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

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THE CHRONICLE 1951 Class History In 1947, a motley array of widely talented individuals boldly invaded the hallowed corridors of Lyman Hall. According to the statistics, acquired through extensive research and also through much trial and error, the classification of our clan was as follows: three-ninetecnths, procrastin- ators, one nineteenth, desk carversg two-nineteenths, bluffersg one-nineteenth, practical jokersg three-nineteenths, puppy-loversg two-nineteenths, wheelsg two-nineteenths, gum chewersg five- nineteenths, loafers. The remainder endeavored to acquire an education. As freshmen, we found ourselves in the precarious predicaments that all underclassmen en- counter. These uncertainties were somewhat quclled by our Halloween Party, which, under the guidance of Miss Adams and Miss Quint, was a resounding success. Audrey Hazard, Ruth Loring, and Marge Van Leuvan as usleepytime galsi' and Connie Morris as a charming demoiselle were among those adding to the gaiety of this affair. Once the basketball season got under way, we became aware of the school spirit that pre- vails at Lyman Hall. Our loud and enthusiastic rooting completely drowned out the sophisticated cheers of the more dignified members of the student body. We like to feel that it was our vocifer- ous cheering that spurred the team on to winning the class M championship. This victory was one of the high lights of our freshman year. After an eventful summer vacation, which seemed to pass much too quickly, we diligently brushed the cobwebs from our brains and set to work, this time more confidently than before. Being the elite of the afternoon session, we took upon ourselves such cumbersome responsi- bilities as directing the bewildered freshmen to room Q3 by way of the rear elevator. The outstanding social event for us that year was the Sophomore Dance. It was this gala affair which ushered in many new romances. The rest of the year passed quickly, and before we realized it, we were putting our books in moth balls, anticipating the leisure hours of the summer, absolutely free from such trivial things as homework. The new problem which we had to contend with in our junior year was not the threat of atomic warfare nor the validity of Einstein's theory, but how to beat that early morning tardy bell and still have our hair combed and our shoelaces tied. Under the leadership of Neuf Catapano, official big Wheel, Sheila Worrall, official little wheel, Ruth Loring, diligent doodler , and Tony Riccitelli, cabbage grabber, We rose to astounding heights. i Football!! After ten years, football again came into the spotlight at Lyman Hall. Coach Fred Schipke had his green crew of strongbacks out every afternoon in order to get them in shape for the initial game of the season. Although our team came out on the losing side of the battle with Seymour, it gained much valuable experience and went on to compile a two-two-one record - not bad for a first year team! On February 11, the Lyman Hall High School band had its first chance to show off the new uniforms acquired through the generosity of the Exchange Club. Ever since then we have boasted the best-dressed high-school band south of the North Pole. We won the Housatonic championship, as the basketball team piled up an enviable eleven- one league record. Our own classmates, Neuf Catapano and Yam Carretta, contributed their share toward this victory. A -23-

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THE CHRONICLE 1951 -22-

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THE CHRONICLE 1951 YVith Miss Dunlap as director and Charlotte Walford occupying the position of general chair- man, we produced a Broadway hit, which ran all of two nights before capacity houses. The cavort- ing of Snooks Reynolds in a moth-eaten lionis costume had the audience in stitches. Everyone agreed that Quiet Summer was one of the most hilarious plays ever enacted on the Lyman Hall stage. It was at the Junior Prom,, that we danced under the multi-colored balloons and laughing clowns, faces of a Mardi gras theme. Nat Cavallo and Audrey Hazard, co-chairmen of decora- tions, kept the committee busy pasting paper masks and hats. Chairman Jerry Combs and his committee members worked equally hard planning the dance, but their labors were well rewarded by the success of the event. In June, we unwillingly discarded our plane geometry contracts and Cicero translations for the monotonous drudgery of summer vacationing. . In September, we again found ourselves treading the well-worn stairs of Lyman Hall, not at all confused nor bewildered. After all, werenit we seniors? VVe were sure that everyone was impressed with our superiority. The departure of three members of the class with Company K was a disappointment to all of us. John Carretta, captain of the basketball team, Walter Gomez, and Robert Kumnick were stationed in Virginia at the start of the school year. After electing Jim DuBois, presidentg Tony Riccitelli, vice-president, Ruth Loring, secre- tary, and Eddie Nagy, treasurer, we settled down to some really serious school work. With in- exhaustable eagerness, we poured over the endless pages of Word Wealth. Somehow enduring the myriads of nouns and adjectives, we eventually became expert etymologists, and were able to decode and somewhat understand Dick Wilde's unequaled use of the English language. Along with making headlines in the Compass, Foxy Trowbridgeis flashy sweaters and John Dragalong Schwartz's cowboy boots were the talk of the school. Taking time out from the rigors of school work, we began making preparations for our Senior Dance, by electing Jerry Combs chairman. The perseverance and hard work of the various com- mittees was climaxed by the huge success of this colorful aHiair. All the senior boys took their sweet-stuff to the lollipop shopv to dance to the music of Eddie Wittsteinis band. Amid the bouquets of lollipops and candy kisses, Sheila VVorrall was crowned queen with Margie Bercier and Ruth Loring, her charming attendants. With Charlotte Walford again chairman and with the combined talents of Joyce Scott, Audrey Hazard, Dick Brown, and Conrad Hubert, we produced another smash-hit, Our Hearts Were Young and Gay. In February, we were saddened by the death of our beloved classmate, Robert Lufbery. Bob, a quiet boy, was well liked by the entire student body. His amiable smile and modest courtesy won the friendship of everyone he met. VVe paid our last respects by forming an honor guard at his funeral. The extent of our sorrow can not be expressed in wordsg only silent tears convey the thoughts that lie deep in our hearts. Now we are about to leave Lyman Hall and the events and pleasures connected with it. The joys of high-school life will soon be in the past, but, nevertheless, they will not be forgotten. VVe shall always keep a Warm spot in our hearts for Lyman Hall and the things that it stands for. Realizing all this, we shall go forth. 'We are prepared to set out into the cold world, for we know that We build the ladder by which we rise . NATALIE CAVALLO JEROME CoMBs Class Historians