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

Page 13 text:

 The majority of us entered Durfee in our sophomore year. For us newcomers it was quite a difficult task to find our way around the two buildings but that task was accomplished within a few weeks. Activi- ties got underway almost immediately and those who were interested could join the clubs they desired. Hilltoppers found it rough in their first four football games of the treason, losing three of them. The remainder of the season they won three and lost three, December brought Miss Ladd's presentation of the “Christmas Story in which many of us took part. Football players were honored by S. A, A, at their annual banquet. Basketball came in with a sparkle, the Hilltoppers beating Rogers High 35-30 in their opening game. They kept up their good record by losing only three the remainder of the season. The Dramatic Club gave us a wonderful presentation of “Belvedere Sitting Pretty”. Three members of the Class of '52 who took part were Doris Fish. Alan Mart and Robert L rchevesque. The All-State Concert was held in Boston on Saturday, April 1. And, as was to be expected, Durfee had a successful season in baseball. Several school dances were held — the “Get Acquainted Dance” the “Pigskin-Hop”, and the “Mid-Winter-Hop”. Elections of class officers were held with these results: President, Andy Farrissey; Vice-President, Jean Gagnon; Secretary, Moreen Curt; Secretary to the S. A. A., Joan Kaufmann ; S. A. A. Councillors Jean Crawford and Kenneth Marum. June surely came sooner than we expected but we didn't feel too bad leaving school for our summer vacation, because we knew that we had two more enjoyable years at Durfee.

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r r When to the sessions of silent thought- 1 summon up remembrances of things past— —Shakespeare. Shakespeare had the gift of expression, so we are going to borrow a phrase from the old master. Someday you, too, will sit down and remi- nisce. Do you think you can remember the outstanding things of your freshman year? No! — Well then, let us of the Record Book staff relate to you some of the things that were once fresh in your minds. One of the things that should never have left your mind was the winning of New England Interscholastic Basketball Championship. Many of our stars of ’51 and ’52 were starting then to mingle with those stars of ’48. When we arrived in ’48, most of us joined one club or another, and if we think real hard, we can remember the feats of the Music Club, the Dramatic Club, and all the clubs that we as freshmen helped to make better for next year’s members. We should also remember the opening of the Girls’ Gym in the Durfee building after many years. The beginning of the German Club and the Record Club were two other notable activities. Aside from social activities, we must not forget the scholastic end of school. During the first half of our freshman year we had two fellow students who made the A11-A list, and fifteen who made the Principal’s List. Arrival at Durfee for the first time presented its difficulties. There were two big buildings for us to roam through instead of the usual one. We should also remember how students separated themselves, the upper classmen under the Big Tree and lower in front of Tech. Everything was new but now things are old; it’s funny how we get to like the old things even though the new are better. It is now time for us seniors to pass or. to better things that are yet to come, but none of us should forget the good times spent under the influence of B. M. C. D.—

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J U J] J IMS § Next to the senior year the junior year in high school is probably the most memorable, and before we knew it September, 1950 had arrived and we were juniors. Joe Drayton, Ed Reid, Bob McMahon, and Bill Piche were among our classmates who displayed their talents on the gridiron. The Dra- matic Club was anticipating a busy year. Alan Hart and Marion Ferreira were two of its officers. Everyone was thrilled to see a large turnout at the first dance of the year, the “Pumpkin Ball”, sponsored by the Student’s Activities Association. Frank Patton was elected to head the Red Cross Council, with two other members of our class as vice- president and secretary. With all the excitement of getting back to school, football games, school dances and Dramatic Club presentations, the end of the first term came almost unnoticed. Nevertheless, five juniors attained All-A Honors and thirty were on the principal's list. Then came the impressive Thespian induction at which eight of our talented classmates became members. The annual Thanksgiving game was played at Alumni Field and although Durfee lost this heartbreaker to its strongest rival, New Bedford High, it was a most enjoyable and terrific game. December flew in accompanied by basketball, and the preparation of the music groups and Dramatic Club for their yearly Christmas presentations. Then came vacation and a new year 1951 had rolled around. Our basketball team was leading the Bristol County League. The javvees were the only undefeated junior varsity team in the Bristol County loop. Among those up and coming athletes leading the team were juniors Ronald Golz and Alan Freeman. Our musicians were still making headlines. In the middle of February a group of them left to take part in the All-State Orchestra and Chorus. Carol Booth, Wilma Taylor and Donald Bravo were a few of Durfee’s virtuosos. At this time the Dramatic Club presented the “Glass Menagerie” for its “Curtain at Eight” performance. Henry Tavares, one of the club's outstanding acto rs, starred. The Uilltoppers, winners of the Bristol County League Champion- ship, played in the Tech Tourney for the seventh straight year but lost in the opening round. Assemblies for SAA members were held, sparked by Harvey Fine, former Durfeeite, as Master of Ceremonies. The Music Department presented the Gilbert and Sullivan operatta “H. M. S. Pinafore”. The combination of the work of these two witty composers and Durfee pupils provided enjoyable entertainment for all those who were on hand. May rolled around along with election of class officers. Andrew Farrissey was elected president of the class of '52; appointment of the Hilltop editor. Dramatic Club presentation of “Four to Go”, a selection of Speakers Bureau members, the baseball season, the Records Club poll, and the unforgettable Junior Prom. Over one hundred couples attended and the affair was a wonderful success. Betsy Goss was the winner of the junior public speaking contest. Twenty one juniors were chosen for membership in the National Honor Society and were inducted at the memorable induction ceremony at the beginning of June.