Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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The Enfield Echo 7 When I returned again in the fall of 1941, I realized the loss of the head of my great family, Mr. Parkman, Superintendent of Schools. His absence is keenly felt at the family gatherings, but he will long remain in our hearts. Mr. Lee, our principal, was elected to take Mr. Parkman’s place, and Mr. Langford replaced Mr. Lee. I enjoyed a very active and profitable year under the friendly guidance of Mr. Langford. The Hi-Y minstrel was a howling suc- cess under the direction of comedy-master Mr. Tatoian. The leads in the school play were enriched by Esther Radosti, Warren Haight, Myrtle Merrill, and Therese DuBois. 1 proved that I deserved the right to wear long pants by making my Junior Prom something to be long remembered. The dignity and success of the prom was complete under the reign of Host Warren Haight and Hostess Doris Bechard. Bill O’Brien and Wanda Parvelac were again chosen for presi- dent and vice-president, and Edith Magill was elected secretary with Bob Keller as treasurer. Due to adverse conditions, it was suggested that the Washing- ton trip be taken this year, rather than wait until after the duration. Many of my family made the trip with the pompous Seniors and returned filled with the enthusiasm of the born traveler. Those who were unable to make the trip were envious of the more fortunate ones. That spring we lost a very valuable member of our family. Our loss, however, was Mr. Langford’s gain, as he left the family circle to take up the superintendency in Putnam. The next fall I returned to welcome Mr. Hassett as the new principal. He has worked faithfully and diligently with us and for us, and I am proud to be the first class to graduate under him. The first event of my crowning year was the Senior-Freshman Reception, where I mingled with the small fry and welcomed them into the family. Now I was the eldest, the wisest and the strongest member of my family. I held the enviable position of the Senior! Defiant from the start, I chose an entirely new slate of officers. President, Bob Keller; vice-president, Mike Panella; secretary, Rosalie D’Aleo; and treasurer, Bob Starr. The Hi-Y minstrel once again proved successful with Warren Haight acting as master of ceremonies. Dwelling for a moment on that performance, how can I forget the foolish antics of Baronian, the precision and beauty of the Follies Bergere, not to mention others. The White Christmas Prom’s success was due in no small meas- ure to the efforts of Bob Keller who acted as general chairman. He and Myrtle Merrill, as host and hostess, added to the evening’s festivities. The school play, “Sky Roads,” saw many of my family capably displaying their talents. Those participating were Donald Richards, Myrtle Merrill, Warren Haight, Bob Starr, and Gen O’Hara.

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6 The Enfield Echo Prominent activities during 1939 and 1940 were the glee club, the Hi-Y, and the basketball team, which boasted of whipping the day-lights out of the varsity team, a feat never accomplished. As the year progressed, my family was faced with the task of selecting potential and competent officers. The honors went to Joe Czipulis, president; Wanda Parvelac and Gene Furey, vice- presidents; Ann Scavotto, secretary, and Lucyan Augustyniak, treasurer. Many fond memories were cherished that first winter. When Mother Nature drew the curtains at 5 o’clock each one of us found delight in walking home. And then there was the enviable but not forgotten dancing school. How well 1 remember the struggling efforts of my family as it endeavored to enhance its gracefulness through the patient tutelage of Hazel and Tommy. It still remains a mystery as to why these two enthusiasts did not continue their teaching to another freshman group. Alas, spring came, and as the days grew longer and tbe year shorter, each member of the family eagerly looked forward to the coming year. I returned in the fall of 1940, older, wiser, and much more confident. At least I thought 1 was important until I tried to walk through the downstairs corridor while classes were passing and was literally trampled upon by my elder brothers, 1941 and 1942. How to assert my rights! Ah, the freshmen! They are innocent and gullible. This idea was short-lived, however, as this year’s crop made it known that one year didn’t add much to one’s growth. It wasn’t long before the talents of the family were recognized. In the fall “Geese” Baronian and Ann Scavotto were given stellar roles in the Hi-Y minstrel. Their performances added a feather to my cap. Now that the ice was broken, nothing could stop my prog- ress. During the year I entered into extra-curricular activities, such as the Hi-Y, the Girl Reserves, and the glee club, to say nothing of basketball, with such well-known stars as Steve Triolo, Joe Czipulis, and Henry Buika. The second year was also marked by the organization of a new uniformed cheering squad, with Ann Scavotto and Doris Bechard representing the family. The popularity and commendable work of Wanda Parvelac, Ann Scavotto, and Lucyan Augustyniak helped them to retain their honors as vice-president, secretary, and treasurer respectively, while a new leader arose from our midst in the person of Bill O’Brien to carry on the responsibilities of president. The year rolled on and spring came again. I became conscious of the fact that I was aging rapidly by the loss of my esteemed brother, 1941. Keenly looking forward to another year, one in which I would be the second eldest member of my family, I was scarcely aware of the momentous step to be taken in my family history.

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8 The Enfield Echo CLASS PROPHECY (By Wanda Parvelac, Marjorie Bridge, John Rarus, Warren Haight) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Marjorie Bridge, flight hostess, reporting the take-off of the Trans-Oceanic Transport Plane from Bradley Field, the center of Trans-Atlantic Flights all over the world since January 1957. Our crew consists of seven men, two of whom are Warren Haight and John Rarus, members of the class of 1943. On our passenger list I find Wanda Parvelac who was voted the most diligent student of our class. Excuse me for a moment while I run over to speak to her. Marjorie: “I see that you are going to Florida.” Wanda: “Yes, the war bonds I purchased are now redeemable, in full, and I’m taking my well-earned vacation.” Marjorie: “If you’re still living in Thompsonville, you must be in touch with quite a few members of our graduating class.” Wanda: “Yes. Have you heard that Robert Shea is the most prosperous hardware man of the town, selling screws and wrenches to Paul Rivard and Arthur Slanetz? Fuzzy Fasano still keeps his old theory of lying in bed until noon. Now that his stores, ‘Fuzzy’s Self Service Markets’ are prospering so well he is able to put the theory into practice. Mike Panella has contracted to do the plumb- ing of Richard Moody’s new yacht. Richy won the boat by selling the most subscriptions to the ‘Thompsonville Gazette’ last year.” Marjorie: “I heard from Henry Falkowski who is connected with the Pratt Whitney plants in Connecticut. He is on an as- signment in Ireland teaching wayward gremlins a trade. Henry made a flying trip to Lisbon last week and there he met Nicholas Giaccone, who is purser on a large trans-oceanic plane. On his last trip he had Gene Furey and Charlotte Leathe as passengers. Gene, our successful business woman, owns a silver fox farm in Canada. Charlotte is her advisor and general business manager. Henry’s business didn’t keep him in Lisbon long and on his return who should be piloting his plane but Edward Knight, who is noted for making a non-stop flight around the world in seven and a half hours. Eddie happened to mention Edwin Jarmoc’s name and Henry asked One of the saddest events during my Senior year was losing numerous of my friends who felt it their patriotic duty to serve Uncle Sam. Among these were Miss Edith Simonton, Miss Eliza- beth Crombie, and Mr. Homer Fowler from the faculty. There were also Leon Beauregard and Joseph Bajek from the class. With a tear in my eye, a prayer in my heart, and a smile on my lips, I now part from my favorite family, and turn from the lovely past to the uncertain future with a fond hope that the coming years will be as rich as these past four years have been.