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

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A. D. Higgins Junior High School — Continued from before Qraduates The Canal Zone was possibly the most unhealthful and unsanitary spot in the two Americas where white men were forced to live, and Gorgas’ work in wiping out yellow fever had to begin with fundamentals. Disease - breeding filth was cleaned up, marshes were drained, houses were screened against the infection - carrying mosquito, and within an incredibly short time the Zone was transformed from a deadly section into an area where men might live and work without danger to their health. It has been estimated that in the ten years the Canal was built he saved more than 70,000 lives and $80,000,000. Gorgas thus had a part in the con- struction of the Canal comparing favor- ably with that taken by the great en- gineer, Goethals, for engineering ability would have failed to accomplish the un- dertaking, as it did in the attempt of the great Frenchman, De Lesseps, had it not been for Col. Gorgas’ triumph over the age-long forces of disease and death. Equally marvelous was the work done by General Goethals and his troops of engineers and workmen, with their giant American excavators, dredges, and other machines, which excelled those of De Lesseps as much as the medical sci- ence of Gorgas exceeded that of the earlier French medical officers. Hence- forth for ten years one could have seen such a sight as the world perhaps had never witnessed since the building of the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. The digging and dredging, and the build- ing of concrete walls went on in the face of incessant difficulties, such as earth- quakes, floods and disease. Then on Octo- ber 10, 1913, President Wilson, 4000 miles away in the White House, pressed an electric button, and the Panama Canal was a dream realized. For the United States and its sister American republics, the opening of the Canal was the inauguration of a great new Pan- American era of commerce, friendship, and peace. The poem, “Goethals: The Prophet Engineer”, written at the completion of the great undertaking, is a hymn of praise for him who, through “Trying and Trusting”, triumphed where others had failed. I shall quote the first and last stanzas : “A man went down to Panama Where many a man had died To slit the sliding mountains And lift the eternal tide; A man stood up in Panama, And the oceans stood aside. So nevermore the tropic routes Need poleward warp and veer, But on through the Gates of Goethals The steady keels shall steer, Where the tribes of men are led toward peace By the prophet-engineer.” We have seen how, but for their per- sistence and faith, Gorgas and Goethals might easily have been defeated in their great task. Many were the times when we, too, seemed almost to fail and we would have become discouraged had it not been for our trust in our teachers, and their trust in us. It was through their efforts, as well as our own, that we have finished the work of the first eight grades. Therefore, on behalf of the Higgins School graduates, I wish to express deep appreciation to our teachers, to our prin- cipal, Mr. White, to Mr. Parkman, Super- intendent of Schools, and also to our parents, who have all done so much for us. Let us hope that their efforts in our behalf will be well rewarded by our worthwhile achievements. If we follow faithfully the first two steps of our motto by trying hard and by trusting in ourselves and others, we shall surely triumph. Wanda Parvelac. $1 rtzra The members of the graduating class of 1939 are eligible for several prizes given by organizations and individuals. In memory of Alvin D. Higgins, prizes will be given to the two students attain- ing the highest rank in scholarship. The highest ranking student will have his name engraved on the scholarship plaque which hangs in the lower corridor of the school. This student will also receive a scholarship key. Two prizes of five dollars each will be given by the Woman’s Club of Enfield to. the students ranking highest in Math- ematics and English. Through the generosity of one of our cherished friends, a prize of two and one-half dollars will be given to the boy and girl making the greatest improve- ment in Penmanship and Dictation. To the student ranking highest in American History the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars will present five dollars. On behalf of the school, Mr. White will present two and one-half dollars to the pupil who has shown the most im- provement. To the one who is selected as the best citizen of the school goes a bronze key in addition to two and one- half dollars in money. To the outstanding athlete is presented a medal.

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The Tatler PS? Harold Therrien, “Harold Teen” Walter Wosko, “W T aler” ffjn ! Glee Club, Tatler Staff, Class Orchestra f JL Will, High Honor Student I Walter is so neat and smart. “Honor to whom honor is due.” In school, his favorite subject is art. Jean Tomaka Irene Wojcieszek, “I” jfk Orchestra 1 m W k m v : |WB You will never see Irene shirk. On the violin Jean plays soft and That’s why she’s good in all her work. ; B Jam sweet, i nLs When we listen to her we set quite a ■ treat. Jr. J0BE% Fannie Tomaszek Virginia Ruth Young, “Bunny” Mjz 1L Tatler Staff, Home Economics Glee Club, Home Economics a Club B B w 1 - V Club, Salutatorian m3 jflry With her very fine mind and helpful way. In Miss Twomey’s thoushts she’ll al- Small in size and full of fun. She says “Hello” to everyone. fa ways stay. Frank Zaczynski, “S. 0. S Stephen Triolo, “T-bone” Student Council Lwj Baseball, Basketball, Member of When it comes to talking Frank is right on top. k Student Council The class athlete you here meet ; And when he once gets started, it’s r.: :: J| . ' ; ; In all kinds of sports he knows no hard to make him stop. • Jr pSHL defeat. ’13) rfStt Helen Zareski Jb 1 4 r rn J Frederick E. Turner, “Fred” i JBr v It is the quiet man who succeeds. Wherever Helen is, she brings delight, : . ; With her gentle ways and her smile so bright. r Frm Josephine Vella, “Peppy” Stanley Zareski, “Stan” f Josephine has curly hair. And the latest hair styles she wears. Glee Club, Basketball M : S Stanley Zareski excels in every game. But it was in basketball he won his fame. f % Mary Vella, “May” Sometimes serious, sometimes gay. I j With the boys she has a way. Dorothy Zito, “Dot” 3 Ever loyal, ever true. To the task J f V! John Ward, “Jackie” She has to do. At Camera Club, Honor Student , „ j Big of mind but small in size, Michael Zirolli, “Mike Zero” i ks The cheerful way is no disguise. 1 her Basketball, Baseball, Glee Club, Camera Club, Honor Student ' 3™ ms [Ca Joseph Wenc Honor Student “To be strong is to be happy.” r rl mV From a little spark may burst a mighty flame. Stella M. Zych, “Steffie” ■ jfljtet Stella looks like a quiet one, But is always ready for a little fun. -4l3t Helen Wlotkowski gjp Helen, who comes on the King Street bus. Rarely ever makes a fuss.

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TATLER STAFF — Photo by Brown BOYS’ BASKETBALL — Photo by Brown