New Milford High School - Schaghticoke Yearbook (New Milford, CT)

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mmtes 1950 Sally Hueston and Owen Peagler When school opened on September 7. 194b, ninety-seven sets of teeth chattered in the anticipation of their first day of high school. There were enough of us who knew our way around so that we could help those who had come in from the outside .towns. Though we were slow in electing our officers, who were Bill Jones, president; George Lee, veep; Sally Hueston, secretary; and Bill Cuddy, treasurer, with Miss Matriciano as adviser; we were not slow in getting acquainted, thanks to Jive Junction, a club exclusively for Freshmen. Many of us will not forget the nights spent in dancing and playing games together. We no sooner got under way with the school year, it seemed, when Miss Northrop got us going on the social. This was held in the spring and our theme was a carnival. Everyone in the class worked for hours on it and it proved to be a great success. Around the floor were different booths. One was a dart-throwing booth, another a bean-bag booth, and still another one had wooden cats to be knocked down by tennis balls. Occasionally during the evening a bell could be heard and this turned out to be the bell on top of the strong-man tester. The entertainment consisted of many things seen and heard at a carnival; even a snake charmer, alias Dick Cavonius, and a smart elephant with his expert trainer. We even had a Can-Can dancer who in reality was Hughie Nuremberg. Bob deZafra made a wonderful M. C. with a nose as red as Rudolph’s. As wearing a crazy hat was part of the admission price, we had all sorts of weird head dresses present and later in the evening had prizes awarded for the outstanding creations. When the time came for the participation in sports, the freshman class was there full force. This early start proved to be a very good thing in later years. Some of the freshmen really walked a good many miles their first year, for we won the magazine campaign—the first class to win two years in a row. We had a special movie as our reward. The event which is supposed to be the biggest in our underclassmen days proved to be a huge flop when we were freshmen. Many of us still remember going down to the stage seventh period on the day of our social to think up the entertainment. Everyone who went that night knew that we had done it that way, too. Our Sophomore year opened to find we were old hands at this school and we were glad to see our buddies' faces again. Although there were a few new faces, many of the old ones were gone and the 85 that were left really missed them. Again, as president we elected Bill Jones, but the other officers were new ones. They were Owen Peagler, as veep, Ellen Moore as secretary, and Eddie Ferriss as treasurer. We sure started the year out right this time for as our adviser we chose Miss Northrop. This year was a memorable one for we had to go to school on two Saturdays because of the heavy snow which everyone, even now, remembers. Again this year we were outstanding in all sports. At the end of the year we had a picnic at the lake, thanks to the hard work of Miss Northrop. In our Junior year there were again some changes in class officers. This year we elected Owen Peagler as president, Bill Jones as veep, Sally Hueston took the notes, and as treasurer, Bill Schnell. Needless to say. we again chose Miss Northrop as our able adviser. This year we had our social in the fall before Thanksgiving and used that as our theme. Few will forget our Indians and squaws and the hunter and Indian game warden. Even though Barnacle Bill, alias Pat Murphy, and his lovely girl friend, Hugh Nuremberg, didn't follow the theme, all of us got a big laugh watching Barnacle Bill coaxing his girl down the ladder. Again as in every year we were outstanding in all sports. But this year we had a monopoly in all of them. Also this year, we just made our quota for the magazine campaign. The reason we weren’t so good this year was that we had lost so many members of our class. We now had only 75 in it and we missed our friends a great deal. 2

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The Prom which was held on May 13 turned out to be a huge success. The decorations were of unusual colors such as black, green, lavender, blue and all dark colors. The theme was superstitions, and black cats and silverware were arranged around the room. In the center of the floor was a ladder which was decorated with flowers. It was under this that the Prom Queen. Sally Hueston, was crowned by the president of the class. At the end of the year we again had a picnic at Lake Candlewood. It was the first time in the history of class picnics that a mummy arrived. This one came in the form of Janet Richmond, completely wrapped in towels in an effort to keep out of the sun . . . she'd already had enough! At last came our Senior Year. We—now dwindled down to 68—finally had our turn at being the Big Wheels. Several familiar faces had gone, but we were happy to have some new members and delighted when Howard Lane was able to come back after his long absence. Again, new arrangements were made in our class officers. Bill Jones, president of the Student Council, was made president; Owen Peagler, veep; Sally Hueston stayed on as secretary; and Jean Meddaugh took our money. Miss Northrop was voted unanimously as adviser. The annual Football Hop was a big success due to the fact that we had. that very afternoon, won the Championship of the Housatonic Valley League. Our big show in sports finally paid off. In the other sports the Class of 1950 dominated as usual. For the first time at this school the Seniors and Juniors had a combined social. This was due to the fact of mix-up in dates. Nevertheless, it was a real success. It brought out some talent the school never knew it had. Mr Buckham, for instance, is a marvelous piano player and you should hear Mr. Went sing. As usual Miss Northrop was there sweating the evening out. The other talents were spread evenly among the Seniors and Juniors. Everyone can still hear Harvey Goodman singing sweetly And her Brudda from the song I'll Never See Maggie Alone. Being Seniors we were naturally concerned about the Yearbook so we elected Janet Richmond. Elaine Keith and Bobby deZafra as co-editors and Miss Laurion as Yearbook Adviser. We all heaved a sigh of relief when, at last the final pages went to the printers late in March. Miss Laurion did a grand job and we surely appreciate her help and advice. One of the new teachers, Mr. Polanski, turned out to be an expert photographer and helped us no end by taking dozens of pictures for our Yearbook. Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce dances, the Class of 1950 was able to make a little extra money. We sold refreshments at those dances and we really did a good job. The next big thing on the agenda was the Senior Play. After a lot of reading we decided to give “George Washington Slept Here. Shortly after the cast of 17 had been picked we began practice under the direction of Mr. Graham. It could have been practice for the play or for football, which we don't know. But some new football players were discovered during those nights with even Mr. Graham taking part in some of the more spectacular plays. Members of the class put in hours of labor, with Mr. Went’s help, getting the proper setting—one which would appear old and worn in the first act and shining and modern a few minutes later in the next act. After two wonderful performances given December 2 and 3, Janet Richmond had a party for the cast in her basement which was enjoyed by all. The music provided by Andy Morren, Elaine Keith, and Neil Young will not be forgotten. Then came the arrangements for the Prom which was held on March 17, with Ray James and his orchestra. The decorations were in keeping with St. Patrick's Day. The next and last big thing we had to do was to plan Class Night and graduation. All too soon we realized that our high school days are now memories and not a reality. Before we go we would like to take this time to thank all the teachers who have, by their guidance and patience, helped to make this graduation possible. also to thank Mr. Knox and Mr. Williamson for all they have done for us. And now we would like to thank Miss Northrop for all she has done for the Class and for each of us separately Never have we seen a harder worker or a better friend. In the future, we know that Miss Northrop will be one of our best memories of high school. 25