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

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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,

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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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1’he T ' atler Class propljsrg Hi Folks: This is Claire Polek, your roving re- porter, for the New York Times, and my assistant and former classmate from A. D. Higgins School, Kathleen Legienza, now head photographer for the paper. We are here to collect material for our column, “What’s Doing?”, and are broad- casting over station N.E.W.S. at the same time. This is a very exciting moment at the New York Harbor, for the great Metro- politan Opera star, Kathleen DiMaso, is soon to arrive from her world tour on the U.S.S. Higgins “57”, constructed by the noted firm of Paul Bonanno and Company and designed by Matthew Blaszko. By the way, Matthew is married to the former Elaine Jemiola, Miss America of 1968. Throughout the ship are beautiful paintings by Mary Ann A rnone. Here to meet the Prima Donna are many former friends and classmates. Among these are the famous movie actresses, Siisanne Beyer and Jo-Ann Lamagna; the new singing quartet, “The Four Squares”, consisting of Alphonso Nosal, James Zych, William Ball and Richard Typrowicz; and the girls’ soft- ball team of Thompsonville, Conn, of which Gail Lees is manager and Dorothy Porcello, Diane Molyn, Bertha Prajznar and Nancy Renolds are players. Oh! No! Are my eyes failing me? No, it’s true! Thomas Ragno is their water boy! While we are waiting for the boat to dock, Pll switch over to my partner. Kathleen Legienza, who has been busy snapping pictures of different person- alities around the pier. O.K. Claire! I just had the pleasure of meeting our old classmate, Robert Cuscovitch, and his wife, the former Jacqueline Santoro. He is now a great cattle rancher in Texas. The forelady on his ranch is “Wild West Debbie Coolen” who does a good job of bossing the cowboys, among whom are James Wile and James Blowen. I was talking to Enfield’s new Chief of Police, Wallace Bennett, and his bride, the former Marion Lange. He is using helicopters for crime detecting. He has them in the sky at all times. Ah, here comes that new sprinkler system on wheels, with Joseph Wojcik as driver and Michael Ryan as gadget controller. Look who’s Here! Why, it’s Carl Piemonte, Mayor of New York. I hear he is going to present the “Key of the City” to the new Olympic Champion Discus thrower, Dennis Bielitz. Hurrah, for Dennis ! The tugboats are pulling the large ocean liner into its place. Gerry Luke is at the helm of the “Debbie I” and Leon Janik is pilot of the “Andrea”. I can just about distinguish the Captain of the Vessel — Oh Yes! It’s David Mongon. Behind him, Leonard Montano, the radio operator, is standing. On a lower deck is the chief cook, Edward Ingraham, surrounded by two dining room stewards, Edgar Baskerville and an army officer involved in Nike opera- tions and two of his assistants, pre- sented a fascinating film on guided missiles and answered our many enthus- iastic questions after the film. During the year we were again called upon to construct projects which were displayed at the May Exhibit. The Exhibit was a great success. The students who made the honor role were announced by Mr. White just be- fore spring vacation. The two highest were: Valedictorian, John Devine and Salutatorian, Kathleen Di Maso. One of the last activities on the pro- gram was class day. Seventh and eighth grade students were present to hear our prepared speeches. Exercises included the Class History, Prophecy, Will, Sta- tistics and the awarding of varsity letters. Finally, our class social! The picnic! Bright and early, buses arrived to take us to Mountain Park. We sang and shouted excitedly all the way. The roller coaster and whip provided the most thrills! We had a great time; but didn’t like the thought of leaving Mount Tom. After eight years of hard work our big day finally came . . . Graduation! Decked out in our best clothes, we proudly received our diplomas, which marked the end of our elementary edu- cation and the beginning of our high school days. Class Historians: Carol McFall Mary Ann Maciolek Faculty Advisor Ralph Cerrato