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

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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.”

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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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SORE SD EM See Ao yt Bj biked rac AAR : Oa Wy Bisel ‘ 2g STAGE CREW REAR—Celia Jankowski, Mary Crowley, Muriel Kaye, Rose Biscotti. Kibbe, Ruth Parady. Now Caduceus Reporter questioned the last Assistant Ad- viser, Mrs. Williams, teacher of English. “Do I think there is any correlation between school and home interests? Oh yes! Take, for example, English. It influences the pupils’ choice of leisure reading by aiding them to distinguish be- tween suitable literature and that which has little worth. In the Music, Art, and Home Economic departments the students learn different skills for personal enjoyment.” Doubling back on her freshly-made tracks, Caduceus Re- porter took a short cut through the lunchroom, only to notice a busy group in the G. O. Room. Supervising these activi- ties was that wizard of mathematics, Mr. Walker, who was PRISE S SEGRy ONO TRE Bess FRONT—Muriel asked concerning the duties of the Commerce G. O. accounting classes. The ever-ready smile spread over his face as he replied, “Regu- lar duties of the G. O. accounting classes in- clude the collection of all dues, the recording of these collections on ledger cards, and the distribution of G. O. tickets after each game. The class also takes charge of the distribution of prom and banquet tickets. Another of their responsibilities is the verifying of voting lists ap and nomination blanks for class elections.” ON THE BEAM he, HE4 Also down here, near the boys’ entrance, “OUR ‘2 — was Miss Bell, 114, who was watching the : . photographing of a large placard that was at- TsY %. fe tracting much attention. Miss Bell is very proud of the Home Economics Theater pro- ject, which grew from Helen Langon’s inspira- ii - tion. She took pride in relating the comments from various people. ‘One boy,” she conclud- ed, “is especially interested in the Theater. Being too short, he hopes to gain information on how to grow taller.” It is the guidance in projects such as this one, as well as her excellent teaching, that caused us to regret having Miss Bell leave us last January. Caduceus Reporter proceeded along her merry way to the boys’ gym. His feet on his desk, and leaning back in his chair, likeable Mr. Boyd replied, “Yes, all the calisthenics and drills I give the boys in the gym. classes are a part of the Army and Navy Victory Program; they are actual exer- cises that are given in the armed forces.” After this final interview in the basement, Caduceus Re- porter enthusiastically sprinted ahead to seek new mystery and adventures on the first floor. G. O. AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS A crowd of G. O. Agents pay their dues, as Jacqueline McDonald, Isabel Gibson, Eleanor Reseigne, and Rena Bracci record sales on tabulating machines.