Montpelier High School - Record Yearbook (Montpelier, VT)

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Of course the main highlight of the year was the launching of our new MHS. This wonderful event took place on a cold winter morning in December when we left behind our “old home” and happily board- ed our newly christened vessel. Inspired by this new turn of events, our basketball team sailed over Burlington and Mt. St. Josephs to win the Northern Vermont tournament. The main social event was, naturally, the Junior Prom. That evening the ship did plenty of “rockin’ ’n’ rollin’ ” to the beat of the U.V.M. Catamounts. In the spring, just before the end of this year’s journey, our delegates to Boys and Girls State were chosen. They included Sally Pierce, Elsa Chapin, Sally Bernar- dini, Dick Perkins, Ben Lamb, Bill Adams, Pablo Gomez, Tom Amidon, and Bob Glass. When chemistry unknowns had finally been solved and class rings were spar- kling on our fingers, Gordon Wilkinson marshalled in—and out—the Class of ’56; and we officially became the awe-inspir- ing seniors. 1956 - 1957 As experienced crew members starting on the last year of our voyage, we quick- ly elected Bill Ricker, Nancy Blaisdell, Barb Beal, and Bob Blanchard as ship offi- cers. Katie Pond took command of the ship’s newspaper and Ship Council. Sally Ber- nardini was promoted to captain of the cheerleaders while Lynda Kittle and Nancy Belanger practiced twirling tricks. Arlene Martin took charge of G. A. A. and Sally Pierce was chosen to guide the REC- ORD. At the same time Brent was elected executive officer in charge of entertain- ment (Masque) and our chorus. Imme- diately the Masque, under Miss Beal’s di- rection, presented The Curious Savage with Sally Pierce doing a commendable job in the lead. Martha Jeffrey as lead in “Sorry, Wrong Number” later gave us further reason to be proud. In sports the football team became the undefeated champions of Vermont for the first time since 1913. Dave Day and Dick Portelance were chosen for the All-State teams, but none of us will forget the tre- mendous playing of John Washburn, Cliff Bailey, Pablo Gomez, Dick Fleury, Tom Amidon, Noel Gomez, Stuart Bryan and Bob Blanchard. Continuing in this spirit, our basketball team became the North- ern Vermont runners-up with Bart Jeff- rey rightfully placed on the tournament team. Other stars of the season were John Washburn, Gordie Wilkinson, Pablo Gomez, Dave Goodall, and Dick Perkins. Sending class announcements, auto- graphing class pictures, attending the Junior Prom, preparing and presenting Class Day, enjoying our class picnic, and enduring rehearsals kept the crew busy as our ship drew closer to port after four happy and successful years of voyage. On June 14, 1957, it was time for us to de- bark and make room for the new recruits. A little sadness mingled with joy caused us to linger briefly on the gangplank. It was then that we realized that we had fin- ally reached the port where we would board other ships and that our days as ap- prentice seamen were over. I THIRTY-ONE]

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CLASS LOG 1953 - 1954 The ship left port this year for desti- nation unknown, carrying our class as new recruits. Captain Tom Amidon was at the helm aided by his first mate, Nancy Belanger, besides his assistants, Sally Bernardini and Connie Belanger. The Freshman Reception, given by our superiors, introduced us to ship life. Soon after this successful dance, we realized that we were to take part in the running of MHS, so we elected Katie Pond, Bart Jeffrey, and Dave Woods to the Ship’s Council. In spite of many hours of study, our crew found time to enjoy the ship’s var- ious extra-curricular activities. Things got off to a rousing start when the girls were initiated into G. A. A. Meanwhile the boys were introduced to “real” football by Coach Coane. With a change of weather came a change of sports; basketball was under- way and so was the cheerleading career of Sally. At half-time the fans were enter- tained by the first J. V. twirling squad which included Nancy Belanger, Linda and Barb. Another first in the ship’s his- tory was the Winter Carnival, a memor- able weekend packed with skiing events, a snow sculpture contest, and finally the big dance. It was also about this time that Brent made his debut in one of the won- derful Masque productions, The Bat, a mystery thriller which had us all on the edge of our seats. As our first year at sea drew to a close, we bade Bon Voyage to our superiors by holding in their honor, the Senior Dance. Following graduation exercises, we all happily departed for a few weeks of shore leave. 1954 - 1955 The first lap of our journey had proved a success, so we started the second lap full of anticipation of the coming year. Captain Tom and his crew turned their duties over to Steve Berry, Elsa Chapin, Jean O’Brien, and Pablo Gomez. Feeling a little older and somewhat wiser, we stood on the deck and watched eagerly as the seniors welcomed aboard a new group of recruits. Getting back into the “swing of things”, we found that our first duty was to add another representative to the Ship’s Council, and our choice was Linda Davis. Nancy Blaisdell was chosen to help Sally cheer our varsity teams on to victory. The fun and gaiety of the previous year was continued as Brent, Sally Pierce, and Nancy Blaisdell entertained us with The Little Dog Laughed. A main attraction of the spring months was the “Black Hat Dance”, sponsored by the ship’s news- paper, the Solomcope. Then another first —the Latin students aboard ship, aided by Miss Hutchinson, planned and partici- pated in a Roman banquet. The students, dressed in Roman style, were served by slaves (first-year Latin students) and en- tertained in the true Roman manner. After all of these exciting events, we suddenly realized that another year had passed and reluctantly we weighed anchor to allow the seniors to debark. 1955 - 1956 We began our third year at sea in our same old weather-beaten ship. However, we were all looking forward to the launch- ing of a new vessel, which was being con- structed for us in the Montpelier ship- yards. In the midst of our excitement, we settled down to elect Gordon Wilkinson as our captain and Lynda Kittle, Nancy Blaisdell, and Rennie Welch as our execu- tive crew. Bill Adams and Sally Pierce represented us in the Ship’s Council; and a new year was once again under way. Sports—especially skiing—were an im- portant highlight. Jon Anderson, Bill Adams, and Steve Berry proved them- selves ski champs at our annual Winter Carnival. I THIRTY]

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SENIOR ELECTIONS J9xsi est' SALIE PIERCE DICK PERK I NS Best cfa fared MURIEL HILL PABLO GOMEZ cJfost Popu ai LYNDA KITTLE J O H N WA SH BURN BOB GLASS LYNDA KITTLE PA BLO GOME Z (Pu esf (Poi pJe JEAN O'BRIE N DICK PORTELANC m E JPest Z (Z7tces’s MARTHA JEFFREY MIKE SPIN E LL I cBfost ‘Ta tented ELSA CH A PI N DICK PERKINS I THIRTY-TWO]