Ludlow High School - Lion Yearbook (Ludlow, MA)

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History of the Class of 1936 The forever memorable day of Sep- tember 6, 1936, dawned sunny and bright with a clear sky and soft breeze. We, the class of 1936, were going on a four-year world cruise and our destination was to be a real desert island. The 196 tourists looked very timid and shy starting on the first im- portant trip of thcir lives. There was no worry about accommodating the large number that had enlisted be- cause the ship was very large, having five decks. It took quite a long time te get all the tourists settled, but at last it was finally accomplished. It also took quite a while for the tourists to get accustomed to their new sur- roundings and neighbors so that the first year at sea was a comparatively quiet one, with no social or business activities. But about a year later, September 15, 1933, at the early hour of eight- thirty the tourists buckled down briskly to business and the first thing we did was to elect a captain for our group. Victor Petrolati, better known as “Pope” got the honor. The other officers were as follows: First Mate, Edwin Carmell; Steward, Elizabeth Janes; Purser, Lillian Glassman. We voted on “BE SQUARE” for the name of our ship, and for class colors we hoisted a banner of silver and blue to the mast. Of course, our member- ship had dropped off to about 140, leaving the other 40 behind in their native country or rambling through picturesque villages and towns. Nat- urally, the matter of financial condi- tions came up and it was voted that for the Sophomore year, dues of 25¢ were to be levied on everyone. To top off all this strenuous activity, a dance was suggested to be given in the main salon and it was joyously ac- cepted. It was our first social ven- ture and we all had the well-known stz:ge qualms. What if it didn’t go over? But our fears were dispelled as soon as the orchestra played the first number. The sun was certainly shining brightly for our class. Our first social activity was a stupendous success! Money in the treasury! No weather worrics It was certainly smooth sailing, znd although we be- gan to notice that a few large sharks were following us, we soon dismissed all thoughts of them. 1934 rolled around before we really wanted it to. We were having such a good time. But 40 more tourists’ names had been cast to the sharks, leaving a total of about 100, so the top deck was abandoned and the four lower ones used. That same year on October 3 we held our second Election Day. “Pope” had done such a fine, clean job that he was unanimously re- tained as captain for our third year out. As First Mate, we chose David Edgar; Steward, ‘‘Liza” Janes, and Purser, Edwin Carmell. About a week later a new system was introduced on our cruise, known as the General Organization. Our faculty advisers spoke persuasively on what benefits we would get if we adopted it. Their oratory was too much for us, so we succumbed, and never regretted it because with the yearly subscription of $1.50 we got the monthly paper, known as the “Hi- News”, ten professional programs, :dmission to all sport games, and part of our class dues. March 7, 1935, another important date. The question of class rings had been the topic of many conversations and we had finally decided on the ring we wantec. A few were fortunate enough in getting their first orders in immediately and how busy they were kept putting their hands out to show the newly acquired ring. The Junior Dance, our second for- mal social venture proved to be an-

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CLASS POEM ’36 On what foundation stands Our High School students’ pride? How just our hopes, how fond our faith, Let classes past decide. Our bodies strong, our minds alert, Our souls of living fire. No dangers daunt us, no fears haunt us, Nor does our labor tire. O’er hope, o’er fear, o’er life and love, Extends our wide domain. We dream of conquest, victory, But ne’r of fear or pain. Success in life must some fair day To us give way and yield; We leave our classes with our mates To enter now the field. Our teachers did their guiding work With several hearts combined, To fit us for the battle front, That we may not resign. Well done their task, well done their work, Nor is it done in vain So long as we shall keep the faith With all our might and main. So while we’re here, we’ll take a vow Class of six and thirty To fight for right with all our strength And prove ourselves all worthy. —John S. Ingham

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8 other big affair, with Al Milne in charge of the advertising and Lillian Glassman, “Pope”, and Carmell in charge of tickets. But if we were proud of this success we were still prouder of our Prom which we gave on June 7. In every social activity we had been fortunate both socially and financially, and the Prom proved to be no exception. We certainly had no thunderstorms or rough sailing thus far on our trip. Then there was the Junior Picnic which was given on C Deck, which proved to be a new idea in way of entertainment. As Arch bearers at the Graduation exer- cises of 1935, the seniors elected Vic- tor Petrolati, Mabel Santos, Dot Kane, John Ingham, Betty Wheaton and Donald Stuart. We began our Senior year as digni- fied Seniors should. We put business first this time and decided to elect our officers by closed ballot. We had three nominees for president, with Ed- win Carmell coming out victor. As First Mate we elected Stanley Kuc, Steward, Doris Clifford, and as Purser Marjorie Warner. But the sun was beginning to hide yight when we needed it most. To recapture the vanishing cheerfulness we gave a Senior Party, and every member contributed either a song, dance or joke, but though it was an- other success to add to our long list we couldn’t get rid of that feeling of unrest, and gloominess. The reason was soon discovered. The sharks were out to get a few of our members who had been towed along behind the s hip in lifeboats for the first three years, because they were below the intellect- ual standard. But to our pleasure, they pissed the mid-year exams and so we hoisted them up from the life- boats and gave them berths on board the ship. After that we felt free to look at the sea with a clear conscience for there was no fear of the sharks getting any more of our mates. To break the monotony of the sea voyage, the Hi-Y Club, whose president was “Pope”, presented an Amateur Con- test with “Chet”? Pratt in charge, and Mr. Burgess acting as Master of Ceremonies. It was something that had never been done before on our cruise, and we certainly enjoyed it. The results are well-known. Arthur Janes, a Senior, won the contest over thirty other contestants. But even the Amateur Hour couldn’t quell the restlessness rising among the Seniors and no wonder! News had been wirelessed to the ship which caused many disgusted looks to be cast. On the ship’s bulletin board had been placed the notice that Ora- torical Essays were to be handed in to the Captain on April 9, with the Finals coming off on May 13. Mar- jorie Baird received first prize, and Robert Beatson second. We upheld the old tradition of hav- ing Kid’s Day. Certainly we Seniors didn’t look a bit lofty as we strolled on deck with lolly-pops in our mouths, mamma dolls in our arms, and jump repes and other childish playthings in our hands. The publication of our Year Book was a pleasant surprise to all. Of course we hai expected some sort of book to keep as a memento of this trip, but nothing as complete and fine as it turned out to be. We even had individual pictures in it. On June 5, the Junior Class decorat- ed the whole ship with our class colors of BLUE AND SILVER for our last important dance, “the Prom”. Noth- ing need be said about the Prom, it speaks for itself. On June 8, 1936 one of the crew sighted land. Upon investigation with the huge telescope which was in the control room, the captain joy- ously announced that we had reached the end of our search. A real, un- charted island had been found. That night all the passengers went ashore and had an hilarious party which we named “Class Night” to celebrate the end of our happy and eventful cruise. Although June 10 symbolized the last day that we would all be together, we did not act grouchy and grumble.