North Andover High School - Knight Yearbook (North Andover, MA)

Page 27 text:

THE GOBBLER-1947 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS HISTORY O UR scholastic ability up to par, the spring of 1943 proudly bestowed upon us, the Class of ’47, the unique title of freshman. With two months in which to prepare ourselves, we vowed never to listen to the infallible seniors who would certainly lead us astray. Early in September many awkward, high tensioned freshmen were seen sauntering into the Assembly Hall for their first glimpse of high school activity. Mr. Hayes, our new principal, gave us many helpful instructions. Then for two weeks we were constantly amid confusion between the room changes and the totally different system of bells. We had our first class meeting the last of September and Herbert Wild was elected class president, an honor which he has held for four years. Harold Vin¬ cent and Mary Frechette were elected vice-president and secretary-treasurer respectively. Early in November, we had our first social function, the senior-freshman dance. The walls were well supported by you know whom, but after a few duty- bound and fun-loving seniors made their gala entrance we immediately changed from outcasts to high-brow socialites. Since we were in the middle of a great war, many students helped in the collection of tin and paper. The proceeds were used for the purchase of a service flag for the high school. Later, a special Journal including a service directory, was sent to all former students who were now in the service. We were very glad to do our bit to help this worthy cause. Keeping in step with tradition, the freshmen held their annual dance for the seniors. Indeed, we were both happy and proud at the opportunity to present Rita Farrell, who entertained with several popular selections, and Fred Torrisi, our own Gene Krupa on the drums. This year’s production, “Best Foot Forward,’’ was a great success. Bill Dushame represented the freshman class. The next year we were more experienced about school activities and laughed merrily at the blundering freshmen. We again elected Herby Wild as president and Harold Vincent vice-presi¬ dent. Our new secretary-treasurer was George Stewart. In view of the fact that we were sophomores, dances and sports began to be¬ come popular among the members of our class. This year we welcomed Miss Virginia Bascom, a new member of the faculty at Johnson. “Girl Shy,” a three-act comedy, was presented early in April including several students from the sophomore class. May 8, 1945, brought the official news of victory in Europe. All students and members of the faculty assembled in the hall. There Mr. Hayes talked to us as grown-ups, and gave us the rest of the day off. After completing our studies and activities, we happily adjourned for two months. 21

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THE GOBBLER-1947 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL world, it is up to us how we will use it. This is youth’s greatest opportunity. Shall we simply let it go by or shall we do something about it? What is to be our answer? Barbara E. Campbell CLASS ORATION “Tonight We Launch; Where Shall We Anchor?” PI IE LAUNCH tonight onto the dark sea of life, in which are hidden mysteries j I and problems as yet unfamiliar to our inexperienced minds. We set forth UU physically from our high school, and mentally from our adolescent manner¬ isms. No longer are we able to do childish and foolish pranks if we expect to gain the admiration and respect of those around us. We have with us now physical training acquired in gym classes, on the base¬ ball diamond, basketball floor, and football field. Although we may seldom play our games as such in later life, we shall always have the valuable lessons taught on the playing field. The mental and moral training will always be of value to us. The respect for authority, the need of promptness (one quality I could not seem to master), learning cleanliness and neatness, and the incalculable mental training are inalienable bits of knowledge that will remain with us always, and in coming years will ripen into wisdom. We launch tonight, but God alone knows where we shall anchor. However, we must have a goal if we expect to accomplish anything in life.. Perhaps one of the most important goals for which to strive is that of being a good citizen. A good citizen, by the common consent of all history, has three loyalties; loyalty to his God, which he doubtless shows every day; loyalty to his country, which he demonstrates by paying his taxes, by electing competent local, state, and federal officials, and by defending his country in time of crisis; and loyalty to his neighbor. The phrase “his neighbor’’ does not necessarily mean the person who lives next door: it also means the neighboring countries. A good citizen should have a world v iewpoint. However, he does not necessarily have to be “a citizen of the world,” but rather a citizen of the United States who accepts his share of respon¬ sibilities in creating and maintaining world peace and order. We can no longer afford to slip into isolationism. We must protect ourselves and our country from domestic and foreign evils. We have this mental and physical training at our disposal, but what we do with it depends entirely upon us. No longer will we have someone to cater to us and look after us; we are on our own now. Whether we are left by the side of the road with the very lowly, to be stepped on and scoffed at by others; whether we follow in the wake of the great, unthinking, regimented horde, to have no minds of our own and to bend our backs to the whips of others; or whether we go against the current, to be classified as intelligent and outstanding in our own particular fields, is solely up to us. It is fearfully true, “Tonight We Launch,” but “Where Shall We Anchor?” Harold R. Vincent 20

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THE GOBBLER-1947 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL Returning to Johnson in ’45, we now bore the title of juniors which meant that we were rated as upper-classmen.” Once again Herby and George dusted off their political seats. Our new poli¬ tician was Vincent Lambert, who was now vice-president. Room 2 was renovated into a long-awaited lunch room. We now had a lunch room in which we could sit at tables and have home-cooked meals at extremely low cost. Noon-day dancing was proposed by the student council. As usual, our prin¬ cipal was cooperative with the suggestion, and we were allowed to have the privilege of dancing away the last minutes of our recess period. The highlight of our junior year was the prom. For many of the students it was their first school formal. The hall was a scene of unique beauty, decorated in breath-taking loveliness under the capable direction of Miss Mary Buckley. Our senior year at Johnson was full of activity. Per usual, elections were held in September, and last year’s officers came forth to take their final bow. Our football team ended their season with a victory over our rival Punchard, thus winding up a score of three wins and one defeat to our credit. Early in December Johnson’s loss was Suffield’s gain. Richard Carvell, one of our star football players, left Johnson. A farewell party was given in his honor and he was presented with a gift in behalf of the senior class by Herb Wild. After our Christmas vacation, graduation proofs and pictures were a part of each study room. The year book was soon started and for the first time many seniors began to realize that commencement would be here sooner than they realized. “A Date With Judy” was presented late in April by the students. Many seniors who were in the cast worked doubly hard at their last dramatic appear¬ ance. Much credit is due to the cast and to their supervisor, Miss Margaret Donlan, who has given all her time in order to make it a success. As it is not the purpose of this writer to predict the future, it is our sincerest belief that whatever the future may hold for the Class of ’47, we shall always cherish its many fond memories of four truly happy years at Johnson High School. Joyce M. Robinson Leonard Foulds CLASS WILL We, the Class of 1947 of Johnson High School, being of sound mind and body, do hereby make, ordain, and publish this to be our last will and testament. Pat Moriarty leaves her strict regime to Joan Driscoll. No boys, no noise, and lights out at 9:00. Jan Smith leaves her motto, “It isn’t late until twelve o’clock and then it’s still too early,” to Mary Clare Hickey. Jimmy Greenler, the boy who says a lot in a few words, bequeaths his great asset to Paul Adler, who doesn’t say much in a great many words. Irene Nocera leaves her dainty feet to Eleanor George and Pat Currier. 22