Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

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fore, facing: the cold lens of the camera ? Realizing the embarrassment of these discouraged heart-breakers were they ignorant of the skill and grace of the terpsichorean art at the time of the reception, Doris Arthur and Barbara Gilbert, near the end of the year, organized a dancing class. Miss Arthur played the piano. The results on Friday evening will prove the skill of our instructors and the dilligence of their pupils. This brings me to the present and if I don’t sit down, I shall be rob- bing Savoy and Miss Johnson of the privilege of telling you about the fu- ture of our class. Class Prophecy B y Ruth Johnson and Marcel Savoy IMF: 1946. Place : Ipswich Stadium prior to football game. Savoy: (coming over to where Johnson is standing along side-line). Hello, Ruthie ! Johnson: Huh? Well, Mike Sa- voy ! Say, I’d recognize you a mile away with that famous hair of yours ! Savoy: Oh, you would, would you ? That’s funny ! Johnson: Funny? Savoy: Yes, funny. I’ve been waving and shouting, trying every- thing to attract your attention for about fifteen minutes — no luck. I finally had to come over here. Johnson. I suppose you wanted me to come over there ? Savoy : Exactly ! Johnson: Just like you! But how could you recognize me from way over there ? Savoy: Oh, I knew that serioir, mien the minute I sav it. It re- minded me too much of my sister-in- law of the senior play. But what are you doing here ? Johnson: I just took the day off to see good ol’ Manni — excuse me, I mean Ipswich High play Miami. I left my old school chum Stasia Cuik in charge of my dress shop in Bos- ton. But what pre you doing here? Savoy: Well, believe it or not I’m here on business. Because of the sectional rivalry between our old school and Miami, my paper sent me down here to cover the game. On the way down, I saw a huge billboard advertising the beau- tyfying virtues of “Stayoung” face cream and our own classmate, Po- tula Stamatakos, used as illustrative example. Johnson: Oh, you see those bill- boards all over. Another face you often see is that of Madame Jeanne Austane. Savoy : Who ? Johnson: Jean Austin, to you. At least, we knew her by that name. Nov she’s a great actress and has had to change her name. Savoy: Fancy that! She should have borrowed our little friend Pol- ly Polychronopoulos’s name ! That would have squelched her ambition 28

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music of the Boys’ Glee Club was, to put it mildly, distracting. A few of us soon joined the organization, per- haps for the same reason that a non- smoker is sometimes induced to join the ranks of the smokers — in self defense. Our sophomore year saw us on the athletic register through the success of Bill Horton, our football hero, and blushing Barney Bialek, our expert puck chaser. During this year, also, we im- ported from Switzerland a large or- der of — no, not Swiss cheese, but Mike Savoy who has been so great an asset to the class that the other class members look “cheesy.” As juniors we began to think seri- ously of world affairs and assumed airs of dignity. All this dignity was lost, however, when the question of rings arose. The ringleader, Don Gilbert, was made chairman of the ring committee and engineered in a capable manner the business of adorning all hands. He was also stage manager of the junior assem- bly play which was a financial suc- cess. We charged no admission and received just what we expected, — nothing, not even the respectful at- tention of the student body. The name of the drama was “Wisdom Teeth” and aside from the instabil- ity of the scenery, the terrific heat, the brevity of the play, the bright lights, narrow passages behind the scenery, and greasy make-un, the play had no faults. Here Shirley Knowles received her introduction to the stage as a player of old lady parts which culminated in her force- ful portrayal of a judge’s v ife in the senior play. Jean Austin was a timid young girl who needed just the encouragement that I, as a shy youth (imagine it!) could give her to get a tooth pulled. As the senior year got under way, we elected for a fourth term along with Hill as president, Betty Dum- mer as treasurer. The other two of- ficers included Robert Perkins as vice-president and Ruth Johnson as secretary. Our financial condition being a precarious one, we appointed a budget committee. The income from the senior play was not up to the expectations of this committee through no fault of the play or cast. As a matter of fact, no play with Jean Austin, our class actress, and Don Gilbert as lovers could possibly be unsuccessful. Don’s forceful methods of making love gave prom- ise of even greater success off stage a little later in the year. Ruth John- son as “Aunt Milly” did a particu- larly fine piece of work in keeping “Andy” on the right track, and “Tiny” Wengrzyn was the perfect small town politician. No sooner had we the senior play off our hands than the thrills and enchantments of picture taking were upon us. When the great day came, the “Beau Brummels” of the class were resplendent with smiles and best suits, for they were now to have a permanent reminder of their strong, manly features. The smiles were transformed to frowns, how- ever, and many uncomplimentary titles were given to the photogra- phers when the proofs were re- turned. Where was the “Valen- tino” who had sat, just a week be- 27

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for masquerade. Say, there’s Polly sitting over there on the goalpost. If I didn’t know her, I’d say she’d shrunk. At least, she’s sitting in the only place that will afford her a vantage view of the game ! Johnson: Polly turned down an offer to appear in Ringling’s circus as midget lady. That’s too bad as she would have met “Sticker” Pea- body who’s signed up as Strong Man. Savoy : Remember how he al- ways wanted to tear down the school single-handed ? Johnson: Yes. Do you see Teddy Machaj over there ? He’s a doctor, now. He’s always present at the games in case he should be needed. He keeps Everett Daniels in bread and butter. Everett’s an under- taker, you know. Together, they make a great send off pair! I bet you don’t know who coaches Man — I mean Ipswich High School now ? Savoy: No, I don’t. I’d like to, though. I want to interview him be- fore the game. Johnson: None other than your former captain. Savoy : Bill Horton ? Johnson: Yep. Bill made quite a name for himself in college foot- ball and has even thrown himself in- to his coaching job so thoroughly as to acquire a brilliant, shiny dome. Say, Mike, tell me, how come all football coaches are bald, or pretty near to it ? Savoy: Gosh, I don’t know, Ruthie. You’ve got me there. I’ll have to ask some of them. You say you live in Boston? Johnson: Yes, with my friend, “Sta.” We run a dress shop to- gether. Savoy: Pretty successful ,is it? Johnson: Yes, pretty. Savoy: Well, then tell me, are there any of our former classmates around those parts? Johnson: Well, yes, quite a few. The firm of LeClair and Comeau has its central offices in Boston. Savoy : I’m sorry, Ruthie, but you’ll have to tell me what this firm of LeClair and Comeau specialize in. You see, I haven’t been East in ages. Johnson: Don’t you know of the firm of LeClair and Comeau, the oil magnates? Why, they control prac- tically all the oil fields of South America. They’re just the names of the business though. Ralphie Hill is the real business brain behind it. You remember how he and Mr. Merson used to wrangle over the financial situation of the “Cub”? Savoy : Do I ? Say, that was the best part of those meetings. But, go on, tell me some more. Johnson: Well, . . . Oh, sure. You remember Barbara Gilbert? Savoy: She who used to urge on our class spirit at class meetings? I remember her. Johnson: Well, she’s a fashion designer, now. She supplies my shop with all the newest creations. 29