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

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HIGHEST HONORS LEO LEVRAU LT JAMES SOARES HONORS MARTIN O'CONNELL ALFRED MELLO GERALD PAIVA JOHN DIAS ROBERT BEAUCHESNE DANIEL DENNIS RAYMOND LAMBERT

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B L H 59A S 3 I' EJ IJ F ' I Q 5 3 59C

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CLASS HISTORY FRESHMAN ENTHUSIASM The men of the class of 'I959 began to make history and fame for themselves the very moment they entered within the portals of Diman. First of all their greatness in numbers commenced the tale, for they came in as the largest freshman class yet, a group 'IIO strong, and boosted the school enrollment above the three hundred mark. In short order they were known as the A B C Class i.e. ABILITY, BRAINS, 8. COURTESY FROSH. At the very beginning, they assimilated the rules of procedure and immediately settled down to work with a purpose. Like revolutionary heroes did the boys of '59 at once evince their athletic prowess when they com- peted with unquestioned pride against upper classmen on the gym floor. Yet as wise beings they realized that an exhibition of their physical prowess was not the sum total of their vocational activities. They knew that brain work was the counterpart of brown, that vocational training was something more than athleticism - thanks to an efficient faculty's persuasive argumentsl and to be brief they showed that they knew and realized all this in the class- room. Dispute it if you can, in the face of their scholastic record on the Principal's list! Was it any wonder that the men of '59 in Freshman year published to the world that they were true candidates for the field of future crafts- men and true sons of Alma Mater? Having passed their probationary period, they settled down to a two months' respite, in preparation for the second year of great ac- complishments. SOPHOMORE COMPLACENCY When the beginning of the second scholastic year called the Class of '59 Cwith the spirit of '76l back to Trade School, the aspect of things was of course very different from that of their first day there as Freshmen. The boys were inured to many things, they felt at home now, terrors of the past, to wit, algebra and shop tech were transformed into not unpleasant memories, in fact they had every reason to reioice that they were enjoying all the advantages of a vocational career. This second year saw the institution of our famous news- paper The Tradesman. Spearheaded by Jack Krupa, a group of enterprising writers launched what has proved to be an outstanding school publication among many editions of neighboring news reports. It has kept us in touch with all the important current events of our school life and bids fair to become a model for many such school newspapers. We appreciated their efforts by subscribing IOOSM. Likewise in Sophomore Year the A B C class deported themselves iust as splendidly in athletics and studies as they did in Freshman. They have manifested their ability to keep up the good work once begun, a tenacity to accomplish, motivated by the de- sire for perfection. JUNIOR WISDOM It is but one step from complacency to wisdom, - in the Vocational World anyway. However, some of the boys of illustrious '59 didn't care to take it, and so alasl they'lI never be wise in the crafstmanship sense. Yes, some of the disheartened members of the class left us at the end of Sophomore to begin a premature struggle in the world of hard knocks. We sent our best wishes after them, but we were sorry to have our ranks thinned to 80 odd members at this stage of our worthy careers. One bright note worthy of mention was the enrollment of several veterans of the recent Korean struggle, who brought us stories of stirring adventures upon battle fields far away, and we were delighted to welcome them as heroes who saw the light of day in the renewal of their interrupted educational careers. Many were the ioys of this year as well as a few bugbears or terrors tool May we mention a few of the terrors forthwith, that their memories may not linger too long. The story of Physics is sad to relate. The mention of Math in its upper brackets is one of agonizing memoriesl The Junior Year was made a remarkable one by our Basketball heroes on the Varsity, who coursed their way through many a hard-fought victory for Diman. No less in Soccer skill did our brothers of '59 show Championship form, for they rightfully claimed title as one of two leading teams in the State of Mass. In social life, at the Senior dances to which we were invited, it was notable that our fancy dancers were in great demand by the Blushing Belles of the place where the river falls. Withal our Junior year was one of many triumphs, successes and satisfactions for the A B C boys of Nineteen Fifty-Nine. SENIOR DIGNITY Dignity in itself is a very fine quality but add to it a certain accomplishment and you have a grandiose some- thing. lt was dignity plus Vocational Competency that made members of '59 this big sort of something in Senior. First of all it was the knowledge that our hearts and minds were satisfied with the acquisition of new and useful skills which would open the door to successful careers in the world of work. Again the dances and athletic events brought financial success in the culmina- tion of this our book of fond memories. We were ready now to struggle for much needed personal cash to get set for the big event, the Senior Dinner and Prom, what with renting Caps and Gowns, Tuxedos, Graduation Pictures, Flowers, et cetera. Above all, we captured that greatest of all laurel wreaths - A Vocational Diploma. I guess it must have been incumbent upon us from the beginning to be the school intellectual and physical champions. Fear not that we have lost our modesty and become veritable images of conceit! Our four years at Diman were indeed happy years. We know that in years to come our fondest memories will carry us back to D.V.H.S. May Alma Mater live long and train thousands of useful men in the years aheadl JOHN DIAS THOMAS DZIALO