Mayville Central High School - Pacemaker Yearbook (Mayville, NY)

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1944 THE PACEMAKER HISTORY OF CLASS OF '44 Written by Ellen Smith, Ruth Ann Galloway. Juline Kinder, Donald Thomas and George Arnold If we started at the beginning--that is, at the beginning of our school careers- we'd have to tell about kindergarten-you know, the days when we let go of Mother's apron-strings and went out into the big, big world for the first time, to begin our social life by fighting with the other little kindergarteners. Then came first grade, learning to say A-B-C and reading, See Dick. See Dick run. Oh, happy, innocent childhood-playing Ring Around the Rosy, and waiting for gaps where once were baby teeth to fill! We'll spare the details, for it wasn't until eighth grade that we really began to live. That was when the boys began to carry combs and to use them once in a while. And the girls learned to dance and to roll their eyes very effectively! The new school was being built then, and consolidation brought us students from the districts. In fact, the class grew so large that it was necessary to divide it. Miss Rothra had the first half, but she was in the hospital part of the year and a student from the Fredonia Normal, Mr. Fitzgerald, took over. Mr. Mackenzie had the other half. We'll never forget the fun we had with him. We wrote a play from a story in our Prose and Poetry that year, and performed it for an assembly program. In June we had a picnic at Barber's cottage, and then at commencement we proudly went up to receive our eighth grade diplomas. The next year we were still divided. Mrs. Anderson, who was then Miss Goth, was homeroom teacher for the girls, and Miss Mattriski for the boys. In the first term we had election of class officers, and what an election! Posters were all over the building, and soap-box speeches at every corner. Candidates made long-winded speeches to the students in assembly. Finally the votes were cast, with Naomi Gallo- way winning the election. At Christmas time we had a huge Christmas tree in the Library, which was serving as the girls' homeroom. Sometime during the year wedding bells rang for Helma Shoemaker, and there was one less member of the class, until Benjamin Kent moved here to become a Frosh along with the rest of us. The grand climax of the year was our class picnic in the woods out on Bloomer Road. Mrs. Vincent Galloway was our class mother, the best we've ever had, and she helped chaperon us. The girls at least will never forget that day, for the fellows dumped every one, and Mrs. Anderson too, into the creek. We can't forget how Bill Bartlett wandered off into the woods and got lost, either. Bill took a lot of kidding for that! The following fall the girls were in Miss Leonard's room, and the boys with Mr. Forrester. Clarence Lloyd and Angelo Gagliano dropped out in the first term, and Bill Waterman joined us in January, among other things. -, t The biggest feature of the year was the vaudeville show, featuring a crazy band, with boys and girls alike dressed in short, short dresses, big, bright hair-bows and lots of lipstick. Students in assembly and guests who came in to see the show thought it was very good. Our class party at Ottaway Park officially closed our Sophomore year. In our Junior year we were all together again under Miss LaRocque. Norm Hol- brook and Bob Meade left us in favor of the Navy, and Bob Hall came from Bemus to Join our happy group. We had a Junior Prom, a glorious, beautiful Prom, for Seniors only. We worked for days with Miss LaRocque, making plans and cutting lovely colored ribbons for decorations. The party was really a success. Now for the Senior year-a medley of robes and formals, plans for invitations and announcements, and pictures being taken, with a few studies to provide the minor chords. ' Betty I-Iorne entered the class at the beginning of the year, and Ellen Smith came in with us in January. Bill Barber left his classmates in the third quarter to work

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THE PACEMAKER 1944 CLASS WILL Written by Pauline Holbrook, Ellen Smith and Naomi Galloway We, the Senior Class of 'l944, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make and declare this to be our last will and testament. To the Juniors, the class of 1945, we give, devise, and beoueath our most honorable reputation as the superiors in every way to all seniors ever graduated from this or any other school. This, with one stipulation. namely, that said most honorable reputation be kept by all. We also leave in your tiust and care. Miss MacNamara as senior advisor. To all Junior boys, we bequeath the desks in the room formerly occupied by us. and give them the right to change these desks in any way they see fit. Any blackboard erasers found in said desks are guaranteed to be ready ammunition for friendly battles between classmen. From our experienced height, we recommend that all such battles be pitched in the absence of a chaperon, and that ammunition be modestly retired to original positions upon arrival of any teacher. Any pencils, wastepaper, or tacks found within the boundaries of the room shall be inherited by Jack Kling. Wayne Rothwell leaves his book on How to Attract Women Although You Are Short to Laverne Phillips. To Jean Chapman, Richard Sentman bequeaths his unsurpassed ability to discuss anything and everything for any length of time. Not that we believe Miss Chapman ever runs out of words. To Rodney, alias Itch Nye, Bill Waterman wills his remarkable talent for annoying Mrs. Rider constantly in English IV class, and still retaining a passing average. Kathleen Smith and Eleanor Nellis leave their unswerving affection t'or each other to Stanley Harrington and Merwin Leet. To Betty Holmes, Marion Scriven bequeaths a small portion of her height. We know Betty can use it. Not unmindful of disastrous consequences to future male seniors. Naomi Galloway wills all her charm and feminine appeal to Eleanor Hovey. Beverly Nelson leaves her inimitable poise and serenity to Gertrude lDottiel McCullough. To Roger Cross, Bob Hall wills his athletic ability. To the unknown member of the Junior class, Donald Thomas leaves his oratorical ability. To Milton Asper, Lauraine Stroebel wills her regular attendance. To Amelia Kiesewetter goes Marion Scriven's height. To Dale Near, we leave Juline Kinder's fine musical ear and Violet Meadows' dramatic ability. Heaven help Dale if he isii't another Frank Sinatra. We've done our best! Louise Christensen bequeaths all of her old boy-friends to her sister Eleanore, but demands that Eleanore be very kind to them. To Milton Asper, Betty Horne wills her great dancing technique. Ralph Stanford bequeaths his expert farming methods and techniques to Loren Peabody. ' Marilyn Scudder leaves her example of undying loyalty t'or a certain sailor to Marilyn Mills. Peach Webb wills her great musical talent to Marjean Harnning. May she prosper by her good fortune. Pauline Holbrook bequeaths all her rights and interests in Bob Hall to Dorothy Laird. Lenore Kinder wills her beautician technique to Carole Pope. Charles Kelsey, Larry Scriven, Ben Kent and George Arnold leave their example as perfect gentlemen at all times to the boys ot' the Junior class. Arthur Parment wills his talent for one-armed driving to Fred Hannum. Ellen Smith leaves her best regards to her former classmates and wishes to express her deepest regret in not being with them next year. Martha Swan bequeaths her wavy hair to Joyce Casler. Ruth Ann Galloway leaves her nursing ability to Mary Jean Arnold. Marilyn Johnson leaves her dramatic ability to Jean Hartmann. Finally to all students and teachers of Mayville Central School, we leavc our most sincere sympathies in the loss that you will sustain by our departure. tSi2nedl SENIOR CLASS OF '44

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THE PACEMAKER 1944 for Uncle Sam in the armed forces, and Mary Slayton exchanged us for a wedding veil and Earl Hall. The first triumph of the year was the Senior play, t'The Sunshine Twinsf' Not to boast at all, but really, we think that was a swell performance! Then there were several class parties, including a spaghetti supper and dance held in the school cafeteria. There was the Senior Carnival, too. Our own Frank George Arnold Sinatra with a dancing chorus of girls, made feminine attendants swoon, while our comedian announcer, Dick Sentman, the but-definitely crazy, crazy band, and the Russian ballet dancers tdon't tell anyone that they were only the boys dressed in long skirtsl kept everyone laughing. Later there was dancing for everyone, and ice cream and cokes were sold at the booths. Yes, it has been a long time, full of laughter and fun, hard work, and disappoint- ments. Now that we have covered it we look back with some regret, but we look ahead with even more purpose and faith. Class history has become history, to us, and we are impatient to go on with our lives after graduation. So little done, so much to do. OUR CLASS PROPHECY Written by Pauline Holbrook and Ellen Smith Few things except the phenomena of that Arpil evening stand out in my memory now as clear. The clouds had been threatening since late in the afternoon. I sat by the window watching the storm gather momentum, when suddenly a darkness, deep as midnight, settled over the hillsides, and the fury of the gods broke forth, pouring torrents of rain upon an awakening earth. Great streaks of lightning pierced the blackness as peal after peal of thunder shattered the atmosphere. I do not know how long I sat there, but the storm subsided and the rain ceased. Huge clouds seemed rolling about in the sky, strangely lighted from behind. I remem- ber thinking, Indirect lighting, and then before my eyes the clouds opened and there was a picture. At first it seemed far away, but as my eyes became used to this strange new light, it began to take shape. Yes, there was the Mayville Park, the bridge stretching up behind. As my eyes followed the road, I saw many new and strange buildings. There were lights as far as the eye could see. The town seemed to have grown until it covered miles of countryside, but I had no time for reflection. The film traveled on in its revelation. At last it rested, clearly outlining a huge building set upon a hill. Was it, could it be-yes, there unchanged was the entrance to Mayville Central Schoolg but the building had grown to cover more than twice its original space. All at once I was transpalnted from this scene to another. I found myself entering a huge room wherein were spread banquet tables. Banners over these announced, Alumni, Welcome, 1954. Oh, this will be fun,'l I thought. I already recognize a face over there, or do I? It seems familiar. She is fluttering about rearranging place cards and straightening silver. She glances up and I am sure it is Martha Swan. I hasten over to speak to her, and learn that she is now head of the new Cornell Extension Home Ec. Department recently installed at M. C. S. I notice a well-dressed lady who seems to be in charge of affairs. Martha tells me she is the principal of the new M. C. S. As she turns around, I recognize Pauline Holbrook. The room is filling up fast now. Miss Holbrook speaks: t'W1ll the class of '44 please assemble at the speaker's table?l' A lump is coming up in my throat, the class of '44 at the speaking table, every one of its members a celebrity. Of course, I am not surprised, but after seven years abroad helping to bring the peoples of war- torn countries back into an established way of peacetime living, I have nearly lost track of most of my classmates, and this is the thrill of a lifetime! As we sit down at the table, I learn that Pauline has kept remarkably in touch with everyone, for she is introducing each one in turn. Do I hear correctly? Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lindahl. But as the little lady tosses her head and spins around on one toe I am sure. It is none other than our Marilyn Johnson, now a social light, and able mistress of the Lindahl Mansions. Just now the lights are growing dim, the curtain is rising and all eyes are looking toward a great stage. The spotlight is turning. Peach, Mary Webb, resplendent in a white uniform, is on the conductor's stand. She pauses only a moment and then speaks, poised. I am very happy to be here this evening. I am especially glad to