Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

Page 28 text:

- CLASS HISTORY . YOU ARE THERE Time-September 5, 1945 Place-Plainfield High School Scene-a milling throng-112 strong-has just invaded the erstwhile silent halls of this famed institution of learning. The of- fice doors open wide and Miss Armstrong advances to disperse this suddenly subdued band to Rooms 3, 4, and 5. Within a few days, the whole bewilder- ing business of being a freshman becomes increasingly simple, and the daily pat- tern of this life for the next four years emerges. The first memorable event of the year is the half-awaited, half-feared Freshman In- itiation. Of course, the bruises have now faded, but the memory of this Initiation Day will linger long. After being subjected to the dire humiliation of bowing low in the presence of upper-classmen, of toting tons and tons of their books, of being made to look as unattractive as possible to the op- posite sex, the lordly Seniors have climaxed this fateful day with the Freshmenis first high school dance. Now, as duly accepted members of Plain- field High School, they are ready to in- augurate class activities, the first of which is the election of class officers. On the ap- pointed day the auditorium walls resound with the clatter of the assembled group, who soon quiet to the voices of Miss Goy- ette and Miss Mathews, the class advisors. Although the first class meeting is char- acterized by the usual lack of parliamen- tary procedure, a wise choice of class of- ficers is made resulting in the election of Edmond Seney, as president, Beatrice Beausoleil, as vice-president, Harry Phil- ips, as secretary and James King, as treas- urer. The fine spirit of cooperation, charact- eristic of this class, is first displayed at the Freshman Frolic on May 3rd, which prom- ises a most enjoyable evening to everyone who attends. Summer months are upon us and I ask you to travel hastily over these vacation days with me and in September again meet these important personages. As Sophomores, with the stigma of lowly Freshmen a thing of the past, the ninety- seven members of the class of 49 again pursue the path of knowledge. This year, befitting their advanced status, they con- duct a more formal class meeting, at which they elect the following: Edmond Seney, re- tained as President, Charles Brodeur, vice- presidentg Patricia Burton, secretary and Gilbert Dailey, treasurer. Mr. Eichner, a newcomer to Plainfield High, is chosen to replace Miss Mathews, who has resigned. The year, on the whole, passes unevent- fully, but come Spring, plans begin to bur- geon for the annual class social. So, we find ourselves once more in the auditor- ium. But what a different atmosphere per- vades on this evening of May 9, for, in the soft glow of the bridge lamps placed about the room may be seen the couples swaying to the rhythmic strains of the Melody Makersf' At last intermission arrives, and the artistic abilities of our talented Soph- omores are displayed. Will time ever erase the memory of this colossal production- the appreciation of which is undoubtedly enhanced by the stimulating punch, freely imbibed by all. fThe cornerstone of the class's wealth is hereby firmly establishedj Once more time marches on and the hap- py, carefree, vacation days quickly speed by. September 1947, the crowded corridors resound anew with the tread of many busy feet, carrying the poised and confident Juniors who are a far cry from the bewild- ered Freshmen of two short years ago. There is much to be done this year and class elections are quickly disposed of. The class president is Edmond Seney again- surprised? the rest of the class isn't. The sarne pattern is observed as in the previous elections, for although the boys are in the minority, through some quirk of electoral caprice, they obtain a majority of the of- fices, Frederick Dorr is the vice-president, Patricia Burton is the secretary and Wil- liam Congdon is treasurer. The histrionic talents of this versatile class is successfully displayed on October 7, when the heart-rending drama The Valiant is presented. The audience is moved in turn to laughter and then to tears by the real- -261

Page 27 text:

- CLASS SUPERLATIVES - Best looking Cutest N eatest Best dressed Wittiest Most ambitious Most studious Class shiek Best personality Most athletic Best actress and actor Most likely to succeed Most dependable Most respected Best dancer Most original Most musical Most sensible Most cheerful Best Mixer Chatterbox Most popular Best sport Class man and woman hater Biggest eater Class pessimist Class optimist Most bashful Biggest flirt Most Innocent Lady and gentleman Ideal Plainfieldite Class Romeo and Juliet GIRL Patricia Burton Patricia Coffey Mary Lasnier Cynthia Bessette Fernande Bouthillier Emily Lathrop Emily Lathrop Fernande Bouthillier Margaret McGee Fernande Bouthillier Emily Lathrop Cynthia Bessette Pauline Marchesseault Alice Harton Fernande Bouthillier Emily Lathrop Emily Lathrop Alice Harton Fernande Bouthillier Fernande Bouthillier Fernande Bouthillier Fernande Bouthillier Ruth Gallup Lucille Tetreault Mary Butler Mildred Ihloff Mary Butler Lucille J ette Fernande Bouthillier Bernice Miller 125.- BOY William Congdon David Osiper Edmond Seney Edmond Seney Richard Rossi Edmond Seney Paul Salois Edmond Seney Edmond Seney David Osiper Richard Rossi Edmond Seney George Osiper Edmond Seney Edmond Seney Richard Rossi Howard Curry George Osiper Richard Rossi Richard Rossi Richard Rossi Edmond Seney William Bellavance Louis Arsenault Alfred Cilcius Robert Gulino Richard Rossi Paul Salois Alfred Cilcius Louis Arseneault Edmond Seney Edmond Seney Henry Fillmore

Page 29 text:

istic performances given by Edmond Seney as the sadistic wardeng Richard Rossi as the hardened criminal, Omer Gaudreau as the kindly priest, Robert Brodeur in the role of the jailerg Louis Arsenault as the attend- ant, with Fernande Bouthillier enacting the part of the pitiable heroine. With the play a thing of the past, plans are immediately underway for the Junior Prom. The date, the orchestra, the decora- tions, the refreshments all are subjects of long deliberation and careful planning. For a week beforehand, the auditorium is a scene of bee-hive activity, since the decora- tions are elaborate and it takes many busy hands to achieve the gala effect of a winter wonderland. At last the long anticipated hour is at hand and the question arises- will there be a prom? For the gods are a- gainst us-the icy roads and the heavy falling snow discourage many a lass and lad. But the elements seem to relent and only one hour after the appointed time the strains of Brennan and Quinn's orchestra invitingly beckon to the eagerly-awaiting Juniors. Of course, it seems like the best ever-a dance which will be a pleasant rem- iniscence in years to come. Recognition of leadership qualities comes to a member of the class when Fernande Bouthillier is selected by her fellow stu- dents to represent the school at Laurel Girls' State. No one is surprised when Fred- dy receives the even greater honor of rep- resenting the State at Girls' Nation in Washington. With the expressed aim of supplementing class funds, many plans are considered and it is finally decided to sponsor something original. Away with formal attire and elab- orate decorations! The theme selected is a rural one. A Calico Hopv. Will wonders never cease-permission is actually granted to hold the affair on Saturday night! The scarecrows, bales of hay, wagon wheels and gaily-painted cider jugs all help to impart a typical count-ry scene-a suitable back- ground for the crowd of dungreed-clad boys and cotton-frocked girls. P. S. It is a great financial success. The third summer comes and goes. Sen- iors at long last! Proudly down the hall strides the class of 49 . Election time rolls around again, a rather noisy session, in this instance, but the class affirms its apprecia- tion of Edmond Seney's sterling qualities by choosing him for the fourth consecutive year to lead them. His helper-s this year are William Congdon, Frederick Dorr and Pauline Marchesseault. According to time-honored tradition, the Seniors test the mettle of the green Fresh- men. After being submitted to the custom- ary indignities of initiation, the newcomers are rewarded for their good sportsmanship with a dance in the evening sponsored by the Seniors. Honors are reaped by two members of this class-Cynthia Bessette, for having sub- mitted the best essay on How Democracy Works in the Elks Contest, and Phyllis Marchesseault for having been chosen as D. A. R. Pilgrim for the Town of Plainfield. It goes without saying that much time and effort has been expended throughout the entire year by the diligent Hermiad Board in the publishing of their yearbook. Next on the agenda of this swiftly-passing year is the Senior Class Play Love Troubles Tommy by Jean Provence. The cast in- cludes: Edmond Seney, Richard Rossi, Rob- ert Brodeur, Howard Curry, Alfred Cilcius, David Osiper, Fernande Bouthillier, Cyn- thia Bessette, Pauline Martel, Patricia Bur- ton, Alice Harton and Lucille Jette. The Seniors uphold their repute as seasoned per- formers by giving another creditable drama- tization. June 3rd is already here-time for the Senior Ball. In accordance with the gradua- tion season, the Seniors have chosen School Days as the theme, carried out in the Class colors of royal blue and gold. Brennan- Quinns' orchestra provides the musical background for this last school dance of the Class of 49 . Commencement week with its manifold activities-Class Night and Alumni Night, being two of the most outstanding-is cli- maxed by the solemnity of the graduation ceremony. On June 22, the members of the Class of 1949, with mingled emotions, take leave of their Alma Mater bearing in mind their motto- As youth is, so is tomorrow . And so, with many a word spoken in jest, I close this presentation of the record of events which have transpired during these last four years. Narrator-LUCILLE J E'1'I'E -271