Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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The Enfield Echo 7 faculty. Mr. Angelica and Mr. Ricci, two of our teachers, were the first to leave their positions to enter the Armed Forces of our country. We were sorry to lose two of our favorite teachers, but we felt that what was our loss was the Army’s gain. To lead us during the forthcoming year, we elected Fred Bomely again as our President, Joan Kennedy as Vice-President, Margaret Kiley as Secretary, and Edward Zebrowski as Treasurer. “Collegiate Revue,” the annual Hi-Y Minstrel, was getting under way early in the season under the direction of Mr. Tatoian. Many of our class members comprised the chorus, while Janice Ryan represented our class as soloist, and John O’Brien as endman. The leading dramatic production of the year was “Lease On Liberty,” skillfully coached by Miss Helen Javorski. The cast in- cluded Janet Bromage, Claire Rush, and Fred Bomely. The annual one-act play contest was held at Enfield this year. “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie,” a comedy, was presented under the direc- tion of Mr. Nigro, with Claire Pare and David Bordua in the lead- ing roles. An outstanding event at Enfield this year was the “Ballad For Americans” Concert, with the Glee Club of Enfield accompanying Paul Robeson. The students who took part will long remember this event as a treasured and unusual experience. Once again the end of another year clouds our memory, and, with a new-won confidence in ourselves, and a definite aim in our minds and hearts, springing from a successful year of achievement, we felt prepared to bestow upon ourselves the title of “Juniors”. This was a year marked by more changes, both in faculty and in our curriculum. Our country’s entry into the war caused every- one to put forth more effort, and to adopt “Work and Study for Victory,” as his slogan. Eager to do our part, we felt it was our duty to do all we could, because this was our war, too. Again we were welcomed back by a new principal, Mr. Hassett, to succeed Mr. Langford. First Aid, War Economics, and an Air Raid Protection course were added to our curriculum as “Victory Classes” for the ensuing school year. Two hours a week were devoted to these courses from our regular schedule. It was not an unusual sight, if, walking through the corridors on a Tuesday or Friday morning, we saw a group of students administering the correct' artificial respiration technique on their classmates. We were especially grateful to our new principal, Mr. Hassett, for inaugurating the lunch period, a refreshing fifteen-minute pause in the day’s work. We also gave many thanks to the Home Eco- nomics Department for preparing those delicious sandwiches which were enjoyed daily. No, that rushing from the various classrooms at the end of the fourth period was not a fire or air raid drill; it was only the students going to the cafeteria. Another course, which was added to our curriculum in con-

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6 The Enfield Echo Memories,” so that once more we may relive four precious years of our lives. Remember that September of 1940 when we first entered through the doors of Enfield? That was a moment we had looked forward to for eight years, and our eager faces and resolved ex- pressions bore a note of pride—pride in our school and everything it stood for. The Senior-Freshman Reception, arranged by the Seniors for the purpose of welcoming the Freshmen into the school, made us feel warm and glowing inside to know that we were the first class of Freshmen to be honored in such a manner by the Seniors, and to be recognized as a part of the school. The great success of this first attempt has now become an accepted tradition with each senior class. This seemed to have been a year of changes. A new and orig- inal plan of rotating editors was adopted by the Freshmen for the Freshman Static Page. Much hidden talent was brought out by this plan, and, before long, everyone began to look forward to read- ing the Freshman Page, interesting and full of variety. After a few months of school had gone by, and the process of acquainting ourselves with our class members had been completed, we held elections of class officers. We felt that Fred Bomely as President, Genevieve Ward as Vice-President, Janice Ryan as Sec- retary, and Margaret Kiley as Treasurer, proved capable of lead- ing us. The dramatic ability present in some of our classmates had occasion to reveal itself in the one-act comedy, “Quiet Please.” Under the able direction of Mr. Nigro, members of the cast, includ- ing Claire Pare, Janice Ryan, Claire Rush, David Bordua, and Sevario DeCaro, journeyed to Ludlow High School on February 10 where “Quiet Please” was presented. Students of our class gathered together for fun and frolic at the outstanding social event of the year, the G. O. Party, where movies and dancing were enjoyed. Francis Panella, Joseph Cusimano, and Clarence Hicks showed great promise of outstanding athletic careers because of their work on the Freshman Football Team. As the June of 1941 slowly fades away, we turn a page in our “Scrapbook of Memories,” and that memorable fall of 1941 comes into view. Remember that September, when, after having already estab- lished a firm foothold in our high school careers, we were ready and proud, as Sophomores, to walk the corridors of Enfield High, side by side with other upperclassmen? The glorious feeling of being a part was instilled in our hearts and minds on that Septem- ber morn. We were welcomed back by a new principal, Mr. Langford, to replace Mr. Lee, and soon we learned of new changes in the

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8 The Enfield Echo junction with the war effort was Aeronautics. Mr. Fowler served as instructor for a time, and later was replaced by Mr. Staszko. We all gave three cheers for our aeronautics students and the in- structor who will teach them to “keep ’em flying.” A main event this year, as always, was the election of officers. Fred Bomely was elected President for the third successive time, with Florence Moschetti as Vice-President, Jean O’Brien as Secre- tary, and Joseph D’Ascoli as Treasurer. The annual Hi-Y Minstrel, “Victory Revue,” the first public presentation of the year, directed by Mr. Tatoian, was well-received, and members of our class who appeared as principals in this pro- duction were Janice Ryan, Elspeth Stowe, Claire Rush, and Dorothy Dobrozensky as soloists; and Janet Bromage, John O’Brien, and Robert Gallant as endmen. With physical well-being constantly stressed during war-time, new commando tactics in the girls’ gym classes were formed as part of the “keep fit” program. It was not uncommon, therefore, on Mondays and Thursdays, to see the girls, all out of breath, com- ing into the classroom just in time for their next class. Orchids went to Miss Javorski, director, and the cast of “Sky- roads”, the annual school play. Those who made it such a great success were Claire Rush, Janice Ryan, Frances Burns, Janet Bromage, Joan Fahey, David Bordua, and Fred Bomely. Being one of the best plays ever presented, “Skyroads” merited the high praise and commendation of all attending the performance. Members of our class who deserve credit for their excellent work on the staff of the Static this year are Claire Pare, editor-in- chief; Josephine Caramazza, literary editor, and Josephine An- gelica, business manager. The coming of spring meant the long-awaited Junior “May- time” Prom. Hostess Adeline Cimino and Host Terry Burke were present to greet the gay couples, who danced for one joyous eve- ning when school and studies were forgotten. “How to Get and Hold a Job” was the topic for Career Day. sponsored by Mr. Lyons. Representatives of various fields and professions presented some helpful and timely suggestions on this topic, and acquainted us with different occupations and professions. We noted keenly this year the absence of three greatly-admired members of the faculty. The names of Miss Crombie, Miss Simon- ton, and Mr. Fowler were added to those of Mr. Angelica and Mr. Ricci, as having answered their country’s call. As part of our work toward victory, drives for war stamps, salvage, waste paper, and silk stockings were launched in the early part of the year, and were continued throughout the year. In the fields of sports, the Basketball Team brought honor to themselves by winning the coveted Valley Wheel Championship. Time has certainly played a trick on us. The curtain had already come down on three years—three years of diligent and