Pittsfield High School - Yearbook (Pittsfield, MA)

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At this time a very heated argument in the Debating Club kindled the spark of student self government in the school. There followed articles on the subject in both The Student's Pen and the local paper. Needless to say, the leaders of this idea are to be found in our ranks. As yet, however, student government has not passed beyond the consideration stage. During the winter of 1958 and 1939 two clubs were formed which have since been exceedingly popular and active. To further their knowledge and enjoyment of the king of hobbies , several of our number turned to the Stamp Club. Stu- dents with an interest in all phases of radio technique were invited to join the Radio Guild. Besides the organization of these clubs, two other very noteworthy events took place. One was the voluntary construction of a good hockey rink by boys interested in the sport. This was at once hailed as a laudable achievement and a remarkable credit to our school spirit. The other event was a contest spon- sored by the school in search of an Alma Mater Song. Over five hundred students entered the contest and submitted praiseworthy contributions. The job ofthe music department and the teachers chosen to judge the winners was far from easy. Although the winner, chosen after much deliberation, was a senior, the two entries next in line were composed by members of our class. For several weeks previous to the well-remembered evening of May 20, 1939, it would have been difficult to convince a casual observer that we were not prepar- ing for Baby Day but for thejunior Prom. As we had dedicated that gala occa- sion to the child-like sophomores, dolls, doll carriages, kiddy cars, and other toys were the theme of our Prom decorations. When the evening finally came, the affair was certainly a credit to all the Prom committees. The evening was not only successful, it was refreshingly unique and picturesque. The reaction of the sophs? They were thrilled when they feasted their eyes on the numerous toys. And perhaps even more interesting than the toys were the cleverly designed posters depicting many well-known nursery rhymes! The Prom represented our class's greatest effort and crowning achievement in its junior year. It practically ushered us into the twelfth grade. And did we take advantage of our ascendency when we returned to school! We were no longer mere students, now we were seniors, and we demanded fof the other students onlyj that we be treated like the nobility of which we fancied ourselves members. The novelty was shortlived, however, and once again we resumed our studies in earnest. Our class activities began to function more normally. Almost unanimously we re-elected our class officers, various committees were chosen, and the ponderous wheels of the biggest event of our senior year slowly began to turn. ,.i...-1...-.-i-.. Our senior year was crowded with noteworthy events, and at least one of them is quite interesting in that it brought the European War and its effect upon world trade much closer to us than we might have anticipated. The company from which we bought our rings encountered considerable difficulty when it found that the blockade of Germany had efficiently closed the ports of that country, whence came the stones for our rings. The company was forced to turn to the very 80

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History of the Class of 1940 N irretrievable loss was suffered by the junior high schools of Pittsfield one beautiful day in june, 193 7, for it was at that time that the Class of '40 moved toward its new home, the million-dollar high school. But it was not until a marvelous ten-week vacation was succeeded by a delightfully cool, invigorating September that that memorable class of brilliant students, with radiance beaming from their faces, with chests swelled to the limit, with shoulders straightened - and with quaking hearts - marched up the wide staircase and entered the portals of Pittsfield High School. Immediately there was a tragic, amazing transforma- tion. The former lords of the junior high school succumbed to the trembling in their hearts. just a number of meek, insignificant sophies huddled together in that large auditorium, awaiting their instructions. With watering mouths the hungry juniors and seniors had looked forward to this day. This was their day, and they immediately took advantage of their supposed superiority. They scoffed at the very apparent bewilderment of the newcomers. And when the trusting youngsters who made up the sophomore class asked the upperclassmen for directions, you can well imagine what happened. However, as the noble juniors and wise seniors gradually came to realize and appreciate the abilities of our illustrious class - for, incredible as it may seem, this is a portrayal of our class - the scoffing and teasing ceased. With notice- able sighs of relief we settled down to enjoy the many opportunities that the school offered. Our activities were diversified indeed. Several of our classmates found room for themselves in the many athletic projects open to them. Others of us flocked to the Debating and Glee Clubs, the staff of The Student's Pen , and the newly organized Motion Picture Club. No matter what our individual talents, we found that there were clubs and activities for everyone. Time passed quickly, so quickly, indeed, that it was not long before the budding of trees and the twittering of birds heralded the coming of spring. Spring fever was upon us, and rare was the sophie who could shake off the inertia that benumhed his senses as the spring term slipped away. Thus, almost without the sophs' realizing it, the days ofjune, 1938, became history. Suddenly it dawned upon us that no longer would we be associated with the lowly worm - not at all - now we would be the monarchs of all we surveyed fexcept seniorsj. Elevated to dignified rank, the following autumn we returned to P. H. S. as juniors. Our most pressing and serious task was carried out when we elected class officers. john Grady was elected president. Robert Wood became first vice-president, Delores Dondi, second vice-president, Barbara Myers, secretary, and Mary Ann Carnevale, treasurer. At the same time, Mr. james A. Conroy was chosen class adviser. Soon after the election of officers we agreed upon monthly dues of twenty-five cents. No doubt it was our eagerness to cooperate which prompted us all Csome of us, anywayl to pay those dues regularly. 79

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limited supply of stones which existed in this country. For a time, it appeared as though the concern would be unable to fulfill its orders: fortunately, however, the supply in this country was adequate. And again, with a wary glance at Europe where ism's were all the rage this year, it was not surpris-ing to find that our class was definitely in style, sporting an ism -Foochism. In the fall a certain group of seniors introduced Foochism into our daily life. The Foochist Party origin- ated in an aspiring history class, where it stood for absolutely nothing-and made a great fuss accomplishing just that. In the meantime, under the very capable direction of our musical supervisor, Mr. F. Carl Gorman, the tryouts for The Mikado leads and the choruses were being held. As the wheels picked up momentum, the production rapidly took form. By the end ofjanuary all was in readiness for the first public performance. About one thousand people entered the auditorium that first evening, expecting to see an amateur performance. To their surprise, from the very first chords intro- ducing the Gentlemen ofjapan to the jubilance of the closing bars, the audience sat spellbound. The colorful costumes and stage setting, plus a first class per- formance that was rated as comparable to professional productions, drew a capacity audience the following evening. Public testimony and newspaper write- ups were both very generous with praise. Our operetta was a startling success. It will certainly be classed among the most successful of all productions ever staged by a Pittsfield High School class. Our banquet, no doubt, will be just as successful as was the operetta. Follow- ing the banquet comes the most thrilling, the most momentous day of our twelve years of schooling - Graduation Day. For many of us that day will signify our first strides toward meeting life's inescapable challenge. Eventually we shall all have to meet it. We must be victorious! We shall not fail! 81