Leander R Peck High School - Arrow Yearbook (Barrington, RI)

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Class l'listory 1945 On September eighth, l939, as very proud and happy seventh graders, we, the class of l945, arrived at last within the walls of Peck l-ligh School. Amazed and bewildered, we stumbled bravely through the maze of people, bells and classrooms to establish ourselves firmly on the first step of the ladder which was to lead to that glorious position of Senior. On this first step, drawn up to our full height, we could reach no more than the title of the lowly seventh grader . You know what a seventh grader is,-one of those people who doesn't look old enough to be in the first grade, and always gets in your way when you're walk- ing to class . . . and we certainly did. After being stepped over and looked down upon, we finally felt as if we were really being no- ticed when we were allowed to elect one mem- ber of our class to the Student Council. We elected Bernice Anderson as our representa- tive, and, as the school year drew to a close, we looked forward to the summer vacation and the year ahead when we would climb one step higher to the eighth grade. As eighth graders we felt as if we knew more than we had in the preceding year . . . and that we did, we knew enough to keep out of the Senior's way and not to leave our bottles on the cafeteria tables. You can see how far we had progressed in one year. Our Stu- dent Council representative for this year was Jack lvlcCann. We then acquired two people who have really been valuable additions to our class. They were Jo Ann Seibert and Ted Ferry. Both with a wonderful sense of humor, they kept the class laughing and having fun, until, before we knew it, the end of the year rolled around and the first of the big four , our Freshman year, was rapidly approaching. Now we were Freshmen, perhaps a little less eager, four years seemed like a long time just getting to be a Senior, but we decided to stay and see it through, and the faculty was de- lighted. We held our first class meeting, to elect officers and advisor. lvliss Barton, who has proven herself to be an invaluable friend and confidant, was chosen as class advisor, and Victor Minardi captured the position of president on a large vote from the class. l-lerbie l-lale became our vice-president, Ellen Douglas our secretary, Jo Ann Seibert, treas- urer, and Rowena Ernst, chairman of the social committee. Our Student Council representa- tives were Vic lvlinardi and Phyllis Buckley. The war was really upon us then, and to show our friendship for our South American neigh- bors, our party that year was in a Pan-Ameri- can scheme. There were multi-colored stream- ers and bright awnings at the windows, um- brellas, covered to look like thatched huts, stood along the back of the auditorium. Be- hind the orchestra was draped a brilliant orange curtain which joined in the color scheme. Our president, Vic Minardi, pre- sented Miss Barton with a corsage of white carnations. As usual, the fact held true that the Freshman party is always the best, and those who worked to arrange ours deserve much praise. This also was a year for newcomers, and very welcome ones they were too-for with the coming of Betty Pryce and her ability to get things done, Dave Smith with his friendly smile and manner, and Bruce Bottomley with his easy disposition, we entered into the year with great spirit and zest. lvlr. Carr and lvliss l-larris were the unfortu- nate victims known as our homeroom teach- ers, and we must say that we admired their courage. Miss l-larris, as usual, remained calm throughout, but Mr. Carr's continued endur- ance under very questionable actions in Room l7 amazed us. l'm sure that neither of the two culprits who had to write the composi- tion on l-lomeroom Discipline will be able to forget the first week of school and the dis- covery of Phyllis' shoe above the cafeteria door. As shiny new Freshmen, they were rather de- flated when they had to climb a ladder and get it second lunch period. Although we had given up hope, the year finally did manage to get around to June, and at last, we were free for the summer. We were Sophomores, and still trying, but as we settled into our routine, a series of open houses spread their temptation, and, young and unwanted though we were, we followed doggedly in the Seniors' lead to watch, fasci- nated, as they built their reputation. Mr. Bond and Prof, Collins received the brunt of our homeroom activities this year, and we gained more new members when Betty lVlcl.eary and Lucille Weikel joined us. Again Vic's great popularity was apparent when we re-elected him president, l-lerbie kept the

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vice-presidency, Rowena took over as secre- tary, and Jo Ann stayed on as treasurer. Betty Mac , proving likeable from the first, was chosen as chairman of the social committee, and Lucille stepped into place when she, Bruce Bottomley, and Vic were elected as our Stu- dent Council representatives. The year then rolled into full swing. Our second class party was a little less deco- rative than the first, but even with the scarcity of material we managed to make it one of the prettiest parties of the year. The motif was spring, and card tables covered with gaily printed cloths and bright spring flowers en- circled the gym. Pastel streamers floated gently from the ceiling and across the stage in front of the orchestra. At this party, Vic presented Miss Barton with a fan-shaped gold compact. We began to realize that we would be Jun- iors soon after that, and the year could not end too quickly for us. Our Junior year got off to a good start, and it is a year to be remembered always, for a few of our boys fought along with the Seniors to capture the i944 football championship. Odd as it may sound to admit it, we were proud of the Seniors that year, and we were proud, too, of the wonderful spirit everyone showed in backing up the team. We elected our class officers, and Vic was unanimously re-elected president, l-lerbie, having proved his value, stayed on as vice- president, and Joyce Lother came in as secre- tary. Lucille was elected treasurer and Ro- wena took over her position once more as chairman of the social committee. Our Stu- dent Council representatives for this year were Victor Minardi, Lucille Weikel, Lewis Bosworth and Betty Rryce. l-laving lost a few of our regular members, what was left of the class fitted very com- fortably into Miss Barton's homeroom. Being all together in one room gave us a chance to think up ways of getting into trouble, and we made good use of our advantages. We're sure Mrs. Sargent can never forget those dive bombers or that balloon . Our class party was designed around Thanksgiving, and Carolyn Moore proved more than helpful in making colorful and life-like turkeys to adorn the stage. Cornstalks and hay with scattered pumpkins were in every corner and punch and cookies were served as refreshments. Miss Barton was presented a silver bracelet by our president, Vic Mi- nardi. Yes, we were very much a part of the activities and fun that year, but when school closed, we began thinking happily of the last wonderful year to come. We made it! Seniors at last . . . but our class had grown considerably smaller, and we began to notice more and more the graveness of the war as two of our own members, Lester Allen and Bruce Bottomley, along with many of the boys who had just graduated, left for the Armed Services. At the election of class officers, Vic nat- urally held his position as president, while Ted Ferry, due to his ever rising popularity, took over as vice-president. Joyce and Lu- cille stayed on as secretary and treasurer re- spectively, and Rowena was again elected chairman of the social committee. Our Stu- dent Council representatives were Vic Mi- nardi, Ted Ferry, Lewis Bosworth, Lucille Weikel and Ellen Douglas. We gained another member then, when Lorraine Boudreau joined us. We liked her at once because of her friendly and energetic personality. Since our class was small at the beginning of the first term, a year book looked like a doubtful un- dertaking to us . . . with the shortage of paper no help at all. But when the govern- ment sent out the OK , the Juniors readily offered their help and by the end of Novem- ber we had gone over the top in the sale of ads. We offer thanks to all those who helped us succeed in procuring our Arrow . The question of a class party then arose, and we worked out a sensational idea which turned into the Christmas Formal, held on Saturday, December twenty-third. Many were doubtful of its success, but we worked hard, selling tickets, getting an orchestra, land enough boysl, and, last, but not least, moving all the bleachers out of the gym. Vic and Rowena deserve praise for their hard work in directing the decorating, and all those who helped deserve credit and thanks for their patience and willingness. The deco- rations, of course, were on a Christmas theme. At one end of the gym was a large Christmas tree gayly strung with vari-colored lights and decorations. Large red bells hung from the ceiling with its soft red and blue lights, and pretty sprays of greens tied with red rib- bons hung at each window. The orchestra sat on the stage between twin green and silver trees, and, above them, red, green, and silver streamers were looped to the center where there hung another large red bell. At the dance, Vic presented Miss Barton with a vanity set. The weatherman seemed to be working against us that night, but, against all odds, the dance and the progressive sup- lContlnued on Page 269