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

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'40 RICHARD C. HASTINGS, JR. The school year of 1934-35 means a great deal to Richard Cleveland Hastings, Jr., for it was in this year that he appeared at Kingswood to take up a place in the second house. Since this time “Red” has made a name for himself in Kingswood history. As a First Former he became a mem- ber of the Lancaster Club and earned his Wyvern. While in the Second Form he played on the tennis team. Upon entering the Senior School, Red became more active in school life. He was elected to the Wyvern Board and held this position until his senior year, when he was made editor of the school magazine. As a poet he has contributed much to the enjoyment of the reader. As editor he has turned out an excellent and improved Wyvern. Throughout the Senior School Red has played football. After a year with the Intermediates, he advanced to the first squad. For two years he was handi- capped by injuries, but in the season of ’39 he won a place as regular tackle on the team. He did not stop at football or the Wyvern, but became a member of different clubs. Among them wrere the Dramatic, Math and Rifle Clubs. Red also sang in the choir and worked for the Publicity Board. This diverse indivi- dual is a charter member of the “Putsey Wootsies” and one of the authors of its theme song, “Onward, Putsey Wootsies.” Outside the classroom he is associated with the “Marshmallow;” this is a station wagon of unusual grace and ancient origin. Red is always singing the praises of this “crate” and w ill be remem- bered for his speech in chapel on “The Advantages of the Marshmallow.” Red was made a prefect at midyear, and there was no one who did not feel he deserved this honor fully. As a sport Red is tops. He always has a good-natured grin and a pleasant word for every one, is full of fun and enjoys a joke to its utmost. It is almost impossible to find a grander fel- low. We know success will follow' during his stay at Virginia and in later life. 22

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MO WARD VAN BUREN HART, JR. “Van” came to Kingswood in the Third Form from the top position of his class at Wethersfield High School, and he imme- diately took his position with the best of his class here at Kingswood. Not satisfied with his innumerable distinction cards and his regular position on the Honor Roll, Van won second and third prizes in Latin and French, and was awarded third prize in the State Latin Contest in his sopho- more year. His knowledge of mathematics has been amply demonstrated by his abil- ity to tutor members of lower forms to passing grades in this subject. Van became a member of the Drama- tic Club in the Fourth Form and has taken an active part in two of their presenta- tions. One was “The Examination,” given a year ago, in which he played the part of a very religious student, and the other was the Dramatic Club farce put on last Christmas, “Little Red Riding Hood;” in this Van was the dynamic coach of the two-man football team. He has been a member of the News and Photography Club, winning prizes for his ability as a photographer. This year he has pursued his hobby by taking candid shots of the senior class for the class hook. Although for the most part Van’s talents are intellectual, he has also been a follower of spoils, playing soccer in the fall and working out with the track squad during the spring. He has passed the test enabling him to wear the medal of an expert marksman, and he is an active member of the Rifle Club. He has also sung with the choir under the guidance of Mr. Waterman. This year he has been a Reference Library Monitor, and he proved himself a fine librarian. Van has spent his past vacations at Mr. Hill’s camp in Vermont or in Maine with his parents. This summer Van plans to work before entering Yale University, where he will study to he a professor of mathematics, a position which we feel he will ably fill, as his patience and ability are unexcelled. 21

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'40 BERNARD JOSEPH HAVENS, JR. Since “Bernie” Havens entered school in the fall of 1937 (the Fourth Form), he has been an active participant in all the major sports as well as in two minor ones. He has played varsity football since his first year, when he was recognized as a very promising lineman, until his senior year, when he came up to all expectations by being placed on the all-state team and on the all-time Kings wood team. Coming, as he does, from a baseball- playing family, “Puts” is usually found in the spring out on the diamond “knock- ing 'em out” to other enthusiasts. Batting is his specialty; he made at least one good hit in each game he played in. Before Bernie came to Kingswood, he was on a swimming team during the winter, hut in his Fourth Form year he went out for intermediate basketball. He sparked the team to a successful record, receiving his letter at the end of the season. In his Fifth Form and senior year he played varsity basketball as a very alert and quick-shooting guard. For three seasons he has spurred his class basketball team on to many victories and two pennants. Because of his good humor, affability, and willingness to lend a helping hand. Puts has been a great friend to his classmates. He is a charter member and namesake of the “Putsey Woostsies,” a club formed by members of the class of ’40 in connection with the baseball team of 1938. In his senior year “Puts” came to the aid of the Dramatic Club; he co- authored a play entitled “Little Red Riding Hood,” in which he led the fem- inine chorus. In addition he has been a mainstay on the Rifle Team for the past three years. Frecpient mention of Bernie on the Honor Roll has proved his prowess in the class room. His athletic ability, his merrv wit, and his strong sense of humor should all combine to insure a successful college career at Bowden whither he goes next fall. We are sure he’ll come out on top— no matter what he does. Best of luck. “Puts”! 23