Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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THE ENFIELD ECHO 9 out bonds. He has since returned our confidence by handling in a capable and efficient manner, the cumbersome amount of money in our treasury. The rest of our Sophomore year passed very quickly and before we were aware of it, our summer vacation came. The following fall, we returned ready for a year of hard work. We were admitted within the sacred precincts of Room 1. We were obliged, however, to occupy front seats. This went hard with some members of the class, especially Shea, who could find no place commodious enough for his feet. This year the staff of the Echo realized the superiority of our class and chose several representatives from among our members. We also developed good singers. Marion Ryan and Ruth Bromage sang solos and duets several times before the school in opening exercises. Miss Gold- stein distinguished herself at the piano, and she was chosen to play for opening exercises. After the Christmas vacation Mr. Parkman left us and Mr. Bowman took his place. We all felt sorry to see Mr. Parkman leave, and even though we miss his presence, yet we still feel among us his fine spirit and high standards. Mid-year examinations were held for the first time this year. We all studied most diligently for a whole week ahead. (They say that the Electric Light Company had to run overtime to supply the extra amount of current consumed.) When the exams, finally did come, they weren’t half as had as we had expected. A great load was lifted from our minds when they were over. Our class made elaborate plans for a reception to be held after Easter. When the time drew near, however, we generously gave up our carefully formed plans, because the fortunes of war looked rather dark. We all considered it would be more in keeping with the spirit of the time to dis- continue all social functions. This year, Irene Steel was unanimously chosen as vice-president to take the place of Vivian Gowdy, who had left to attend Abbot Academy, and she has served us well since. In the latter part of May, the staff for next year’s “Echo” was an- nounced. Charles Buscemi was chosen Editor-in-Chief, Celia Goldstein literary editor, Marion Ryan, editor of poetry, Anna Sloane, editor of war activities, and Willard Furey, ’20, of jokes. William Manning was chosen business manager, with power to choose his own assistants. The next fall, we returned to the most eventful of our four years, our Senior year. We were allowed to sit in the back seats. This gave Shea, Roberts, Romieu and a few others a chance to stretch their rather long legs in a more comfortable position than they had been able to the pre- vious year. John Allen Reid returned wearing long trousers. We were all amaz- ed at first, for we had always considered Allen our class baby. For the first few weeks the feminine attention bestowed upon Reid was enough to turn any ordinary man’s head, hut due, perhaps, to home training, this feminine attention failed to spoil him.

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8 THE ENFIELD ECHO The first few days, the upper-classmen looked us over curiously, as if we were a menagerie. They had a look of superiority and contempt on their faces, as if to say: “Well, well, will you look at that green, awk- ward looking bunch of freshies. It seems that they must be sending in a poorer lot of them every year. And aren’t they small? Why, in a few years, if this degradation continues, future freshmen will be brought to high school in baby carriages.” However, we had one fine advantage over the upper-classmen. We were dismissed at 1.00 o’clock, while school lasted until a quarter past two for them. Study periods were a strange novelty to us. We had never before had these spare hours for study, and we hardly knew what to do with them. Usually the period was spent more as a recreation than a study pe- riod. I must say that our class excelled all other classes in the gentle art of passing notes. Why, our system had the underground railways of the Civil War stopped in fifty different ways. This year the exhibition which took place one year in three, was held in the old Franklin Hall. Our class again showed its superiority by its attractive exhibit which drew much attention and favorable com- ment. The rest of the year passed quickly. The only diversion we had was in the form of lines. They were handed out most generously. I may truthfully say, that if all the lines I learned that first year were put to- gether in one book, it would be of larger volume than Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” Miss Potter seemed to be quite popular that year. Afternoons her room had more the appearance of the headquarters of a literary club than a school room. Several scholars used to come nightly to pay her a friend ly visit and demonstrate to her how many lines they had learned. The latter part of the year, our class was made distinguished by the appearance, one morning, of John Twiss Hunt in long trousers. If I do say so, he looked jaunty. He was always distinguished looking, and the long trousers, (which were a trifle too big), added the final finishing touch. He immediately became very popular with the girls, and has continued so ever since. After a long and happy vacation, we returned to school in September with the dignified rank of Sophomores. We had Miss Gear for our room teacher. She gave us a vigorous and efficient administration. It was our own fault if we did not know by heart at the end of the year the rules for the conduct of a perfect lady or gentleman. I might also add, that at the end of the year, it was a tie in which we would prefer to live, Holyoke or Westfield. Anyone in the class could draw a map of either with his eyes shut. We elected our class officers this year. George Romieu, who had always been popular with both sexes, was elected president; Vivian Gow- dy, vice-president; Anna Farr, secretary and Edward Bridge, treasurer. The class showed their confidence in Bridge by allowing him to serve with-

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10 THE ENFIELD ECHO During the influenza epidemic in October, the class was suddenly shocked by the death of Charles Buscemi. He was a fine character and a perfect gentleman, and the loss of one of our most beloved classmates was felt by the entire school. In no department of the school, however, was his loss felt more heavily than in the “Echo.” Anna Farr was elected Editor-in-Chief to take Buscemi’s place. She has done her work well and the “Echo” has prospered under her guid- ance. Our class may well be proud of its military record. Leighton Bar- ret enlisted in the Student Army Training Corps. Raymond Melior en- listed in the Merchant Marine. Had the war lasted only two months longer, several more of our boys would have entered the service, as they had made definite arrangements to do so in January. Just think of it classmates! We are the only class ever graduated from the Enfield High school, which has had one of its students a volun- teer for active service in the defense of his country. We may well be proud of our class and of Mr. Mellor, who had made it possible for us to have this record. Before Lent this year, the pupils of the high school gave a pop con- cert, the proceeds of which were to be used for school athletics. It was a success both financially and socially. The Senior class did fine work in promoting this social affair and it is partly due to their efforts that it turned out to be such a success. Over the week end of May 24, our class received an invitation to visit our state college. Several Seniors took advantage of this opportu- nity, thereby establishing a new record for us, the first class which has taken a trip to our state college. We also decided that we would publish a class book, with individual pictures of every member of the Senior class, instead of the usual group picture. Bridge volunteered to take the pictures. His generous offer was accepted and I am sure you will agree with me when I say that Bridge is a remarkably good photographer. This class book is an innovation which we hope future classes will continue and perfect. Instead of blindly following the example of former classes in regard to class day exercises, our class decided to do something a little different. We decided to hold our class day exercises in the evening at the High School, to be followed by general dancing. We invited the Juniors to be our guests at these exercises. The success of our class is due to the remarkable influence of our beloved teachers and principal. Especially let me pay tribute to our prin- cipal, Mr. Bowman. His high standard of morals has always guided and encouraged us to do bigger and greater things. He has at all times taken a personal interest in each and every one of us. Much credit is also due our room teacher, Miss Cosgrove. Although at times the tasks she set have been rather hard, nevertheless we are so much the better for having accomplished them. She has stood ready at