Chicopee High School - Memini Yearbook (Chicopee, MA)

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Gail Provost Mary Marotte 18

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JUNIOR YEAR 1974-1975 Junior Year — Safe Year. Close enough to graduation to anticipate it, yet not close enough to fear it. Finally sitting on the upperclass side of gym, knowing the ropes, and out-yelling the sophomores at rallies were all trademarks of our next-to-last year in high school. For the Class of 1976, the ’74- 75 school year included the traditional activities usually associated with juniorhood. The Senior-Junior Cotillion, the Junior Prom, the magazine drive, and our defeat by the Seniors in the Powder Puff Football Game fulfilled our list of expected school functions. Speaking of the school in general, the year was a busy one. In sports, it was an “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” year as the soccer, football, basketball, and baseball teams all did remarkably well yet just missed winning their respective Western Mass titles. In fact, it was “The Year of the Female with the Girls’ Softball Team capturing our sole Western Mass Trophy. With varying degrees of participation from the ’76 class, the other members of the school carried out their activities: the Sophomore candy sale, the Senior Class Play, the Spaghetti Supper, Senior week including the Greaser Dance, and the com- bined efforts which resulted in the Canned Food Drive and the Comp Frolics. On the political side, Chicopee Comp was visited by the Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Michael Dukakis, who delivered a speech and answered the questions of those students and faculty members who attended. Looking back, Junior year was a bustling, basically content- ed period for our class as we awaited the approach of our final year. SENIOR YEAR 1975-1976 Senior Year — Graduation. The culmination of thirteen years of work and growing — the end of public schooling. Although faced with mixed feelings, this last year in high school was packed with activities. As Seniors, we were looked to for leadership, and it seems we provided it. The Canned Food Drive is a prime example — over four thousand cans were contributed by the Senior class alone — more than the other three classes combined. Another first was the Senior Class Plav — a musical. Due to the graduation year — 1976 — the class presented the school with a Bicentennial Flag to be flown under the flag of the United States. Toward the more traditional side, the victory in the Powder Puff Football Game, the Spaghetti Supper, and other Senior activities were carried out with a good measure of efficiency and fun. Politics came to Comp when selected students were permitted to go to Westover Air Force Base to see President Ford when he came through the area. In the world of sports, the ’75-’76 season was disappointing as far as records are concerned. Perhaps because of this, the emphasis shifted toward enjoyment of the sport rather than the victory-is-all philosophy. Though many members of the 76 class complained ot terrible cases of Seniorites and some declared that the year couldn’t end soon enough, our time as Seniors sped by. After thirteen years of classes and homework, the United States government proclaimed us old enough and wise enough to become full-fledged members of our society. If it is true that the past is indicative of the future, the members of the Ghicopee Comprehensive High School Glass of 1976 appear to be heading toward an affluent and fulfilling tomorrow. 17

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Kathleen Shevlin Raymond Chelte The Class of 1976 has to be the most excellent group of students that Comprehensive has ever had in its history. No other class has demonstrated the spirit, cohesiveness, and drive that bonds a group together like the senior class has exercised during their years at Comp. They have more than proven responsibility, awareness, and a feeling that far surpasses any other class. Our feelings of being a part of and belonging to this class cannot be placed into words, because it is a gut feeling from deep within ourselves. We are very proud to be advisors and will always feel as an integral part of this class while they are here and after they leave Comp. In fact, when they graduate, a large part of us will leave with them. Also, there will never be another group of students that will compare to their feelings for the school, the community, and a part of society as the Class of ’76. Kathleen Shevlin and Raymond Chelte 19