Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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The Enfield Echo 7 won first place in the American Legion Area Contest, placed third in the Hartford County Oratorical Contest. Ramona was chosen to represent Enfield at Laurel State Camp held during the summer. She came back to us with the honored title of “best all-around girl.” Frank Jakubiec was chosen to represent Enfield at Boys’ Camp. In April, “Rose of the Danube,” the school operetta, was presented under the supervision of Miss Antrinette Roach with Roland Gagne in the leading role. Frank Gracewski was chosen from forty-two other boys to be awarded the Rural Youth Award. Governor Bald- win presented the award and all of us were thrilled that Frank had won it. With the Victory in Europe coming on May 8, our junior year drew to a close. Every one of us felt that it had been a grand and successful year. In the fall of 1945, as peace once again surrounded the earth, we entered the portals of Enfield to take our place as seniors. At last the cloak of dignity had descended. We hoped we would wear it well. Our Senior-Freshman Reception remains clearly in our minds tonight. It turned out to be a gala affair. Yes, the fresh- men eyed us with awe and we were in our glory. In October, we held Class Elections and once again Richard Vining assumed the role of President with Bernard Santenella, Vice-President; Wanda Mastalisz, Secretary; and Herbert Davidson, Treasurer. In November came the Hi-Y Minstrel, “Happy Landing” with our own Richard Vining as Interlocuter. Our principal, Mr. Hassett, left us during the winter to take up his new duties as Superintendent of Schools in Woburn, Massachusetts. We welcomed as our new principal, Mr. Harry E. Tatoian. In December, our school De- baters under the direction of Mr. J. Hesley Lyons, trimmed the Rotarian debaters on the question concerning military training. Those taking part were James Jackson and Richard Vining. The American Legion Oratorical Contest took place this year with Dorothy Bridge winning the area, county and state contests; thus having the honor of being sent to the regional contest in New Jer- sey, competing with New York and New Jersey Contestants. In April, the school play entitled “Spring Green” was presented. Among the seniors who participated in the production were Marie Binnenkade, Richard Vining, Helen Javorski, Lincoln Fuge, James Jackson, Richard Shields, Charles Alaimo, and Thomas Mailloux. Our happiest and most recent memory is our class trip. We were able to travel to Washington, D. C., where we spent many exciting hours. We profited greatly by this trip not only as a vacation highlight but also as an historical pleasure. Our country means so much more to us now. Tonight, as we close this history, we remember those who are not with us on this Class Night. Among those missing are “Frosty” Ferguson, the popular janitor, who was forced to leave last year because of illness; and Ray Tanguay, who has joined the service. Faculty members, who have returned after service in the armed

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6 The Enfield Echo upon the seniors, and the year 1946 seemed very far away. We went to Dancing Class every week during the fall. We soon dared to try our social wings at the proms. We took all these events in our stride and when we budded into sophomores, we felt dignity already descending upon us. At least WE thought so! Our sophomore year started off with a bang! In October, two of our classmates, Richard Vining and Lincoln Fuge, participated in the Columbia School of the Air. In November, several of our sophomores, namely, Virginia Green, Jean Humphries, Bernice Larrabee, and Fred Hanks were soloists in the Minstrel, “South Land Revue.” Class elections were held in December. President, James Richards; Vice-President, Ray Tanguay; secretary, Cath- erine Alaimo, and Treasurer, Josephine Bruno became our capable leaders. We remember vividly the annual school play, and were greatly honored to have our own Lincoln Fuge play the lead in “What A Life.” Another star was added to our crown when Miss Josephine Bruno won a silver medal in the State-Latin Contest. At the end of June, a new “Static” staff was chosen with Elinor MacGovern as Editor-in-Chief, and Joan Klaus as Assistant Editor. As we looked back upon our days as sophomores, we felt proud of our achievements as a class. And we were very eager to assume the important role of Juniors. Through the year of 1945 many memorable events occurred. There was much enthusiasm about the election of the junior class officers. Each candidate presented his views at assembly and the following were elected by the Junior Class to represent them. President, Richard Vining; Vice-President, Fred Hanks; Secretary, Wanda Mastalisz and Treasurer, Marie Binnenkade. An assembly was held in November, during the time of the presidential election. Robert Cummings, Frank Jakubiec, James Jackson, Richard Vin- ing, and Charles Alaimo participated. This assembly, composed of all Juniors, was acclaimed by all as a high light of the year. The following Juniors took part in Radio Broadcasts over WDRC: Marie Binnenkade, Hildegarde Thoben, Richard Vining, Lincoln Fuge, Robert Cummings, and James Jackson. Miss Marie Binnen- kade and Richard Shields, both juniors had the leading roles in the annual school play entitled “Junior Miss.” This play became one of the school’s biggest successes of the year. The American International College Model Congress was attended by the following juniors: Frank Jakubiec, Lincoln Fuge, Robert Cummings, Richard Vining, and James Jackson. They all participated in the program. Our outstanding event, which we remember tonight, was the spon- soring of the Junior Prom. The theme of this prom, which was ejoyed by all, was “Southern Fantasy.” Richard Vining and Marie Binnenkade were host and hostess for the Prom. In the second annual inter-class track meet that was held in 1945, the junior class was placed second, trailing the seniors by a few points. A very proud moment came in March when Ramona Figurato, who had

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8 The Enfield Echo CLASS PROPHECY OF 194G Part I (By Lorraine Tanguay) Ten years ago, we of the class prophecy committee had planned to hold a reunion at the Midnight Spa. After an absence of nearly nine years, I returned home to keep this appointment. To my utter amazement, I discovered that I didn’t know my way around my own home town. 1 had expected changes to take place, but not such overwhelming changes, which in ten short years, had made our little town of Enfield one of the leading metropolises of the world. This, of course, was due to the fact that I had underes- timated the enterprising qualities of one, Frank Jakubiec, whose foresight and determination wrought these miracles. I had pre- dicted that he would hold some judicial position in the future, but I had no idea that he would ever become our “Little Flower” of Enfield. Getting my bearings at good, old Enfield High, I headed north- west to the locality in which I believed was the Midnight Spa. I had to cross through Manischalchi Park, which extended from En- field High down to Main Street. As I walked along, I stopped to read a plaque which verified my suspicions that the park was named in honor of the illustrious composer, Vencenzo Manischalchi, a for- mer classmate, whom I had prophesized would be the owner of the chain grocery stores of Manischalchi Sons. I slowed down a bit to appreciate the beauties of this park. What was once the mill pond was now a winding brook flanked on either side by sunk- en gardens. It was like a horticulturist’s dream, and upon further investigation, I learned that the horticulturist was none other than Mabel Norman, the former supervisor of the Mossing Department at Enfield Gardens. Leaving the park behind, I stood in awe as I viewed the beauti- ful edifice which supplanted the Midnight Spa and all the other lit- tle stores in the vicinity. The ground floor was used as a hotel, in the lobby of which I expected to meet the prophecy committee. As I entered, I had anticipated being greeted with shrieks of laugh- ter and much back-slapping, but to my surprise I was met with warm dignity and poise. As we stepped into the elevator, I noticed that it was operated by Jimmy Ragno, whom I had said would come up in the world. forces are Mr. Russell, Mr. Ricci, Mr. Fowler, and Mr. Angelica. Yes, as you can surely see, we have had four never-to-be-forgotten years at Enfield High School. With this Class History, we lock many memories in our hearts, and the key to them will always be near by.