Kingswood Oxford High School - Retrospect Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

Page 30 text:

DAVID C. PEASLEE In the fall of 1937 came an abrupt and brutal shake-up in the regular scholastic average of the fifth form. This disturbance of the status quo came in the form of Dave Peaslee, who since then has wrought havoc with all that we ordinarily conceive to be good marks. That fall, Dave devoted his energies to playing soccer under the direction of Mr. Greene. Later, when the weather began to get cool, Dave decided that the most comfortable spot to sit and soliloquize was on the intermediate basketball team’s bench. During his spare time he attended Math Club and indulged in workouts with the chess team. The spring found him playing touch football with the track group. At commencement in his junior year, Dave continued to smash all precedents as he walked off with the Dux Prize, the Harvard Prize, the Special English Prize, and received honorable mention for the Science and Mathematics Prizes. Last fall, Dave ably managed one of the best soccer teams that ever represented Kingswood and at the end of the season gracefully accepted the ducking accorded all managers. Every winter afternoon after playing chess or tutoring some preppie” he rather disdainfully traversed twelve laps on I lazen Track. Dave played tennis this spring and, to complete his extra-curricular activities, was an able member of the publicity board and a valuable bass in the school choir. Lately he has voiced his intention of trying for most of the school prizes available to seniors and, being the out- standing student that he is, he will undoubtedly carry off more than his share. As for his outside life, Dave is rumoured to be one of the most con- sistent bachelors the school has ever seen; but one never knows, or does one? Dave has chosen to go to Princeton in preparation for his scientific work at M. I. T. where he hopes to become a research scientist. 26

Page 29 text:

WILLIAM L. MORSE Smiling Bill” joined the Class of 39 in the fourth form and immedi- ately obtained a place on the soccer squad; for the last two years he has been awarded letters as a halfback. As a freshman, Rugged” participated in intermediate basketball during the winter term; the next year he went up one step and played on the first basketball squad; and this last year he soared to unprecedented heights — he became a hoopster in that group com- posed of the cream of Kingswood’s athletes, the third basketball team. Many were the bruises Rugged gave the tender and inexperienced in those vicious fights on the floor of Soby Gym. Bill’s choice of a spring sport has changed every year: first it was inter- mediate baseball, then it was softball, and this year he is spending his time in a futile effort to catch the birdie” on the indoor badminton court. Rugged does not, however, confine his dazzling exhibitions of speed and drive only to the athletic fields of Kingswood. Any one who has taken a hair-raising ride in his ’34 Plymouth can corroborate this state- ment. It is a point of honor with Bill never to go less than eighty miles per hour on the straightaway, and his average velocity around corners has been estimated by conservative observers at about forty. This celerity is, no doubt, a great asset in his trips to Wesleyan to visit Ingy”. A full-fledged member of the U. S. Power Squadron, Rugged has a wonderful time skimming over the briny deep in his father’s motorboat. Unfortunately, the water craft does not go as fast as Bill’s flivver; but it has the advantage of being unhampered by pestiferous stop signs. Middlcbury College will be honored with Bill’s presence next year, and we feel sure that his high-speed” person- ality will carry him to success. 25

Page 31 text:

THOMAS E. PURDY Tom” has been with the class from the beginning, and ever since his entrance into the fifth grade has figured prominently in Kingswood activities. As a member of the junior school he entered whole-heartedly into student affairs, joining the Debating Club and showing a great interest in dramatics. Tom also played soccer for the York team as well as basket- ball and tennis. When he entered the third form, he energetically pitched into the affairs of the school, showing his literary talent in gaining a place on the Wyvcrn board. Since then he has given great service to our school magazine and was rightfully recognized by being elected editor-in-chief in his senior year. How well he has managed his position is shown by the second place awarded the Wyveni this year by the Columbia Scholas- tic Press Survey. One might think from all Tom does — editing the Wyveni, being president of the Dramatic Club, and debating — that his time would be pretty nearly taken up. He is no slouch at sports, however, as those who have watched him kick a soccer ball around or hit a three-bagger at softball can testify. He was a regular member of the second soccer team in his fourth form year and earned his letter as a halfback this last season. A good student, Tom has managed, in spite of all his outside work, to make the Honor Roll from time to time; and at the beginning of his senior year he was one of those selected for the honor of prefecture, which office he has fairly and competently administered. We can truthfully say that Tom Purdy, through his interest in and energetic support of school activities, has left a lasting mark at Kingswood and that this same enthusiasm will carry him to success wherever he goes. 27