Belmont Hill School - Belmont Hill School Yearbook (Belmont, MA)

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Graduating Class of 1949 Through tl1eYears C1943-1949j

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burger, provided a hilarious assembly with his silent quartet, Al Iolson, and an imported organist, Dave Harvey. As a climax to our first half year in the Sixth Form, spikes Downes produced a short quiz for his history classes. After three hours of continuous writing, several members of the class were treated for shock. Realizing he was endangering his popularity, Spike reduced the exam from ten to two pages, but increased the odds of flunking. That, of course, is typical of the man: always willing to help in any way he can! It was this year that the pyramid craze. streaking across the country, suddenly swept through Belmont Hill. Oliver Taylor, having checked the odds, decided he couldn't lose and invested sums in several clubs. May it suflice to say that Ollie is still waiting for that two thousand dollars. The Fred Astaire of the Sixth Form, Tony Ayuso, often inspired many of us with his ability to dance the South American dances. Not only did we have a Fred Astaire but also a sheriff Phil Finn in the person of Dave Biddle. Drizzle, has probably broken more shovels than the rest of the form put together. These are just a few of the many fond mem- ories we have. Lack of space prevents our saying more. And so, as the old adage, All good things must come to an end, so adeptly puts it, we of the class of 1949 suddenly found our stay at Belmont Hill culminating and graduation upon us. Our graduation activities, however, were a fitting climax to our years at School. After the baccalaureate service, the Prize Day exercises, and the Clee Club concert of Thursday, the '49ers and their guests adjourned to Ben Buz- zell's Wigwam for an evening together. Some- how, Messrs. Funk, Fisher, and Whittier found their way into the midst of this select group, but were apprehended as they were filling their pockets at the free lunch table. - Friday morning, our last day as under- graduates of Belmont Hill, was tinged with sadness, for with the presentation of the diplo- mas it finally came home to us that our days on the Hill were at an end and that all that remained now were memories.

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Graduation As in the previous two years, graduation exercises were extended over a two day period. On Thursday morning, June 9, a Baccalaureate service was held in the Chapel for the Sixth Form, their parents, and guests. The Reverend joseph D. Imler of the Bel- mont Methodist Church, an excellent speaker, delivered a truly memorable address on five keys to unlock the potentialities in every human being. Thursday afternoon, Prize Day exercises were held in a large tent placed on the lawn in front of the Field House. Louis B. Carr, of the class of 1933 and vice-presi- dent of the Alumni Association, spoke on the duties of an alumnus of Belmont Hill. He was followed by Leigh Quinn, president of the graduating class, who gave a short ad- dress and presented the class gift, a fund for unrestricted use by the Building Committee. Athletic awards were then announced by the headmaster, and prizes for French, Latin, chemistry, biology, physiography ta new awardj, art, music, and English prose and poetry were presented. The members of the Honor Society were awarded pins, and those boys in the Fifth and Sixth Forms who had been elected to the Cum Laude Society were given keys and scrolls. The Senior Scholar- ship Medal went to Charles Insco Cragg, Ir., While Robert Stanley Blacklow received the junior Scholarship award. Frederick Elvin Daniels, president-elect of next year's Sixth Form, received the Harvard Club of Boston Book Prize for the best all-round boy in Form Five. Edward Leigh Quinn was awarded the Headmasteris Trophy for the boy in the grad- uating class best fulfilling the School's ideals. On Friday morning the Sixth Form assem- bled with their friends and relatives in the tent for the graduation ceremonies. Mr. Hamilton spoke briefly on the duty of the independent school in the community. He then introduced Mr. Francis Keppel, Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Har- vard, Who gave a very interesting and enter- taining address on what to look for in college -and what not to expect. Diplomas were presented to the members of the graduating class by Mr. Henry H. Meyer, President of the Executive Committee of Belmont Hill. The Reverend Mr. Imler gave the benedic- tion to conclude the exercises. Friday evening a supper dance was given by Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton in the tent for the graduating class and their guests. The music was very ably provided by Chappie Amold while all dined sumptuously. As favors gold bracelets with the School seal were given by the graduating class to their guests. The Graduation Prom in the Field House began at nine, with the music again expertly pro- vided by Chappie Arnold and with Arthur McClynn, as usual, taking charge of checking and loose change. The dance, as always, was a huge success with all who attended enjoy- ing themselves immensely. And at one, when the dance was over, all must have agreed that the past two days were ones that would long be remembered by the class of 1949.