Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

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class prophecy-college preparatory class The conductor tapped me gently on the shoulder. Excuse me. Miss, but would you like to read a copy of the Bristol 'Phoenix' while you wait ior the train to start? I thanked him, and began scanning the headlines: Bristol Celebrates its Three Hundredth Year — Many Celebrities Present for Events. Why of course, I thought to myself, it's 1980 — twenty-five years have flown by since our graduation from Colt. I heard a shout of All aboard and glanced out of the window. There was on attractive blonde woman and, I supposed, her teen-age daughter running toward the train. They came into our car and sat opposite me. I couldn't help noticing their very chic attire, for being in the fashion world myself, I was conscious of clothes on other women. How familiar the woman's voice was to mel I kept reading but could not concentrate. All at once the woman asked politely if she could have a page of the Phoenix to read, for she, too, was on her way to the celebration. Why, BARBARA BALZANOI Of coursel Her daughter was the very image of Barbara in her high school days. We talked continuously from Union Station to the depot in Bristol. I explained that I was on a month's vacation and had just returned from France, where I had been working as the Paris editor of Harper's Bazaar. Barbara told me that she had divorced her first husband, who was president of the Texaco Oil Company and was now living quite comfortably with her debutante daughter in a Fifth Avenue penthouse. It was rumored that she hod been seen at the Stork Club with the owner of the Modeling Agency where she had been modeling mother-daughter fashions, but she flatly denied any romantic intentions. Strictly a business venturel she declared. We both were pleased to read in the list of celebrities in the Phoenix, the name of one of our former classmates, VIRGINIA BERNARD. She had become a world-famous scientist, having discovered the fifth dimension. She was doing important research at Columbia University for the government, but had taken a few days off to come to the celebration. According to the personal interview written up in the newspaper, Ginny was giving credit for all her success to Mr. Securo for giving her an excellent preparation while at Colt. We also noted that the governor of Rhode Island would be making a speech this afternoon. Barbara and I were really looking forward to this, for his Honor was none other than the inimitable — EDDIE CORDEIRO. He always was called Big Ed, I recalled. The train pulled into the station and Barbara and I promised to see each other at the reunion being held the following day. I carefully checked the schedule and saw that a regatta was about to get under way. I had always enjoyed sailing immensely, so I taxied to the Yacht Club. A great multitude was gathered on the pier and on the upper terrace of the club. On the end of the pier I noticed a particularly large group that appeared to be watching something other thon the races. Nearing the edge of the crowd I saw what it was that was attracting so much attention. A grey-haired, but comparatively young, handsome man was seated before an easel, painting a scene of sailboats in the harbor. He wore faded dungarees and a plaid shirt, as well as a pair of well-worn sneakers. Like a typical Provincetown artist he was smoking a pipe, and appeared quite unruffled and nonchalant about the many persons crowded around him. Putting the finishing touches on the painting with his brush, he signed his name at the bottom — CHARLES OULLETTE. I guess those many hours in Miss Nerone's art classes did have some marked effect on Charlie. I then focused my attention on the White Caps which were about to start. One led all the rest, and using a small pair of binoculars I could see that the skipper was a distinguished fair-haired yachtsman. I turned to the person beside me and inquired about him. As I had guessed it was RALPH LARSON. He had taken over the Herreshoff Boat Yard and was specializing in White Caps and luxurious, streamlined, and well-equipped quahog boats. By this time the boats were well on their way, so I thought I would go into the Club for some refreshments. There was quite a stir of excitement in the parking lot next to the building. A long, chauffeur-driven, foreign sports car had just pulled up. Several body guards got out and a pretty woman on the arm of her husband, who was wearing a white uniform covered with gold braid and medals. From the whispers about me, I surmised that this was the Count and Countess of Orange in the Netherlands. To my complete amazement and probably even more surprising to the crowd, the Countess rushed toward me and cried out a greeting. It was JUNE HADFIELDI We had so much to talk about but above all I wanted to hear how she had ever become a Countessl June explained that she had met her husband through a young Dutchman who had been visiting the Price family. June and I then wandered onto the terrace for a cooling lemonade, and to talk over old times in our high school days. We were greatly amused by a delegation of kindergarten children playing tag on the lawn. Their teacher, a matronly woman in her forties, was good-naturedly playing ball with one of her charges. In a wild throw the ball bounced under our table and she came to retrieve it. June and I exchanged perplexed looks, then in one breath exclaimed, MARLENEI So it wasl She looked up in surprise, and at our invitation joined us for a cool drink. Marlene laughingly described RAWSON'S DELIVERY SERVICE. It seems that every morning she drives a large comfortable truck around town, picking up her children, who then spend the remainder of the day at her nursery school. She also blushingly admitted that ten of her former pupils were her own children. We were curious about some other of our classmates who had remained in Bristol. Marl obligingly told us that KEITH LUTHER and JAMES TERRA, having successfully completed an agricultural course at R. I. U. had become partners in scientific farming. They now were coowners of Colt Farm and both quite happily married to local girls. TOMMY MANCINI had become nationally famous. He was a daredevil unicycle artist and had his own carnival, which 28

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 and in the beautifully decorated Colt Auditorium all danced to the music of Al Rosen. The soft lights and charming music made the evening go by too quickly. We started to look forward to our summer vacation which would be our last one from Colt. Before we knew it September was here again and we were back at school, we the mighty seniors. The class held its first meeting soon after the opening date for the election of officers. They were: President, Santa Matrone; Vice President, James Ferreira; Treasurer, Nancy Mascena; and I, Edith Anderton, Secretary. Elected to the executive committee were: Mary Ann Marabello, Marklyn Trainor, Joseph Vaccaro, John Furtado, and Robert Paiva. In October were received our class rings and made sure that everyone, especially the underclassmen, saw them. The busy days passed quickly and class pictures were the next step on that long ladder leading to graduation. In December, the pupils were chosen for their ports in the class play, Girl Crazy, which was held on February 3rd and 4th. The play was very successful as was the operetta presented, under the patient and capable direction of Mrs. Donovan, on April 14th and 15th. June was upon us all too soon and then it was Class Day, the day the wills, prophesies, and history were read revealing our innermost secrets and ambitions. The banquet was held that night and the food disappeared almost as soon as it was placed on the tables. Then, at last, the big moment arrived — that moment that every student looks forward to, some with regret, others with great rejoicing — Graduation. The members of the senior class were very solemn that night as they sat on the stage and heard the first strains of Alma Mater. They tried to fight back the lumps that rose in their throats. On Friday night the Senior Reception was held. Everyone was dressed in graduation finery. This would be the last time the class would meet as a group. After the dance the members of the class of 1955 separated — each to go his own way. EDITH ANDERTON senior calendar Sept. 13 — Delayed by Hurricane Carol, 97 water-soaked seniors returned for their last joyous (?) year! Sept. 25 — First league football game — Pawtucket Voke. The team is red hot! Oct. 21 — Get out the gold polish, mother! Senior rings have arrived. Nov. 20 — Last league game — Barrington — The team is ice cold! Nov. 23 — Boys in suits?! Must be senior class pictures. Dec. 22 — Christmas doings and Dixieland! Students itchy for dismissal bell. Jan. 3 — Sentenced to six more months of hard labor. Jan. 25 — Burning the midnight oil — EXAMS!!! Feb. 3 — Prospective Audrey Hepburns and Gregory Pecks perform. Feb. 22 — Time off for good (?) behavior. March — ? April — Mortgage the house. Dad; Junior Prom is coming. May — Germ attacks high school students — Spring Fever! June 14 — Last chance for diploma — Final Exams! June 23 — (Two hours before Graduation) Say have you learned the words to the 'Alma Mater' yet? June 24 — Seniors rise in the cold dawn for Graduation pictures. Several deep sighs of relief issued from faculty. 27

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trained in the winter months on the Bristol Common. Marlene urged us not to miss his oct. I silently thought to myself, If only Mr. Capone could see him nowl How about VIRGINIA DEITORO? June inquired. Oh, she is the manager of Mama Mia's Used Car Loti Ginger greets each potential customer personally, serving them pizza and coffee. Needless to say, Mamma Mia's is a very popular place. She's sold a great number of cars too — all with built-in cushioning ' I was fascinated to hear about all of my friends, but the next race was about to begin, so we reluctantly left Marlene with her forty children and walked out on the pier. The beetle class was under way and the woman beside us seemed unduly excited. She peered anxiously through the field glasses and called encouragement to several small boys that were skippering. ANGELA PANZARELLAI Why this certainly is a surprise! The woman turned, a bit puzzled at first, but at lost she recognized us. We were only too anxious to know the reason for all her concern for the beetle doss. Haven't you heard of the Mt. Hope Prep School for Boys, and their champion racing crews? She was astounded. My old friend WALTER YOUNG had founded this private school on the HaffenrofFer estate, and Angela was hired as chief cook ond dietician. I wondered ond with a smile if this prep school resembled that one Walt had mentally designed during geometry periods. We learned from Angela that JOSEPH MOTTA had attained the position of Chief of the Narragonsett Council of Boy Scouts ond was personally conducting a troop of Scouts in every parade. Angela began ogain to shout words of encouragement to the boys but something appeared to be interfering with the race. A fabulous, luxurious launch had come steaming ocross the course. It was unmistakably VAN LEAHY, the famous heart-throb of Hollywood, who wos summering in Newport at his estate, but decided to come up for the regatta. He couldn't have caused a greater sensationl On the deck, among the many bathing beauties, were the famed producer of Van's latest film, and the producer's wife, NATALIE D RISA, the vivacious Spanish actress. June ond I could hardly wait to talk to John ond Nat — they were so successful in our class ploy, we imagined that they were in the Cadillac — swimming pool category by nowl The launch was moored next to the Yacht Club, ond the celebrities disembarked amidst a flurry of excitement. Nat was exotically attired in a bright sarong-type afternoon dress and straw sandals. Of course she had dark glasses, to ochieve the movie star effect. As John (or I should say, Von ), stepped smiling onto the pier, two starry-eyed teen-ogers swayed, and one promptly fainted. It might have been the heat, I explained to the Navy nurse with a wink. She turned and smiled, and I immediately recognized her as JEANETTE FOTII She quickly rushed to the aid of the embarrassed girl, and then told me that she had to report to her C. O., a lieutenant commander. Jeanette thought we would like to meet her, so we followed her into the club. There sat MARKLYN TRAINOR, looking very trim in her Wave uniform. I congratulated Markie on her successful career ond the distinguished rank she hod attained. We sot down with our two friends to hear about their travels. Markie told us that she and Jeanette had been sent on a Pacific cruise for a few weeks and had quite an amusing experience. One evening they had stopped at an island and went into the town for a local dance. Whom should they find instructing the natives in the latest jitterbug steps, but EDNA VERMETTE! She hod married on officer in the Air Force ond they were stationed in the Hurricane Islands of the Pacific. By some strange coincidence, their island was called Hurricane Ednal The Countess and I reluctantly left Markie ond Jeanette and tried again to watch the sailing. The roces were all very close and we were disappointed when the lost boot finally crossed the finish-line. The committee boat came in next to the dock to ollow the commodore of the Yacht Club and his socially prominent wife to step off. The wife was, to our amazement, EMILY GARVIN! We greeted her warmly and she graciously invited us to be her guests at the reception to be held in honor of the racing champions. The reception was a gala offoir. To our great delight even the governor and his party arrived on the scene. Eddie came over to talk with us awhile about the big-scoop at the capitol. He had his private secretary along with him — ELAINE SOUSAI She hod accepted this position after working for several years as a nurse and receptionist to a physiciatrist. She and the doctor were very happily married and had three well-adjusted children. Eddie also hod one of his aides with him — the chairman of the workmen's compensation board, CHARLES RAIOLA. Charlie and Eddie were planning a campaign for re-election this fall. June, or I should say, the Countess ond I mingled with the crowd, meeting old friends, and talking about old times. In the course of our conversations we heard that Suzanne Rene hod become a very successful portrait artist and traveled all over the world painting famous government officials, debutantes, ond royalty. A group of committeemen were in a heated discussion obout the condition of Bristol s streets for the parade to be held the next day. As I understood it, JOSEPH REGO and A. J. NUNES Construction Company hod just begun a project to narrow Hope Street and beautify the town by planting trees. The line of march would hove to be completely altered to allow for the tearing up of the business district. Hoping they would soon find a solution to the fo-miliar problem, we left the committee. As we left the Club, June and I were drawn into o huge crowd which had gathered around two elephants - one twice the size of the other. Astride the smaller beast was SANDY PAGANO, wearing khaki Bermuda shorts and o khaki shirt. She wore dork glasses ond was carrying a clip board and pencil. Looking up we saw a small, suave gentleman, similarly dressed, but wearing a pith helmet ond rifle. CARLTON PINHEIROII The very picture of a wild-game hunter in Africa ond as Sandy explained it, she octed as his girl Friday, keeping on accurate account of the animals he had bagged. This certainly was the climax of an exciting day. I have my doubts about tomorrow! JANET K. JANNSEN 29