Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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ze - 1937 A John: We've covered the whole class now. Ihlll so glad that I know all about our classmates. Jean: So am I. Well, goodbye John, good luck. John: Same to you, Jean. Bye. CLASS WELCOME Parents, Teachers and Friends: It is with great pleasure that I extend to you a most cordial and friendly welcome to the Commencement Exercises of the class of nineteen hundred and thirty- seven. On behalf of my classmates, I in- vite you to participate in these joyous exercises which will bring to a triumphant close our careers as students of the Natick schools. During our days i11 school we have been taught the ideals of American liberty. Through our student government we feel that we have touched upon the principles of a democratic government, and we sin- cerely feel that in our student government we have learned some of the governmental problems which will send us forth as in- telligent voters, Through our participa- tion in sports we have learned the neces- sity of cooperation and fair play. It is with this solid foundation that we go forth into the world of affairs, not fully realizing what is before us, but hoping for the best in the enthusiasm of young man- hood and young womanhood. Some of us will be engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and tradeg others will Search further in-to the field of education: set- ting some high ideal and striving to attain it. Later, some will become engaged, per- haps, in the rough sea of political life, and will doubtless reap honor in State and Congressional legislation, bestowing bene- fit upon their fellowmen, while they hold high and responsible positions in official life. But as we go forth, each to fulfill his destiny in the new world into which we are about to emerge, we fully realize the benefits of this excellent education which the tax payers of Natick have so generouly placed before us. We know not what fate has In store for us, but we ask you to fry to understand what our ideals are. We hope that what- ever success we make of life will in some way bring a little satisfaction and pride to our parents and teachers who have en- deavored all these years to give us the means to make our way in this world. Though we are about to graduate from the Public Schools of Natick, I believe many of us will have a feeling of regret when the final moment comes, of leaving the many friends, and pleasant associa- tions we have made in schooi. Also per- haps, we dread the facing of the rough wheel of life. I think if we follow the wonderful fortitude that this country has just shown in overcoming the great handi- cap of the recent depression, no accom- plishment we shall endeavor to gain will be too difficult. If we remember the ancient proverb: A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner, we shall face life bravely and make of ourselves honest, upright American citizens. CLASS FAREWELL Today we meet together as a class for the last time. We now face a future which holds for us unknown problems, making life for each one of us far more complex. We have labored for twelve years in preparation to meet this future, twelve years of education which we hope have been well spent. In his essay entitled A Liberal Educa- tion, Thomas Huxley likens man's life to a chess game. The opponent is Nature, who is fair but does not make allowances for ignorance: is just and patient, but never overlooks a mistake. It is, therefore, man's task to learn to play this game of life so that his mistakes, made through ignorance, will be few. Learning the rules and ways of this mighty game constitutes a liberal education. The question which is in the minds of lllally of us this afternoon, parents as well as graduates, is whether or not our twelve years spent in grammar school and high school have prepared us to meet the fu- ture. To those of you who stress only high scholarship I ask the question-has the person been taught the art of self-preser- PAGE THIRTEEN

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10 A1554 N g 1937 John: Oh, yes. Dorothy lVIoir and Ethel Fritz are two competent flyers. Carl Gib- son is a priceless mechanic. Ruth Jordan and Marjorie Johnson are training to be air hostesses. Jean: Sonia Seaholm has a dress-shop here in Paris. Helen Graye and Hilda Ghetti are her models and Catherine Souckup tends to financial affairs. Anna Flynn and Angela Hodgman have an all- girl orchestra you know. Ruth Macdonald is a soloist, Margaret Murphy plays a trumpet and Helen Kunz is at the piano. John: Henry Peterson has started some- thing new in refrigeration. Vincent Fa- hey the absent-minded Professor and Henry Scott have gone to Annapolis. Wal- ter McMahon and Willis Martin surprised everyone by joining the Army and have proved themselves capable of responsibili- ties. Jean: Have you heard anything about Leona Culverhouse? What does she do? John: Don't tell me you haven't heard about Leona? Why, she's been known for her theaters in Massachusetts. One, in Framingham, that I recall right now, has some ushers from our class. Genevieve McGrath, Theresa Sulots. Filomena Sav- iano, Harry Palmer, Clifford Pulson. and Merrill Bent. Jean: 'I'here's to be a swimming meet in Shanghai soon. Catherine Scholl and Helen Young are sharing honors in the back-stroke event. Frances Todd and Vir- ginia Williams are to be in the diving ex- hibitions. John: I didn't realize until now, how far our class is separated. We have two representatives in Florida, trying their luck at fruit growing, Frank Johnson and Edmund O'Donnell. Jean: I haven't heard you say anything about Warren Thompson and Donald Mo- ran. John: Warren coaches football out in California. Donald is an assistant coach in Philadelphia. Have you seen Barbara Fenton? Jean: Yes, she's been over here with her Girl Scout troop. I saw Ruth McKechnie not long ago. She's modest about her work, but who's good at fancy work. Cro- PA'G E TWELVE cheting, knitting, etc. Tell me about Helen Mangle. John: We all knew when Helen gradua- ted that she'd be a success. She is the private secretary of an executiv-e in Wash- ington, D. C. Catherine Baker and Mar- jorie Knowlton have a hat store in New York. Barbara Hammond and Bernice Main are clerks there. Jean: Ida Pineo is a dancer over here. She is a stage star. I only saw her once, and I went back-stage to see her. Jennie Pellulo was there. She is the costume manager. James Boates was in charge of the lighting and I learned that John Hesek is the publicity man. John: Speaking of the stage. did you know that Rache Apostal is in Hollywood! Jean: Rachel John: Sure. He's known as 'llust A Joke Apostal! Beatrice Green and Doris Burke are nurses. Lewis Champney drives an ambulance for the same hospital. Jean: Over here, things are done right. David Murphy has invented a new style of diving. He comes down feet first. Edna Mabee and Alice Maba1'dy are in Sweden now. Evelyn Patil is going to meet them and they're going to America to show you how to cook delicious European meals! John: American food suits me. Since you've mentioned food I'll stay on the sub- ject. Armen Kaprielian and Richard Has- gill own a bakery. Joseph Downey and William Duffy drive trucks for them and Dominic Crisafulli and Nelson Marston keep the machinery in good working con- dition. Jean: I saw Evelyn Edwards in Spain when I was down there. She was with Catherine McHale when I saw her. They told me they were looking for inspiration for some new songs. Catherine w1'1tes words and Evelyn creates a tune . John: Good for them! We need some new music over here too. Jolm Jennings and Fred Kadlick own a broadcasting sys- tem in New Jersey. Madeline Murray is to start a series of talks next month on what the well-dressed child will wear in the fall. Jean: Mildred McInt.osh and Anita Grup- poso are working together on a mystery novel. Russia is the background.

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fzc : 1937 vation? I believe that our training has been practical. No-t only the classics and finer arts have had their places but also courses in Economics, Civil Service, Science and Social Studies. All of these prepare us for good citizenship and the ability to understand alld .to get along with others. This is extremely important, for to one who has not been able to do so, the term success may never be applied, as the les- sons learned through contacts with others will prove invaluable in -the future. Right now we are on an upward busi- ness trend. Will we again reach the dizzy heights of 1929 followed by a disastrous let-down at the expense of the common man? If we are prepared to meet this question successfully. our education has been practical no matter what our scho- lastic standing has been in school. At this moment a disastrous and cruel war is being waged. It is not certain whether or not another World War will be fought. If this is averted by peaceful methods, such as by arbitration, a great victory will be scored for civilization. These are a few of the many problems that we are almost certain to face. If we are successful in meeting these problems, another great victory for universal educa- tion will have been written on the book of life. It is this liberal education which we have been pursuing for twelve years, and now each one of us is ready to choose his own course. A few of ns will have the privilege and opportunity of pursuing a higher education in certain chosen fields. The fundamental training we have already received will help us immensely in at- tempting a more advanced field of learn- ing. A larger group of us will be forced into an economic world which is not prepared to make use of the abilities of the millions of us who comprise the worldwide class of 1937. Our education will be taxed to the utmost to make a place for ourselves in this ever-changing life. Several of us will join the large group which has made married life one of the most. desirable c-ompanionships that exists. Here asain a great demand is made upon PAGE FOVRTEEN our education, for the demands that arise in home life are the most exacting. It is with the deepest gratitude that the class of 1937 wishes to thank the parents, teachers, and townspeople who have made our education possible. It is our sincere hope that a few if not all of us will in some way, in the future, be able to repay you for the confidence you have placed in us by providing a good foundation from which we are able to build our careers. Now, our test, towards which We have been working for twelve years, has just begun. GEORGE WILLiAMS HORACE MANN The graduating class of 1937 is very fortunate in being able to have a part in the centennial celebration in honor of the Massachusetts Board of Education and its first secretary, Horace Mann. Mr. Mann was born in Franklin, Massa- chusetts on the fourth day or May in Seventeen hundred and ninety-six. His father, who was a poor farmer, could not give his children educational advantages. but he did intensify their respect and love for knowledge. After many years of privation and hard- ship at home with very little education, he prepared himself in six months to enter the sophomore class at Brown University. He graduated at the head of the clas-s. We must remember that Horace Manng Until the age of fifteen, had never been to school more than eight or ten weeks ln a year. Mann tuto1'ed for some time at the University and then turned to law. He attend-ed the law school of Judge James Gould, the most famous law school in America. Honesty and willing service coupled with his moral, social, and men- tal gifts made him an outstanding law- yer. In 1827 Mann was elected to the Massa- chusetts House of Representatives. A few years later he was elected to the Senate and finally he became President of that important body. It was while serving in this capacity that, in 1837, the first real state board of education was created in