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

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UPPER—Town Meeting Discussion. 105; Miss H. E. Rankin, adviser. To the yearbook writers, 105 is truly “home” before publication date; their parents merely reserve a bed for them! This seemingly ordinary classroom houses the nuclei of all Caduceus activities. Here, and in 217, the second-period practical English groups indulge in the informal maneuvers traditional of the two journalism classes, The staff’s busy-ness ranges far beyond that brief span of forty-five minutes. After-school hours reveal the culmina- tion of the day’s work, when twilight time finds do-or-die members still haunting 105. Passersby have commented upon the commotion that resounds from this room. One of these labelled it “the most friendly-looking room in Com- merce: it always appears to be so lived in!” the crowds there will deny that statement!) (No one seeing This home of Caduceus does glow with energetic activity, and with a tinge of homey comfort. Board members are continually rushing in and out, back and forth, peering into stuffed files, searching through Dagwood closets, and scram- bling under stacks of books and papers. The endless clack, clack of the typewriters forms a musical(?) background for the explorations of the hunters. Only mascot Cherub, pictured on the front board, or the colored chalk drawings of former homeroom members, remain quiet and passive in the whirlpool of 105. ae | Moderator, Rhoda Chase. Speaker, Carolyn Katz. 20 | Adviser, Miss Jenks. LOWER Caduceus Journalists in Room Democracy. In Action “Town Meeting tonight!” This well-known cry rings throughout New York’s Town Hall every Thursday evening to America’s listening radio audience. Its junior edition, the Commerce Town Meeting, embodies the same democratic ideals, but lacks the Herculean-voiced town crier and the heated questioning of the audience. Even without these touches, our high school forum admirably discusses many problems. Such questions as compulsory military training and lowering the voting age are aired in 119, where the unique seating plan reminds debaters of the House of Repre- sentatives. In our pleasant room, the student moderators maintain order, direct discussions, and steer the hot-headed debaters from pitfalls of quarreling; while the secretaries busily note the procedure of the meeting. To iron out difh- culties, Miss Jenks and teachers of Senior English attend the meetings, but leave actual discussion to their pupils. These typical Americans face situations common to young people throughout the nation. If our Town Meeting classes can promote democratic ideals, they will pave the way for In the words of Clarence I. Chatto, promoter of Town Meeting, now and in late years we must be “dedicated to the task of translating into daily living the golden phrases of the democratic idea: equality of opportunity, and the dignity and worth of every human being.” complete tolerance throughout the world. — — —-- a

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CL Priceless Shill Even rival Springfield high schools concede that most Commerce students are better penmen. This traditional dexterity was established by the able fingers of S.O.S., whose nationally-known skill has inspired penmanship in- structors and their Freshman pupils. During the early weeks of training, cramped fingers, tired arms, and wavering strokes are inevitable. Many an inex- perienced Freshie departs from the engulfing penmanship room with ink-speckled hands, because he does not yet grasp the proper way to hold a pen. But by February a startling change shows the development of real skill. This achievement reaches its peak in time for the long- awaited certificate tests; then success greets most students’ efforts. With certificates tucked under their arms, proud Freshmen look ahead to the years in the business world when handwriting will play so important a part of their day’s work. Mr. Burtt. Bequest Except to Commerce students, the initials, “G. O.,” mean even less than the descriptive appelations of Washington’s famous bureaus! Our General Organization, however, was not formed by any bureaucrat, but by our former principal, Mr. Jerome Burtt. Since its establishment in 1931, the other three high schools have adopted the plan; thus Commerce instituted a Springfield tradition. From its subterranean depths, Room 28 efficiently tabulates the financial statements of the G. O. Student bookkeepers individually audit the accounts of their assigned homerooms, under the able direction of genial Mr. Walker. Such a business-like status quo advances the abilities of the young Morgenthaus, who, however, try to reduce, rather than increase the G. O. debt. Informality predominates: auditors scatter papers about their desks, hurriedly com pute figures on the book- keeping machines, and swiftly pen ledgers which always balance after an hour’s concentrated labor. This well-organized, if noisy, group is tradition- ally efficient, while the work provides valuable ex- perience in bookkeeping and accounting procedure for the up-and-coming Senior Auditors. LEFT—G. O. Accounting Room. Patricia Lawlor, Theodore Bamforth, Dorothea Madison, Marion Holton in foreground. Florence Dahlke, Louise Horney, Mary Crowley, Helen LaValley, Ellen Clark, Harold Cutler in rear. Mr. Walker, teacher. . BELOW—Miss Libby’s Pen- manship Class.

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Sparkle of £fficioncy. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” A belief in this proverb may have spurred Freshman girls in their earnest search for culinary skill. By diligent study, practice, and instruction, wonderful delicacies have been pro- duced for many years in Rooms 305 and 307. An appetizing fragrance daily has invited passersby to enter the kitchens. These tantalizing odors were increased in 1941, when through co-operation of the P. T. A., the old- fashioned stoves were replaced by very modern ranges. Now the clean white sparkle of efficiency mingles with an air of informality, as student chefs deftly prepare food, supervised by Miss Bulkeley or Miss Scott. Although Foods is required only during the Freshman year, many Junior girls continue their training in this pleasant third floor atmosphere. The capability of these students has been demonstrated to the faculty at frequent luncheons and teas. Very real success has resulted from mental “‘wrastlin’ with meal planning, etiquette, and teamwork problems. Yumble-Fingered Antistry ” Down through the years, the Freshmen in our Commerce clothing classes early have discovered their lack of proficiency in the art of sewing. During the early months of instruction from Misses White, Judd, Hewitt, or Scott, punctured fingers and crooked stitches vanish with the continual use of the thimble. Soon, also, are banished those mishaps caused by the startling lurch of the sewing machine, as its power is unleashed by some overexuberant girl. Discussions and a helping hand from the teacher usually bring not only the needed confidence and skill to the apprentice-seamstresses, but also the ability to choose the best lines and colors for really smart and becoming clothes. JUNIOR ARTS Juniors, whose skill is asserted during their Freshman year, often continue their nimble-fingered art in Dressmaking classes. Their beautifullymade garments have attracted much admiration; the dressmakers themselves are proud to appear in perfectly-tailored suits or dresses. UPPER—Typical Foods Class. Jean Winkler, Jane Surprenant, Jean Ivory, Theresa King, Shirley Graves, Phyllis O’Meara, Eleanor Brumfield, Jane Martin, Louise Fattini. Miss Bulkeley, teacher. : LOWER—A Clothing Class, under Miss Janet Scott, Room 311.