English High School - Blue and Blue / Record Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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routed at first, we formed a new line and from this test on never did we forget our memory pads. We maintained, in spite of the faculty ' s cold- blooded quizzes, a high percentage of passing grades per class. A common vow was sworn — next year the classes woilld have a few tricks in the bag. SOPHOMORE YEAR 1955- ' 56 The second year of the existance of our illus- trious class began with a bang. In fact it didn ' t begin at all. (on time that is) A polio epidemic covered the New England states and the Boston School Committee felt it best to delay the open- ing of school until the epidemic abated. Once again we were under the guidance of the same faculty with a few minor changes. Mr. Mclnerney decided to undergo once more the idiosyncracies of his faculty and students. We all deeply re- gretted the fact that Girl ' s Latin School moved during the summer and that Col. Meanix retired. I guess that he took one look at us and quit. Captain Robert Fisher replaced the Colonel and introduced us to the Boston English High School Trick Drill Team. Early in the year we had an interesting experience. During the first period a notice was sent to the individual home rooms, notifying the pupils to get their coats and return to their homerooms for dismissal. The boys were overjoyed by this but they soon found out that they were victims of the mad bomber. After the ballistics men went into action it was revealed that it was a hoax. Think of it, we almost saw the great English High School go up in an enormous puflF of smoke ! Next came the classic English-Latin game on Thanksgiving Day. The Blue and Blue carried most of the game away with a final score of: English 20, Latin 14. That night the English High School Alumni Association congratulated our vic- torious tfcam by honoring them at a testimonial dinner. Our hockey team took, a 9-2-1 record which included the city championship. The track team not to be outdone by the hockey team won the city championship and the regimental cham- pionship. A 7-5 record was displayed by our basket- ball team with two decisive victories over Boston Latin School. That year we beat Latin School in every major sport. In the spring we took part for the first time in the Annual Schoolboys ' Parade. Although we didn ' t take first place we wound up the year with our competent band and drum and bugle corps placing first above all other schools in our section. This year the teachers had a hard time; Mr. Evans was out sick, Joseph Sheehan suffered a severe heart attack which necessitated a conva- lescent period of two or three months in a hospital ; even Mr. Charles E. Murphy, who is apparently indestructible took a leave of absence foi a similar reason. Substituting for Mr. Evans was Hal Connolly who went on later to set a new hammer- throwing record in the Olympic Games. During Mr. Evan ' s absence somebody had evidently dis- covered a new cure-all for school and tried to force it on us; smoke poured into the room on one occasion, sending the students gasping cheerfully for air.

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FRESHMAN YEAR 1954-1955 A new building and a new headmaster was a truly novel way to begin a new school year. Our heatjmaster Mr. Mclnerney, a quiet and very dignified gentleman, greeted us at the door of the new building of the Boston English High School. The school had moved during the summer to its present location on Avenue Louis Pasteur hear the Fenway. The building now occupied was the home of the now defunct High School of Commerce. The school itself differed greatly from the junior high schools; there were two lunchrooms but to our surprise no coke machines. Around us the higher institutions of learning towered over our Alma Mater, lending an atmosphere of true learn- in? and culture to our school. It also gave an air of dignity and studiousness to our student body. To top things off, located across the street ,was our traditional rival, Boston Latin School. Entering the school, our home for the next four years, we were led from the assembly hall down the hallowed halls to our respective rooms. The next few days were chaotic but cheerful ones for us; there had been a mix-up on the books and there was a delay in receiving our primers. Nat- urally we were all disappointed. Lockers were late too, but this also was benevolently endured. The upper classmen had begun military drill for that year and we watched, anxiously awaiting our sophomore year to begin. The drill team ' s neat uniforms were the chief attraction. The sports that year enjoyed moderate success. The football team did well, beating every team in the city except for our personal rival, Boston Latin School. Latin gave us a little trouble and they just barely squeezed by us 20-7. The cross country team flashed by the lesser school talent and won the city championship. This highly competitive team went on to completely rout Boston College High School. Our basketball team broke even with no complaints from anyone. The hockey team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons with an ice breaking record of 7-2-2. The base- ball team, winning all but two games, took the city championship. Hardly had we settled down to our semi-alert state of pupil versus teacher when our first tests hit us. Obviously the faculty had lain awake all night in anticipation of our arrival. These tests were masterpieces of their kind. Completely

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Not only was the seating plan getting full but the parking problem was worsening (to you who are illiterate it means getting worse ) , so gradu- ally that the richer element of the school took over the parking places. C lir sophomore year closed pleasantly when Efnglish High School won an award in the school- boy parade. Thus ,we marched out of one year and into another. ' JUNIOR YEAR This school year began with a few additions and subtractions to and from the staff. Mr. Joseph L. Malone, the successor to Mr. Mclnerney who had to go to Brighton High, shocked our classes with a startling social reform — Dress Right. New clubs were also organized. The French Club or The Circle Francaise was supervised by Mr. Robert Red Evans, until this well liked teacher passed away in his sleep. Chess, radio, photography, and military units were organized not to mention the discussion club. Taking the place of Mr. Evans, in capacity as a teacher, was Mr. Roche, a highly volatile person. Mr. Ralph Quinn passed away and Mr. Devore succeeded him as head of the history department. Mr. GifFord died after 27 years of devotion to the alma mater and was replaced by Mr. Cullinane. Also Mr. O ' Brien etransferred from Girl ' s Latin School and became head of the math department. He quickly became well liked by everyone because of his helpful manner, particularly in the matter of direct help in the preparation for college exams. Mr. Charles Keelon went to East Boston to be- come headmaster there. Since the price of milk went down to two cents, we were able to saye our hard earned cold cash for the privilege of contributing $2.50 to the class fund dues, (money isn ' t everything) . Captain Fisher obtained a flag in Washington and brought it back with him for the school-boy parade. When he returned to the school he founded a cadet officer training course. The student council, having been duly and leg- ally elected by the student body, efficiently set to work as befitted our major law-making body. New shiny mirrors were installed for the better appear- ance of English High School men. This same august body also decided to set up entrance exam- inations which each applicant considered would have to pass. The school was getting crowded and naturally we wanted only the best. SENIOR YEAR 1957-1958 At the commencement of our final year of high school everyone was either talking about or suffer- ing from the Chinese Chimney (Asian flu). In November of that year we all regretted the death of Colonel Meanix, whom we had met very briefly at the beginning of our sophomore year. We were all disgusted when the price of that -precious bev- erage served in our cafeteria was boosted to $.03. Many boys complained it upset their budget and they would probably have to give up car checks. (HA). The results of the senior class elections were: John Sullivan as President, Paul Scarlata as Vice President, Anthony Brandenburg as Secretary- Treasurer, and Paul Wolfson and Robert English as members of the Executive Committee. After the elections the school made the final arrange- ments for the construction of the hard top pave- ment in the rear yard. I don ' t believe the political machines had anything to do with these final ar- rangements. At about the same time the school was honored by a gift from the class of 1913. A beau- tiful stone, in memory of those students of English High who died for their country, was placed out on the front lawn and surrounded by shrubbery and floodlights. We also acquired a statue from