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

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Edward Jenkins Foote “Toby” As the thunderous chords of the organ pealed out in the magnificent pine-paneled hall, music critics whispered excitedly in the pews. The occasion — Toby Foote was making his debut in Seavcrns Hall. That was last year when Toby played for both chapel and graduation in the place of Mr. Waterman, who was sick. At that graduation, he also received the Harvard Prize (He's going to Yale) and entered that august group — the prefect body. Toby is one of the original members of the class and before long emerged as one of the most original (for the uninitiated — a pun), for — besides his studies — he has been on the honor roll since the Third Form and is a member of the KTK — he has been active in the Dramatic Club, News, and Wyvern. As president of the Dramatic Club, his roles have varied from a Chinese executioner to Brutus in “Julius Caesar”, from a summer camper to an English butler. He has also suffered (conquered and emerged victorious) as the Editor-in-Chief of the Kings wood News. Toby lias also contributed work to the Wyvern. Sportswisc, Toby has hardly been idle. He has won his numerals in soccer and letters in tennis as well as captaining the latter in his Senior year. Most of the time when Toby isn’t talking to Conklin or doing anything mentioned above, he can be found practicing either on the organ or piano. He has played in recitals and is organist and choirmaster at the South Glastonbury Congregational Church. We’ll certainly expect to see Toby either con- ducting the New York Philharmonic or playing the organ at Westminster Abbey in a few years. 18

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Paul Cushing Faxon “Felix” As we entered Chapel for the first time in the fall of ’54, as Seniors, we saw Felix Faxon, our Claass President and Senior Prefect, assume the scat of honor to the left of Mr. Hewett. It made us remember that day in the fall of '52 when Felix entered the Form and immediately became one of its foremost leaders. Felix, as one of the bigger boys in the school, became one of Ed Knapp’s gridiron proteges in the ensuing season. After completing a very successful season, he was persuaded to continue his football by coming out for Knappo’s winter football, or as it was more commonly known, wrestling. The members of this sport met in the subterranean eaves beneath the basketball floor, and Felix compiled a good record in the “unlimited” class. After a season of wrestling, he couldn’t escape Ed Knapp, and he became a member of the baseball team. Because of an article in the Hartford papers citing Felix as one of the most impressive players at Kingswood. he won everlasting fame down at Wesleyan. Felix went on to become a stalwart player on Mr. Barrow’s football team. Seeing as Felix was the largest and strongest member of the class, he was unanimously elected president for our Junior and Senior years. He didn’t let all this glory go to his head or interfere with his studies because he was still fifth in the class. Felix also developed a fine appreciation for poetry under the tutelage of the man who christened him “Felix”, Ed Knapp. He even attempted to make the long hazardous trip to Wesleyan to hear a recitation by Robert Frost. Accompanying him on this venture were Ken Eaton, Dave Gowdy, and John McCormick. Unfortunately, Felix got lost in Hartford and watched the Memorial Day Parade. After a run-in with the hoses of the Rocky Hill Fire Department, the bedraggled group went home. This adventure made him very popular with the more rowdy element of the class. The entire class is sure Felix will continue to have as much success as he has had at Kingswood. 17

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David Eastman Gowdy “Dave” Six years ago, Dave came over the hill from Junior School to enter the class of ’55. Dave was a quiet, conservative youngster through his first few years at Kingswood. Although Dave has never been an honor student, he has always applied himself well, and has always maintained satisfactory grades throughout his six years at Kingswood. Sportswisc, Kaz is one of the best all-around athletes in the class. He secured a starting posi- tion in the Varsity football backfield when he was in the Third Form. Also Kaz is outstanding in Lacrosse. He has won his letter every year since the Second Form and was elected co-captain of the team in his Junior year and captain in his Senior year. But Dave is the “original tough luck kid . In both his Junior and Senior years he was injured early in the football season. His second injury earned him a little vacation from school which he spent in the hospital. There he learned a new sport: chasing nurses around the halls in his stream-lined wheelchair. Outside of school activities, Dave’s foremost interest lies in the field of progressive jazz. The array of instrumental items that he has collected over the years is one that anyone would envy. The sounds of a sweet sax or a mellow trumpet continually fill the Gowdy household. Kaz has developed an ear for music and can unerringly distinguish the good from the bad. Irately, he has taken up the drums. Dave’s casual, easy-going manner has won him many friends, who will never forget the way Dave frequently sauntered across the I green, head down, collar up, with that far away I I look in his eye. Wherever he may go, he will not —be quickly forgotten. 19