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

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

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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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A. D. Higgins Junior High School (Ulasa Will Mr. Parkman, Mr. White, teachers and friends : The Class of 1939, on the eve of her departure from this planet, extends to you her final farewell. At the request of our most noble client, the Class of 1939, of the A. D. Higgins School, Town of Enfield, State of Conn. U. S. A., we have summoned you to this auditorium, that you may hear her will and receive her gifts. Being on the very threshold of death, with so many affairs of great importance to be attended to, the Class of 1939 deems it best to distribute with her own hands the precious gifts that are hers to bestow. She trusts that you will ac- cept said gifts as sacred tokens of a great and outstanding class which has passed on to her reward. Hark, one and all, while the document is being read as duly drawn up and sworn to. We the Class of 1939, of the Alvin D. Higgins School being about to pass from this world of education, do make and publish this, our last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by us heretofore made. Primarily, we do direct that our fu- neral services be conducted with pomp and circumstance, and with the dignity that we have at all times displayed. We request that said services be con- ducted by the principal, the faculty and our friends. Fully conscious in our dying hours, we realize that our time upon this world is limited. Therefore we do wish to dis- tribute among our dear friends our most admirable and distinctive qualities. We do dispose of the same as follows: Item : We give and bequeath to our beloved Superintendent, Mr. Edgar H. Parkman our true appreciation for the inspiration he has ever given to us. Item: We give and bequeath to our beloved faculty our heartfelt gratitude for all they have done for us and all the un- usual and quite remarkable information which we have imparted to them in our oral discussions and written exams. Item: All the pupils of the eighth grade who have made an improvement in health leave a record of such improvement to Miss Sullivan. We feel that it will please her greatly to have a permanent record of our dental work done, tonsils removed, eye glasses fitted, and gains made in weight and height. Item : We give and bequeath to the seventh grade pupils Wanda Parvelac’s and Fannie Tomaszek’s knowledge in all branches of learning. Item: To all the future classes we relinquish the privileges we have enjoyed during our blissful years at the A. D. Higgins School. Item: Certain individuals of the Class of 1939 make the following bequests: 1. To Edward Carroll, Lucyan Augustyniak leaves his drawing talent. 2. Donald Richards leaves a very promising voice to Janice Ryan. 3. Geraldine Snyder receives a long list of boyfriends from Ann Bissland. We’re sure she’ll use them. 4. Mary Karona, Michalina Dusza, Frances Fiore are leaving their efficient work as librarians to some conscientious girls in seventh grade. 5. Rita O’Brien leaves her vanity to Virginia Vail. 6. Henry Buika leaves a multitude of freckles to Robert Goodwin. We know that they will be more than sufficient. 7. Earl Richardson leaves his sunny disposition and executive ability to the next president of 8A. 8. Harold Therrien and Benny Bak leave their job as industrious milk ped- dlers to John Olko and Raymond Ligenza. 9. Donald Brown receives Michael Zirolli’s boxing ability. Perhaps he will be able to use it in the eighth grade. 10. To anyone whom they will fit, Conrad Pare leaves his size ten shoes. 11. Shirley Moore leaves her charm to Claire Rush. Boyfriends will like it. 12. Albert Baronian leaves his end- man ability to Lucy Angelica. 13. To any benighted seventh graders who will accept it, Gene Furey leaves her problems as class secretary. 14. The conduct book opens its pages for an autograph which is not welcome. 15. John Raissis gladly leaves his French book to anyone who intends to be as bright a scholar as Johnny is. 16. To Carlo De Caro, Donnetta Ruggiero leaves her weight — which is pleasingly plump. 17. Lillian Gebo leaves her tomboy manners to Shirley Landry. 18. Stella Gumineiak leaves her eve- ning gowns to whom they will fit in the seventh grade. Someone will surely like them.