Murdock High School - Tower Yearbook (Winchendon, MA)

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CLASS OF NINETEEN FIFTY-FOUR Cfaaa tjshafory On September 6, 1950, Murdock High School celebrated a wonderful occasion, the birth of one of the most brilliant infants ever to make his ap- pearance at Old Murdock. Various names were suggested for this child prodigy. Aunt Minnie wanted to call him after Albert Einstein. The teachers, especially those having prophetic pow- ers, were all in favor of naming him Dennis the Menace. After much argument and to avoid further controversy, it was finally agreed upon to call him by a number, 1954. Being only one year old, the Class of 1954 was filled with a more than ample sunply of vim and vigor for the election of class officers. After hav- ing secured permission from the higher-ups, the class elected Thomas Maliska, Presidentg Patricia French, Vice Presidentg Nancy Tenney, Secretary, and John Tero, Treasurer. Of course, our class would not be complete without an Adviser, so Mr. Aveni was chosen for the job of guiding us along the rocky paths of this first year. Our activities consisted of one well attended record dance held in our dearly beloved cafeteria. We also had big ideas about money-making, so we decided to try our hand at selling candy. This was only 1954's first contact with money, but it paved the way in later years for our now well- known big income projects. Our one big thrill of the year, however, took place on Friday, March 2, when a freshman, Pa- tricia French, competing with four upperclass- men, won first prize in the annual American Le- gion Oratorical Contest. Once more, only this time as sophomores, we started the year off with a bang and with a great deal of enthusiasm. To lead us on throughout the year, we elected Thomas Maliska, Presidentg Jeannette Tourigny, Vice Presidentg Pauline Juneau, Secretaryg Gail Warman, Treasurerg and chose Mr. Aveni, who graciously consented to undertake the duties of Class Adviser once more. Soon came the big event of the year, the Sopho- more Hop. Not only did we surprise everyone else, but we also surprised ourselves when it turned out to be the most successful Hop in years. Valentine decorations transformed the auditori- um, and a gay crowd danced to the music of Lafortune's Orchestra. Chosen to reign over the Hop were James Bartlett, King, and Joanne Martin, Queen. It was the class's first taste of success, but it was due mainly to the wonderful co-operation given by all. When spring came into view, we made our first appearance in the Morton E. Converse Play. We presented The Perfect Gentleman with a cast that included Gail W'arman, Jeannette Tourig- ny, Thomas Maliska, John Tero, Patricia French, and our coach, Mr. Hicks. Although we only re- ceived third prize, we had the backing of every sophomore. Not long after, Stunt Night beckoned us. Little did we know, but this was to be our first and last appearance portraying our natural aptitudes to prove that we were future Milton Berles. If you recall, no one recognized our ability, so we had to be content with third prize. W'hen the American Oratorical Contest was held, Patricia French was first-prize winner for a sec- ond year. We were even more honored when she went on to two more rounds of the contest before losing to a boy from a Worcester High School. With all the activities of the year you will not be surprised when I tell you that little 1954, that promising child, now had begun to wear a slight- ly haggard look. He was growing up and having a harder job of it than he thought. Before we knew it our junior year was upon us. Although we did not have half the activities that our senior year would present, we nevertheless looked forward in anticipation of the things to come. Once again it was time to elect officers. VVe chose Thomas Maliska, Presidentg Jeannette Tourigny, Vice Presidentg Pauline Juneau, Sec- retaryg and Doris McAllister, Treasurer. Again Mr. Aveni consented to become our Class Ad- viser for our junior year. Then we really began to get going. We made our plans for the annual Junior Record Dance which was held on Decem- ber 12. It was a tremendous success, as are nearly all of our dances. At the Tournament Plays this year, we presented The Spider's Web with Barry Boutelle, Thomas Maliska, Joanne Murray, John Tero, and Jolene Johnson, under the direction of Miss Young. Will you ever forget Tom's magnificent acting? 'In fact, the whole cast outdid themselves. Not pnly did we, but so did the high and mighty seniors, believe that we would get first prize, But, such was not the case, as we were awarded second prize. QW' e wuz robbedlj

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MURDOCK HIGH SCHOOL, WINCHENDON, MASS. Ahead of us lay our big dance of the year, the junior Prom. As we wanted to be original, we decided to decorate the auditorium similar to the Coronation decorations in England. Patricia French was elected chairman of the decorations and the remainder of the class co-operated beau- tifully in making this dance the big success it was. Pauline Juneau was elected Queen, and act- ing as Prince Consort was Thomas Maliska. For the third year in succession Patricia French received first prize in the Oratorical Contest, and went as far as the District, where she was elimi- nated. We were soon confronted with the juniors' an- nual obligation to the Senior Class, making the decorations for their graduation exercises. VV1: were heartily congratulated and thanked for our efforts to give them a beautiful send-off. As the year came to a close, it was noted that 1954 had now attained maturity. His hair had even begun to recede and there were noticeable circles under his eyes. The pace was beginning to tell. At last on September 9, 1954, we were known as the high and mighty seniors. We started our whirlwind of activities by electing Thomas Ma- liska, President, Dick Ladeau, Vice President: Arline Maliska, Secretary, and Doris McAllister, Treasurer. We were very happy when Mr. Por- ter kindly consented to guide us through our final year. Our class rings finally arrived during the second week of October. We were really thrilled, as now we actually felt like Seniors On November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, Purdy's Studio of Boston took our class pictures. Though We were a little afraid of the results, we were all pleased when we received our pictures on De- cember 2lst. Our money-making projects this year consisted of food sales, fudge sales, Christmas card sales, a spaghetti sunper, a talent show, sale of magazine subscriptions. and record dances. It seems that the Class of 1954 has an excellent knack for put- ting on record dances. Wife not onlv make a large proht, but everybody always has a good time. On December 3rd, after much studying and re- hearsing, we presented our Senior Play, Come Out of Your Coma by .lay Tobias. The cast included Thomas Maliska, Dick Ladeau, Jimmy Woodward, John Tero, Marjorie WVebb, Gail XfVarman, june Price, Patricia French, Joanne Murray, and -Iolene johnson. Mr. james McClure directed the play and did a wonderful job. The play, a hilarious comedy about the antics of a college boy, was well received by a large audience. Though this history must of necessity close to meet the printe-r's deadline, there are many thrill ing events that we are looking forward to. The most exciting, however, is sure to be the class trip. Although little 1954 looks like an old man with his tottering body, bloodshot eyes, and trembling hands, he has the wisdom that can come only from long and bitter experience. 1954 had really grown up. By FAY ZERINSKY JUNIOR USHERS at Graduation Exercises, 1953 J A v Ushers at Graduation Gail Warman, Thomas Maliska