Murdock High School - Tower Yearbook (Winchendon, MA)

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CLASS OF NINETEEN FORTY-EIGHT History of the Class of 1948 ln September 1944, the Class of 1948 started on its career in search of knowledge. With all the confidence of youth, contrary to other Frosh, we felt the only thing green about us was our freshman colors . We were soon to be taught, however, that this was not true as the upper classmen put us through the paces at the traditional Frosh Night. Our next major event was a class meeting at which time we elected the following as class officers: Richard Hildreth, Richard Reeves, lanet Streeler, and Donald Bezio. Before the year was over Richard Reeves, our Vice-President, moved from town and Newell Whitaker was elected Vice-President to fill the vacancy. We elected Miss Barnes as class advisor, and she courageously accepted. We had a wonderful time on our first picnic at Stone Farm. While we were preparing to leave for home one of our classmates cut his finger, thus hastening our departure. Have you learned how to handle that weapon yet, Kendall? After a hurried preparation and a great deal of expended energy and effort on the part of Miss Barnes and Miss Hart we were able to present at Murdock Night a Mock Wedding with an entire male cast. We were duly awarded a glass cup, instead of the traditional tin cup, missing because of the war. For the first time in our school career we took part in the Class Day Exercises. We felt very proud of ourselves, realizing that we would soon be upper-classmen for good. Receiving the colors of red and white ended a truly wonderful year at Murdock. After what seemed to be a very short summer, we again entered the realms of Murdock in body if not in spirit. A class meeting was held to elect officers and the following were chosen: Richard Hildreth, Newell Whitaker, Helen Simcneau, William Ruschioni. This year we asked Miss Hart to take the responsibilities of the happy-go-lucky Class of '48 and she accepted. We decided to have our fall picnic at Mr. Russell's camp. We walked down and rode back. Thanks a lot Mr. Russell: we had a wonderful time. lf your class is looking for picnic grounds, I heartily recommend Chanrudoma. The busy days flew by and almost before we realized it, it was time for our first big dance, The Sophomore l-lop. The capable committees filled the Assembly Hall with attractive Valentine decorations. The music was by the Bargerons and socially the class proved its superiority over its predecessors. On the night of March 29, 1946, we entered the play tournament, presenting The Pampered Darling . This being our debut as actors we were pleased to receive the second prize. The Pampered Darling , Bob lones, made up his mind that he woulcln't talk. The decision of the two medical students to operate , however, made Bob change his mind in a hurry. You did a nice job, Bob. Having acquired more experience in acting by this time, the thought of Murdock Night held no horrors for us. We presented a Gay Nineties Revue 24

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MURDOCK HIGH SCHOOL, WINCHENDON, MASS. complete with Barbershop Sextet and for the second time we captured the cup, this time the traditional tin one. The year ended as usual with a picnic--this time at Streeter's Camp. lt was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the sunshine and water even if those sunburns were rather uncomfortable on the baseball field the next day. Our Iunior year started officially with the election of our class leaders: Richard I-lildreth, William Ftuschioni, Janet Streeter, and Robert Iones. We again asked Miss Hart to guide us through our third year at Murdock. Our lall picnic was also held at Streeter's Camp where we always have had such a wonderful time. ln December, the seniors, weary with all their numerous activities, allowed our class to sponsor the annual Christmas Dance. The hall, bedeck-ed with evergreens and Santa Clauses, certainly radiated the holiday spirit. When the time came for the tournament plays, we chose to present the drama, I Shall Be Waiting . Due largely to the excellent portrayal of the blind mother by Mary Frazier, we were awarded first 'prize which we felt was well earned. No sooner had the excitement of the tournament play died down than we were knee deep in decorations for our big dance, The Iunior Prom. We will never forget the way the Assembly I-lall looked that night, festively arrayed in black and white, accented with gold and pastels. The Class of 1948 gives its sincere thanks to George Sawyer and Gloria Sibley and their co-workers for doing those beautiful paintings. Hats have always been of the utmost importance to women but never before to boys, until Murdock Night when they were the means by which we claimed the tin cup for the third successive year. Was it only a coincidence that the ribbon on the handle was red and white? During our lunior year two of our members were honored by the American Legion. George Sawyer was chosen to represent Murdock at Boys' State and Ianet Streeter was chosen to attend Girls' State. The Seniors chose from our class six Commencement Ushers. They were Ioan Diamond, Gloria l..aFortune, Ianet Streeter, William Stoddard, William Ruschioni, and Richard Hildreth. To the Iuniors, as is the custom, tell the pleasure of making the decora- tions and also doing the decorating for all the Comrnencement activities. By the time this task was finished most of us felt we were quite expert at the art of decorating. We hope the Class of i947 was pleased with our efforts. We found relaxation after our Commencement duties at Willard Brook. Some of the more rugged individuals of our group went swimming while others kept warm playing ball. September, and the vacation became just a memory. At last we were the lofty Seniors. Our first class meeting resulted in the election of the foilowing officers: William Ruschioni, Richard I-lildreth, Helen Simoneau, and Robert Iones. Miss l-lart was again asked to be our class advisor. Our fall picnic was held at Whitaker's Camp to be . Next time you fellows decide to go boating be sure you have the oars. Miss Hart added another to her long list of accomplishments by proving to be a good cook. Another of our enjoyable outings was climbing Mount Monadnock. That was a beautiful painting you did, George. 135