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

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Mansfield High School. The arrow, Class of 1940, was steadily near- ing its target as we entered upon our third THE and final year. We held a class election in STUDENT September, under the guidance of our advisers, Miss Jones and Miss Shepard. We chose for our president, Robert Sherman; for our vice-president, Albert Sita; for our secretary, Viola Fornaciari; and for our treasurer, Orlando Souza. Early in the fall, under the direction of Mrs. Mildred Forrester Morse, we began rehearsals for our class play, Growing Pains. This comedy, presented on ‘Thanksgiving night, was very successful. We shall always remember Dorothy Wellman, as the lovable, tomboyish Terry McIntyre; Ray Engler, as Terry’s brother George, a typical high school boy; Rita Thibault, as their tender-hearted mother; Cleo Griswold, as their scholarly father; Betty Dean, as Prudence, a bewitching flirt; and Philip Slayton, as Terry’s ideal man. ‘The other members of the cast also did excellent work. In November the first issue of The Tatler appeared. At once it became evident that several members of our class possessed literary talent. Lila Thurber was made editor-in- chief of the new publication. Ruthe Sheehan, Jean LaRoe, and Barbara Greany were also members of the staff. Other seniors wrote special articles for the paper. The boys who participated in sports were Wilfred Cardin, John Colella, Alfred DiGiampietro, Chester Haskell, George Goddard, Bill Maurer, John Robertson, Bob Sherman, Albert Sita, and Hugo Wondergem. The class chose Jean LaRoe as the Mansfield Good Citizenship Pilgrim to the spring conference of the Daughters of the American Revolution, held in Boston in March. Although we did not wish to appear vain, we were very eager to have our pictures taken. Violating the long-time custom of the school, we chose Vantine as our class photographer. We all enjoyed our trip to Boston to have our pictures taken, and each member of the class impatiently awaited the proofs. The honor students were announced by Mr. Hays at a meeting held in March. First honors were awarded to Edith Robinson; second, to Lila Thurber; and third, to Clara Boynton. ‘Twenty-five of our class were eligible to membership in the Pro Merito Society. They were Mary Abreu, Virginia Ballou, Clara Boynton, Frederick Brutcher, John Colella, Wilfred Cardin, Alice Conrad, Elinor Cross, Elizabeth Dean, Alfred DiGiampietro, Viola Fornaciari, Cleo Griswold, Jean LaRoe, Kenneth Morse, Edith Robinson, Robert Sherman, Carmella Signoriello, Albert Sita, Philip Slayton, Stuart Sweet, Lila Thurber, Anna Tretakoff, Lois Van Hoesen, Dorothy Wellman, and Hugo Wondergem. Ruthe Sheehan was authorized to draw up our last will and testament. William Baxter was selected to prophesy the future, and Clara Boynton was chosen to write the history. Kenneth Morse was unanimously elected to write the piano accompaniment to the class song. Elinor Cross was appointed 10

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Gen 13 tory by Clara Boynton One bright day in September, 1937, a tiny arrow, marked Class of 1940, was shot from its bow. The far-away target of that arrow was graduation. One hundred and nineteen sophomores entered upon a new and different life on that September morning. “The juniors and seniors considered themselves greatly superior to us in both knowledge and experience. We immediately set out to show them that they were mistaken in their opinion. Realizing that an unorganized group would never make much progress, we proceeded early in the fall to elect our class officers. We chose for our president, Albert Sita; for our vice- president, Rachel Swett; for our secretary, John Colella; for our treasurer, Walter Vallett. Our advisers during our first year in high school were Miss Henchel, Miss Hannon, Miss Pope, and Mr. Richardson. We were well represented in athletics by John Colella, Cortlandt Davidson, Walter MeGinn, John Robertson, Albert — Sita, Robert Sullivan, Clifford Titus, and Walter Vallett. The arrow made great progress in its long journey during this first year. We had looked forward to our summer va- cation, but we were glad to return to our studies in September. On our arrival at school on the first day we were greeted by our new principal, Mr. Hays, who has since done much to speed the arrow on its course. With Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Whitmore as our advisers, we elected our class officers. Again we chose Albert Sita for our president. The other officers were Walter Vallett, vice-president; Jean LaRoe, secretary; and Viola Fornaciari, treasurer. Early in the year we selected our class rings. During the next few weeks we eagerly awaited them. Upon their arrival we were the center of the admiring glances of both seniors and sophomores, especially the latter. In February many members of the class attended the Mardi Gras, sponsored by the French and Latin clubs, under the direction of Miss Shepard and Miss Jones. It was our first important social event, and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed himself. As juniors we were represented in sports by Fred Brutcher, John Colella, Cortlandt Davidson, Alfred DiGiampietro, George Goddard, George McCoy, Walter McGinn, Bill Maurer, Nicholas Paioni, Jackie Robertson, Bob Sherman, Albert Sita, Bob Sullivan, Louis Syat, Clifford Titus, Bud Vallett, and Douglas White. In June came the climax of our year’s work—our reception to the seniors. After weeks of preparation, the long-awaited night arrived. The Town Hall was trans- formed into a beautiful arctic scene. Huge icicles hung everywhere, silvery stars shone from a blue northern sky, while musicians played before the dazzling aurora borealis. “The event was a great success. “Thus ended our junior year in the 9

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editor-in-chief of our year book. There were other momentous matters to be decided. After several class meetings the following decisions were made. We would wear blue caps and gowns at graduation. We would have red and silver as our class colors, and red and white roses for our class flowers. Our motto was to be “Conquering Ever.” Upon entering the school building one fine April morning, a stranger would have thought he was in a kindergarten, but it was only the seniors celebrating “Bow Day”’ according to tradition. The “Tramp Day” in May will long be remembered. We would have been real vagabonds had not our desire to reach our goal been stronger than our yearning for the open road. The arrow was nearing its target swiftly now. Preparations for graduation were finally completed. On Sunday morning, June 16, attired in our caps and gowns, we attended baccalaureate services. On Monday we entered the high school for the last time. Later in the morning Class Day exercises were held in the Town Hall. Next Thursday night we shall attend The Senior Reception, the final event of our high school life. Now our arrow has reached its goal— graduation. “Tomorrow the members of the Class of 1940 set forth on a new journey, each in his own individual direction. The way will be long and difficult, but because of our training in Mansfield High School, we shall go onward, ‘Conquering Ever.” 1