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

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Peter Stephen Kane Third Form — '45 Pete Pete promptly joined in the spirit of the school by winning a line position and a coveted letter on Mr. MacDonald’s successful Intermediate foot- ball team. Mr. Gleason’s English class baffled our Newington hero at first, but he soon adjusted himself to the Turk’s ways. After that everything Englishwise was just a bed of roses.(?) Basket- ball occupied him during the winter, and he played regularly for the dynamic Intermediates. In the Spring he began a long and fruitful career with the infamous Three-Thirty Club. During his fourth form year Pete made great use of the inherent wildness of the frontier town of Newington, which had been instilled into his impressionable mind at an early age, in his studies, extracurricular activities, and athletics. He again played on the Intermediate football and basketball teams and made an excellent showing on both. The acquisition of his motor-scooter was one of the highlights of our fifth form year. He dared anyone to try and ride the monstrosity, and the fact that almost everyone took him up on his dare almost caused the extermination of our dear beloved class. Pete was frequently seen bouncing up and down on his contraption, braving the elements on his way to school. Finally, amid much weeping and wringing of hands, the scooter was sold to some innocent soul when the weather became too stormy. Active in school affairs, Pete was a member of the Camera, Choral, and Outing Clubs that year. His creditable Senior year was begun by be- coming a member of the first football squad, working hard and playing in most of the games. He was again a member of the Camera Club, and he also joined the News board, Rifle Club, and the Dramatic Club. An amiable person, we will always remember Pete for his sense of humor and his good natured- ness. Although we take his prolix stories of the adventures in Newington with a grain of salt, we arc always interested in hearing him retell his experiences. Providence 29

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Jay Wayne Jackson Fifth Form — ’46 Blifil Jay and his beaming countenance came to Kingswood from St. Thomas Seminary. He im- mediately joined Mr. MacDonald’s highly suc- cessful intermediate football team where he played a bang-up game at center. During the winter term, in preference to joining Mr. Good- win’s combination cross-country and ski team, Jay became a member of the intermediate basket- ball squad. There the hard-hitting, uncoordin- ated football prodigy was frequently compli- mented on playing a fine game of football on the basketball court. In the spring a young man's fancy turns to baseball, and Jay was no exception. Against terrific — you may interpret the word as you wish — competition, he secured himself a position on the intermediate baseball team. Jay was one of the fortunates to go to the football camp in upper New York State. By his constant drive and determination. Scrappy John won his first major letter in foot- ball on a team which won all but one of its games. Then Jay played second team basket- ball, while also achieving the rank of expert rifleman in the National Rifle Association. During the spring, Blifil played number one position on the golf team. He was also elected business manager of the News, and at Commencement was awarded the Carvalho Prize for the member of the first football team who made the most progress during the year. In his senior year Jay was appointed to the Prefects and once again won his letter on the hot and cold varsity eleven. Here, on the football field. Scrappy, probably being the lightest cen- ter ever to play Prep school ball, turned in some clean, hard-hitting performances that let the op- position of some thirty or forty pounds heavier know they were in a really tough game. Helping Mr. MacDonald with Junior School activities and being quite in extra-curricular ac- tivities, Jay also became interested in a young damsel from Oxford. He also enjoyed the social life as well as anyone, and his easy-going per- sonality and sense of humor remain an asset to the class. 28 Washington and Lee

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John Baptist Lacava Fourth Form — ’46 Gaucho Although small in stature, Gaucho showed his ability and determination on the athletic field. He didn’t waste any time making a name for himself, for in his fourth form year he received letters in intermediate football and track, using his terrific speed to the most advan- tage. He also developed the valuable faculty for eluding the grasps of study hall masters. The fifth form year found The Gauch dreaming of those senior privileges which were coming closer and closer. He also played second team football and was a member of the first lacrosse team that Kingswood has had for several years. Johnny really enjoyed the senior privileges, and he really put his heart into first team football. Everyone who saw the team play remembers the mighty mite who was substitute fullback, courageously playing against much bigger opponents. Being manager of the basketball team and playing lacrosse kept him busy during his senior year. The Gauch thoroughly enjoyed the smoking privilege given to seniors during the winter term. He always had a joke or two, told with his rustic expressions and south-end accent, to add during the bull sessions in the smoke-filled Common Room. We will remember Gaucho — how he blocked the big Riverdale tackle and when he got up how he knocked him down again, how he moved those short legs over the green when he was late for class, how his accent, with dese guys and dose ’tings, would make everyone smile. Fortunately John is lucky enough to return to Kingswood for a post-graduate course and another fun-packed senior year. We hope that next year’s senior class will appreciate John as much as we did. Post Graduate 30