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

Page 16 text:

William Damerel “Bill” Bill came to Kingswood in his First Form year. During his first two fall seasons here, he piled up a good many points for Lancaster in football, and has ever since been one of the school’s best on the gridiron. He left Kingswood at the end of his Second Form year to spend a year and a half at the Haverford School in Philadelphia. Returning to Kingswood in the middle of his Fourth Form year. Bill quickly regained his high position in the class. He has amazing skills in math and has been one of the best in Mr. Jacobus’ and Mr. MeGuinn’s math classes. During his Junior and Senior years, Bill has been a consistent starter at guard position on the football team and has thus won his letter. Bill is an active member of the Dance Committee and has done electronic and lighting work for it as well as for the Dramatic Club. Also, he has done photographic and advertising work for the Classbook during his Senior year. Outside school, Bill’s interests lie in his “Gray Ghost” — a ’35 Oldsmobile — and all its enclosed radio gear. He has won considerable acclaim with his two television sets at World Series time. His maze of receivers in the Gray Ghost has confused all who happen to see the inside of the car. Few members of the class were surprised to hear that Bill wants to go to Princeton and later to become an electrical engineer. The class knows he will reach his goal (pro- viding he doesn’t electrocute himself first) and wishes him the best of luck. 12

Page 15 text:

John Conklin “John” To start at the beginning, John was one of the charter members of the class beginning his career at Kingswood in Mr. Werner’s First Form with several other soggy-looking new- comers of whom not the least notorious were Bolden. Korpcr, and Foote. He right away dug down and showed himself an able scholar, winning a permanent place on the honor roll with the exception of one term, and this due only to a series of rather unfortunate incidents in Mr. O’Harc's math class. However, he did manage to carry oil the Dux Prize in Form I. During his lower school years, John was a member of the Lancastrian sect, played soccer, skied, and took softball to occupy his afternoons. He also was a star pupil in Mr. Leonard’s afternoon art classes, for John’s one of the most artistic members of the ’55 Hock. By the time the class had beat its way to the Fourth Form, he began to show an interest in dramatics, and gained the title of assistant stage manager in that famous production of You Can’t Take It With You”, and in the next year, he inherited the full stage-managership for “Lady Precious Stream” and “Julius Caesar” in which he also portrayed Octavius under Mr. Kaptcyn. By the end of last year, he found himself a surprised assistant editor of the News, art editor of the Wyvern, and a member of K.T.K. Sportswisc, he managed wrestling and soccer, and wielded a tennis racket in the spring Form six marked John’s biggest year. As an editor of the News, he shared headaches with Swan and Foote, and brightened that drab journal with a sarcastic little column called “Conversation”. As Ernest in “The Admirable Chrichton”, he spouted epigrams nobly, designed some magnificent sets, and in general proved himself indispensable. Along with these activities, he poured fourth a prolific stream of articles for the Wyvern. John is headed for Yale, where he hopes to major in English Literature and dabble in stage design. It goes without saying that he will be successful in cither of these, or any other field, he wishes to enter. Salve ct Vale, John! 11

Page 17 text:

Gerald Dehm “Gerry” Gerry strode through the Russell Gate in the fall of 1951 and immediately settled down to the task of becoming one of the most popular boys in the class. Gerry, during that first year, lent his talents to the highly successful Lancaster Club. Mis abilities in these initial sports endeavors were merely a hint of what was to come from this freshman who abided in New Britain. In his Sophomore year, Ciere won prominence on the junior Varsity football and basketball teams. With the start of the spring sport's pro- gram, he was through with J.V. positions; he had gained himself a standing on the Varsity baseball team. (icrc began his Fifth Form year with a bit of bad luck. In the first game of the football season, the whiz-kid from New Britain suffered a broken collar bone. None only did Gerry suffer, but so did the entire Varsity football squad. Gerry would have proved himself as an irreplaceable end. Even though his impediment prevented him from participating in the game, it did not hold him back from going to them. No senior will ever forget the trip to and from Pomfret, in an unmistakable blue Ford, and his encounter with reebegas. At the end of the basketball season, (Jerry was elected captain, because of his capabilities in handling and shooting the ball. During the spring, he was a member of the morning tennis team. The fall of '54 again found Gere on the football field. For his invaluable service to the team, he won his letter. Old Gere” will always be fondly remembered at Kingswood as well as at the Mount. His humor and remarks livened many classes for us, though even he will admit that they were a wee bit trying to Mr. Sagcbcer. In his four years at Kingswood, CJere has distinguished himself as a hard and willing worker. He was always ready to assist anyone who needed help, whether it was in doing French, or sweeping the gym. He made many friends, none of whom will ever forget him. With his exceptionally good fellowship, Gere will undoubtedly fare well wherever he goes. Good luck to a great classmate! 13