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

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CLASS HISTORY Exactly one hundred years after the great gold rush of 1849, another rush of a somewhat different caliber was experienced - the rush for knowledge. We as fresh- men set out not with picks and shovels, but with sharpened pencils and newly pur- chased books. The forty-niners of both centuries had a common goal, the hope of accomplishment. Theirs was for material wealth, ours for intellectual growth. Bewilderment and confusion confronted us almost instantaneously. Sophomore members of the Student Council, acting as sentinels of the traffic squad, helped us to adiust ourselves to the new physical surroundings with their cries of Back stairs, not the front stairs. Even with this aid we invariably found ourselves in the wrong room. There were, however, two very unfamiliar but much discussed offices that even we could never mistake - those of Miss Shea and Mr. Fernald. lt was not long before we eventually became acclimated to our surroundings. Our rush could then begin. We did not care for the pure strain of a solely academic gold, ours was to be enriched through activities and social events. The Halloween party was the initial social gathering for Lyman Hall freshmen. With Bob Hall as master of ceremonies and with a marvelous display of the talents of various members of the class, we did not lack entertainment. The refreshments, however, held the greatest charm for us and proved to be the most popular feature of the evening. Later in the year through the auspices of WMMW, five pupils - Maureen Fritz, .loan Gavin, Gloria Dichello, Steve Cerri, and Milton Hultgren from Miss Robert's social studies classes spoke on their tour of the United Nations. We were not only learning, but were beginning to express ourselves. September, '50 - As Sophomores our knowledge continued to pour in as sifted gold. As a reward for withstanding the trials and tribulations of freshman year, we could now look forward to being the respected and envied half of the afternoon classmen. One of the bright spots of the long winter season was the Sophomore dance. Mike Cassello and his committee were commended for their artistic winter decorations. ln spite of an unexpected storm that arose during the evening the spirits of the stu- dents were not dampened. A meritorious achievement, one in which we took great pride, was an outstand- ing essay written by Lois Zimmerman on Americanization, which was entered in the American Legion Contest and won first prize in both town and state contests. 10

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September, '51 - Now we were iuniors! Upper classmen at last! Earlier hours, harder studies, and less time for leisure, but upperclassmen! The initial move was that of choosing leaders: foreman, Arthur Catapano, assistant foreman, Robert Williams, recorder, Judith Wilson, and dccountant, Robert Parisi. One of the symbols of our achievements came in the form of our class rings. We felt that there could be more unity among classes if these rings bore a standard crest. For one year a committee worked diligently toward this goal, which was finally achieved in the early winter of our junior year. This year we presented the mysterious melodrama, Sky High, under the direction of Miss Ruth E. Dunlap and the chairmanship of Stanley Rosick. As in previous years we found the audience very susceptible to mysteries. Much credit was given to Dorothy Lentz, Joan Walters, and Elizabeth Sundberg for their fine acting. The iunior prom was a glittering event, with its theme, An American in Paris. Through the clever depicting of gay Parisian scenes, the decorating committee lent a Continental air to the dance. The chairmen were Dorothy Dederick and Richard Huie. September, '52 - The time was now approaching when we could once again see the light of the outside world. We were to find ourselves very much changed from the immature students who had entered four years before as freshmen. Our class officers this year were Robert Williams, president, Robert Hazard, vice- president, Jane Novak, secretary, and Barbara Dobratz, treasurer. The senior dance was held early in November. In keeping with the theme, Regal Rhapsody, Judy Wilson was crowned queen, with Janet Foucault and Dorothy Deder- ick completing the court as her attendants. Robert Hall and Steve Cerri served as co- chairmen of this very impressive occasion. November was a very busy month. Not only had we worked for a senior dance but also for a class play, The Daffy Dills. Lee MacDonald's tantrums, Barbara Do- bratz's fiery temper, and Arlene Posner's pretended illness produced peals of laughter from the audience. Not. long after, flash bulbs could be seen at various times during the morning session. Yes, pictures were being taken for our yearbook and we soon found out whether or not we were photogenic. Also at this time, the topic most discussed was college boards. With the assistance of teachers, who willingly gave up their free time, the students worked long and diligently at afternoon make-up sessions, but the re- sults showed that their efforts had not been in vain. After the hard work of the winter months we were overjoyed to have our basketball team win the Class B State Champion- ship by defeating the previously unbeaten East Haven team. Then we made our selection of caps and gowns and realized our four years of high school would soon be over. We entered Lyman Hall with the same carefree spirit of the eighteen forty-niners. We, too, found out that this spirit could not endure through hardship. We had to become adiusted to an adult world in order to cope with the problems that accompany manhood and womanhood. We look toward the future with the hope and determination to become successful in all we undertake, to become good citizens, and to make our country a safe and better place in which to live. Words cannot express our gratitude to the teachers who with patience and understanding guided us through these four unforgettable years and implanted in our minds that Success is made, not won. -H Janet Foucault Adrienne Vitali