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

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The Tatler new Student Council and elect officers for the 1943 Graduating Class who are President, John Fleming; Vice-President, Francis Robinson; Secretary, Dorothy Allen. February brought Valentine’s Day and each class made attractive boxes, in which to drop our cards. The boxes were jammed full with a variety of cards. What fun we had reading one another’s cards filled with inspiring love. We saw our first rationing of the war which brought changes to our schools. Our teachers were busy and of necessity we had a few days oif to accommodate both teachers and our townspeople. I think this year will go down in his- tory as the coldest winter for years. Even some of the old timers don’t re- member such a cold snap. Due to fuel shortage and extreme cold, one day, we were forced to go to the auditorium and dance to keep warm. Other schools were closed during the coldest days. Our class colors being Red, White, and Blue are right and fitting to the times. I think, we, as a whole, of A. D. Higgins Junior High have done our patriotic duty in helping in this war effort. We led in the purchase of War Bonds and Stamps and during the month of April we par- ticipated in the Second War Loan Drive. A Minuteman Flag was presented to our school as a result of 90 per cent of the pupils in the school purchasing War Bonds and Stamps. We also collected scrap, silk stockings, and fats for explo- sives. Four plays were presented during the year which were all inspiring. They are as follows: “Book Week” directed by Miss Marie C. Shea. “For Want of a Nail” and “You Can Count On Us” directed by Miss B. Eliza- beth White. “A D ay in a Roman School” directed by Miss Mary F. Clancy. “Jefferson Lives Today” directed by Miss Winifred M. Stewart. It has been the custom every year to present a gift to the school from the Graduating Class. This year, however, we have left money to the school, in order that they might buy pictures to help redecorate the rooms. Our saddest event during the year of 1943 was the death of Miss Anna M. Sullivan whom we mourn deeply. Miss Augustine C. Fisher was substituting for her as nurse and now has become our regular nurse, whom we have learned to love devotedly. During April we had a busy time. Dis- cussions started about Graduation and our class pictures were taken. After Easter vacation we had to fill out cards stating what course we were expecting to take in High School. That was the busi- est time of the year in preparation for Graduation. Everyone was on pins and needles and rushing around trying to have things done. All the work had to be done, in order to have the Tatler printed. Miss Eileen V. Smith had her annual Fashion Show featuring made-over gar- ments by her sewing classes. We held our Graduation Dance in the auditorium which was quite a gala event, the girls in their hues of rainbow colors and the boys quite proper in their suits. Instead of a picnic or a trip we had a banquet at the Mountain Laurel. The food was delightful and no one worried about ration books. Then came Graduation Day and more excitement. The contrast was striking on the stage, the girls all in white and boys in their dark suits, all with serious faces as they were each handed their diploma. Our hearts were filled with joy on receiving this parting gift, but we felt downhearted at parting with the teach- ers and our classmates. Yet all things must progress, and so must we, as we go on to Enfield High to continue the good work taught us by the A. D. Hig- gins Junior High. We thank Mr. White and the teachers of the A. D. Higgins School who have given to us their guidance and under- standing in preparing us for the future. And now with the deepest regrets in our hearts we say farewell to our dearly beloved Alma Mater. Helen Kubic, Frances Ambrosini, Class Historians. Class tattstirs Prettiest Girl Barbara Reinhardt Handsomest Boy George Mumblo Vainest Girl Marie O’Brien Vainest Boy George Mumblo Most Popular Girl Micheline Scavatto Most Popular Boy Francis Robinson Quietest Girl Shirley Piper Quietest Boy Stanley Siminoko Most Talkative Girl Mary Radosti Most Talkative Boy Clare Warzyski Class Artist Helen Kubic Class Athlete Matthew Pliszka Class Pet Frances Ambrosini Class Sheik Francis Robinson Wittiest Girl Joyce Dineen Wittiest Boy Jack Fleming Class Poet Helen Barszcz Smartest Girl Shirley Raissi Smartest Boy Philip Pare

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$lir ®atlrr Edited and Published by the Pupils of A. D. Higgins Junior High School , Thompsonville, Connecticut Qllaas (Class |lnm Hail, Higgins Junior High (Adapted from Hail, Pennsylvania) 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. 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. ffllaaa iSfiatonf I T seems that time has passed only too quickly since entering Junior High. It becomes our privilege but sad duty to write this Class History. It was a never-to-be-forgotten year, full of school activities. It was also a tragic year due to the war and naturally we of A. D. Higgins Junior High have tried to do our share to help in this all out war effort. What we are about to relate will go down as one of the most active and eventful years of A. D. Higgins Junior High. September classes started with a bang, and various clubs were immediately or- ganized. As in the past, one of the first duties was to organize a Student Gov- ernment to meet each month with Mr. White and discuss activities and prob- lems. This chosen group is known as a Student Council. The annual magazine drive was con- ducted with great success. The Blue Team won in its contest with the Red Team. The leading salesman was Robert Harrison. Prizes were distributed to the The A. D. Higgins Junior High will soon be in our past, We are leaving friends and teachers dear, the time has gone by fast. We’ve studied hard and learned a lot to please our Mr. White, But now the term is over and our hearts are gripped so tight. We know that progress is our lot, to gain it we must move, We act so brave, our fears are great and that’s not hard to prove. But hand in hand we march along to seek another school, Where we’ll work and play and study hard, and apply the golden rule. Helen Barszcz, 8A salesmen at a school assembly. Miss J. Therese Twomey was in charge of the Blue Team and Miss Alice Woods di- rected the Red Team. Miss Mary Browne organized the Glee Club as soon as school started and dur- ing the year we sang at several public gatherings. Another important organization was the Defense Club which was directed by Miss Eileen V. Smith. This club was very active and had accomplished a great deal during the year of 1943. Other clubs were the Girl Reserves and Latin Club. At long last we received our first re- port cards of the school season. There were many beaming faces and some long ones. That was only for a short while, because the Hallowe’en Dance was next on the program, and needless to say, every one had a grand time. In December each room had a Christ- mas Party. We played games, had ice cream, cake and soda for refreshments. In the midst of excitement and holiday joy we each received our gifts. Happily we went home to enjoy our Christmas vacation. 1943 — The New Year arrived. With new resolutions, new hopes, and renewed vigor we pitched right in to hard work. One of the first things we did when we came back to school was to choose a

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A. D. Higgins Junior High School “Wflrk fnr Valedictory F OR our motto we have selected “Work for Freedom.” We hope this motto will help us in our future lives as we work to establish freedom for all people throughout the world. This motto is par- ticularly appropriate for these times in view of the work to be done to extend our own freedom and bring it to the conquered countries. On January 6, 1941, President Roose- velt in his annual message to Congress, laid the foundations for future peace when he proclaimed the historic Four Freedoms as follows: “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human free- doms. “The first is freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world. “The second is freedom of every per- son to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world. “The third is freedom from want, which translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will se- cure to every nation a healthy peace- time life for its inhabitants — everywhere in the world. “The fourth is freedom from fear, which translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of arma- ments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor — any- where.” This message inspired America. As soon as an artist named Norman Rock- well heard it, he decided to portray the meaning of President Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms so that all people might un- derstand them through his pictures. In a small studio in Vermont Norman Rock- well painted his original masterpieces which President Roosevelt called “su- perb.” The people who posed for these pictures were his friends and neighbors who lived in his home town. The picture Norman Rockwell painted of Freedom of Speech is of a rich glori- ous color. It shows a man standing up- right, with his head raised high, firm, and free from fear. As Lowell Thomas said, “He is speaking his mind. That is his American right. He stands up to express himself at the Town Meeting in some little hamlet that might be any- where in this land. He may be voicing one of a hundred arguments on subjects affecting his community. The cause for which he speaks matters little. What does matter is that all those other faces in the picture, his neighbors, young and old, are turned upward to him in rapt attention. And you know that here is America speaking, here is a man enjoy- ing the right of all free men to speak his thoughts.” The picture of American folk with their hands folded in prayer is Norman Rockwell’s idea of Freedom of Worship. Young men and women, children, and old people are shown, each worshiping in accordance with his own conscience. If you look intently you might imagine that you hear the church bells tolling, so reverently has the artist portrayed the spirit of worship. To portray Freedom from Want Nor- man Rockwell painted a picture of a great feast. Of this modest family sit- ting down to Thanksgiving dinner Lowell Thomas said, “These are happy faces for they know no want.” By the look on their faces you can see that grace has been said. They have given thanks not only for their food, but for the right of sitting together in peace. We hope that this nation shall never know the fear of want. The fourth and last freedom which Norman Rockwell illustrates is Freedom from Fear. It is a picture of a home — a home without fear. You can see a mother leaning over her children as she puts them to bed. The faces on both the husband and wife show a calm and rever- ent feeling which comes to those free from fear. They don’t have to worry about being bombed. They look forward contentedly to the next day when the father will go to his work, the children to school, and the mother to her house- hold duties. Such is the happy home where people live in freedom and peace. The Four Freedoms are thus our chal- lenge to the Axis — our promise of a bet- ter world. Before leaving the A. D. Higgins School we want to thank the members of the Board of Education, Mr. Lee, Super- intendent of Schools, Mr. White, our principal, and all our teachers for their splendid cooperation in guiding us through Junior High School. We shall always remember their kindness toward us. Let us try to repay them for their efforts in our behalf by remembering what they have taught us. We will do our best to make the most of our train- ing and to continue our good work in high school.