly) Oh! (There is a moment’s pause. She looks at her watch) My goodness, look at the time! If we don’t go we’ll miss our train. Well, please write to us, and if you are ever in New York again, be sure to stop in to see us. Yes, we will. (Ruth and Norma leave. Alice and Kay resume their previous occupa- tions.) It was certainly good to see them. Yes. I think they resented my not remembering Agawam. It all hap- pened so long ago, I don’t see why they should expect me to remember. (Suddenly a clanking noise is heard. Both girls spring to their feet with eyes fixed on the door.) (Ghost enters.) Who are you ? I am the ghost of the past—of the class of 1939 of the Agawam High School. But what do you want with us? Much! Can you—can you—sit down? Yes, I can sit down. (He moves toward Alive as if to seat himself.) (Quickly moving away.) Oh, don’t! Don’t come near me! You don’t believe in me. Of course we don’t. It must be something we ate that is disagreeing with us. Why are you here? You have grown hardhearted. You never think of the past but only of the present, but I shall try to help you if it is not too late. At the stroke of twelve, you will be visited by four ghosts—the ghosts of your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years in high school. If these ghosts can awake some answering memories, you may be saved. Farewell. (Exit) (Clock strikes) There’s something funny about this, and I— Listen. The clock is striking!! (Ghost enters) I am the ghost of your Freshman year. Do YOU remember who your class officers were that year? I don’t think I remember who they were. Do you, Alice? All I remember is that Harold Coons was our President. And don’t you recall that Sabatina DePalma was Vice-President, Lil- lian Rossi, Secretary, and Clifford Keeney, Treasurer? Mr. Reynolds was your class adviser that year. Don’t you remember how small and unimportant you all felt? (The ghost vanishes.) I didn’t feel unimportant when I received my A that year. And neither did Ruth Babcock, Norma Colli, and Lillian Rossi. Look! He’s gone, and there’s another! (Enter Ghost of Sophomore Year.) I am the ghost of your sophomore year. After a long and leisurely summer you returned to school to start your second year. This year your class adviser was Miss Dickermr.n. Could you tell us who our class officers were that year? Well, at the first class meeting you elected Mitchell Zielinski as Presi- dent, Norma Colli as Vice-President. Sabatina DePalma, Secretary, and Romeo Borgatti, Treasurer. Didn’t we have an operetta that year? Yes. Lelawala was the operetta given that year. Many of your class- showed their singing ability through active parts in this operetta. Oh! I remember what came next! Our Sophomore Party. We cer- tainly had fun that night. Remember how the gymnasium was dec-