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

Page 8 text:

A GAMEL GALLERY Behind every the human angle, warm person, who Buck in 15 29. on hi fir t touching job- nnd n football conch too. Minu the Dr.” anil minu the mustache. both of them to come Inter, it' Conch Gnmel of Trinidad. Colorado. High. Gnmel the Golfer, about to connect for n lusty drive. important man, lies a story of growth and development, lies Commerce's new Principal, I)r. Oscar Y. Camel, is. indeed, a has an interesting — and varied background. In 1944, they were saying Aye. aye. !r. be- cmuc then it wu Lieutenant-Commnndcr Gnmel. United State Navy. Are you watching. Holly- wood ? Lieut. Cdr. Gnmel again, thl time in tropicnl white in a southern netting. The nnmo' the same—but the build i certainly different. In thi fnmily group, with hi mother, father, nnd family, one mny sec the future administrator. Clue: the future administrator was three year old when the photograph was taken. 4

Page 7 text:

 llieAe 'ibn a+tvL . . . JUiA. Jlcotd. What is America? America is little boys shouting “Hi-Ho Silver!”, jumping up and down to the William Tell Overture and calling it “The Lone Hanger Song.” America is brave men pushing westward into the wilderness, braving the unknown to open new frontiers. America is Babe Ruth, pointing to the far wall as, after two ham-door strikes, the crowd jeers; then on the next pitch slugging one of baseball’s longest homcrun halls over the exact spot he had indicated. America is Henry David Thoreau, philosophizing in the woods at Lake Walden in our own Massachusetts; spending only little more than three dollars for a year's provisions for his simple fare; speaking like a local St. Francis D'Assisi to the birds and beasts who came to the water's edge to drink. America is the courage of Bunker Hill, the beauty of “amber fields of grain, the morality of the Emancipation Proclamation. Here at the High School of Commerce, as young citizens of the United States, we look forward to joining the illustrious parade of democracy's people. All is not perfect. There is much to he done, and although we approach the future with conscious pride of what has been accomplished, it is also with a sense of humility concern- ing the tremendous tasks that remain. When these tasks loom up before us, we shall not he unprepared. The training we have received here, the practice in living democracy, in independent thinking, in intelligent action, will always stay with us. It is in appreciation of that training, then, that we dedicate this yearbook and its theme: American Ideals as they arc made reality at the High School of Commerce.

Page 9 text:

A MONTAGNA MOMENT Auiktant Principal Raymond J. Montaifna pause» for an instant in his busy day. AN INTRODUCTION Last September as we seniors marched arrogantly through the halls, our supercilious gazes Dickered quickly over the new freshmen. Suddenly as we passed the stairway at 105, we were halted by the quiet scrutiny of two strange men. Could these he more freshmen? We found that in a way, they were. For it wasn’t long before the identity of these strangers was soon established through the garrulous tongues of both the upper and the lower classmen. We were getting our first informal glimpse of our new principal. Dr. Oscar Y. Camel, and our assistant principal. Mr. Raymond J. Montagna. Seemingly unaware of the hubbub they were creating. Dr. Camel and Mr. Montagna stood silently, drawing their own conclusions about their animated student body. During the interval before the 8:30 bell. Dr. Camel wore a genial expression which, we were to find later, signified a very active sense of humor. As he stopped to talk to one of the seniors, he smiled understanding!)' at her. While the con- versation progressed, the girl began to feel that Dr. Camel, although appearing relaxed and carefree, really had com- plete command of the situation. On the other hand. Mr. Montagna's expression was more serious. As he joined the conversation between Dr. Camel and the senior, he characteristically pursed his lips and listened intently. looking directly into the senior’s eyes, he spoke in a pleasant, but firm manner. Mis fixed attention and intent interest revealed his sincere nature. As the senior thanked the two men, they both smiled cheerfully. Then Mr. Montagna's hand slipped into his pocket and he crossed one foot over the other. Almost at tV.c same time, Dr. Camel's chin came to rest gently in his hand. Heaving a slight sigh, both seemed to relax visibly, as they were quietly introduced to their new roles among the student body. Time has passed quickly since the first day of September, but our initial impression of the new principal ami his assistant has not changed, except for the better. For as we have become better acquainted with Dr. Camel and Mr. Montagna, we have found that their actions have definitely proved the sincere and understanding natures that we first sensed eight months ago. We bid them farewell and good luck in coming years. 5