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

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GRADUATION ♦ ♦ ♦

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= CLASS As we, the Class of 1954, look back over our eventful four years, we recall that bright, September morning when we made our first accpiaintance with Johnson. After a brief talk by Mr. Hayes, in which he gave us our first introduction to the faculty, we found we were on our own. Our first “dabble in politics” was the election of class officers. We chose the following people: George Acciard — president; Bruce. Burnham — vice-president; and Ann Bullock — secretary-treasurer. They also represented us in the Student Council. One new student was added to our class during our first year; Miss Janet Nichol, who came to us from Lawrence. In our freshman year, the Brooks-Johnson scholarship was established enabling two boys to transfer to Brooks School. The two winners were John Livesey and Bobert Mac Murray. To get off on the right foot, we conducted, in co-operation with the senior class, a Freshman-Senior Dance on November 10, 1950. Its purpose was to acquaint us with our many schoolmates, and to raise funds for our new treasury. We had many enjoyable assemblies. One of the most interesting gave us a for¬ mal introduction to the United Nations. This was held under the capable leadership of Miss Veva Chapman. Having survived the hardships and trials of our freshman year, we were ready to continue on to our second year at J. H. S. Bicher in knowledge and confidence, we began to become busier in school activities. In the class elections Yiddie Knightly was chosen president; Ronnie Fountain, vice-president; and Ann Bullock was re-elected as secretary- treasurer of our class. Two additional members joined our class in the sophomore year. Alary Ann Bootman came to us from Lawrence High, and Roger Lawson from Gloucester. They proved to be valuable additions to our class, and became very popular classmates. Along with the juniors, we conducted a very successful Sophomore-Junior Dance. Also, through the combined efforts of the whole class, we were very successful in the sale of tickets for the annual school play. Two very enjoyable assemblies were conducted. The first was held on Novem¬ ber 26, 1951. Chief Needahbaheh demonstrated methods of calling geese, crows, and other animals. This was followed by a demonstration of the correct way of fishing. To conclude the program, Chief Needahbaheh and Yiddie Knightly performed a spectacular Indian dance. On December 17, 1951, Mr. Bert Hill, a representative of the J. W. Robinson Company, presented the school with the Driver Training Car. Mr. Donovan, the driver- training instructor, accepted the keys on behalf of the school. Brief talks on safe driving were given by Mr. Banfanti, assistant to Rudolph King, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and James Keefe, representative of the American Automobile Association. Before we realized it, we had come to the end of another year and were ready to depart for our summer vacation. Returning to Johnson in September, we now bore the title of juniors, which meant that we were rated as “upper-classmen.” This year, as juniors, we elected our class leaders. Yiddie Knightly was chosen once more to take the lead as president. Ronnie Fountain also was returned to the office of vice-president, and Ann Bullock became for her third year secretary-treasurer. We were most happy to welcome many new additions to our class that year. They were Pat Knowlton from Danvers High School, Jean McIntosh and Catherine Dineen from Lawrence High School, and Phil Coates from Punchard High School. On November 3, 1952, Johnson High School held an election. At this election we were to vote for president, vice-president, governor, and senator. It proved very inter¬ esting to note how the elections turned out. This election gave us an idea as to how the older people would vote. While we were juniors, a distinct change from last year’s routine was noted. No more did we have either a “before” or “after lunch study period.” Now we had classes dur¬ ing first or second recess. New classes were also added. Speech, music, art appreciation, and consumer education were only a few. Alany changes and additions had been made, and perhaps the things that were most widely missed were the recess activities. The new system seemed to be more efficient and the day passed much faster. We welcomed a new member to the faculty, Mr. Reed Taylor, whose versatility enabled him to teach not only speech but also world history and consumer education, and to instruct the students once a week in speech work in the junior and senior English classes. Mr. T ay lor soon proved to be a well-liked and competent teacher.