High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Interviewing the executives and directors of the Commerce Theatre was not so difficult a feat for even Caduceus Reporter. Some directors were a bit reluctant to answer ques- tions, but all were patient — and they all SMILED! Those reactions seemed a part and pattern of their positions! PRESS REVIEW TOUR The office was naturally the first stop on the tour of Com- merce Theatre. Here Caduceus Reporter was stopped by a long counter, over which smiled the shy face of Miss Curran, our deceptively mild truant officer. When asked whether she would reveal her secret method of detecting truants, Miss Curran, with a twinkle in her eyes, stated, “If I should reveal my methods, how could I possibly continue with my mission? Truancy isn’t amusing; it’s seri- ous. However, offenders do not usually repeat, and their parents have been very cooperative.” Seated quietly at her typewriter, Executive Smith’s private secretary, Miss Humberston, commented, ““Most of my work is along the secretarial line. However, I have become ac- quainted with some of the pupils who come to me for club- room advice or assignments. Then, too, at the counter I daily answer various questions, and try to solve many problems. In this way, I do become acquainted with the interesting per- sonalities of the different pupils here in Commerce.” Last—but far from least!—of the office force was Execu- tive Miss Danforth, who repeated in her business-like ex- ecutive manner, “What can I tell you about my twenty-five years of ordering class rings? In the beginning we had only class pins, which sold at $1.50 to $2.50. A few years later, came class rings. “Tn the early winter of this year, about 178 rings were sold. The pupils asked for them so fast that I didn’t even have the time to raise my head. I was greatly troubled when many of the girls requested boys’ rings which look so out of pro- portion on a girl’s dainty hand.” After her twenty-five years of ordering class rings, Miss Danforth could still manage a smile! CELEBRITIES UPPER RIGHT — Russell L. Williams, Acting Assistant Prin- cipal; Stanley O. Smith, Princi- pal. . . . RIGHT—Helen M. Humberston, Alice F. Dan- forth, Evelyn L. Curran, Secrte- taries, EXECUTIVES TAKE A BOW Caduceus Reporter next passed through the door at the left of the office and on into the sanctuary of Chief Execu- tive, Mr. S. O. Smith. Here he was seated with Executive Williams, who looked up from his conference to answer, “Yes, I've derived much pleasure from being Assistant Prin- cipal. It always pleases me when I can be of help to others. Of course some unfavorable aspects are also attached to this position. I miss the close personal contact with a pupil that the schoolroom offers. I really enjoyed watching my boys and girls growing in mind as well as in body.” The climax for Caduceus Reporter was the interview with Chief Executive Smith. Turning in his chair, with eyes fixed in a thoughtful gaze, he paused for a moment before he re- plied, “Well, I do have some doubts about the value of that twenty-five minute first study period. Many pupils still overestimate their ability and leave for this brief time the work that they should have completed at home; in conse- quence, they often go to classes unprepared.” Accompanying these last words with a friendly and know- ing smile, Mr. Smith brought the interview to a close. This concluded Caduceus Reporter’s tour through the Executive Branch of the Commerce Theatre.

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EXECUTIVES AND DIRECTORS Rebecca S. Flagg, Helen M. Lynch, Martha B. Judd, Augustus H. Smith, Charles H. Oswald, James L. Clancey, Dr. Charles R. Gadaire, Charles A. REAR ROW. Campbell, Genieve M. Allen, Will W. Macalpine, Grace L. Bulkeley. . . FOURTH ROW—Anna S. Danforth, Hilda H. Madsen, Dora M. Briggs, Marion H. Davis, Evelyn L. Curran, Helen M. Humberston, Clarence I. Chatto, Leslie S. Shipway, Harold W. Jones, Dr. F. Anthony Viggiano, Harold E. Taylor. . . . THIRD ROW— Natalie Clark, Helen G. Flynn, L. Frances Tourtellotte, Madeline C, Hunt, Janet E. Scott, Bernice White, Catherine C. Moriarty, Winona F. Libby, Frances C. Blakeman, Theresa W. Williams, E. Pearl Davis, Eleanor M. Walker. . . . SECOND.ROW—Edmee Robert, Rena P. Bartlett, H. Elizabeth Phelps, Susan C. Dowd, O. Jean Bell, Sarah A Hillman, Jane M. Roberts, Mildred B. Jenks, Helen E. Parker, Alice F. Danforth, D. Edward Fenton. . . . FRONT ROW —Lloyd H. Hayes, Helen E. Rankin, Mildred L. Kurn, Barbara Hollister, Russell L. Williams, Acting Ass’t Principal; Stanley O. Smith, Principal; Nancy Grose, Alleen E. Hills, William C. Masters, Gilbert C. Walker, G. Donald Melville. M)) e , : ® as suddenly as it had begun, the discussion ended. It was recto Ua OLU moved and seconded that the matter be sent to the com- Caduceus Reporter was excited! She had been chosen to mittee. take notes during a Directors’ Convention—faculty meeting Caduceus Reporter glanced about. Mr. Chatto was deeply to the uninitiated. The Directors were to be photographed engrossed in doodling on paper. Miss Robert’s 100% pos- on the front steps of the Commerce Theatre at 3:13. Im ture had altered; even she was leaning forward, as if hoping mediately afterward, the Convention would convene in 231. to find a little rest on her desk. Forcing her attention back Sisy Then acl HE enliee? WERT hes Dicectors aera hekerine? to the boredom of the meeting, Caduceus Reporter continued Will they drop bits of news, exciting information we’re never her notes. able to hear?” Assistant Executive Williams was now on the floor. Did These questions streamed through the brain of little Cadu- the Directors know that 52% of the Seniors, 37% of the ceus Reporter on October 13, as she strode through the long Juniors, and 15% of the Freshmen were working on the aver- halls. Reaching 231, she moved hesitantly into the room, age of fifteen hours a week, many of them on defense jobs? self-consciously sank into a rear seat, and prepared to take Quietly, every Director listened. Miss Hunt and Miss Briggs copious notes throughout the exciting discussions. sat erect; Miss Rankin swayed sleepily forward. The meeting was opened by Executive Smith. In detail The clock crawled on: 4:30, 4:45, 4:55—at last it was he discussed what should be done with the twenty-five min- ending! One hour and a half on facts and comments about ute study period. . . . Caduceus Reporter sighed, “If you ask me,” she found (“Mercy!”” mused Caduceus Reporter; “we know the an- herself writing, “they make Much Ado About Nothing!” swer to that! Just turn it into an hour and twenty-five Then, quite suddenly, the convention had ended. The minute period! Then we'd get our lessons done!”’) first reporter permitted to attend a Directors’ Convention was But the Directors could not come to so easy a solution. gathering up her papers. “I guess we reporters must inter- Leave it as it is; omit it entirely; divide it between the lunch view every Director if we really want his views and news!” periods; give a longer time between classes: these were only she concluded. a few of the suggestions offered by various members. Then, And they did! [ 10 ]

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The Put Caduceus Reporter next visited the basement rooms. Down in the clubroom, situ- ated in a corner all its own, one of the numerous socials Seated there were several faculty advisers. The usually verbose Dr. Ga- daire seemed rather reticent was in progress. about his extra-curricular du- ties. “Oh, I enjoy Student Council they're such a grand group of young- sters, and they all have the good of their school at heart. We have quite a program in the offing for °44. Their latest contribution is a beautifully bound leather guest book for the servicemen to sign when they return for a visit to their alma mater.” immensely; two guests. In the clubroom was another guest, energetic Miss Robert, Adviser of the Girls’ Athletic Association. “With the com- bined efforts of the members of the G. A. A., and of As- sistant Adviser, Miss Grose, I hope to revive the G.A.A., “T’m especially interested in making the G.A.A. an organization with a true and make it truly democratic,” she asserted. function!” Speaking of sports made Caduceus Reporter decide next to visit the girls’ gymnasium. Miss Grose, adviser of both the Outing and Nisimaha Clubs, cheerfully remarked, “Swimming and archery are my favorites; I like the individual much better than the group sports. I hate baseball! When I was a little girl I was hit in the nose with a baseball,” she laughed. Near Miss Grose stood Miss Hollister, another gym in- structor. Besides being adviser of the cheer leaders, Miss Hollister has coached squad, basketball, hockey, and tennis teams. Perhaps it is her own youth that makes her enjoy her work with girls. “It has been my experience that boys make better cheer leaders than girls,” she afirmed, when questioned, “because the latter are more apt to become emo- tionally upset. Of course boys are more happy-go-lucky than girls, and less sensitive.” REAR—Kathleen Sheehan, Miss Robert, Mrs. Gadaire, Dr. . BELOW—Commerce Bulletin Board. OFF SET! Gadaire. FRONT—George Ahern, Aldo Villani, and Leaning forward in her chair and drawing figures on the blotter in front of her, Mrs. Kurn slowly nodded her head, as her mind traveled back a few years when she, herself, had “Yes, there is a difference between being a pupil and a teacher. How- ever, the fact that I've been mistaken for a pupil so many times really doesn’t bother me. In fact I like it.” been a pupil in the High School of Commerce. Leaving the gym. behind, Caduceus Reporter passed down the corridor. The color and copy on the Commerce Bulletin Board was hidden from view by a crowd of red and white Senior caps. Watching the girls were the advisers of the Commerce paper and Bulletin Board. Cordial Mr. Chatto smiled. paper is sufficient for actual newspaper work, because several of our former pupils are working on newspapers as sports editors, photographers, and proof readers.” “My extra-curricular activities?” Miss Roberts chimed in as she tilted her chair and relaxed. Then a sparkle appeared “Besides my Commerce advisership dur- ing Mr. Chatto’s absence, I also have been chairman of our “T think our students’ experience on the Commerce in her brown eyes. Assembly Committee.” Then she held up a sheaf of ever- present Commerce copy, and vanished up the stairs. Also watching colorful Senior caps were the three Senior Class Advisers. Miss Grace Bulkeley, teacher of Home Management, removed her glasses, dangled them on their long and remarked, “This year, due to so many seniors having after-school jobs, the class has spent chain for a moment, senior apparel. For the first time, they caps and class rings, besides the usual much more money on have purchased crew arm bands.” Few people realize the detailed preparation necessary for our beautiful graduation ceremony as does Miss Anna Dan- forth, Assistant Senior Adviser. “‘There’s no specific tech- nique involved,’ commented this capable Shorthand teacher, her blue eyes thoughtful. “Aware that their parents are ex- pecting a well-organized group, they settle down quickly. We are indeed proud of our graduation exercises.”