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

Page 26 text:

THE GOBBLER-1948 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS HISTORY RELUCTANTLY we come to the close of our high school days after many m years of sharing the work and fun of all our classmates. Taking class pic- J J tures, selecting class colors, choosing our song, and dedicating our year book all mean a lot to us, but what we really regret is something much finer. As we all go our separate ways in life, we begin to unravel that closely knit bond of friendship which has been created within us through many years of daily rou¬ tine. “In ourselves our future lies,” but fond recollections of our past class days will linger. The glorious day in September of 1944 had at last arrived, and we found our¬ selves falling into the routine of high school life. We, too, at first found the system of bells, rooms and teachers confusing, but we soon accustomed our¬ selves to dear Johnson. We quickly buckled down to studies and all the other problems that go with high school life, and elected our class officers. On Pete White was bestowed the honor of being class president, an honor which he held for the remaining four years. Andy Alvino was our vice-president and Virginia Gaudet, our first secretary-treasurer. Soon October 20th arrived, and the seniors welcomed us at a dance held in our honor. Our freshman boys, following in the footsteps of the seniors, found it difficult to adjust themselves to this new sort of social life. The football team, coached by Mr. Lee, got off to a poor start, but the games drew large crowds of eager frosh. The band, led by Mr. Murray, was also a great moral support. Volley ball made its appearance for the first time with Miss Hunt, a new mem¬ ber of our faculty, as instructor. This year welcomed Miss Virginia Bascom to J. H. S. Early in October we campaigned for the Curtis Company to win a bronze plaque in memory of Johnson’s service men. On May 8th, the war be¬ ing over in Germany, Mr. Hayes quieted us by a serious address on “War and Its Consequences.” We returned in the fall with the experience and the sophistication of sopho¬ mores, casting a scornful glance at the freshmen. This year Joe Guthrie ac¬ cepted the office of vice-president, holding this honor for the remaining three years. Virginia Gaudet was still our very capable secretary-treasurer. Much to our amazement we found the cafeteria remodeled into a kitchen and Room 2 converted into a dining room. At this time Miss Madeline Gillen, Mrs. Natalie Manson, Miss Ruth Callanan, and Miss Betty James came to grace our faculty. This year we welcomed our veterans of World War 2, all of whom proved to be “brains.” A new social feature was added to the J. H. S. social calendar. This was Stunt Night, in which all classes participated. Through the cooperation of our helpful and willing principal, Mr. Hayes, noonday dancing was introduced and provided us with a new form of relaxation. We entered our junior year in September, 1946, with the confidence and dig¬ nity of upper classmen. Bernie Gosselin was secretary-treasurer for her first time. We welcomed Jack Kooistra into our class. He proved to be a great foot- 97

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THE GOBBLER-1948 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL instance, when we helped our parents do odd jobs, we were taught never to leave a part of a task undone. When we left the task, it was completed and all the equipment was put in its proper place. They taught us good manners, a thing which is very essential if we wish to obtain social recognition in later life. As we went on into school, the school continued the teaching of our parents. But we began gradually to have a mind of our own. Either we have the will to learn or we haven’t. The schools teach us to be accurate. It is one thing to have speed, another thing to have accuracy, as we find out in mathematics. How¬ ever, if we do not have the intention of becoming accurate in our work, the school cannot make us accurate. The schools try to build in us a sense of re¬ sponsibility. They give us an assignment and a date at which this assignment is to be handed in. They leave us responsible for completing the assignment on time and they deduct from the mark in proportion to our degree of tardiness in submitting the assignment. Again, however, they can only teach us to be re¬ sponsible. We must learn. In later life, we will reflect the teaching of our parents and of the schools. What kind of job shall we get if we cannot display a well-balanced personality? How long could a secretary hold a job if she did not have the accuracy which was taught to her in school or the manners which were taught to her by her par¬ ents? How far would any workman climb if he did not have some sense of re¬ sponsibility? We would be outcasts of society if we didn’t make use of the man¬ ners taught to us by our parents. Therefore it is ourselves, and ourselves alone, that shall determine our own individual futures. We also have a future that will include all of us together, a future that will determine whether we are to be a free people or a slave peo¬ ple—the future of the United States of America. We, the children of today, are the ones who shall determine whether this nation will remain a democratic nation or be crushed under the claws of the Russian bear! In determining this future, we must have a strong sense of responsibility. Each and every one of us must turn to the teaching of our schools and of our parents, for we are the ones who shall run the government and the business of this country. How can we determine how we should deal with Russia if we do not know how other countries have succeeded in similar conditions of the past? Our schools have taught us this, but have we learned? When we go to the polls to elect the men who will run this country, what kind of men shall we vote for? If we have a strong enough sense of responsibility, we shall have followed each man throug hout his career, and we shall elect the man who will manage the coun¬ try most shrewdly during critical periods. If we have another war, how shall we react if and when we win? Shall we be fair enough in our dealings with other countries so that one nation will not have the power to veto all acts of lasting peace? These problems can be solved only by us. We can make or break this liberty that our ancestors fought so hard to preserve. We can make it by opening our eyes to the advice given to us by the past. We can break it by turning away from our teachings and going blindly into the hands of Joseph Stalin. 21 Philip H.Greenler

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THE GOBBLER-1948 JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL ball player and one of our class heartbreakers. As one of the high lights of our junior year, we ventured to Boxford in hay covered trucks and with plenty of school spirit. You all remember, hm-m-m? The club programs, adopted by Student Council, provided an escape from the dull monotony of our classes. The climax of our junior year was the annual prom, which many of us attended. The hall gleamed in nautical designs which proved to be very delightful. As summer vacation drew to a close, we eagerly, but rather sadly, looked forward to our last year at school. We now walked the corridors with an air of distinction, of prestige, which we had acquired during our four years. Nancy Connell was elected secretary-treasurer. Again, in our senior year, we won a new member. George Clasby joined our ranks. His easy going nature, his good looks, and his pleasing personality captured many friends. In October we feted the freshmen with a successful dance in their honor. Dancing, ping-pong, and badminton were added to the host of activities provided by Student Council. Under the supervision of home room representatives, a savings program was be¬ gun, sponsored by the Andover Savings Bank. The kids certainly did their part. “Do you know how to drive?” was the question asked by Mr. Fanning and Mr. O’Day of the Registry of Motor Vehicles when they proposed a driver education program. Many students responded to this, but unfortunately nothing came of it. A concert, sponsored by the P. T. A. for the benefit of a high school band, was conducted in February through the cooperation of the student body. The concert proved to be very beneficial. The Prom Benefit Dance was one of our best dances this year. To climax this we were given a grand version of Four Leaf Clover by Dice, Pete, Andy, and Bob Wilkinson. As we leave old Johnson High, some will look light-heartedly to the future, while others will strive for success. Yet as we climb that difficult pathway to our future lives, we begin to realize that school was not all hard work and toil¬ some drudgery, but actually exciting and carefree fun. Let us always remember those happy school days that we have shared together. Respectfully submitted, Champ and Pete CLASS WILL III E, the Class of 1948, who are still of sane mind and body even after 1 y I four years of plugging, believing ourselves to be the most outstanding, charming and brilliant class to ever walk the corridors of J. H. S., do hereby, hereon, and henceforth, bequeath, endow, will, leave, and bestow, upon those lucky juniors our magnetic, overpowering charms, our brilliant minds, and our unique leadership. To dear old Johnson we leave our thanks for fond, and otherwise, memories. To Mr. Hayes and Mr. Donovan we give our appreciation for such unusual understanding throughout our four years. 23