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

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LITERARY TREASURES Traditionally and necessarily quiet, the library engulfs the accumulated books, literature, and periodicals that supply Our literary storehouse always has been the best equipped of any Spring- field high school. For thirty years — originally directed by Miss Sinsabaugh and now by Miss Libby — the library has collected the vast knowledge it retains for everyone’s use. energetic Commerce students with knowledge. To those students who make the library a second home room, its quiet orderliness provides the tranquil atmosphere The vast hoard of encyclopedias always are ready for productive study; the needed for their constant quest of facts. unlimited supply of magazines and records lie waiting for instant reference. For the more languid reader, the ageless works of Dickens, Poe, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and their famous contemporaries sit invitingly amidst the motley as- sortment behind the main desk. Some explorers for knowl- edge may find their enjoyment between the covers of Berlin Diary, The Yearling, or any of the rnore modern books. [ 16 ] LEFT—Corner of Library Norma Clark and Regina Nielsen in foreground. .. . BELOW—Statue of Mercury in L.brary Window. No matter what the taste of a literary explorer, our book- shelves provide the enjoyment for pleasant, relaxing reading. The peaceful calm of this room will always remain in contrast to the ever-changing turmoil of the outside passing world. OUR SILVER STREAK Since 1912, a champion runner has resided upon a marble pedestal in the northern nook of the library. This mythical Silver Streak poses precariously, his unseeing eyes gazing into the future of some unsuspecting student. His apparent oblivion forms a strong contrast to the mental activity sug- gested by the book-weary pupils, who glance occasionally ‘upward as if trying to absorb the energy which radiates from the lean, racing form of this famed messenger of the gods. With his wand, caduceus, clasped tightly in hand, and his winged feet tense with unburned endurance, Mercury, god of Commerce, has enjoyed the especial admiration of late- coming pupils, who vainly wish they possessed his fabulous swiftness to aid their 8:59 dashes to their lockers.

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NORTHWEST PASSAGE Of the many pupils who have come down the steps oppo- site 226, few have realized that this stairway is known as The Northwest Passage. The Commerce Lewis-and-Clarks may not have experienced the excitement felt by pioneer travelers; however, our modern explorers have blazed many trails on these steps. The most inquisitive adventurers have been the Freshmen, who yearly have revealed their unlimited curiosity by playing Baby Snooks for the amusement of any obliging upper-class Daddy. around the bend in the stairs to investigate strange occur- The little newcomers poke their impudent noses rences., speed to Just before the period bell rings, they increase their an illegal run, thus leaving the time-worn stairway virtually gasping for breath. Junior girls traditionally gossip as they slowly descend the On the other hand, Junior boys gleefully sprint at a velocity that frightens the lingering girls into instant action. Such sudden bursts of energy usually herald the approach of June and a last care- free vacation. stairs beside the famous iron railings. The most impressive tourists of the Northwest Passage are the Seniors. These upperclassmen, although not forgetful of former pleasures, always show a more businesslike attitude than do their younger schoolmates. A few tread more se- dately, sobriety at times concealing the prominent twinkle of amusement in their eyes. Even the boys occasionally carry books of an outstanding variety and size. Although this atmosphere has penetrated every staircase, Northwest Passage stakes its claim on the largest portion of friendliness that is diffused in the Commerce Halls. A COMMERCE EXPLORER Among the graduates who traveled our stairways was James Facos, °42, still well remembered for his talented writing. Now, as an Army Air Corps sergeant, he wears the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, While in England, he recorded in verse his impressions of countries visited during combat duty. Sergeant James F, Facos [15 } Travelers Dorothy Sherwin, Arnold Christianson, Edwin Goodrich, Charles Lynes. THOUGHTS OF ENGLAND This poem was written between missions over Germany, the author being a ball turreteer of a Flying Fortress crew. Here lie the silences of ancient days, Forgotten by the years, unchanged and still: Here lie the hours when Milton wrote his lays — And Wordsworth knew the quiet of this hill. And here the royal dreams of Raleigh grew, Of silver lands and gold beyond the sea: And for a sight to mark a rendezvous Queen Mary chose this vine-entangled tree. And here the foreign winds of warmer seas Reecho faintly roars of Nelson’s fight, And crows fling high in arcs above the leas Though there’s a timeless glory to their flight, For here the ceaseless roll of centuries Appears the passing of a single night. —JaMEs Facos.

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a F e e avoute Poruod To visitors, the clamorous charge of students to the lunch- room must seem a startling, unusual occurrence; yet for years this ravenous surge has been a traditional incident in the Commerce schedule. The daily episode, characterized by the eagerness of the hungry mass, is made more humorous by the antics of third-floor occupants, who nearly jump the bell while trying to get a head start on lower-level speed demons. In fact, the sudden gust of energy shown by even the laziest boy always astonishes the most experienced teach- ers, who wisely tarry lest they be swept off their feet by unheeding pupils. Upon reaching the cafeteria, those who carry their own dinners immediately dash for tables; while the lunch buyers join the already too-long lines in search of essential vitamins. The ever-present confusion — jabbering, chattering, eating, giggling, punctuated by an occasional shattered dish or spilled milk bottle —rivals that of any Springfield lunch- eonette. Gradually, as swiftly as it darted in, the crowd departs, RIGHT — Lunchroom Workers. Mrs. Minnie Gam- ble, Mrs. Katherine Garneau, Mrs. Carline Li nden, Miss Theresa Hurley, Mrs. Wini- fred Smith. . . . BELOW— Lunch Line in Cafeteria. [17] leaving behind only the efficient kitchen workers, who daily draw a breath of relief as their domain settles once more into the unbroken hum of preparation for the following day’s onslaught. CULINARY JEWELS The successful management of the lunchroom can be ac- credited to the efhcient kitchen staff. Even during wartime, this busy group succeeds in supplying not only well-balanced meals but also cookies and candy — youth’s inevitable favor- ites —for lunch-time enjoyment. Each day these scurrying workers, directed by efficient Mrs. Linden, try to keep their student helpers on an even keel amidst a storm of inquiries and requests from hurried mobs. Despite the apparent difh- culty in satisfying the multitude of mouths, the staff always produces an enjoyable menu. Me Besides supplying meals for the hundreds of teen-age Com- merce students, the kitchen staff has been even busier since the establishment of the nursery school for the children of war workers. Under the motherly supervision of Mrs. Gamble, morning orange juice, hot lunches, and afternoon milk have been furnished to an average of forty nursery tots every day.