Lyman Hall High school - Singer Chronicle Yearbook (Wallingford, CT)

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THE CHRONICLE I 950 Memoranda on the Research of the Class of 1950 One year and two months following the detonation of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, another explosion occurred, no less powerful than the first, which rocked the very foundations of Wallingford. In September, 1946, one hundred and ninety citizens of the community assembled in Lyman Hall High School, tense and excited, with a vague awareness of the cosmic task they were about to undertake. The clock ticked slowly as thousands of questions flooded the minds of each participant. What would be found inside the knowledge atom? What great forces would be released at the splitting of this atom? Would a chain reaction of knowl edge occur whose radioactivity would taint the individual, thus leaving him afflicted with intelligence for the rest of his life? These questions ceased as the zero hour approached and the class of 1950 set to work, fully cognizant of the fact that experiments on the fission of the knowledge atom would entail four years of constant pursuit. September ’46 — The first few weeks found experiments running somewhat slowly; but as time went on, the workers became more and more familiar with their equipment and co-workers. Guides such as George Powers and Marjorie Singer were selected from our midst, whose duty it was to keep the entire research running smoothly. The leaders who instructed us in learning the secrets of knowledge were very competent. Times were trying for them when students left English papers in “math” books and when “do not chew gum” signs were regarded more as wall decorations than as laws. Soon after we had adjusted ourselves to our new environment, we had our first social, the Freshman Halloween Party. Joe DeBaise was the master of cermonies. The party was a great success. During the course of the evening the freshmen danced with the freshmen, performed for the freshmen, and, in short, got to know the freshmen. History was made this year when John Carvalho won the LHIAR (Lyman Hall Institute On Atomic Research) Award for meritorious achievement in the field of athletics. He became the first freshman to play both varsity basketball and varsity baseball. September ’47 — To be a sophomore! To be president! What was the difference? We were the more mature of the afternoon classes, the more sophisticated, and the more learned; and we were delighted to disconcert our fellow students. Knowledge is an active element, combining readily with surrounding substances. We discovered that two important components of knowledge are extra-curricular activities and changing styles. Our sophomore year was marked with the advent of “The New Look,” and with that, a burning desire of every girl to wear long skirts. However, it was not until Betty Ann Rogers arrived at school one day dressed in a modish skirt of ankle length that any noticeable change occurred. Henceforth, despite all words from parents and despite the Texas rebellion, Lyman Hall’s feminine students followed the fashion. The Sophomore Dance was held in the spring rather than in the winter as had been done in previous years. We gathered in the gymnasium, which was gaily decorated with raindrops and umbrellas, and danced to April Showers. The highlight of the evening was special entertainment produced through the efforts of Audrey Kowalski, committee chairman. A group of musicians organized a “combo, sanctioned by Mr. Petrillo, known as “The Agonie Five.” Dave Hocking, Dave Rogers, A1 Robinson, Bob Erdos, and Kenny Creed comprised this versatile quintet. September ’48 — We were juniors! Courageously did we rise at the break of dawn to meet the 7:57 bell. Stubbornly did we stick to our history and shorthand, and bravely did we meet our payments on our class rings. — 27 —

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THE CHRONICLE I 950 — 26 —

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THE CHRONICLE I 950 As juniors our duties were manifold, making an executive board a prerequisite to sound progress. Officers were elected with Dave Hocking as chairman of the board; George Powers, his co-chairman; Ann Joyce Lanzoni, secretary; and Bill Bertini, treasurer. Since we had achieved the fission of knowledge, neutrons continued to bombard atoms, causing more and more to split. An isotope of this splitting was the Junior Play, Ah Men. The cast was aptly chosen in October, and under Miss Dunlap’s direction a comedy of superior quality was presented to a capacity audience. Recognition should be extended to Florence Cooper, Claire Kilcoyne, and Bert Laydon for their fine performances. Dick Bun-dock will be remembered for his excellent characterization of a German officer of diminutive stature and bellicose nature, while Marilyn Davis outdid herself as a pompous and dogmatic colonel in the Women’s Army. Our Junior “Prom” was held on a mild evening in May with only a star-studded sky, tended by a round and deep yellow moon as chaperon. Marge Hall hung crepe paper in the armory with all the skill and genius of a professional decorator. The setting was an old-fashioned garden with a wishing well. Fresh birch, placed along the walls, lent an authentic atmosphere. This formal went down in the annals of Lyman Hall as one of the finest. September ’49 — To obtain the rank of senior was to some of us like riding to New Haven via a scooter. Many times we stopped en route to glance up and down the road of accomplishment, seeing before us and ahead of us a relief of sinuous paths leading from the village of The Uninformed to the City of Better Understanding. The election of officers found Dave Hocking, president; Bob Valenti, vice-president; Ann Joyce Lanzoni, secretary; and Eva Quigley, treasurer. An important item on this year’s agenda was the formation of a school football team. Bob Parnell and George Basarab were the co-captains, who displayed skill and determination in the season’s maneuvers, the team winning two out of five games. All eyes looked tow'ard November as the month of a great event. It was then that we had our Senior Dance. It was also at this time that we crowned our Class queen. This year the dance was given under the chairmanship of Johnny Carvalho. And so, in a gymnasium made to resemble King Neptune’s Court, Eva Quigley was crowned queen while her worthy subjects looked on. Assisting her were Ann Joyce Lanzoni and Margie Hall. This year because of college boards, we gave our play not in March as has been usually done, but at the end of May. Once again. Miss Dunlap directed our willing actors, and once again, our great efforts were rewarded. Our play. Strange Boarders, was a success! During these last few years, we have learned many vital facts. Knowledge does split into infinitesimal parts. There is no actual protection against its gamma rays. However, individuals have been known to build up such a resistance as to become immune to the element. Knowledge is habit-forming in that greater quantities are necessary to quench an irrepressible thirst that develops as time passes. With this accumulated data well in mind, we leave Lyman Hall. We owe much to our directors who have had full faith in our enterprise. They have impressed upon us the principles of good citizenship and co-operation. They have reflected a desire for self-betterment, realizing that “today we follow; tomorrow we lead!” William Bf.rtini Ann Foucault — 28 —