East Haven High School - Pioneer Yearbook (East Haven, CT)

Page 33 text:

GIgAA, cM’iA-tosiij, FRESHMAN YEAR On September 6, 1939, 149 freshmen entered the portals of East Haven High School, eager to further their quest o' higher learning. We were infants then, shivering and quaking in spite of our association with upperclassmen while in the Annex. We might have been under the same roof—but definitely not on the same plane. To enter as high school freshmen was a long-awaited thrill. We brought with us a large and talented group of freshmen, soon to be off to an up-roaring high school career. Several members of the class were dramatically inclined: Judy Buechele, Charles Blanchard, Joseph Lenoce, Martha Paris, and Claire Malcolm; others were interested in athletics: Bob Rowley, Albert Howard, Frank Palumbo, Bob Wilson, Rolland Butler, Walter Andrews, Dick Brache, Dick De Fa-bio, and Paul Panico. It was altogether a most remarkable array. Waiving the custom of early fall elections, we decided in October to become better acquainted with our classmates before choosing our leaders. A general get-together was held in the gymnasium at that time, under the chairmanship of Franklyn Whitmeyer. In January, with the help of our class advisers. Miss Grace Blanchard and Mr. James Maloney, we elected Franklyn Whitmeyer our class president; Frances Cox, vice-president; Agnes Rossetti, secretary; and Norman Woods, treasurer. In February at the presentation of Sailor Maids, we watched four fellow students, Marie Fegan, Carolyn Murphy, Harry Bell, and Bob Juniver, go through their paces as sailor maids and life guards. In the girls' sports world Grace Hanson and Agnes Rossetti became freshman captains, while Alva Bradley, Bob Wetmore, Franklyn Whitmeyer, and Thomas Fenney -prerrosgli nrl CLASS HIST(XW J5£S: — -ss a a Trs « Tvui the boys' track team. By the end of the year, our awe of the upperclassmen had worn off. We had proven that even frosh” were indispensable in school activities. SOPHOMORE YEAR We were back again the following year -—this time—sophomores. We felt like old timers and hurried to elect officers for the coming year. We chose a capable board, with Edward Di-Filippo as our new president; Bob Wilson, vice-president; Agnes Rossetti, secretary; and Photine Malliaris, the new keeper of our treasury. In crisp November, we sponsored a dance under the leadership of Photine Malliaris. Woe to anyone who called it a hop. It was our own Sophomore Harvest Dance. Elmer, a one-act comedy, starring Joe Lenoce as Elmer, was presented by the Junior Thespians at an assembly in March. Others enthusiastically acclaimed by the audience were Martha Paris, Claire Malcolm, and Carolyn Murphy. This was the year Bill Clancy learned his lesson about leaning over to talk during class. It was during Miss Gunnip s sixth 27

Page 32 text:

ANDREW C. VITALE Andy Andy boy . . . another George Raft . . . Does my hair look all right? . . . kiss the bills ($) good-bye! . . . punctual and always a gentleman . . . pigskin enthusiast . . . witty, ready for a laugh . . . brother Joe and I . . . future business manager. Intramural Basketball (1, 2, 3). JOSEPH A. VITALE Joe Crew-cuts . . . fashionable . . . streamlined car?—1929 model . . . loves sports . . . coming Jumbo fan—Tufts . . . Oh. how I hate to get up in the morning! . . . contrasting clothes . . . Oh, gee . . . likeable personality . . . quiet? . . . woman hater? Basketball Intramurals (1, 2, 3); Homeroom Chairman (4); Community Chest Committee (4). ROBERT B. WETMORE. JR. Dry Demon on track . . . Mr. Mayo's biggest problem . . . everybody's pal . . . allergic to spinach and people who never say anything . . . center of interest—girls . . . enthusiast for track, books, records, hiking . . . Campus Candidate. Track Team Captain (1, 2, 3, 4); Intramurals (2); Chess and Checkers Club (3). ROBERT C. WILSON, JR. Bob- Dimpled chin . . . husky six-footer . . . collegiate . . . neat dresser . . . My vote for no homework and exams! . . . reading . . . Trinity student. Intramural Basketball (1); Homeroom Chairman (1); Varsity Baseball (1, 2, 3); Class Vice-president (2); Bowling Team (2, 3); Jayvee Basketball (3); President Chess and Checkers Club (3); President Student Council (4); Varsity Basketball (4). SetuoA, Ni+ietee+i fyosity- Vlviee Class Adviser President Secretary Vice-President . Treasurer (not in picture) . Mr. Daniel Fitts Robert Ayr Agnes Rossetti George Dohna Louis Simoni 26

Page 34 text:

period English Class, when he did so for the last time. Someone placed tacks on his chair—Clancy let out a groan. Said Miss Gunnip, Clancy, sit on all of your seat. Said Mr. Clancy, You don't get the point. June came . . . exams ... a wonderful summer ahead of us. Much as we liked the idea of having no classes or homework, we still looked forward to September when we would join the exalted order of Upperclassmen. JUNIOR YEAR Upperclassmen at lastl We joyfully started ruling over the saps and scrubs. We even made ourselves heard in Student Council and instigated the putting in of a drinking fountain in the cafeteria. Our able leader, Stanley Strickland, assisted by Grace Hanson, vice-president; Photine Mal-liaris, secretary; and Anne Jones, treasurer; helped keep us out of trouble. Mr. Fitts certainly learned what an argumentative class we were when he took over Mr. Maloney's position as class adviser. The students of E.H.H.S. were going about in their usual carefree manner when war struck us on that fatal day of December 7, 1941. Air raid drills became the order of the day. These and other experiences we took in our stride. The fact that our country was at war brought closer to us the meaning of patriotism and Americanism. In fact our yearly oratorical contest, in which Jeannette Cost-anzo and A1 Hilse won respectively first and second prizes, was based on Americanism. These two were not the only prominent members of our class. Four juniors starred in the Varsity Show: Marie Oths was advertising head; Peter Didow won first prize in the poster contest; Jean Carlson displayed her talent as a majorette; and Charles Hobro led the singing in the patriotic scenes. Meanwhile in the sports world, cheerleaders Marge Green and Mert Paris were lending a hand in boosting the teams' morale. Mr. John MacPartland replaced Mr. John Maher as coach of the basketball and baseball squads. As the year rolled to an end, co-chairmen Bob Ayr and Agnes Rossetti made plans for the most important social activity of the year —our Junior Prom. We swung and swayed to Harold Pelligrino's music very proudly that night. With such pleasant memories as these still fresh in our minds, we began cramming and grinding for that ever-popular phase of our school life known as exams! With these behind us, we put the thought of school aside as we ran to the ole swimming hole. SENIOR YEAR Only three years ago we were lowly freshmen gazing with awe at the lofty seniors. Now we were on the supreme heights, self-confident, cock-sure, and yet a bit unsteady in our new position. After becoming accustomed to this superior feeling, we finally settled down to the first business of our senior year, that of electing class officers. Bob Ayr took the honors as president. George Dohna became vice-president; Agnes Rossetti, keeper of the minutes for the third time; and Louis Simoni, treasurer. Very early in the year we learned what war really was and we now seemed to be a part of it, for many seniors were volunteering their services. Then the draft came along, and for the first time we saw Uncle Sam take four of our seniors. The list of service men to whom we have dedicated our yearbook is by no means complete, as classmates are leaving daily. For a while it seemed we would be minus a senior class, for not only did Miss Blanchard, our class adviser, leave, but two boys, Herbert Herr and Bob Wilson, left to enter Trinity College in Hartford as frosh. Incidentally, both boys received their Varsity Trinity T's in baseball. Students still in school did their bit for the defense effort too by taking the places of men now in service. Harry Bell and 28