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

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M. H. S. YEAR BOOK CLASS HISTORY. by Jennie Cutillo History has been defined as the story of life as it is lived from day to day by some group of people. It is made up of the ambitions, experiences, comedies, and tragedies of human beings. From time immemorial man has desired to preserve the account of his struggles and achievements in perma- nent form. Moved by this common urge, the Class of 1939 of Mansfield High School appointed me to compile its history. Tonight I have the pleasure of presenting the facts which I have gathered. In September, 1936, a timid band of one hundred and three boys and girls entered the portals of Mansfield High School for the first time. How abashed we felt! Seniors to the right of us! Juniors to the left of us! But we were determined that we would make a place for ourselves. In October, under the guidance of our principal, Mr. Mattoon, and our adviser, Mr. Robinson, we proceeded to show the upper classmen how promising we were by electing for our president, the able Norman Vickery; for our vice-president, talented Ruth Benjamin; for our treasurer, witty Regina Bellew; for our secretary, charming Oma Marshall. Later in the fall we impressed our associates still further. In sports, nine capable athletes from our class did their part in upholding the honor of the school: they were Kenneth Chapman, destined to become a Big Leaguer, Francis Gallipeau, Ernest Corbett, John Wills, Chester Moore, Albert Zaffini, James Sullivan, and Tony Pellegrini. The girls, no less than the boys, showed their mettle in basketball by winning every game in the season. All honor to the members of this team: Captain Anna Prohodsky, Regina Bellew, Doris Nordberg, Marjorie Pit- man, Eugenia Blandori, Ursula Monty, and Gertrude Bernier. While some of us were participating in sports, others were busy with the Green Parrot. Marjorie Pitman and Ernest Corbett reported the interesting happenings in the school. Francis Gallipeau entertained us with his wit and humor, while Regina Bellew efficiently handled the finances. During our sophomore year we did not sponsor any important event, but we showed our aptitude for social life by joining the various clubs, and — attending such important functions as the senior class play and the Mardi Gras. In June we were greatly impressed by the commencement activities. We shall never forget how imposing the seniors looked as they received their diplomas at the graduation exercises. At the senior reception we were en- tranced by the realistic atmosphere of the nautical decorations. We were affected most of all, however, by the class day exercises. As we sang “Where, Oh Where, Are the Gay Young Sophomores?” we realized that { 24 ]

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Woe be CHAR BOOK ADDRESS OF WELCOME by Dora Baldini The world is so much with us today that we frequently neglect the story of the past. Yet the student who sympathetically delves into the annals of history often chances upon an episode that seems rich in human significance and touches the imagi nation. Such an event took place at the close of the tenth century. At this period, throughout Europe there was a universal belief that the dawn of the year 1000 would mark the end of the world. When the fateful hour drew nigh, fear and despair reigned in the hearts of many. People gathered in dark churches, in the squares, and in the country fearfully awaiting the end, for even though their religious faith consoled them, they dreaded to see everything they knew and loved destroyed. Imagine their joy and relief when on the first morning of the year 1000 the sun triumph- antly rose in the heavens with the promise of a new life! Tonight, the night of our graduation, we, too, have reached a millen- ium. For years we have looked forward to our graduation as the triumph of all our hopes. Not unlike the people of the tenth century, who anxiously awaited the dissolution of the world they knew, we, too, regard this mo- mentous change with fear and foreboding. Although we are assured that tomorrow the sun will rise, we know that for us it will shine forth on a different world. On this occasion, it is with special pleasure that we welcome you, our parents, to our graduation. We fully appreciate the sacrifices you have made, and thank you for sharing our cares and responsibilities. We know that you wisely foresaw that this evening would not be the end but the beginning, and that you were preparing us to step forth into a new life. To you, our friends, we extend a hearty greeting. Many of you have stood where we now stand looking forward to an unknown tomorrow. Your presence gives us hope that we, too, shall meet the dawn with fortitude. Teachers, if we confidently face the new day that hes before us, our confidence is due to your kind encouragement and patient efforts which have prepared us for our commencement. Standing here tonight, we like the people centuries ago, who fearfully watched through the darkness, are looking for the last time on a world that is familiar and most dear. It must have been a bitter night for them, filled with heartbreak and uncertainty, but it was not without a ray of comfort. History tells us that terrified by false prophecies, they met in public places to seek strength in companionship. We are happier than they in that we know that a new life awaits us, and we are fortunate, too, for like them we find joy and comfort in the presence of our friends. It is, therefore, with grateful hearts that we welcome you to our graduation. {623¢)

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M. H. S. YEAR BOOK we were no longer insignificant first-year students. When we returned the following September, we felt completely acclimated and with confidence took upon ourselves the duties of our junior year. Having been duly warned by the Class of 1938 of the increased de- mands that would be made upon us this year, we immediately settled down to. business. With Mr. Mattoon as our principal, and Miss Pope and Mr. Robinson as our new class advisers, straightway we proceeded in a very eficient manner to elect our class officers: president, Albert Zaffini; vice- president, Emma Gross; treasurer, Ruth Benjamin; and secretary, Oma Marshall. In athletics we were represented by Kenneth Chapman, Albert Zaffini, Albert Childress, Tony Pellegrini, Chester Moore, Ernest Corbett, James Sullivan, Francis Gallipeau, Joseph Belcher, John Liberatore, Robert Baxter, and Joe Cutillo. The boys were sorry to lose Coach Carnie, but they were soon well acquainted with their new director, Mr. Buhl Bassett. In the month of November excitement ran high. The seniors were very busy preparing their play for Thanksgiving evening, but more interest- ing to us was the fact that we had chosen our class rings and were eagerly awaiting their delivery. Despite our usual business-like attitude towards work, we must admit that our routine was somewhat disturbed in December by the thoughts of our Christmas vacation and especially by the arrival of our rings. And why shouldn’t we have been excited and thrilled! For each it was his first class ring; moreover, as we pointed out to our admiring friends, our ring was the first to have a gold shield on a black onyx background. In April came the first important undertaking of our career, the Junior Social. It proved to be a real success and our schoolmates began to realize our potentialities. From then on life moved swiftly towards the glorious climax of the year—the reception which we tendered the seniors in June. It was indeed a gala event. Brilliant red and white awnings, silhouettes of brightly- lighted skyscrapers, and gay summer furniture turned our sober Town Hall into a festive New York penthouse. “The venture proved successful beyond our fondest expectations and we felt that we had well earned the vacation to follow. ‘Thus ended our junior year. Omniscient and omnipotent in the eyes of the underclassmen, we hoped, we returned for our senior year. We were sorry to hear of Mr. Mattoon’s resignation, but it was not long before our new principal, Mr. Hays, had won our regard. We knew what we wanted and how to proceed. At our first class meeting we elected the following officers: president, Albert Zafini; vice-president, Pauline Hudson; treasurer, Ruth Benjamin; secretary, Oma Marshall. This year the number of boys taking part in sports increased to four- (250)