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

Page 33 text:

James Dcnnis Marinan, Jr. Spider Jim strode through the Russell Gate in the fall of 1946 and immediately settled down to the task of becoming one of the most popular boys in the class. Despite a prolonged illness in the fall term of his freshman year, he constantly main- tained a place on the C-list and distinguished himself in the intermediate athletic program. In his sophomore year, “Slats”, as he was then called, advanced to second team football, basketball, and baseball, remained on the C-list, and favored the News with his attention by joining its editorial staff. It was in his Fifth Form year, however, that Jim came into his own. He was elected to the lucrative position of secretary-treasurer of the class and became one of the tuxedo-clad members of the Dance Committee. Because of the difficulty he encountered when he tried to gain weight, he switched his affiliations from iootball to soccer and played on Mr. Jacobus' undefeated team. In the spring the lanky left-hander pitched for Coach Morris' nine, and we all remember his 19-3 victory over the Hartford Uconns. In his senior year, Jim was one of the six prefects. He was also elected editor-in-chief of the Blac and Crimson, popularizing the command, “Will you guys please go down to Burian’s and have your pictures taken! He somehow found time to write for the Wyvern, and to add his voice to the Choir. Jim was in the starting line-up of this year’s soccer team. Someone, seeing his educated left foot, which, incidentally, is hitched to the end of a rather long leg, blast the ball half the length of the field, shouted, “Nice kick, Spider!”, and thus his nickname was bom. In the winter term he spurned basketball and became a member of the “Three-Thirty Club , but in the spring he caught baseball fever and again played on the varsity. In his four years at Kingswood, Spider dis- tinguished himself as a hard and willing worker. He was always ready to assist anyone who needed help, whether it was in doing math or sweeping the gym. He made many friends, none of whom will ever forget him. He doesn’t need it, but: Good luck to a swell guy!” 29

Page 32 text:

Walter Wheeler Lowell Walt Walt first entered the gates of Kingswood in his Second Form year in 1945, after leaving Collinsville Grammar School, crammed with enough education to enter our noble institution. Walt settled right down, and during that illustrious year lent his talents to the not too successful Lancaster Club. Through his relentless banter, the class learned much about the welfare of the Canton variety of muskrats, and also of their probable downfall. He was then promptly dubbed “Mush- Rat” Lowell. At the end of that and the next fishing season, “Mush Rat” found that he had won the prize for the largest trout caught that season in the Outing Club contest. Because of a broken arm, during his Third Form year, Walt had little to do with sports, except as a member of Mr. Goodwin’s Outing Club. Walt continued with the Outing Club in his Fourth Form year, and also proved himself an outstanding member of Mr. Jacobus’ Golf team. In that year, Walt also showed his business qualities by being admitted to the business board of the Wyvern. In the Fifth Form Walt became an active member of the second soccer team and was able to win his letter. Walt was on the business board of the Wyvern for another year and proved himself an outstanding member. When spring came, Walt headed for the golf links, and after playing a fine season on the team was named captain-elect for the next year. In September of 1949, Walt once more entered Russell Gate to see how it felt to be a senior. At the beginning of the year, Walt was elected business manager of the Wyvern. He also joined the Dramatic Club, and at the end of the fall season, won his letter on the varsity soccer team. During the winter, Walt bravely risked life and limb while playing as one of the chosen few on the Morning Basketball Hackers A. C. When spring came, Walt rounded out the year nicely, by captaining the Kingswood Golf team. 28

Page 34 text:

Frederick William McNabb, Jr. Fred When Fred entered Russell Gate at the beginning of the sophomore year, he carried with him a scholastic reputation acquired at Plant. He quickly adapted himself to Kingswood and made the Honor Roll the first month. Mac has kept himself on this list throughout his stay. Athletic-wise, Fearless was not as fortunate at first, for a broken arm in football caused a temporary delay. It soon healed, and winter found Fred on the JV basketball team swishing the leather sphere as though nothing had happened. He played baseball in the spring, earning his numerals, and was awarded the Dux prize at the end of the year. During his junior year, Fearless won a varsity letter in basketball. He had no mishaps in football that year, and spent the fall snagging passes on Mr. Scaverns’ JV team. In the spring term he rounded out the year by playing JV baseball. Fred also became a very welcome addition to the News. At the end of the year he had the honor of being elected to the K.T.K. In the fall of the senior year Mac won another letter as halfback on the very successful soccer team. During the winter he was again on the basketball floor, making intricate pivot shots. It was also during the winter term that Fred successfully passed the NROTC tests; he decided not to take the program, however, as it would interfere with the law course he intends to take up. Mac also found time to wield his pen on the Wyvern and on the Publicity Hoard. The business boards of the Classbook and the stage crew of the Dramatic Club also formed an outlet for his energy. Dur- ing this time he still maintained his standing on the Honor Roll. Saturday mornings found Fred, along with his learned cohort, Louie James, airing their views to a larger audience than could be found at Kingswood. The radio waves fairly hummed as they set forth erudite advice to fellow teen- agers. During the summers Fred has worked in the drug business (not hashish). No one knows what the future holds in store for us, but we feel that Fred is bound to succeed.