Higgins Junior High School - Tatler Yearbook (Thompsonville, CT)

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alt? @atl?r Edited and Published by the Pupils of A. D. Higgins Junior High School , Thompsonville , Connecticut (Class ntig Hail, Higgins Junior High (Adapted from Hail, Pennsylvania) I Hail, Higgins Junior High! Steadfast and strong; To thee with loyal hearts, we sing this song Swelling to heaven high, our many praises ring; Hail, Higgins Junior High, to thee we sing. II Hail, Higgins Junior High! Guide of our youth ; Lead thou thy children on to light and truth ; Ne’er can thy spirit die, nor thy walls decay Hail, Higgins Junior High, for thee we pray. (Slims ijtistflrti u Time Marches On.” This statement, created and popular- ized by newsreel cameramen and the motion picture industry, has come to be a symbol of progress and activity. The “March of Time” presents a vivid, con- cise review of the news all over the world. We have borrowed the phrase as the theme of our class history. Looking forward two years ago, the road seemed very long, but all too soon we have come to the end. With our imaginary news- reel camera, let us turn back the pages of history two years, and examine in quick review the highlights of news con- cerning the “Class of ’39.” A group of young people gathered from various parts of the town on Sep- tember 7, 1937, to enter the first year of junior high school. This group of merry pupils were shy, but very eager to learn all they can in this short length of time. We find them looking forward to a year of health, progress and happiness. We hope that the clear, cool weather is an indication of what the future holds for us. On September 16 we started our first extra-curricular activities by helping the eighth grade in their annual magazine drive. The leading salesmen in our class were Edward Knight and William O’Brien. Late October brings an important item of news. The first report cards tell the (Elasa Purm School days full of work and pleasure, Friendships hard to part; Happy times beyond all measure, Thoughts that fill the heart. There are work and pleasure waiting, If we strive our share to do; With a courage unabating, And a heart that’s ever true. Now the time has come for parting, From the Higgins Junior High; We will try to raise your standards, Ever upward to the sky. Sidney Bushnell. story of progress during the first two months. There were nineteen pupils on the Honor Roll. On November 16 the basketball team for 1937-38 was organized. Players from our “Class of ’39” were Michael Panella and Stephen Triola. Hopes are high for a good team during the coming year. On November 24 a news flash of spe- cial importance! Off for Thanksgiving Vacation! We hope everyone will not have to take Castor Oil after the big feast. During December the Higgins School joined the battle against tuberculosis by carrying on the annual sale of Christmas seals.

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— Photo by Brown IN HONOR OF iflr. iErnrat iK. ItUiitr PRINCIPAL The graduating class of 1939 gladly takes advantage of the oppor- tunity here afforded to publicly express its appreciation and esteem by dedicating the current issue of the Year Book to their Principal, Mr. Ernest K. White, through whose wise, able and understanding leadership the affairs of the school have been so well administered and its future so confidently assured. ©lass of 1039 A. i. Higgins Sunior Minh S rl|O0l

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The Tatler £ On December 23 we wished one and all a Merry Christmas as we are out of school for a week’s vacation. February 2 was a significant day in the “March of Time.” Gloomy faces were the indication that Mid-Year Exams are now in order. Each one was anxious to excel in the first measure of our half year’s progress. On March 27 try-outs for our Rain- bow Minstrel started. Rehearsals will soon be in order. On April 27 our Rainbow Minstrel was presented. It was a huge success. Pupils in our class who helped the show were endmen, Henry Buika, Albert Baronian and John Rarus. On May 10 we returned from our week’s vacation and began practicing for the Fashion Show. On May 27 the Fashion Show under the direction of Miss Smith was pre- sented. The girls in our class who took part were: Bertha Gracewski, Eva Piotrowski, Ella Raffia, Wanda Parvelac, Gladys Bonk, Fannie Tomaszek, Frances Kukulka and Gene Furey. June 20 found us going into the second year of junior high school. We bade farewell to our leaders the “Class of ’38.” We hope that our second year of junior high school will be as successful as the first. On September the Class of 1939 re- assembled as eighth graders to complete the work of junior high school. Most of the pupils were hopeful and eager to start the year right and begin their studies immediately. We were all very happy to welcome our new principal Mr. Ernest K. White, who came to us from Warehouse Point. On September 27 we began a week of concentrated salesmanship in the form of our annual magazine drive. William O’Brien was chosen captain of the Amer- icans and Edward Knight the captain of the Nationals. Both boys were high salesmen last year. Miss Woods and Miss Twomey were the faculty advisors. The Americans won with William O’Brien being high salesman while Gene Furey was high saleslady. The winners had a box of candy kisses to eat while the losers entertained. On September 29 the Student Council was organized under the direction of Mr. White. The Student Council officers were elected as follows: President, Earl Richardson; Vice-President, Gene Furey; Secretary, Francis Fay. On October 12 Higgins was well repre- sented at the four-town fair at Hazard- ville. Our class won first prize for their Bigelow-rSanford project. Many boys and girls were awarded numerous prizes and honors for their splendid work in athlet- 7 ics. Michael Panella took first place in the 50 yard dash, the 440 yard dash, and the high jumps, winning three blue rib- bons. On December 21, the “Dickens Christ- mas Carol” was presented by members of the 8A division under the direction of Miss Twomey. Michael Zirolli had the lead as Scrooge and was ably supported by Conrad Pare who took the part of Fred, and Henry Buika who played the part of Bob Cratchett. On February 10 we had a bon-voyage assembly in honor of Miss Twomey. She was leaving us for a two month’s period to take a Mediterranean Cruise. Mr. Angelica became our substitute. On February 14 everyone was very busy opening their valentines — even the teachers. March 18. Latest news flash! After a season of hard playing the Higgins basketball squad won the championship trophy. The most outstanding players were Stanley Zareski and Stephen Triolo. In the latter part of March we started to work on our “Golden Jubilee Minstrel” under the direction of Miss Browne and Miss Stewart. After many weeks of hard work the minstrel was presented on April 19. Henry Buika, John Rarus, Josephine Curry, Albert Baronian, and Anna Scavatto gave outstanding per- formances as endmen. On May 10 Mr. White announced the highest honors of the Class of 1939. Wanda Parvelac was valedictorian and Fannie Tomaszek was salutatorian. Twenty-six students made high honors and thirty-five were honor students. June 8. News from the Home Eco- nomics Department ! Under the direction of Miss Smith the fashion show in the form of an operetta “The Suzanne Shop” was presented to an appreciative audi- ence. There were thirty-four girls in the cast. June 14 finds an excited and happy group gathered for the Class Day exer- cises. Class statistics, class wili, class prophecy and class history are part of the tradition of Class Day. June 15. A day full to the brim with fun as we enjoy our class picnic at Mountain Park. June 20 brings us to the culmination of our two years work. Graduation is a solemn, yet joyous occasion as we re- ceive our diplomas which entitle us to become alumni of our beloved Higgins School. In bringing to a close the review of our class history we pledge ourselves anew to our motto: “Try, Trust, and Triumph.” Gene Furey, Bertha Gracewski, Class Historians.