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

Page 32 text:

Jay Moore O’Brien O'B Jay joined the Kingswood ranks in the fall of 1951. He attended the Abbey School for a period of two years prior to his arrival here. Because of his cvcr-rcady and inexhaustible humor,“O.B,” made for him- self the reputation of being a ‘right-guy’ among his classmates. Everyone felt that we had indeed received a welcome addi- tion to our class. During the winter months “O’B” be- came an important member of the newly- formed wrestling team. His humorous imitations of the television grapplcrs won him the acclaim of the entire wrestling squad. For his spring exercise program “O’B” chose tennis, and although the game was entirely new to him, he showed considerable promise as the season progressed. His senior year proved to Ik far from uneventful. During the fall sports season “O’B” chose soccer and became a good fullback. For a winter sport he chose wrestling, and again gained a position on the Varsity wrestling team in the middle weights. As spring rolled around, “O’B” turned his attention to tennis. He presently showed considerable talent at playing net as well as his regular back-court position. “O.B.” will long be remembered. His easy mannered ways as well as his willingness to help others have gained him many friends, and his dexterity with the pen-knife has brought him more than passing attention. 28

Page 31 text:

Henry Richards McLane, III Dic{” After reluctantly leaving the 3:00 dis- missal of Bloomfield High, Dick entered Kingswood in his First Form year, destined to become one of the leaders of the class of ’53. His many lower school activities consisted of being president of York and captain of the York skiing and soccer teams. Of his first three years at Kingswood, his Third Form year was the most successful. In addition to these activities, Dick was elected president of the Third Form and still maintained a place on the C list. A new group of activities began for Dick in the Fourth Form. He became a member of the News editorial board. It was in this year that the soccer squad gained one of its most useful additions. Dick skiicd that winter and won his numerals on Mr. Farquhar’s second baseball team the following spring. The close of this successful year found him with a position on the Honor Roll. Dick began his Fifth Form year by being elected secretary-treasurer of the class and by winning his letter on the Varsity soccer team. From there, he went on to become a promising champion wrestler. That spring, Dick became a member of Mr. Knapp’s Varsity baseball team. He joined the Wyvern board in addition to the News board. The Sixth Form year was a memorable and busy one for Dick. In the fall, he captained the soccer team. After joining the ranks of the morning hoop artists, he went on to become a member of the Varsity baseball team for the second time. The class elected Dick business manager of the Classbook. He did a fine job in this office, both by soliciting advertisements and by selling soda in the gym. Even with the added weight of these extra activities, he maintained his usual good scholastic average. Dick plans to enter Cornell in the fall. But regardless of where he goes or what he docs in later life, we know that Dick will make a great success of it, just as he has done in his years at Kingswood. The class of ’53 wishes the best of luck to a swell guy whose wit, humor, and friendship they will never forget. 27

Page 33 text:

John Francis O’Meara Hones Bones, the last of the three O’Mearas, entered Kingswood in ’48 as a member of the Second Form. Little did he realize that in making the switch from St. Thomas he had become a member of the best Senior Class in the history of Kingswood. In his first year, Bones easily succeeded in making the York football and baseball teams and was a member of the inter- mediate basketball squad. He didn't do badly in his second year either, playing J. V. ball in all of the above mentioned sports. He played quarterback for Coach Ed Knapp’s varsity football squad in his third year. One thing can be said about Bones without any equivocation; he loves a good time. He is always ready and willing to take part in activities in and out of school. If one of the boys is giving a party, he will invariably be in the middle of it, doing his bit to make it a success. After the initial joy of touching the green velvet carpet, in the midst of which Kingswood is located, Bones settled down to work in this, his last year of high school. He won his letter easily in football by doing a superb job at his right guard position. During the winter months the worked hard and became the first member of the Senior Class to be accepted at college. In the spring he will, without doubt, be patrolling the pastures of center field for Mr. Knapp’s baseball team. As a spectator, John is an ardent Giant fan, convinced that they can beat the Dodgers in the pennant race this year. In addition to his class work and great interest in sports, Bones has found time to become an active member of the News board. He has spent much of his time and shoe leather so that our great school newspaper, the News, may continue to circulate. Boncs’s great sense of duty and responsibility, plus that certain knack of making friends is sure to stand by him in later years. We arc sure he will succeed in whatever he chooses to do and wish him the best of luck. 29