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

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Debra A. Gibbs Pas ‘ : David Gonyeau 125 Breckwood Boulevard Bruce Gilfoil Scott C. Glancy David Goggin ee horus 35 Jumper Drive 187 Dorset Street 269 Harkness Avenue 38 Phoenix Street Classics Club Once Upon A Time ... Wouldn't you like to learn more about Classical besides the faculty and the courses which were offered? Because you were looking ahead most of the time, you probably were not very interested in the historic facts about our school which had no bearing on your future plans. But now that you have had a chance to rest from those college applications, it is fascinating to think about the historic secrets that our school holds. There are a lot of things you may not have known about this time-worn building or about the students of past generations who have attended Classical. The words “High School” are not carved in stone above the main entrance to remind you of the tedious work which awaited you on the inside; it was there to empha- size the fact that in 1898 there was only one high school in Springfield — Classical — which was then called “Central High.”” Central was later renamed Classical in the fall of 1934. The building was first opened in September, 1898 for the general public. In September of 1898, there was a total of 229 students, 104 boys and 125 girls, in addition to 23 teachers. By 1935, enrollment increased to 1,264 students. At that time, there was a lecture room on the third floor in which 250 students could sit, and an observatory tower containing a telescope across from room 3l8 above the room marked conservatory. Our school was changed little by little in order to fit the needs of the growing number of students entering Classi- cal. For example, the lecture room on the third floor was converted to the present study hall, room 323, which now holds only II7 people. In 1898, Arthur A. Adams was mayor of Springfield, and the superintendent of schools was Thomas Balliet. Early in 1899, Mr. Edwin Howlan Blashfield visited Classical’s first . principal, Dr. Fred Washington Atkinson, who held this office from 1894 until 1900. Mr. Blashfield discussed the possibility of painting a mural on the back wall of the stage in the Assembly Hall. In 1900 the school paid him $1500 for painting it, part of which came from the sales of the “Kappa Annual” (at that time Classical’s yearbook). He took a great interest in painting and was awarded medals at two World’s Fairs for his work. The principal who held the longest term was William C. Hill, who worked from 1910 until 1935. He was famous for saying (in the auditorium), ‘‘No one has a right to do that which, if everyone did it, would destroy Society.” If you were not crazy about your school colors “Blue and White,” think of your reaction to some former school colors, blue and orange or olive green and white. The latter was chosen after the colors blue and orange caused some dissatisfaction among the student body. Classical High School was considered the number one school in the entire country. Principal Hill worked very hard to continue Classical’s high standards. The majority of the students entering Classical went on to top Ivy League colleges. In fact, Harvard gave a special plaque to outstanding students — The Harvard Phi Beta Kappa Tro- phy. From the very beginning, Classical has been number one in terms of the excellent education which it has of- fered over many years, and will continue giving students the finest education possible! Susan Hachadourian 83 Woodcrest Road Tracy Harrison Banquet Committee, Blood- 24 Irene Street Lance F. Haverly bank Committee, Prom Band, Cheerleading, Track Committee, Ski Club 100 Clantoy Street Amy Hedeen Band, Gymnastics, Stage 34 Garvey Drive Band Student Patrol Seniors 154 Myrtle Street Victoria L. Henderson 29

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Ann-Marie Frogameni Elizabeth M. Friedman 401 Commonwealth Avenue Mark Gendron ll Packard Avenue Ballot Committee, Prom 122 Knollwood Street Blue € White, Senate Committee, Student Gov- Football, Tennis ernment William Gendron Inna Gerzon 6! Fountain Street 223 Talmadge Drive D ia R. Juliet M. Gouldbourne Richard Gregory st Spear Ay 30 Clark Street 23 Hall Street Afro-Am., Stud : Basketball, Chorus, Track Track nen Stes iS hal |. “High School’ engraved in stone is very prominent above the front door. 2. Gayle Rawson walks down the hall with pride. 3. Benson Lauderdale, Chris Lew- is, and Bridget Morgan are happy to be going to the oldest high school in Springfield. 4. Proof that Classi- cal has been around for a very long time. April B. Griffin Cynthia Grimaldi 252 King Street 205 Fernbank Road Debra A. Guertin Drill Team, Softball Blue White Business 28 Tavistock Street P a Sh G Kim A. Guidi TinaMarie Gurski eat adit een Mark Haapanen | Kevin Harmon 30 Churchill Street Chorus 158 Devens Street Banquet Committee, Ski A.V.A., Prom Committee igh 29 Crowne Street 131 Harkness Avenue 28 Seniors

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Donna Hironen 16 Longhill Street Barry Hervieux 37 Jordon Street Donna M. Higgins 19 Dearborn Street Michael J. Hiney Ilene G. Hollander Page Boulevard 56 Ranney Street Swimming Ski Club Times Of The Seasons September My schedule is so bad this year! I’ve got Math, English, French, and Chemistry all before lunch. | won’t have any appetite after that kind of morning. Mr. Canter said that | should start writing away to the colleges | want to go to for applications. I’m not even sure where | want to go yet. | guess | better get started looking through my college book. October Well, that takes care of my term paper. Now I have to wait for my grade. I’ve decided where | want to go to school next year, but I still have to get those letters sent out. | should start looking for a job so | can pay for college when | get there. | think | heard something about McDon- ald’s needing help. November I’ve gotten three applications in the mail from places that | want to apply, but my mailbox is stuffed full of Denise R. Jordan material from a million other colleges I’ve never heard of. | don’t have the time to read all of it, plus do my home- work and go to work. Boy, am | sorry I got a job. I’m so sick of french fries | could scream. The first marking period is closing soon, and | still have to make up four Latin quizzes. Give me strength! January | have finally sent out my applications, but now I have to worry about financial aid forms. These things are worse than tax forms. I’ll have Dad take care of them. Tomorrow | have to order my cap and gown. Just that alone makes graduation seem so much closer. April | was accepted at three out of the five colleges | applied to, so now | have to decide which one | actually want to attend next September. | don’t even know what | want to major in yet. | don’t want to make the wrong decision. | finally got a date to the prom. | can’t spend a lot on clothes and all that. I’ve only got a little saved up, and the prom is pretty expensive from what I’ve heard. Plus, I’ve still got to buy my banquet ticket. June Graduation is tomorrow! | can’t believe it. I’ve spent so much time worrying about deadlines, applications, and senior activities that | forgot all about graduation. My mother has been looking at me strangely lately and ask- ing me why I had to grow up so quickly. I’m not through growing up yet Mom, but after tomorrow, we'll see. |. Patricia Lee discusses her application deadlines with Mr. Carter and Mr. Wilke. 51 Goldenrod Street Robert C. Keough, Jr. 37 Brookside Circle Drama Club Sheila Kelleher 90 West Alvord Street Edward Karam Mike I. Killoran 53 Woodend Road Afro-Am., Drill Team, A.V.A. Cheerleading, Prom Committee 37 Leslie Street 30 Seniors