Narragansett High School - Maritimes Yearbook (Narragansett, RI)

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As is the function of a yearbook. Mari limes '78 will portray the greater influences on the lives of students. Yet we do not forget those who made it possible for us to prepare ourselves for the future in our new high school, and therefore we proudly dedicate this yearbook to John W. O'Brien. Mr. O’Brien graduated from LaSalle Academy, where he played football and was the goalie for the hockey team. Fol- lowing distinguished Army service in the European Theater during World War II, he resumed his education at Rhode Island College of Education, receiving his degree in 1950. While a teacher at North Providence High School, he earned his Master's degree at Rhode Island College, and con- tinued his doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut. After teaching mathematics at North Providence. Mr. O'Brien was principal at the Johnston (Vermont) high school until 1962, when he came to Narragansett as principal of the junior high. Leaving to be principal of South Kingstown's new junior high in 1964. Mr. O'Brien returned to become our Superintendent in 1966. Mr. O'Brien and his wife, Dorothy, live in North Provi- dence. They have two sons, Kevin and Robert. One of the most prestigious senior awards at graduation is the Neil E. O'Brien Memorial Award for the outstanding senior citizen- athlete. This award was established in memory of Mr. O'Brien's third son, who was killed in a tragic accident in 1975. Despite the fact that this was a difficult time for him, Mr. O'Brien continued to demonstrate his extraordinary dedi- cation to our school system. Mr. O'Brien has been instrumental to the orderly growth of this system. Under his guidance, the school building commit- tee was reactivated in 1966 to plan a much-needed addition to the Junior High. To help alleviate the classroom shortage, relocatable rooms were immediately obtained, and the pro- posed addition was completed in 1967. As we continued to grow, a second addition, housing Kindergarten and Grade One, was finished in 1973. He saw us through the opening of our new high school in 1975, and early in this year, still look- ing toward the future, he has recommended the construction of a new primary school. Even in this, his last year of service in Narragansett, Mr. O'Brien continues to strive toward achieving another long-sought goal: seeing our schools receive their first accreditation. It is fitting that as Mr. O'Brien completes his twelfth year as Superintendent, and the Class of '78 completes its twelfth year as Narragansett students, we gratefully and humbly acknowl- edge the dedication he has always shown toward us. [J s-dicatsxl to ffobn W. (D JOHN W. O'BRIEN Superintendent of Schools, 1966-1978