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

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Leonard Wirtley Horton, Jr. Lenny Lenny entered our fine institution in the middle of his Fifth Form year. He had pre- viously been at William Hall High School, where among his numerous wild activities he was vice- president of his home room. In Kingswood he was a hard-working mem- ber of the second baseball team and became one of the relief pitchers for this group. When he was not out with this unhealthy outfit or rest- ing on the notorious Fifth Form green, you would often find him fishing. Len was of great value during the fall of ’49 to the third football team. Without his outstand- ing work, the team would never have done as well as it did. During the winter Len’s activities consisted mainly of joining the 2:45 Club. He and several nefarious seniors would take off and either glut themselves at Howard Johnson’s or go bowling. Sonny became an active member of the News during the winter term when he volunteered to do typing. This is quite a job and was greatly appreciated. Len’s favorite class in the day is history. When asked why this should ever be, he replied, “Ah, it’s the one class I can really sleep in. Why, how would I ever prepare myself for another week-end, if this class didn’t come five times a week?” Perhaps it is all right in history class, but more than once Len has been severely threatened by Doc with worse things than the hair brush. Most of his trouble comes from the evil clutches of the church social. Though it ends before eight, Len seldom reaches home until the wicked hours of ten or eleven. Among Len’s most outstanding contributions to class life is his immortalizing the kitchen. He has worked very hard during the last ycar-and-a-half and has been awarded for his efforts by acceptance to the University of Maine, where he plans to study forestry. 22

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John dc Moulpicd Hooker Hook The fall of 1946 brought John Hooker into his first contact with prep school life at Kings wood. A refugee from Sedgwick Junior High School Johnny participated in Intermediate soccer that fall. Skiing in the winter and tennis in the spring completed his sports program. “Hook soon became known for talents two- fold; in order of their importance they were his ability to leave school at unspecified times and also his ways with the young lasses. The Fifth Form was a lucrative one for John. Besides joining the Choir and the Choral Club, he played the part of Jenny, the maid, in the Dramatic Club’s production of the Torchbcarcrs. Jed developed a flair for photography that year and with this in mind joined the Camera Club. His picture of “the old mill” won him the Camera Club prize. To add to these activities John played the same sports as the preceding year and became quite proficient in tennis, though surprising may it be, John spent the majority of his time- on his cxtra-curriculars, and a great deal with one special one I His senior year proved a mammoth one for Johnny. With sports taking little of his time, Jed spent much of his time on a new fad — guitars. With the Smith Brothers he formed a trio that used to clear out the Administration building in Conference Period with its playing. John also became a confirmed party-goer and giver, which many will testify to. As a post-graduate, John easily adapted himself to this unfamiliar atmosphere. As a reward for his faithful work, Jed was elected President of the Camera Club. Spending much time on athletics and studies, he established himself as a good member of the class. l ie could always be found after lunch in the smoke-filled Common Room during the winter term treating a bevy of listeners to his repertoire of jokes. For his sense of humor and steady fidelity John will always Ik remembered, and these attributes will undoubtedly aid him in whatever career he chooses. 21

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Gordon Churchill Hurlbert, Jr. Gordy Gcrdy’s handsome face first appeared on the campus in 1948, our Fifth Form year. He came with a fine record in soccer from Hall High, and immediately established himself on Mr. Jacobus’ highly successful undefeated soccer team. At the end of the season he was elected captain of the ’49 team. “Go” soon became a familiar figure around the campus. He established a reputation for his good humour and ability to take it. His ingenuity for getting in and out of trouble was the talk of the school. Gordy was a good mem- ber of the Three-Thirty Club during the winter and was a familiar sight down at Prospect Avenue where he was cultivating new friends. He ended up his Fifth Form year playing on Mr. Farquhar’s second baseball team. The following year Gordy captained the soccer team to one of its most successful seasons. He became a member of the class committee and was appointed student mail- carrier. For his exceptional agility shown on the dance floor the previous year, it was deemed necessary that he become a member of the tuxedo clad dance committee. During the winter Gordy became an important member of the newly-formed squash team. It is commonly supposed that the daily jaunts to the Hartford Golf Club arc what attracted him to this activity. Gordy seemed to keep out of trouble his last year, and he developed many friends who appreciated his keen wit and readiness to grin. His linguistic ability in Spanish was greatly augmented by the addition of Mr. Leonard to the ranks of our masters. Gordon was so pleased with Mr. Leonard that he saw him at every available opportunity. Gordy was always ready for an argument with anybody, and Mr. Greene didn’t prove the exception. He always kidded his way out of them, however, and never was hit by an eraser. Gordy will be long remembered for his good naturedness and his fine spirit at Kingswood. We arc sure that armed with these he will be a great success wherever he goes. 23