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

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puAL CONTROL . ‘DRIVER TRAINING CAR ABOVE: Melody Eaton (class of ’66) with the fierce school mascot of 1950. BELOW: Mrs. Southworth (top as a student in 1965, and again (bottom) as principal of Classical now. By the late 1940’s, most families broken up by World War II had been reunited, sparking the largest “baby-boom” the Unit- ed States had ever seen. This decade at Classical ended with a feeling of together- ness, and the teenagers of this generation shared a general sense of cameraderie. The happiness of the 1940’s carried through to the 1950’s, inspiring the begin- nings of rock and roll. Although the Korean War began in 1950, most of the teens of this time were too naive to understand the poli- tics of the war. Classical students spent most of their free time enjoying life. After classes ended for the day, the average high school student would walk to the soda-foun- tain of the nearest store, such as Breck wood Drugs or McClellan’s 5 and 10, for a cherry cola or a malt. Many young ladies would rush home to catch up on their favorite “soaps,” which were new to television in the ’50’s. In the evening, Classical teenagers would tune in to “American Bandstand”, the television show hosted by the ever-pop- ular and ever-youthful Dick Clark. The teenagers of this era stayed in shape by Driver’s Ed was the most popular class in 1948. hula-hooping, bowling, and twisting to the latest hits by Elvis, Dion, and Fabian. In the Springfield area, roller-skating at Riverside was a popular pastime. The teenagers of this decade indulged in good natured, fam- ily-oriented fun. The innocent youths of the 1950’s evolved into the politically active youths of the 1960’s. In 1963, the assassination of John F. Kennedy threw the entire country into tur- moil. Kennedy had been admired by many young people; he had served as a role mo- del, with his charisma and success acting as an inspiration for all. His death shocked and angered many people, and teenagers felt a deep sense of loss and hopelessness. The murder of President Kennedy marked the beginning of a period of great unrest and anti-establishment feelings among Ameri- can youths. Teenagers became involved in protests advocating civil rights and de- nouncing the involvement of American sol- diers in Vietnam. These students grew more independent of their families and eventually became the “hippies” of the late ’°60’s and early ’70’s. History 1x

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Viii Let’s hear it for Classical! The years 1927 to 1946 were in an era of hard times for teenagers. With the sudden stock market crash, the United States was thrown into a harsh depression. Students were forced to find jobs in order to keep up their family incomes. Despite these trou- bles, teenagers found a way to set their own styles and images for the time in which they lived. One style of the time was the preppy look: guys wearing slacks, sweaters, ties, sports coats, and shined shoes. They accentuated the “neat” look of the time by wearing their hair slicked back. The trendy girls wore full woolen skirts, sweaters, and numerous wire bracelets, similar to those popular today. Their trendy styles were highlighted by bright red lips and nails. Every girl was sure to have a shiny new penny in her pen- ny loafers, so as not to be out of place in the school. Flapper dancers were the rage of the day. History in 1929 and today. Students gathered at Classical dances to bop to the Charleston and to sway to the sounds of their idol, Frank Sinatra. There was a lot of school spirit during these times. A Classical football game or soccer game would always be crowded with screaming, supportive fans. The social uproar of this era was the new teenage fascination with cars. The particu- lar attraction of these vehicles was the rum- ble seat, which served its purpose when teenage boys went parking with their girl- friends in Forest Park. The era ended with World War II. Teen- agers were very patriotic. They had a deep respect for soldiers; some teenagers signed up to defend the United States before they were old enough to be drafted. In this era teenagers were very sincere and helpful to their families and country. These qualities in the students would continue for the years to come. TOP: Looking their best on prom night. ABOVE: Out on a Saturday night. BELOW: Theodore Bleau

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The Blue and White staff of 1960. he ee ae Throughout the years at Classical High School many things have changed, and many things have come and gone. One tra- dition, however, has always remained the same: excellence. In the students, the facul- ty, and the curriculum, there has always been a tradition of excellence that can nev- er be taken away from Classical’s reputa- tion. Classical has always turned out the best in its literary works. The Blue and White staff won high awards in 1958, 1960, and 1979-84 from the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association for an excep- tionally well-written and well-put-together yearbook. In 1947, 1961, 1967, 1968, and 1969, the Recorder staff won the same award for the photographic make-up and editorials found in its newspaper. And of course, this year Classical’s English depart- ment was commended for being a center of excellence in the nation. On another scale of excellence, our Sci- ence and Math departments have been com- mended many times for their achievements. In 1962, Classical’s physics program re- ceived high praise from Professor Roy S. Anderson, the head of the physics depart- ment at Clark University. Once in 1965 and twice in 1968, Classical won first place in the Western Mass. Mathematics League competition. In addition to getting awards in specific areas, Classical is known for turning out students who are gifted in all areas of edu- cation. For many years, students have been inducted into the William C. Hill chapter of the National Honor Society. History = ‘ Pr % ee i - ee 4 Pee ABOVE: Some members of the Recorder staff of 1968. BELOW: Ms. Regina in 1968 (top), and in 1985 (bottom). Classical has always had above-average athletes. In 1980, the Classical foofball team was named champion of the Suburban League, and was also the highest-scoring team in Western Massachusetts. The J.V. baseball team was called “‘the best in the league” by coach Keough in 1981 when it finished with a 10-1-1 winning season. Also in 1980, the track team finished with a 10-0 record. Coach McLaughlin was quoted as saying that they were “the best of the best’’. To top it all off, two years in a row, once in 1981 and again in 1982, the wres- tling team was named division champs. We can’t forget this year’s boys’ soccer team, which proudly won the Western Mass. championship. Above all else, perhaps the biggest honor that Classical High School can boast is the permanent holding of the Harvard Plaque. The Harvard Trophy was an award given out every year for ten years to the school with the largest percentage of students on the honor list for the Harvard entrance exam. At the end of the ten years, the school that won the trophy the most was to become the permanent holder of the award. Classical won the award four out of the ten years, and became permanent holder of the plaque. This award can be seen when walk- ing through the front doors of the school. It is truly an honor to be taken seriously. Classical has become quite a school dur- ing its history. We all know its reputation, and we all recognize its excellence. Maybe William C. Hill said it best in 1910 when he stated, “Classical is the best school in the solar system.” Y