Peabody Veterans Memorial High School - Meta Yearbook (Peabody, MA)

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OUR CLASS ADVISER The class of 1923 unanimously selected, as a class ad- viser, Mr. John W. Sullivan, head of the English Depart- ment. That the selection was one of wisdom was apparent to all when our new Class Adviser began to act. Mr. Sullivan came to us after a successful teaching ex- perience at Manchester, N. H. He prepared for college at St. John’s Preparatory School, and matriculated at Holy Cross College, from which institution he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1918. While at both of these institutions, he ranked high in his studies, was a member of the Concordia, Purple anil Year Book staffs, a member of the debating teams, and a baseball player of no mean ability. Upon receiving his degree, he immediately joined the service and received an intensive course under the guid- ance of Technology professors at the Massachusetts In- stitute of Technology Ground School for the training of executives and fliers in Naval Aviation. Following the completion of this course, he was designated for active flying service at Key West, Florida. Here, he remained as a pilot of heavier-than-air planes until the signing of the armistice in 1918. Coming to Peabody High School, in the fall of 1922, he systematized the English course, reorganized the school magazine, organized the debating society, arranged our first public debate, supervised the “Meta,” and exhibited marked ability as a teacher of English. Mr. Sullivan has toiled diligently for our advancement as a class and as individuals, and, while he has proved a stern, uncompromising taskmaster, he is equally well known as a true devoted friend. A capable adviser, we have always found him willing to assist us in our dif- ficulties, upon the sole condition that our purpose be worthy and that we do our share of the work. We will remember Mr. Sullivan, as a gentleman, a scholar, and a tireless worker whom it has been our privi- lege to meet, and with the recollection of our Senior year fresh in our minds and hearts, we express the conviction that Peabody High School is foiTunate in his presence, and the hope that he may remain an inspiration and a guide to future graduating classes, as he has been a faith- ful helpmate of the Class of Nineteen-hundred-and-twenty- three.

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OUR TEACHERS “The road may wind and climb — I upward leap; No path too stony and no heigfht too steep. My friend keeps pace with me; I hear his voice; I feel his faith; he makes my soul rejoice. All things have changed since shines that vision bright, Undimmed, unchanging — ‘On the road a light.’ ” Even though we may be far away, among new friends and pleasures, among our reveries of the past, the fore- most will be the memory of faithful understanding friends of our Alma Mater days, the teachers of Peabody High school. Though their task was difficult, it was they who gave us inspiration for the future through the valuable lessons which they taught us in the past. They have urged us and helped us in all our undertakings, and have ever been ready with a kind word of advice. May we al- ways remember, with deepest appreciation, the wonder- ful friendship and excellent service rendered to us by our friends, the teachers of Peabody High.

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META Page Eleven NELLIE E. ALDRICH. “My mind to me, a kingdom is.” Small in stature, large in accom- plishment, Nellie has ever been one of the bright sh ining stars of the con- stellation 1923. Her inimitable spirit has ever been an inspiration to her in her class work, as in other things, and graduation finds her in a well-deserved place among the honor students of the class. Possessed of a pleasing personality, she is in demand at social functions as an accomplished pianist and a singer of no mean ability. As a writer, she first came into prom- inence by her timely and well-written editorial, “Courtesy,” published in the columns of “The Observer.” We bid you “adieu,” and wish you success, secure in the confidence that your qualifications will enable you to at- tain the heights. NANCY S. BARNES. “True joy is serene and sober motion.” — Seneca. Nancy’s chief characteristics are poise and calm. Lending a diligent purpose to the accomplishment of her tasks, she has ever been successful in all her undertakings. Her popularity is secure in the possession of a win- ning smile and a whole-hearted spirit of co-operation. During her Senior year, she acted in an efficient manner as a member of the class executive committee and also as an associate editor of the “Meta.” Democratic in practice, an aristocrat in worth, we feel that the place which she has won for herself in the esteem of her class- mates is one which is truly merited by her unusual ability. Truly, Nancy is the embodiment of all that the class of 1923 holds worthy. MARGARET BATCHELDER. “Consistency, thou art a jewel.” Uniformly brilliant in class and companionable in her hours of leisure, Margaret has ever been an intimate part of the activities of the class of 1923. Her extreme youthfulness of spirit is best exemplified by the fact that, during her Senior year, she sus- tained an attack of the “whooping cough.” Despite the handicap of en- forced absence, Margaret managed to complete her course with high marks. As manager and guard on the Senior Girls’ Basketball team, she showed ability as an athlete, and her literary talent was displayed in the capacity of associate editor on the staffs of both “The Observer” and the “Meta.” We feel that we have not sufficiently ex- pressed ourselves, when we predict that she will be successful.