Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

Page 31 text:

In September we entered the school as happy ' gO ' lucky seniors, not quite the dignified type as the teachers soon found out. We held our first class meeting and decided that we would elect another group of boys to be our final class offices. They were Richard Mansfield, President; George Greene, Vive President; Douglas Wood, Secretary; Donald Wood, Treasurer. They have made a creditable showing especially in leading devotional services in the home room, although a question always arose as to whose turn it was to officiate, especially when it was “Doug” Wood’s turn. Our first appearance before the school as seniors was in a Thanksgiving assembly called “Just Joy.” Appleton took the prophetic part of the father of a small family which was well portrayed, and Frances Ames, whose thank ' fulness put the other characters to shame, took the part of Just Joy and cultivated a good limp. Though Appleton’s attempts at groans brought forth real ones from the rest of the cast at rehearsals, he managed to get through them at the final production. The next play was a real one, the senior play, when “The Charm School” was presented by a large cast. Jewett’s almost professional ease upon the stage merited special commendation. Another interesting feature was the fact that Don and Doug Wood played the part of twins. They were a good pair even though they occasionally mixed up each other’s speeches at re ' hearsals. Parking space for the buggy used in the third act proved to be another problem as it could not well be paraded through the hall and hoisted over the footlights at the final performance. But in spite of all difficulties including late hours, wrecked nerves, and ruined dispositions, the play was a success. The next class activity was having our pictures taken. Everyone tried to pose as either John Barrymore or Greta Garbo, and Vantine did the shoot ' ing. We all thought we were handsomer than we were, but cameras don’t lie. The photographer tried to get our class president Mansfield to smile, but Mansfield maintained his stern icy look. Our last duty to old Manning High was to publish the senior year book. Some of us have worked long and hard, fast and furious in an effort to get T he Tiger to the printer on the appointed hour. Our last few weeks have been filled with feverish attempts to attain an average of 80 percent that would excuse us from final examinations and also with preparations for our graduatoin activities. But at last we are here. We have completed our task and will forever hold as cherished memories our days in Manning High. 29

Page 30 text:

After some instruction on the part of our new principal and teachers, we held our first class meeting. We chose as our class officers to lead us during our first year John Burke, President; Grover Bailey, Vice President; Gardiner Bolles, Secretary; John Carey, Treasurer. The one event we en- joyed during that year was a social at which we became better acquainted with our new friends, and the games seemed new and interesting — yes, even seven-in and seven-out. We returned in September and began the year’s activities with a class meeting. We elected Mildred Hardy, President; Grover Bailey, Vice Presi- dent: Marion McGlew, Secretary; and Richard Mansfield, Treasurer. Mildred has a temper which we had the pleasure of witnessing at some of the class meetings, but in spite of it she made a good leader for our sophomore year. In October the band instruments were given out. “Buddy” Brennan received a trombone. All could hear his music, but no one could see “Buddy,” he being completely eclipsed by his instrument. On the contrary Norman Ewing, who was given a bass horn, could be both seen and heard without difficulty. After the summer vacation we returned as upper classmen. We soon elected our class officers. Apparently we had had enough of petticoat govern- ment, for we elected only boys to represent us during our junior and senior years. For our junior year our officers were Richard Mansfield, President; George Greene, Vice President; Douglas Wood, Secretary; Ashley Jewett, Treasurer. These class meetings were much enlivened by debates between John Burke and Richard Pickard, and “Doug” Wood, our class secretary, seemed to have a good time “kidding” them about their differences. Our first appearance was in a class assembly called “The Birds’ Christ- mas Carol.” “Buddy” Brennan was the baby and Eleanor King was the distracted mother of a large family. Aside from a few minor accidents such as the screen’s almost falling over when they were giving the baby a bath, and “Al” Hodgkins’s falling off the stage, the play was a success. Our next appearance before the school was at an A. A. stunt night. Jewett, the “coachie dear,” in dress suit and tall silk hat was the outstanding attraction. His actions were supplemented by the sissified imitation of a football team, which consisted of the most talented of “32.” The entertainment was a success and netted us the Grand Prize of two empty vanilla bottles, donated by the Varsity Club. The big event of the year, however, was of course the Junior Prom. The decorating committee worked hard under the supervision of Miss Blodgett and made the town hall resplendent in green and white, our class colors. The Prom, was engineered successfully and enjoyed by all. The next event was the Junior-Senior Day. This was held in May. Contests of various kinds were held between the two classes, but the seniors, the Class of 1931, being a year older and wiser than we, received the most points and won the honors of the day. In fact, in view of the rough handling we received, we considered our selves lucky to get away with our lives. There were no hard feelings, however, and that evening we held a farewell social in their honor. Thus the years were passing quickly and we found out that we ourselves were to be seniors. 28

Page 32 text:

Class Prophecy By Frances Ames and Ashley Jewett Time: 1952. Scene: Customs Office. Ashley. May I see your passport? Frances. Certainly, here it is. Ashley. I hope you don ' t think me too personal, but your picture and name seem familiar. Frances. You don’t say? That’s what the Frenchmen said, too. Are you through with it? Ashley. I beg your pardon. May I see your bags? Well, this looks familiar. Frances. It’s the composite picture of my class, — not that it’s any of your business. Ashley. Our class, you mean. Frances. Say, where do you get that community attitude? I don’t know you. Ashley. Well, take a good look at that bit of Vantine’s superhuman ability. See any resemblance? Frances. Why yes, I remember you now; you’re Ashley Jewett. Ashley. Not a soul else and you’re the same Frances Ames I knew at school. I recognized you the minute I saw your passport. But what are you doing here? Frances. I’m just returning from France where I have been doing some buying for Wood and Wood, Furriers of Boston. Ashley. This certainly is a pleasant surprise. Tell me more about our classmates. Frances. Many of them have left town but there are still some in Ipswich who are doing very well. Kenneth Poor, George Greene, and Gardiner Bolles were elected selectmen at the last town meeting and now the old town is booming again. Ashley. That’s good. Say, what was all the commotion outside before you came in? Frances. A man fell overboad. When they finally pulled him out, it was none other than Clinton Spencer. It seems that he has just adopted bbfocals recently and walked off the gang plank. His rescuer was identified as “Nummy” Ewing, captain of the boat we were on. How do you like being Customs Inspector? Ashley. It’s all right, but it has its faults. For instance I was responsible for one of my best friends’ being sent to jail. Upon inspecting his baggage I found a missing lot of jewels which had been stolen from Hall’s jewelry shop. Cook was the man’s name. Too bad, he was a fine fellow. Frances. Yes, he was. While I was in Paris, I was staying at a hotel and the first person I recognized was Harold Chambers, who was running the elevator. The biggest surprise, however, was a sign which I saw while out walking. The sign read “Miles. Arthur and Hardy — Maison de Beaute.” 30