Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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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

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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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THE ENFIELD ECHO 11 all times to aid us in innumerable ways, and I express to her for this class our sincere appreciation for her unceasing work. Let me also mention Miss Potter. It is due to her efforts that all our social functions and dramatic efforts have been crowned with success. In conclusion, we hope that the succeeding classes will use our class as a model, and endeavor to preserve the high standard which we have set. I think you will agree with me when I say that the class of 1919 is the most remarkable class that was ever graduated from the Enfield Pub- lic High school. CLASS PROPHECY. By Theresa O’Connor and William O'Hear We are living in an era of predigestion. That is, the people of the present receive everything, literally predigested. Years ago, when our great grandfathers came to this country, they settled on small farms. In the winter, they went into the forest to cut wood, for fuel. In the summer they worked hard in the fields day and night in order to get their food supplies. They raised cattle to get their meat, and leather for shoes. They wove and made their own clothing. Today we do not give these things a thought. Why should we? We do not go into the forest for wood, for it is much easier and quicker to light the gas, or turn on the electricity. We can go down street to the stores, in any season of the year, and buy vegetables, or any foodstuffs. We can stop in the clothing stores and have a complete ready-made outfit in a short time. Likewise, years ago, when a boy reached his manhood, there was one of two ways to make a living; he could either stay at home and follow the trade of his father, or he could run a chance on the road of luck, and take whatever he could get. Today it is different. Very seldom we see a young person following the trade of his father, either because he wants something different or else something better. However, the average young person of today need not worry what he is going to do for a living, for someone is sure to tell him just what he is going to do, and how to do it. Tonight it is to be my privilege as the first M. D. of authority on pre- digestion, with the aid of my office assistant, Theresa O’Connor, who specializes particularly in hearts, to advise you, classmates, of your future. These little capsules will relieve your brain of the mighty effort of deciding for yourselves. The name of Sloane will be changed through Anna’s success, from a byword for liniment to the last word in hats. Miss Houlihan and Miss Browne will step into the place of the Dolly Sisters, the famous dancers, and will draw huge crowds nightly in their new comedy: “Come See.”