Diman Vocational High School - Artisan Yearbook (Fall River, MA)

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SENIOR CLASS HISTORY The first week of September, 1950, marked the beginning of the Vocational Career of the illustrious class of 1954. There was no blaring of trumpets, no beating of drums. The event was unheraldedg in the eternal fitness of things it was looked upon simply as one of the fits. It was announced only by the laughter and chatter of the new TRADESMEN as they assembled in the Gym on that sunny September morning. Freshman promised to be a novel experience to us, especially to those who had just finished pulling turnips on the old farm, and we entered it with fresh and vigorous aspirations. Here we were to meet with new duties and responsibilities, and were to be endowed with new privileges. The studies that confronted us, both from their nature and number, gave assurance of an interesting and arduous struggle in preparation for vocational competency in the world of useful work. And from the start it proved to be both. It took but a few days for everything to get under way, and for a few of the less courageous members to get out of the way, since several of our number believed that discretion is the better part of valor, and preferred uhomesteading in the brush to Algebraic Equations and the three R's. Early in September the Class assembled and chose Donald Heap as President, believing that they had in him a man who would not take a serious situation too seriously, and one who would work zealously in behalf of the class. Of the first few months of Freshman we need not speak. They remain as a vivid memory that none of us has forgotten. We were fed a steady and substantial diet of Math and English, Civics and Mechanical Drawing, Shop Practice and Shop Tech by our numerous Instructors. While a few succumbed from the start, most of us hitched our wagons to a star, and made Frosh Days a proud and notable preface to our school biography. SOPHOMORE brought us together again on September 6. The roll call was answered by many less than the original 120 members in Freshman. We were intro- duced to a few new teachers who appeared ready to continue the process of training so strenuously begun in our first Year. Soon after the regular course had started we came together and unanimously elected Jerry Sinotte to lead the destinies of the Class during our second year. It was now that Coach O'Keefe, Physical Instructor extraordinary, showed us how to regain our neglected proper stance by taking the Gymnasium Cure. We soon learned that a sound mind in a sound body pays off. Now was the social side of our training in any way neglected. Besides the many enjoyable assemblies, in no little measure contributed to by the Class of 1954, the class showed many a bashful Frosh and Sophomore the modern way to attain success in the Terpsichorean Arts. About the middle of june books were again laid aside and the halfway mark of our Vocational course was successfully passed. JUNIOR year found us all together again with the exception of a few familiar faces. Because of his good-natured and humorous character, Robert Letendre was elected Class President. It was at this time that our distinguished member, Robert Henrique brought the laurels of success to our Alma Mater. His prize fluorescent tube-tester, displayed at the Ford International Industrial Arts exhibit in Chicago, will always be a reminder of what Vocational education can accomplish when properly utilized. In june the anticipation of a Senior Year Book was mentioned and a committee of six was appointed to formulate plans. Once again we closed our year with a pledge of hearts and minds to school and students alike. Our pilot had stuck to the wheel and our star was still directly ahead and a little nearer. We fully realized that three years of striving for our goal had brought many joys and triumphs, many pleasures and benefits. A progressive yearbook committee worked hard and attained marvelous success from the very start. The Senior Dance Committee now staged a series of delightful parties in our tastefully decorated Gym, for the enjoyment of all. The highlight of our social careers was by all means the Senior Dinner and Prom. At the same time we had reflected the hopes and aspirations of our beloved parents to whom we owe so much, on graduation day. And to our Alma Mater, and all of our teachers who have given us those things that we cherish most highly, let us express our undying gratitude. - FRANK LAUREANNO, JR. 38

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lst Row: Frank Luareanno, J. F. Daly, Robert A. Henrique, James F. White. 2nd Row: joseph E. Farias, Norman Desmarias, Donald Hamel, Walter Dtewniak, Walter Bigos. bg Ee? fs- ferr Reward for a job well done. INDUSTRIAL ARTS AWARDS For the past five years the students at Diman Vocational High School have participated in the Industrial Arts Award program sponsored by the Ford Motor Company at Dearborn, Michigan. The purpose of this program is two- fold - creating interest in industrial education and rewarding ability and craftsmanship with national recognition, awards of merits, and cash prizes. This contest is open to all students in every school in the country. It is growing in popular- ity every year and more than five thousand projects were shipped there last year. Our students at Diman have achieved signal success with this work. They have won prizes in machine work, machine drafting, and electricity. By their ability and industry these students have brought national recognition to our school. The faculty is extremely proud of this fine record and hopes to enjoy further success in this annual exhibit with future students.

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CLASS PROPHECY Memories . . . Ah, Memories!! But what pleasant thoughts my partner, Don Heap and I had as we were flying across the Wild Blue Yonder on our way to attend the twenty-five year reunion of the class of 1954 at Diman Vocational High School. As I glanced occasionally at Don, I noticed his ever-winning smile breaking over his face as he reminisced about the past twenty-five years. He furthermore pondered over what had hap- pened since that day in June of 1954 when he and forty-three other Dimanites bade au revoit to our enjoyable years at Diman and set out into the world to seek their fortunes. Some remained in the Fall River area while others had traveled and settled throughout the world. Still others had left Diman never to be heard of again, so you can see the anxiety and fervor that dwelled within us as each second we zoomed closer and closer to our destination and to a reunion which promised to be a memorable one in the history of Diman occasions, for ours was definitely a memorable class. I might add that our attendance at this momentous get-together was provoked by the pride that had existed in two classmates who had acquired success in the modern sense of the word. Donald Heap had done well and through our lawyer, Gerald Witkowski, with his confusing language, a contract was drawn by which I received 207: of all income on the Donald Heap Enterprises, which incidentally numbered in the Billions of Dollars. So you can see that as we approached the airport in Fall River, we were interested to see how the other forty-three graduates of Diman in 1954 had fared and exceedingly proud that we had done so well. After the plane had landed, Don went to the pilot to thank him for a pleasant trip, and we met to our surprise Al Croft, who said he gave up his radio career for flying because he felt the air- plane was here to stay. He also stated the chef on the plane was Dan Lopes who enjoys flying tremendously but occasionally gets air sick and then Peepers Crapo has to do all the cooking. Arranging to see Al at the reunion, we took a taxi to the hotel which had been named the Bird Bath Hotel after George Bird had become manager and leading stock holder. We got caught in a terrific traffic iam - a problem facing all large metropolitan areas and Joe Ferris, our cab driver, told us that Norman Habib must be driving his old-fashioned paint truck through Main Street. We found out later that Norm was arrested by Chief of the Traffic Squad, Bob Walmsley, who refused to fix any more traffic violations for him. Arriving at the Hotel Bird Bath, joe sounded the horn to wake the doorman, Jock Letendre, who had perfected a way of sleeping with his eyes open while dancing to the tune Way Down Upon the Swanee River. Upon entering the hotel, we were met by Louis Guillotte who approached us with a smiling face and dollar signs dancing in his eyes. He rang for a bell hop whom we did not recognize until he uncovered himself from our baggage and saw Robert Barboza. He mentioned that his ability to carry four two-by-fours on his head at Diman has really helped him in his present position. Weary from travel, we decided to get some rest before dinner but were awakened by Glen Shoesmith, the ladderless window washer, who has become famous in his line of work by reaching from window to window. Unable to sleep, I left Don, who has the ability to sleep anywhere and anytime and went to the Cocktail Lounge for refreshments. Entering,.I saw jim White who during the course of the con- versation told me that he was employed as head designer at a Common Pin Factory. We had not been talking long when one of the patrons got nasty and One-Punch Dimanno appeared and dispensed with the noise maker. Leaving the Lounge, I noticed I had a few hours in which to read so I bought a book entitled How To Hunt Mosquitoes In The Okeefenokee Swamps by Bob McKee and Big Paul Lapre. Taking the elevator to the room, Gil Nero, the operator, informed me that Henry Levesque now operates the hotel dumb waiter from the inside. Henry likes his work but feels too enclosed. When I got back to the room, I found Don had gone out, so I sat down and read while waiting for him to return. In a few hours he entered the room and told me he went to the new amusement park in the center of the city. Investigating a weird laugh, he met Paul McGovern in front of the Fun House. It appears that Paul makes laughing records for the Fun Houses throughout the country. Leaving Paul, Don met Tony Viveiros who is a reporter for the famous magazine Big Men Come In Small Packages. Tony and Don walked around the park reminiscing when they came upon a National Guard Demonstration with Louie Cyr narrating on the chamber pressure of the Carbine. He was having a little trouble because in the course of the demonstration he was playing the piano for music lovers. Lou still knows a million Ways of making a dollar. Tony had to leave because of deadline pressure with the magazine but Don ambled through the amusement center. He saw an act for the public's convenience in which a person dives 120 feet into a bucket of water. After the act was over Don ,went to shake hands with Harold Duckworth who was climbing out of the bucket with his partner Bob Ferris wiping the water from him. They were rushed away by three policemen, John Phelan, Joseph Farias, and Joseph Andrade to escape the autograph hounds. Suddenly over the P.A. system came a number that was issued to all who entered the amusement park that day. Surprisingly, Don had the winning number. As he went to the oflice to collect his prize, he was confronted by a familiar person sitting in a big leather chair with a big cigar. Who else but Chester Kingman!! Don and Chet sat down and talked about money, for wherever the two are, money appears. During the conversation Chet pressed a buzzer for his secretary who was Roland Gagne. Roland's main job was to see that Chet had enough money after expenses,to pay his income tax,antl the Professor was the man who knew all the angles. Don left after receiving his prize, but the warm feeling of seeing old friends was almost like making a million dollars. On completing his story he called for room service giving an order for two coffees. A few moments later the chef arrived with his white cap and long, thin-curled mustache. He greeted us saying I am le chef, Leo Caron, I am serving my specialty, le plus de rampon souffle se ce bon. We said we wanted coffee!! Oni, monsieur, that is what I have brought you, said Leo. After drinking the coffee, I read the Herald-News for June 18, 1974 and noticed an ad by Roland Duquette for experienced machine operators to run machines that will make re-usable nails. Without finding too much other local news, I turned on the radio and listened to that well-known news commentator, Gordon Haggerty, who was never at a loss for words. The first thing Flash spoke about was the reunion dinner that was being held at 7:00 o'clock for the class of '54. Gordon also mentioned many of the celebrities from our famous class who would be present at the reunion. Such outstanding men as U.S. Senator Albert Lar- rivee, jr., Robert Henrique, Actor and playwtite who flew in from Hollywood for the special occasiong U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Norman Desmarais, and the eminent Labor Leader, Robert Larrivee, who is responsible for the SSO a day salary-wages un- heard of in our high school days. Promises to attend, if at all possible, were received by the Reunion Committee from the famous concert pianist, Frank Me- deiros as well as the only Three-Quarter Star General in the Army, Fred Lebel. Turning off the radio, Don and I left for the Reunion ban- quet held in the Oval Room of the Bird Bath Hotel. What a gala affair . . . Television cameras all set up, flash bulbs exploding all over, and even John Daly, the Associated Press Photographer was present taking pictures by swinging from chandelier to chandelier with his supersonic camera with atomic flash bulbs. Suddenly the 100-piece orchestra began playing many songs that were popular in our High School days, and we knew the evening's events were about to begin. The dinner was tremendous with everyone conceding that he could eat no more. The speeches were long enough with everyone interested in what was being said. Director of the new Diman Vocational High School, Al Ferreira, spoke on The Outstanding Gifts of Vocational Training, while we were entertained with a few soliloquies offered by George Hodkinson, the great Shakes- pearian character actor. In a deeper mood, Frank Laureanno argued the Pracricability of Science and John Rapoza instructed us in the Authenticity of Art Painting. 1 do feel, however, that the most interesting talk of all was given by Admiral William Tavares who received his commission after he swam the English Channel, blindfolded and with arms and legs tied. I fear that I could continue indefinitely writing about this outstanding and momentous occasion but may your imagination come to your rescue and help you realize the warm feeling and eternal spirit of youth that was prevalent in each member of the class on that June evening. It was evidenced by the mutual under- standing of each other that all the members of this reunion class had when they realized how fortunate they were to have attended Diman and that those four years of Diman Training, during which 44 boys were moulded into useful men, was the outstanding factor in their lives that led to their success. As we gaze back over the years from whence we first can remember, and were asked the question each and everyone of us What we would do if we could live our lives over again. Yea, verily, would we answer the same as before only this time with more zest and enthusiasm. Now the plane is preparing to land and Don and I are ready to return to the business of making more money for the Donald Heap Enterprises. We had a great time at the reunion in Fall River, and we returned to the everyday drudgery knowing that the needless worry we entertained for any member of our class was futile and that the famous 44 of '54 have adjusted themselves physically, mentally, morally, and socially so well that they can take their places as outstanding citizens in the communities in which they live - a credit to God, their families, and - DIMAN. - GERARD SINOTTE