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

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I’HE TaTLER CltlasB History H ere we are — the graduating class of 1957. Gee! How time has flown! Remember those first few days of junior high. Alert, but confused, we waited expectantly wondering what to do. We were assigned to our respective divisions and spent the first few days getting acquainted with new books, schedules, classmates and teachers. And brother! Remember those in-between- period “traffic jams”? Thank goodness there was always a faculty member to come to our rescue. Our first task, after getting settled, was to elect class officers for Student Council, the lawmaking body of junior high. Our representatives were : Caroline Cogtella, Kathleen Di Maso, and Dorothy Porcello of 7 ; Michael Pacholski, Alfred Harnois, and Kathleen Vail of 7 ; James Zirolli, Judith Child, and Patricia Massaro of 7 ; and Paul Bonanno, Leo Fede, and Nancy Gannuscio of 7 . Next, on the schedule, came the maga- zine drive. With much school spirit, we plunged right into the job of selling subscriptions. The seventh and eighth grades were divided into two teams: the Blue and the Red, respectively. We did work very hard, but failed to reach our goal. Our highest salesman was Kathleen Di Maso. Around the middle of October, school clubs were organized. Mrs. O’Neil took charge of the Glee Club and Orchestra and worked vigorously to make our “ever-changing” voices harmonize. Mr. White helped to organize the Junior Hi-Y, which proved very successful with Angelo Lamagna, Katherine Kineas, Kathleen Carroll, and Judith Diegoli as officers. Many speakers came to the meetings to acquaint us with such topics as “Police Work”, “Juvenile Delin- quency”, and other related subjects. Then National Education Week ar- rived. Mr. White had appointed guides and registrars to welcome our parents. The week passed with much success. Along cam.e the annual judging of the Tuberculosis essays. The first prize was won by Joan Buoniconti of 7L Joan Mahelsky of 8 received second prize. Finally, after long hard days of school- work came the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Fahey’s class, 7 , presented an interest- ing Christmas assembly in pantomime commemorating the Birth of Christ. After the holidays were behind us, we again settled down to school curriculum. Soon, time came for a new Student Coun- cil. Those elected from the seventh grade were : Ronald Bennett, Kathleen Di Maso, and Kathleen Legienza of 7 ; Susan Lewis, Lucille Sika, and Nancy Bessette of 72 ; James Zych, Edward Waskiel, and Barbara Cimino of 7 ; and Francis Walenta, Grace Di Rosa, and Seraphina Verdina of 7 . Higgins’ Basketball team came out on top with an undefeated season. Players like Alphonso Nosal, Ronald Bennett, and Robert Chillson received varsity letters. In our English classes we were assigned to write Americanism Essays which were to be entered in a state con- test by the American Legion. Under the direction of Mario Dei Delori, Higgins Baseball team was or- ganized. The team came through with flying colors and took the championship. The seventh grade players were: Robert Chillson, Donald Gippo, Edward Waskiel, Richard Matulewicz, and Paul Pochron. The spring months came upon us and with them, came the traditional May Exhibit. We were called upon to pro- duce the projects we had worked on during the year. Some of the projects on display were related to such subjects as science, music, geography, hygiene and literature. June passed rapidly as the eighth graders prepared for their graduation, and we, as “lowly seventh graders”, looked forward to our summer vacation and to the coming September. Part II Although our glorious vacation had come to an end, we were, somehov , glad to get back into the swing of things at school. The thrill of being eighth graders overtook us and filled us with a queer sensation. We were then the “senior” class ! The first thing on the schedule was choosing room officers. Our leaders were: Dennis Bielitz, Richard Typrowicz, and Joseph Ravosa of Susan Lewis, Lucille Sika, and Nancy Bessette of 8 ; Carmen Catania, Paul Bonanno, and Rose Ann Porcello of 8®; Alphonso Nosal, Joan Kurley, and Donald Grippo of 8 ; Leonard Montano, Leon Janik, and Jean Mancuso of 88. The school clubs were organized at the beginning of the year. Unfortun- ately, the Junior Hi-Y was disbanded this year because of a busy schedule. The Glee Club and Orchestra were again

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©atlpr Edited and Published by the Pupils of A. D. Higgins Junior High School, Thompsonville, Connecticut Claaa on0 “Hail, Higgins Junior High” (Adapted from Hail, Pensylvania ' ) 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. Claaa Now is the time to say farewell. To the dear school we love so well; It was here we learned to read and write. And to do our homework every night. Our principal and teachers were thought- ful, indeed, Ready to help when we were in need; Together we worked in study and play. And already it’s here — “Graduation Day.” At Higgins we’ve made many a friend. Now our eighth year has come to an end. This is our last and fond good-bye. To the school we’ll remember, Higgins Junior High. — Kathleen Legienza 51 0 Class of X057: For the past several years it has been my privilege to address a few pertinent remarks to the members of the graduating class. This role makes it possible for me, acting as a representative of the faculty, to be among the first to extend to you, our heartiest best wishes for your continued success. The class of 1957, in a fitting tribute to the observance of Flag Day, has ably chosen for its graduation exercises the general theme, ' ' To Thee We Sing”, and the equally impressive Class Motto, Long May It Wave”. From its earliest beginnings, our flag has been a symbol of freedom to the oppressed throughout the world. It is the banner of a proud and gallant peoples dedicated to the principles of freedom, justice and equality, not for ourselves alone but for all who bear the heavy yoke of oppression even in the most remote areas known to man. Our country at this moment is a recognized leader in the family of nations. Time and events have placed us in a position of grave responsibilities to our present and future generations. There are in this world today forces bent on the enslavement of all liberty loving peoples. Freedom in our land will continue to flourish as long as Americans can raise their hands in salute to our flag and proclaim to all the world Long May it Wave”. Cordially yours, Ernest K. White, Principal

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A. D. Higgins Junior High School organized, this year under the super- vision of Mr. Bradley. The annual magazine drive was off with a “bang” under the supervision of Miss Shea and Mrs. Bennett. The high- est salesman was Judith Child. As a reward for their hard work during the drive, four members of the “Thirty Dollar Club”, Charles Hopson, Edward Waskiel, Virginia Evans, captain of the winning team, Robert Nowak; and Mrs. Bennett attended a Boston Red Sox Game at Fenway Park. Along came National Education Week. The guides and registrars were chosen and fulfilled their jobs quite well. Many parents came and observed teachers and pupils in action. Under the training of Ralph Cerrato, our basketball team was organized. The eighth grade participants were: David Mongon, Mathew Blaszko, Alphonso Nosal, Stephen Gregorski, Donald Grippo, Ronald Bennett, James Carzello, Raymond Fiore, Paul Pochron, Charles Maggio, Leon Janik, Richard Matule- wicz, Francis Walenta and Thomas Murphy. As in previous years, the Tuberculosis essays were judged at this time. Carol Pacholski and Carolyn Parlin, both of 8 , received first and second prizes. Along came the long-awaited Christmas holidays. At our annual class parties, we exchanged greetings and gifts, then left for a carefree but short vacation. Upon our return, we elected a new Student Council. Members from the eighth grade were: Marion Lange, Fred Gavey, and Kenneth Chaine of ; Wallace Bennett, James Daly, and Neil Tammaro of 8 ; James Lyko, Harvey Gemme, and Nancy Gannuscio of 8®; Richard Matulewicz, Marilyn Sperrazza, and Carol Pacholski of 8 ' ; and Russell Bellico, Thomas Murphy, and Patricia Massaro of 8 . In addition to electing division officers, we, as “seniors”, elected officers for the entire eighth grade. Those chosen were: President — John Devine, Vice-president — James Zirolli, and Secretary — Jo-Ann Rom ano. The main duty of the class officers was to co-ordinate the gradua- tion activities. With our leaders chosen, we started preparations for graduation. The Tatler staff was announced with Barbara Jones and Richard Matulewicz as Editor-in- chief and Assistant-editor. Literary Editors were: Carol McFall, Joan Buoniconti, and Carolyn Parlin; Sports Editor, Ernest Harrington; Business Managers, Mary Ann Maciolek and William Zeronsa; the faculty advisors were Miss Delaney and Mrs. Bennett. JV elcome, Mr. Homtcki Dear Me. Homicki: We, the graduating class of “57”, heartily welcome you as assistant superintendent of the Enfield school system. Your po- sition has been the first of its kind in Enfield. We are happy that an educator of your character and ability has been appointed to assist in guiding and educating the youth of our community. May you be happy and successful in your work in Enfield. Respectfully yours, Graduates of 1957 Several instructors from Enfield High School came to introduce us to their courses and what the school has to offer. Some of the subjects on which they spoke were: agriculture, English, Latin, home economics, history, general business, and woodworking. Mr. Carter from Hartford Regional Technical High School also came, speaking on secondary education. As in the past, graduation committees were organized. These were: the color, flower and theme committees. The class was called upon to vote on what they would like as their class emblems. Our class colors were blue and white; class flower, American Beauty Rose; and class theme, “Long May it Wave”. The American Legion again sponsored a state-wide essay contest. This year, the essays were entitled, “What is a Derrocracy?”. Surprise! Coming into school one day we found achievement tests awaiting us. These tests were for the purpose of measuring our ability and acted as a review of all the school work we had had up until that time. Warmer days meant baseball. Ralph Cerrato took on the job of coaching our boys in this sport. The eighth grade players were: James Wile, Michael Okraska, Donald Grippo, Edward Waskiel, Paul Pochron, Leon Janik, Stephen Gregorski, Richard Matulewicz, John Messemer, Richard Fecteau, Barry McNelly, and Ernest Harrington. Miss Delaney’s class, 8 , sponsored an excellent assembly. Lieutenant Diffendal,