Norwood High School - Tiot Yearbook (Norwood, MA)

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®Ij] tffetnry nf tlj Qllajss tti 194D Having been assigned by the government to do some important research work on the ever-present problem of education, my first duty was to look over the records of a typical high school. Naturally, my thoughts immediately reverted to the Norwood Senior High School, and without further preamble, I headed for my dear old school on the hill . As I was rummaging through the files, my attention was arrested by a dilapidated looking diary, wedged between the covers of two old Yearbooks. First amazed and then curious at finding this type of literature in such an unusual place, I hastily dis- engaged it from its hiding place, and rapidly perused its contents. Many leaves were torn and missing, but I found that within its worn covers was a wealth of knowledge about my class — the Class of 1940. Herein lay its true and intimate history, as written by various enterprising mem- bers. Anxious to delve further into its contents, I cast all thoughts of my work aside, and withdrew from the building. Then, in the sanctity of my home, I relived my three glorious years of high school, all just as is told in this small diary: September 8, 1937— Dear Diary: At last we have entered the Norwood Senior High School. It is all rather strange and not a little awesome, but the teachers are very helpful and considerate. Although the upper classmen delight in playing pranks, and have sent more then one unlucky sophomore to the girls ' gymnasium instead of the Professor ' s music room, they are really a rather congenial group. October 8 — Today, after several weeks of growing accustomed to a new building, new classes, and new acquaintances, we are to elect our Class officers, resolved to make our class one of the finest the school has ever housed. October 11 — Our votes have been tabulated, with the following results: President, David Maitland; Vice-President, Marguerite D ' Espinosa; Secretary, Marjorie Davis; Boys ' Treasurer, Robert Meagher; Girls ' Treasurer, a tie between Agnes Bernier and Louise Coughlin; and A. A. Council Representative, John Cook. October 28— Tonight ' s the night! It seems as though every member of our class is here, and the soft strains of the Knights of Melody fill the room with music. We all are pleas- antly surprised at the display of talent given by our classmates, and predict a brilliant theatrical future for them all. Our yodeling cowgirls, Jane Shimsky and Angle Sansone, need only a lariat and a sombrero to make them entirely realistic; the soprano lyrics of Jean Robertson hold everyone ' s attention; and the dancing feet of Molly Riemer and Doris Connolly keep all eyes glued to the floor. Everyone hates to leave at the childishly early hour set aside for Sophomores. October 31 — The entire school is talking about our party. It was such an overwhelming success, socially and financially, that we have won the respect and admiration of everyone, including the seemingly superior Seniors. A few weeks later — Try-outs for our Christmas Play have been the subject of conversation for the past week, but now the cast has been announced, and rehearsals under the able guidance of Miss Gray, our dramatic coach, are about to begin. The play chosen is The Man Who Forgot Christmas and Levi Salonen and Bettv Steele head a fine supporting cast. December 2 — Our annual Christmas Play was given at the Norwood Junior High School. Acknowledgment of the superior talent in our class was given bv the thunderous applause that greeted our actors and actresses after the final curtain had fallen. 17

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MR. JAMES H. BUTLER, Jr. Faculty Advisor ARTHUR ALLEN Vice-President dfkJM DAVID MAITLAND President DOROTHY BERKLAND Secretary AGNES BERNIER Girls Treasurer RICHARD TUCKER Boys ' Treasurer 16 JEAN CALLAHAN A. A. Council

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June 22, 1938— We have reached the end of our trying year as Sophomores; we have earned a reputation as a good-natured, civic-minded class; now we ' really belong ' . After a too short summer vacation, 230 gayly returned on September 7, and the thread of our history may once more be picked up. September 28, 1938— Dear Diary: We have started off the year by journeying once again to the polls to vote for Class Officers. We reelected David Maitland as President, and chose Phoebe Ann Hayes as Vice-President; Dorothy Berkland, as Secretary; Edward Holman, as Boys ' Treasurer; Agnes Bernier as Girls ' Treasurer; and Edward Leary, as A. A. Council Representative. Our class seems to have lost much of the exuberence of the Sophomore year, and because of our failure to sell many tickets, our President had to call a class meeting today for the express purpose of giving us a pep talk. We are all greatly abashed and are determined to recapture our former enthusiasm and make our Junior Party an even greater success than was our Sophomore one. December 2 — We have won again! Tonight ' s response substantiated our resolution, and a small but gay crowd is dancing to the music of The Vikings . We were so ap- preciative of the talent displayed at our last party, that we decided to have encores, and Jean Robertson, Molly Riemer, and Doris Connolly obligingly agreed. We have also discovered new talent in the person of a songstress, Rose James, and two musicians, Raymond Fleck with his Clarinet and Joe Grugnale with his violin. Even though we are allowed to leave a little later, in this, our Junior year, we still reluctantly close the doors on what has been such an enjoyable evening. January 24, 1939— Dear Diary: Everyone is so excited that it is impossible for the teachers to carry on their classes. This spirit of feverish activity will not be denied, and all because the Junior Prom is only three days away. Only three precious days are left for that shy little boy in your English Class to ask you to accompany him to this, the greatest social event of the year; only three precious days in which to order a corsage for the girl of your choice; only three precious days to buy that darling eve- ning bag in the shop around the corner; only three precious days to make a million and one last minute preparations for this great occasion. January 27 — It seems as though the entire Junior Class is here. Huge Mexican hats, brilliant colored posters, and fancy Mexican gourds all proclaim this the greatest Mexican fiesta of all time. Against this vivid background, swirling, laughing couples and dancing feet sway to the gay music of The Cavaliers , and the evening is an obvious success from beginning to end. September 6, 1939 — At last we have known that wonderful elatement of walking up the stairs of this high school as proud and triumphant Seniors. We cannot help but look pat- ronizingly down upon that small, insignificant, and disorganized assemblage, that is the incoming Sophomore class. We cannot help but realize, also, how snobbish we thought the seniors when we first entered the sacred portals of Norwood High. September 27 — We are determined to reach beyond the fairest predictions of success, and have once again marked a cross beside the candidates for Class Officers, with the following results: a reelection of David Maitland for President, making him the first person in the school ' s entire history to serve in that capacity for three successive years; Vice-President, Arthur Allen; Secretary, a reelection again, this time Dorothy Berk- land; Boys ' Treasurer, Richard Tucker; Girls ' Treasurer, Agnes Bernier — still another reelection — she also attains the honor of holding an office for three years; and A. A. Council Representative, Jean Callahan. 18