Orange High School - Key Yearbook (Orange, MA)

Page 7 text:

THE ORANGE PEALS, JUNE, NINETEEN THIRTY-TWO that we should be led to the Baccalaureate services by Francis Lavley and that he should carry a baton from which should hang streamers of old rose and silver ribbons. At these exercises we were urged to take a short rest and then come back to try the second flight. The people told us that it would be a mu chharder climb than the first had been but that we would surely be satisfied once we had reached our second landing. We all decided in favor of trying our luck on this harder climb although we feared that not every one would make the grade. This time we chose for our leaders Malcolm Hall, Ramona Ford, Stanley Ceponis and Elinor Stone. The first stairs of this flight were very much like the last few on the flight before but it wasn't long before they began to get more difficult. There were a few stairs that were hard to get over. On one we had the question put before us of Whether or not we should have an organization that would rule the groups as a whole, for there were groups of people trudging along, ahead and in back of us. Our particular group thought that this organization would be a wise thing and therefore we voted for it. In the end the organization was formed. This was called the Student Council and was made up of the entire student body. Another hard step that confronted us was that of choosing a much more experi- enced person than any of our group as adviser. For our adviser we chose a Mr. Littlefield who was at the head of the History Department in Orange High School. We had to make careful choice for we were obliged to keep the same advis- er the rest of our journey. This second fiight didn't tax us as much as the first one had. We had be- come hardened to the fight, thus making the going easier. We reached the landing in good time very happy that we had been able to get so far. This time we rested a long while. The time before we were prett.y much excited and wanted to be on our way but we had learned our lesson and would have taken advantage of a longer rest period but for some of the more energetic people who urged us on. The third stage was even longer than either of the other two. Knowing this we started at a moderate pace and kept it up most of the way. For our four officers this time we elected Stanley Ceponis as president with Alyce Iram as his assistant. Corinne Wheeler kept the record of our journey while Bradley Frye took care of the money that was taken in. This fiight wasn't so hard. We took it more casually than we had the others. During this climb we gave and went to many social affairs. It always happened that when we sponsored a good time it turned out to be a financial success. All this success gave some one the bright idea of going to Washington, D. C. for a week. This would give the people a change besides giving them a vacation. I guess the originator of the idea thought it would be a good time to mention it as we had quite a bit of money in our treasury. This question was brought up at many of our meetings but it wasn't until the next year that we decided not to go. Instead of spending money in Wash- ington it was decided to buy a window cur- tain for the auditorium in Orange High School. Other groups also gave curtains to beautify the same auditorium. I believe everyone enjoyed this climb much more than he had the other two for each seemed to have more confidence in himself. Also, because all knew how to enjoy the opportunities received much more than before. Everyone certainly had the spirit of the journey this year. FIVE

Page 6 text:

l Glass Day President? Address It is my privilege, as president of the Class of '32, to bid you a cordial welcome to our Class Day Exercises. We, the Class of '32 are reaching the end of four years of work and real happi- ness. We thank our parents who have sacri- ficed to give to us during this time of depression the best they could possibly afford, the faculty who have worked with constant care during our preparation, making our road brighter and our loads lighter as we are fitted for the futureg also our friends who have provided this new high school for us, stood back of us, help- ing us in every way when needed. It is with regret that we depart from O. H. S. Some of us will be stepping into higher institutions, others directly into life's work, but we shall never forget what has been done for us. Once more, we, the Class of '32, extend to you a most sincere welcome. Stanley Ceponis, '32 History of the Class of 1932 One sunny morning about eight o'c1ock I was riding along a country road. Just as I turned a certain bend I noticed a group of people ahead of me. I think there were about eighty-five in all. They seemed to be having a good time so I stopped, and, watching them for a few moments, I noticed that their pace didn't alter much and that they walked as if they were anxious to reach a certain destination. I sat still and waited while they went on their way. They had rounded another roun ' bend when I decided to follow. They kept along this road for about a mile and then turned off into a field. My curiosity was well aroused by this time. I finally caught up with the stragglers and asked them what it was all about. One told me that they were going to climb a hill, which I could see in the distance. I didn't see much to that idea for the hill didn't look very high or hard to climb. And then another told me that they wanted to climb to the top of the tower that could be seen above the trees. I decided to become a member of the group for I had become as excited as the others. After a short climb we reached the foot of the tower. We went inside and learned that there were four very long, dark, narrow flights of stairs. The keeper of the tower suggested that we have a number of guides to lead us. Our first step was to elect leaders for the first part of our journey. After due consideration Ernest Peterson, Ramona Ford, Malcolm Hall and Elinor Stone were chosen. We soon settled down to a steady climb, our major difficulties being scholastic duties. We didn't find the going so very hard until we reached the last few stairs and then a great many people began to drop out. During this phase of the journey every- one was trying to help the other one out. Each spoke words of encouragement, patted others on the back and said, Oh! come on kid, just two or three more and then we'll be there. I think everyone was very much pleased with himself to think he had at last reached the top of the first flight of stairs. The most important experience we had during this part of our journey came as a result of an invitation to attend Bacca- laureate. At a class meeting we decided e ---1 4

Page 8 text:

THE ORANGE PEALS, JUNE, NINETEEN THIRTY-TWO When we had reached the third land- ing we were tested in many different fields of work. Some excelled in studies, thus gaining the privilege of being a Pro Merito member. Others excelled on the athletic field and still others on the stage. At each landing there was an elevator waiting to give anyone who desired, a ride to the bottom. On all the landings there were at least two who thought the ride would be much better than climbing the next fiight. At the end of the third climb we re- ceived another long resting period. I guess everyone felt the same as I did for I certainly appreciated it. We were asked to the Baccalaureate service as before and as before we were marshaled in by Francis Lavley who carried the same baton. At these services we were encouraged to attempt the fourth and final flight of stairs. Of course, we wanted two see what was at the top. Any- way, it would have been foolish not to have gone the whole way. This climb proved to be even harder, but still, it was just loads of fun. All the way up there were funny things happening that took our minds from the climb, thus making it much easier. Often a group of people got together and gave a little play. One time we gave a three-act drama from which we made rather a large sum of money. This helped to enlarge the amount of money in our treasury. We felt pretty good over the success of this play. We were about half way up when on looking up to the top we could see large rays of light piercing their way through the darkness towards us. 'It helped us gain new courage, for the way was very hard and rough- in that place. These rays seemed to give us a helping hand, for everything began to fall on us all at once. It wasn't long before we were so near the top that we could look down and see almost to the end of those rays. What a SIX short time ago it was that we were wishing we were above that light. It didn't take us long to get to the very last steps for everybody was excited to know what was up there. We had just attained. the last stair when the sunset was refiected upon us. It changed every- thing to the color of the pink rose. The next day saw us actually at the top of the four hardest flights of stairs I had ever had to climb in my life. The view was astounding. We were able to see for miles and miles. Looking towards the east we were able to see a college with a beautiful campus surround- ing it. A little bit to the south was a hospital looking snug and quiet tucked in among the trees. In the west was a State Teacher's College, formerly a Normal School. This looked small but we learned later that it was one of the leading Teacher Training Schools in the country. Looking towards the north we saw many office buildings reaching up into the sky. In the top of one there was a school for secre- tarial students. On what road have we prepared our- selves for another hard climb upward? What road of the future shall we choose? What says that guide board there? To-day decides to-morrow! Jeannette W aters Address to Undergraduates Undergraduates: It is my privilege as a representative of the class of nineteen hundred and thirty-two to address you. This is the proudest event of our lives to be here in this auditorium before you, underclassmen. For the past four years we have enjoyed the facilities of this new, modern high school. Now the time has come for you to take over the responsibil- ities which we leave you.