Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 22 text:

MR. FINN In 110, dwells an honored personage whom every Class- ical student or graduate holds in high regard. Into this “Sanctum Sanctorum’ go students troubled by changes of program, puzzled by a choice of college, disturbed over bad marks, or just for friendly advice. There, as if by magic, all their problems are expertly solved with wise and patient guidance. This worker of miracles is none other than our own kindly and gifted counselor, Mr. Finn. MRS. BEMIS Many a Classical student owes the success of his pro- gram to our experienced counselor in 109. Mrs. Bemis, with patience and wise counsel, has guided both students and graduates to finer and higher goals. Alumni can not fully remember Classical without first recalling the warmth and sincerity of her character. 18

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MIDDLE AGES MADE YOUNGER Many of my memories of the Middle Ages spring, armor-clad and trumpet-blaring, as yours do, from the pages of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, required reading in my high-school days as in yours. A little heavy on the side of romance, a little over-sweet in simile, the dylls still give out with plenty of knights and ladies, bowers and battles, shouts of victory and groans of defeat. Once in a while I have been tempted to bring a favorite passage down to date. Do you remember that pretty scene in “Launcelot and Elaine’ where the Lily Maid of Astolat shuts herself in a tower and gazes at Launcelot’s shield, imagining how each mark has been made upon it? “Now made a pretty history to herself Of every dent a sword had beaten in it, And every scratch a lance had made upon it, Conjecturing when and where...” What melancholy fun, reading history in the bumps on a beloved warriors shield! But let’s modernize it. Many of us have our bat- tered metal relics, which by the dents indelibly engraved on their surfaces, suggest to us the impacts of events past. So — The Senior rose him early every morn, Left household and sweet family, and went To the garage, and backing out his car, Gaz'd at its peeling sides, and so recalled The many times this noble chariot Had met the foe and conquered, yet escaped Not quite unscathed. And thus he sadly mused, Making a pretty history to himself, Of every bump a swipe had beaten in it And every scratch a curb had made upon it, Remembering when and where and how and why. This dent is fresh; that one year back; this scratch Dealt me at Riverside, and this at home When once I backed from out her drive too soon, [All heedless of Sir Walmer’s sage advice!] Still nectar-drugged from my dear lady’s lips. And ah God’s mercy, what a stroke was there, Which crumpled up two fenders and a hood, [Riding I was with no mind to the road, But all my thoughts on love's most jolly jousts. | It might have fatal proved, had we not chanced To roll us over in a new-ploughed field And thus were saved! Ecod, methinks it well That good King Harry hath the roads so paved That all his subjects may ride along With little care for troubles on the way; And sing a merry roundelay forsooth The while they bring the rude pedestrian down. BELDING F. JACKSON i

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MISS STONE AND MISS FOOTMAN Elizabeth Stone and Margaret Footman are among those who work behind the scenes to keep the daily life at Classical running smoothly. As secretaries in Room 105, their responsibilities include manage- ment of college transcripts, attendance records, correspondence, and supplies. We greatly appreciate the vital services rendered by our genial and efficient senior secretaries. ELIZABETH STONE and MARGARET FOOTMAN MISS COOTE AND MISS LUCAS Barbara Coote and Evelyn Lucas, secre- taries in Room 107, feel certain that all problems which don’t reach the Student Government room eventually come to the school office. Students, teachers, parents, visitors — all seek office assistance. Even on normal days, problems arrive about three times as fast as they can be handled. Classical gives praise and thanks to Miss Lucas and Miss Coote for their patience, helpfulness and understanding. EVELYN LUCAS and BARBARA COOTE 19