Mansfield High School - Hornet / Green Years Yearbook (Mansfield, MA)

Page 30 text:

VES oan Re BOOK cording to my scrapbook, were Emile Jalbert, Jenevieve Willard, Fred Vallett, and Priscilla Wills. ‘The boys in the class did not seem to catch spring fever, for Jim Shaw, Bill Vallett, Charles O’Malley, Arthur Faria, Frank Young, Ezio Benigni, Fred Vallett, and John Lane reported for baseball practice. The climax of the year came when we beheld the following article in the school journal: “At the recent Speaking Contest the Sophomore Class was well represented. “The members taking part in the contest were Emile Jalbert, Elizabeth Branigan, Priscilla Wills, red Vallett, and Ezio Benigni.” We have reason to be proud of this event for Elizabeth Branigan won second prize. The next September I began a fresh page, for we were entering upon our junior year. No longer were we timid; and no longer did we have to endure the superior glances of cold, haughty juniors and seniors. September 18 marked the beginning of real activity. On that date the Mansfield News carried the article “The new principal, Mr. Mattoon, today called a meeting of the Junior Class for the purpose of electing class officers. Fred Vallett was made president; Rose Certuse, vice-president ; Angelina Garofano, secretary; and James Shaw, treasurer.” That year, the football team was undefeated. The juniors on the team were Jim Shaw, George Santucci, Don Currivan, Bill Howe, Ezio Benigni, Fred Vallett, and John Lane. Again referring to my scrapbook, I find that the junior members of the staff of the Green Parrot were Jenevieve Willard, Emile Jalbert, Pris- cilla Wills, and Elizabeth Penrose. As I glance down at my hand, my gaze rests upon my class ring. With a feeling of pleasure, I recall that it was around Christmas that our rings were received. How proud we were! Before many years will have passed, no doubt, some of us will have other class rings, and the girls surely look forward to a romantic future when a glistening solitaire and a plain gold band will adorn their fingers, but we shall always cherish this, our first emblem. In the basketball season, the team was again undefeated and John Lane, Don Currivan, Robert Paulson, and Ezio Benigni brought fame to our class. One of the highlights of the year was described in the following article: “February 8, 1937. Under the direction of Miss Aurilla Shepard and Miss Mildred Jones, the French and Latin clubs of the high school combined te give a Mardi Gras at the Grange Hall. The prize for the prettiest costume among, the girls was given to Louise Morini, who wore a beautiful old-fashioned gown of white and orchid satin, with a huge hoop-skirt. Evelyn Mason, blacked to the ears and dressed in faded blue overalls, was given the prize for the funniest costume. “The handsomest costume among [26 ]

Page 29 text:

M. H. $8. YEAR BOOK CLASS HISTORY by Irene Perkins In ancient times history was based more on fiction than on fact. Such great writings as Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historie of the Kings of Britaine are strange mixtures of historical fact and legendary lore. Tales of King Arthur’s fabulous Round Table are placed side by side with the actual deeds of Alfred the Great. Many years later, historians gradually became more conscientious in their pursuit of truth. Before great authors like Gibbon and Carlyle began writing, they spent hours in dim, musty libraries searching the archives, so that no detail might escape their notice. Today, no serious scholar would think of writing a history based on legend or tradition. Most historians now believe in revealing cold, hard facts, however pleasant or distasteful they may be. Although not a great historian, I, too, shall endeavor to be accurate. For this reason, I have spent hours poring over my scrapbook, which con- tains records, pictures, and memories of my high school years. On the first page of the book are the hopes and dreams of the class that timidly gathered at the high school one morning in September, 1935, for the beginning of their sophomore year. They knew little of the glorious future that was ahead of them, and were living only in the bewildering present. It was not long, however, before they adjusted themselves to the routine in the Mansfield High School. Late in September, according to my then brand-new scrapbook, the class took the first step on its march to glory. Under the guidance of Principal Ever ett Green, class elections were held. The choice was Fred Vallett, president; James Shaw, vice-president ; Jenevieve Willard, secretary; and Rose Certuse, treasurer. I recall that as sophomores my classmates were happy and busy, but that their tasks were confined mostly to the classroom and did not extend to the social whirl. According to this clipping, however, some of the boys found time for athletics. ‘Among the sophomores responding to Coach Carnie’s call for football candidates were Don Currivan, Fred Vallett, Fred Tucker, and John Lane.” How wisely the reporter visualized the future when he added, “Great things are expected of these boys who saw practice on the junior high team last year.” It is interesting to note that in the next two years this prophecy was carried out, and that these boys contributed much to the athletic fame of the school. A few other members also attempted work outside of the classroom by securing positions on the staff of the Green Parrot. These members, ac-— [25°]

Page 31 text:

Mo Hes] YEAR, BOOK the boys was worn by William Howe, who was clad in wine velvet trousers, a wine velvet cape embroidered in gold, a matching velvet hat with a plume, and black cavalry boots. Homer Greene, a perfect Percy, wore white trousers that scarcely reached his ankles, a gray jacket, and a stiff white collar with a huge red bow. ‘he prize for the funniest costume went to ‘Lewis Fletcher, who came dressed apparently for a ‘dark town strutters’ ball’. Another great event was the Junior Social, which took place on April ten. All the juniors were excited for weeks before the event, because it was to be our first real social function. Needless to say, our air castles did not tumble to the ground. I'll never forget the end of my junior year. As a sophomore, gradua- tion seemed distant and vague, for we were only slightly acquainted with the lofty seniors and we had little part in the graduation plans; but, as juniors, graduation seemed near and exciting. “The seniors were our friends and we were sorry to bid them farewell. Then, too, we were taking more notice of commencement, for the next year we hoped to be graduated ourselves. Our part in the graduation came when we tendered a reception to the seniors. Picture a warm, starry June evening; girls in soft, flowing evening dresses, and boys in blue coats and white trousers; the Town Hall resplen- dent in blue and white nautical design! That occasion was one never to be forgotten. The reception ended our junior year and brought us nearer to our coveted goal. At last we were seniors; at least we were the ones to be looked up to and revered by the other students. No longer were we just inconspicuous members of the Mansfield High School. The next fall we joyfully came back to begin our senior year. In a few days class elections were held. Fred Vallett had been such a satisfac- tory leader in past years that he was unanimously re-elected. Fortunately, no tradition prevented him from accepting a third term. William Howe was elected vice-president; Angelina Garofano, secretary; and Elizabeth Penrose, treasurer. The second event in our senior year was recorded as follows: ‘Today the high school students held an assembly in the Town Hall. Coach Bassett awarded letters to the sophomore and junior football players and presented jackets in the high school colors, green and white, to these seniors: Ezio Benigni, Fred Vallett, Mike Prohodsky, Richard Rider, Jim Shaw, John Lane, Don Currivan, Stanley Cross, Benoni Latham, and Arthur Reisman.” On Thanksgiving evening, we left another mark on the sands of fame. The Mansfield News reported: ‘“The Senior Class, under the direction of Mildred Forrester Morse, presented Huckleberry Finn. ‘The cast was as [27 |