Durfee High School - Durfee Record Yearbook (Fall River, MA)

Page 15 text:

In September, 1949, the class of '50 began its last and most thrilling year at Durfee. We became more deeply interested in the life of the school, and, as the usual activities got underway, we realized that we would have to work constantly and faithfully to attain our goal—a Durfee diploma, which would signify the successful end of an educational endeavor here. Interest in clubs was strong this year; two new clubs, the Portuguese and the Mathematics, met the approval of the S. A. A. This organization also sponsored the Get Acquainted Dance and the Pigskin Hop, at which the football squad and the cheerleaders were feted. The vocational guidance department helped us to consider the future more seriously when it conducted the annual Career Day. At that time we heard Princi- pal Peter Donnelly of Rogers High and guest speakers representing business, industry, and the professions, discuss specific vocations. Although Durfeeites couldn’t boast of a championship football team, our players showed much grit and determination in tight spots. Coach Urban’s fight- ing eleven ended the season with a record of four wins and six defeats. During the Yuletide season, the music department presented the Christmas Story, a musical pageant consisting of five scenes centered around the Birth of Christ, in which 265 pupils participated. About this time, too, wre attended the Mid- Winter Hop, featuring ballroom dancing and novel square dancing. Good Government day brought an election of a substitute Senator and Repre- sentative, who acted for the State Legislators at sessions in the State House. Those who won those positions were John McMahon and Nancy McDonald. The finals of the senior debate tournament ended with the negative side composed of Eleanor Y7yse and Eunice Evans defeating Joan Hague and Joan Hoyle. With the ending of the second term came the publication of the All-A and Principal’s List, with 15 seniors on the first and 65 on the latter list. Highly pleasing was the Dramatic Club's Curtain at Eight” production of Belvedere, Sitting Pretty”, a three-act comedy in which Robert Higgins had the title role, assisted by Laura Ramos. As the basketball fever mounted, we saw the quintet w'hich Coach Urban had developed not only finish in second place in the Bristol County League, but partici- pating in the Tech Tourney and reaching the semi-finals. After beating a fighting Waltham five, Durfee was downed 38-34 by Attleboro, writh whom the Hilltoppers had previously split a two-game series during the season's play. Dick Ainsworth, captain ard brilliant guard, placed on several All-County teams, in his first year of vi-sity ball. Dick Torchia, coming up from the reserves, also proved to be a valu- able cog in Coach Urban's court machine. As the Record Book goes to press, the entire class looks forward to all the events attendant upon graduation; the commencement exercises, the prom, and the culmination of our four years at B. M. C. Durfee High School, our diplomas.

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DOLORES T. AGUIAR Del Home Room Director 2 Girls’ Glee Club 2 Health Officer 4 Portuguese Club 4 Office Aid 3 Bank Cashier 4 Camera Club 4 Junior Prom Committee 3 Senior Gift Committee 4 RICHARD AINSWORTH Dick Basketball 3, 4 ALICE ALEXANDER Alex Portuguese Club 3, 4 Office Aid 4 JAMES R. ALLEN Jim Home Room Director 2, 3, 4 Office Aid 4 JANET M. ALLEN Applesauce Numeral Club 2, 3» 4 Field Hockey 2, 3, 4 Secretary 3 Captain 4 Varsity Basketball 2, 3, 4 Gym Leader 3t 4 Captain 4 Badminton 2, 3 Commercial Club 4 Softball 2, 3 Dance Committee 4 Volleyball 2, 3, 4 ARMAND M. ALMEIDA Dramatic Club 2, 4 Thespians 4 Boys' Glee Club 4 Senior Mixed Chorus 4 Literary Club 2, 4 Camera Club 2 All State Chorus 4 17