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

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A. D. Higgins Junior High School of 1950 had bullied us, babied us, helped us, hindered us, loved us and left us! Now it was our turn! A hit! A foul! Which will it be? No, this isn’t a big league baseball game. It’s only a contest between the “Yankees” and the “Red Sox” in our magazine drive. We glance around to see Coach Stewart and Coach O’Neil discussing the rules and regulations. Alack! Alas! Victory to the “Red Sox!” As in previous years the many and varied clubs w’ere organized and started planning their year’s activities. These clubs included: Orchestra, Junior Hi-Y, Glee Club, Home Economics, etc. In addition Mr. White organized an ac- tivity period on Wednesday afternoons. Also the Student Council was organ- ized with Robert Mercik, President, Anthony Guerriero, Vice-President, and Evan Evans, Secretary. Chatter in the hallways, whispers of delight! What’s up? The beginning of the school dances. “Can she dance well?” “Do you think he’ll ask me?” “What shall I wear?” All this went along with the excitement of getting ready for the first of many wonderful dances, commencing with a sport dance and to continue at various times during the year. Each month during the year an as- sembly was held. These took place on Wednesday morning and covered dif- ferent subjects. They were very educa- tional and interesting. Starting December 13, teachers from the Enfield High School visited us and inform.ed us of the various courses that could be chosen. These lectures, which were both entertaining and informative, were given by Mrs. Cassidy, Mr. Ricci, and Mr. Schadlich. They discussed the importance of Home Economics, Agri- culture and the Machine Shop. Mr. Tatoian brought the lectures to a close and described the Academic courses. Then the longed for Christmas Season approached. First on the agenda was our annual Christmas Seal Sale, which was under the direction of Miss Miller. As always the Glee Club participated in the Annual Rotary Carol Sing and made a fine showing. And last, but not least, were the gay Christmas parties held in the homerooms. Gifts were dis- tributed and a fine time was had by all. And so, filled with the holiday spirit, we began our Christmas vacation. After our return to school, the basket- ball team was formed with Robert Mercik as captain. We had many won- derful times watching, cheering, and urging the team onward. Early in February our Class Officers were elected. They are: President, Edward Hoginski, Vice-President, James Viola, Secretary, Iris Kamaros. The class chose “Marching Together” as their motto, their colors blue and gold, and their flower, the American Beauty Rose. Also the Tatler Staff was organized. Anne Williams was named Editor-in- Chief and Judith Landry, Asst. Editor- in-Chief. With the help of the faculty and various committees, our work on the Tatler began. “Dear F.H.A. Dear F.H.A.” This was the song the Home Economics Club chorused as they returned from the an- nual F.H.A. get-to-gether on March 10. This gala affair was held at the Stafford High School in Stafford, Conn. Later in the Spring Anne Williams was announced Valedictorian and Gloria Locario, Salutatorian. Honors were posted and High Honor students were appointed to write the Class History, Class Prophecy, and Class Will. Once again the Glee Club began prac- ticing for the State Music Festival which was held in Rockville this year. Good sportsmanship was displayed by the members who willingly attended the long and tiring Saturday practive pe- riods. We were well rewarded by re- turning home with flying colors and a “1” rating. Baseball as always was a harbinger of Spring. Mr. Shapiro, of course, acted as coach and budding Babe Ruths were in evidence on the practice field. On April 25, Mr. Davis returned to Higgins and put on an excellent mov- ing picture program as a reward for our efforts in the Magazine Drive. He made us proud by announcing that Connecticut ranked first in the National Magazine Drive and A. D. Higgins School took second place in the state. The school’s annual exhibit was held in May. Work of children throughout the school was on display. Open House was held for parents and friends in the evening and a special program was pre- pared for them by pupils and faculty. On Wednesday, June 6th. Commence- ment activities opened with our Class Day Program. The Class History, Class Prophecy and Class Will were read. Athletic awards were made to pupils showing outstanding ability in sports. Weary but happy eighth graders trudged home from the Class Picnic at Mt. Tom. Our billfolds were empty but we had stored up memories of a happy day spent on the many amusements which this popular park affords. June 12, 1951 — our Graduation Day! Everything was in readiness for oui‘

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The Tatler Oliaaa iftatnry “You have guided us along life’s icay, And ere ive sag “Good-bye” We promise to be faithful, Dear Higgins Junior High ” W E realize that the history of the Class of 1951, A. D. Higgins School, will not be preserved for posterity. However, these little jottings and events will hold a place in our hearts always. September 7, 1949 — Our first day at Higgins Junior High School! How frightened but thrilled we felt! How reluctantly but eagerly we approached this imposing edifice! Our first step in the process of growing up had begun. Once inside we were startled to see how long the halls were. What queer talk was this about homerooms? How could one class have so many teachers? What was that cyclone that just whirled passed me in the hall? Another lost student just trying to find his class. When would we ever learn the location of all these classrooms? Our political career began shortly after the second week. Class Officers were elected, Student Council organized, and committees for playground, base- ment and traffic chosen. We really were becoming a part of the school. “Have you a good voice?” “Do you think you’ll be chosen?” These words were on everybody’s lips in October as Mrs. O’Neil began tryouts for the Glee Club. Rehearsals were held on Tuesday afternoons and were enjoyed by all members. Great excitement prevailed as our an- nual magazine drive began. Doorbells were rung, friends called, as we tried in every way to show what fine salesmen we were. Under the leadership of Mrs. Dunn and Miss Hannon we were very successful and a tidy sum was made. In early October to the glory of the girls (and the boys, too) Mr. White announced that for the first time girls would be permitted to join the Junior Hi-Y. Ting-a-ling! Ting-a-ling! Ting-a- ling! “Golly! I can’t dance a step. What will I ever do?” “At what time and where shall I meet you?” “What are you wearing?” These were the questions asked and answered by every girl in the seventh grade who owned a telephone as we made ready for THE DANCE — our first! Some were happy and some were sad. But, then, isn’t that always the way with report cards? Yes, this blessed event happened late in October. Which- ever way it was, we all resolved to do better next time. The Christmas Season was here at last in all its glory and rejoicing. The Glee Club robed in blue and white made a very impressive showing at the Annual Rotary Carol Sing. A little on the more serious side was the Christmas Seal Sale in which our school took an active part as usual. Gay Christmas parties were held in all the homerooms where gifts were ex- changed and a merry time was had by all. And with “Merry Christmas to all and to all a happy vacation” school was in recess for the winter holidays. All too soon our vacation was over and we trudged back to school through the snow early in January. “Rah! Rah! Higgins!” This was the cry as our gay and pretty cheer- leaders encouraged our basketball squad on to victory. In fact they were cheered on so enthusiastically they just couldn’t help winning the trophy. When the Tatler Staff was organized in February, the following members of our class assisted with the advertising — Edith Williams, Joseph Maciolek, and Charles Zarcaro. “La! La! La!” This was the vocal exercise that was heard throughout the school as the Glee Club prepared for the Connecticut State Music Festival in New Britain on March 28. The month of April found us busily engaged in making preparations for the exhibit to be held in May. The exhibit was largely attended and much interest was shown in our work. Meanwhile Mr. Davis, who had been in charge of our magazine drive, put on a fine movie program as a reward for our efforts. Then June arrived with graduation in view for the eighth grade. While the thoughts of parting made us rather sad, we were thrilled to think that when we returned to Higgins in September we would take our place as the upper class- men. A long, lazy summer stretched ahead ! The beginning of school — all dressed up and feeling extra superior. We had reached the enviable position of being eighth graders, a spot we had watched enviously the year before as the Class

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The Tatler ' ' iMarrl|in5 Valedictory T here is widespread evidence in the United States today that if our country is to preserve its ideals and unity we must march together against the threatening forces which abound throughout the world. These conditions prompted this graduating class in the selection of its motto. Tonight we have heard with pride a recital of the achievements of our state. Was it Yankee ingenuity and determina- tion alone which gave us this glorious heritage? No, from the Colonial Era to the present, the citizens of Connecti- cut have forgotten self in the interest of their state and nation. Come, turn the pages of history with me and see them “Marching Together!” Perhaps this marching together began more than three hundred years ago when the Reverend Thomas Hooker and his congregation left Newtown, now Cambridge, Massachusetts, and set out for the Connecticut Valley, locating on the land now known as Hartford. Democracy owes more to the Reverend Thomas Hooker than to any other one man. It was under his guidance that the people of Connecticut established the first written constitution in history. Only a few years after settlements were made at Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford, representatives from each of these towns met with Thomas Hooker to draw up rules by which the Connecti- cut towns would be governed. At this meeting were drafted the famous Fund- amental Orders, marking the beginning of state government in Connecticut, which gave the right to vote to all free- men. The towns represented at this meeting will be remembered as the birth- place of “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” A grateful state has immortalized these program and the receipt of our diplo- mas. The exercises were over all too soon and we parted with mingled feel- ings of pride and sadness. “Thank you one and all” are the clos- ing words of the Class of 1951 as we “march together” towards the next milestone. Class Historians Edith Williams Brenda Balke towns in its State Flag where they are represented by the three grape vines. In 1776 the colonies declared them- selves independent. Among the five men who drafted the Declaration of Inde- pendence was Roger Sherman of Connec- ticut who was an able thinker and an impressive speaker. The stirring words of this cherished document of American history proclaim freedom, equality and justice and are an inspiration to every patriotic American. The time had come for the thirteen colonies to unite under one central government. More than a century un- der the Fundamental Orders had given the people of Connecticut ex perience in government. As a result, when the time for unity came, the representatives from Connecticut were able and ex- perienced men. Roger Sherman was again called upon to represent his state. His voice and that of William Johnson carried much weight and their work was of great importance in the framing of the new Constitution. On January 9, 1788 Sherman and Johnson inscribed their signatures on this historic domu- ment. It can be said of Roger Sherman that he served his country with honor and was a true and firm patriot. Thus from its earliest history the people of Connecticut have marched to- gether in the interest of their state and nation. Connecticut has played a glor- ious part in the Revolutionary War,, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the con- flicts of the twentieth century. Her deeds are recorded on the eternal pages of history by the blood of her sons who have fought and died at hom.e and across the seas, and by the deeds of those who labored at home for over three hundred years in war and peace. The pages of history glow with the national record of accomplishment that has been made by our Connecticut citi- zens — men, women, and children. Dur- ing these centuries her people have learned the truth of Connecticut’s State Motto — “He who transplants continues to sustain.” Connecticut is now in its fourth century of achievement. There are unlimited material and spiritual possi- bilities ahead for her citizens. Through- out history they have met heroically all challenges to the security of state and country from without. As a nation’s greatest menace to freedom is an inert people, we must be on guard against