Pratt High School - Osage Yearbook (Essex, CT)

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CLASS HISTORY At long last we have reached our destination. Look- ing back now, I well remember those early days of our preparation and marvel at how well we have carried on. Our destination, ah yes, it cost us dearly, having lost fourteen members of our party at scattered points along the way and sometimes afraid more would become dis- couraged through the narrow mountain passes or burn- ing deserts andfall back to what they considered the easier life. But we who are now here are proud. We have proved beyond a doubt that the 49ers have sur- passed in courage, resourcefulness and deeds all previ- ous wagon trains taking this route. It hasn't, however, been all work and no play for us. Along the way we've stopped and staged dances which have attracted people from all over the countryside, our fame preceded us wherever we went land justly, tool. Perhaps the most miraculous happening in our age was the glimpse into the future of our party. But enough of this! It is my duty to give you our historical data at this time. We, the forty niners, in 1945 started our long tedious journey across the rugged terrain of time with four covered wagons containing forty persons and their paraphernalia. The kindly and ever-helpful Mrs. Mackimmie guided us through the first difficult stages of our trip, aiding us in our registration and mapping out the de- tails which we were to follow closely-or else. A seasoned group of pioneers decided upon an ap- propriate dress for the beginning of our travels. Natur- ally, we took their advice and wore fthe girlsb long skirts, high-heeled shoes, socks, straight hair with large red bows and no make-up, fthe boysb short pants, ladies' blouses, garters, baby bonnets, and both boys and girls carried dolls and signs which bore the vital statistics of the owners. While still decked out in these rigs, we decided to perform for our own amusement, land that of every- one around usj. One by one, we took our positions, staunch and dignified, and recited a four-line jingle which each one had composed. After one day, we found these get-ups to be too impractical, discarded them, and continued pressing eagerly forward to the end of the first milestone. We forty-niners believe strongly in democracy. Thus we elected our leaders in the democratic way and changed the personnel at every milestone. The leaders who guided us through all hardships with surprising ease were: first milestone, president, Hanford Johnson, vice-president, Charles Carnabucig secretary, jean Urbatig treasurer, Betty Ingrahamg second milestone, president, Sandy Mackimmieg vice- president, Robert Piantag secretary, Marguerite Ek, treasurer, Elsie Field, third milestone, president, Han- ford johnsong vice-president, Robert Piantag secretary, Marguerite Ekg treasurer, Eleanor Carlson, final mile- stone, president, Hanford johnson, vice-president, Tom Pratt, secretary, Marguerite Ek, treasurer, Eleanor Carlson. The ever-vigilant Mr. Oliver guided us through both our second and third milestone. Only for him, the forty-niners might have been involved in many fatal dangers. It was while plodding through '47-'48 that the mir- aculous prophecy which was favorable to all occurred. That year we presented two outstanding entertain- ments in the form of dances to replenish the supply of diminishing provisions. We staged a magnificent levee in honor of the preceding wagon train which we had managed to overtake. Never before had the great desert responded so vibrantly to the sounds of music and dancing. Time flew hastily by, and before we had finally man- aged to coax our mule into doing his share of the work, we found ourselves starting out on the last lap of our journey. Mr. Bateman, equipped with a mathematical mind, graciously accepted the extra task of navigator and helped us cross the Rockies to our promised land. This past year we've taken time out only twice for any real festivities, once at Christmas time when we gave another one of our famous dances, and our last celebration consisting of a banquet, a church service in our honor, the holding of an open house, for should we say wagonj for all well wishers and the greatest moment in our lifetime - the reaching of our destination. Only the sages know what the future has in store for us. Now let us all hope that they see through the use of picks, pans, and various other tools which we have picked up along the way, a great deposit of hidden gold unearthed for each and everyone of the forty- niners.

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CLASS OFFICERS HANFORD ALSTRlN JOHNSON WOW Class President 1, 3, 4, Glee Club l, 2, Track lL, 2L, 3L, 4I., Captain, Basket- ball 2, 3, 4, Soccer 1, 2, 3, 4L, Student Council 1, 3, 4, School Play 3: Dra- matics Club 4, Science Club 2, President, Osage 4, Forum 2, Dancing 1, 2, Chairman Junior Prom 3, Fall Dance 3, Christmas Dance 4. Don't let Hanfordk winsome smile and dark good looks deceive you. lf you ever tried to argue with him, you'll know you just can't win. During his four years at Pratt his able leadership of our class, his active participation in sports and his willingness to do any job have made him a very popular classmate. Best of luck, Hanford, in Colorado and the coal mines! THOMAS HARTWELL PRATT TOMMY Trafhc Squad 4, Dramatics Club 4, Soccer 2L, 3, 4L, Baseball 1L, 2L, 3L, 4L, Captain, Basketball 3, 4, Minstrel 2, 3, 4, Class Ofhcer, Vice-president 4, School Play 3, Osage Board 4. Tommy has certainly cheered up many a dull class for us with his witty remarks. He not only has a good sense of humor, but he also participates in many sports and does well in his studies. We all know Tommy will be a success. He has to be with his optimistic outlook on life. MARGUERITE EK BIRD Prattler 3, 4, Girls' Chorus I, 2, Clef Dwellers 3, 4, Class Secretary 2, 3, 4, Science Club 2, Dancing Club l 2, Osage 4 Forum Club l, 2, 3, 4, One-Act Play 2, Traffic Officer 3, 4, Dramatics l, 3, 4, Field Hockey 3I., Declamation 2, 4, Basketball 4, School Play l, 3, Minstrel 2, 3, 4. Whenever there is a task to be performed, a quiet, unobtrusive girl does it. Yes, Margie's willingness, cooperativeness, and patience will help her in her career as a teacher. She has participated in almost every activity at Pratt and has served faithfully on our dance committees. ELEANOR ANN CARLSON ELLlE Class Treasurer 3, 4, Girls' Chorus l, 2, Clef Dwellers 3, 4, Minstrel 2, 3 4, School Play l, 4, Prattlet 1, 2, 3, 4, Hockey l, 2, Editor-in-Chief of the Osage 4, Declamations 1, 2, 3, 4, Dramatics 1, 2, 3, 4, One-Act Play Contest 2, 3, Traffic Squad 2, 3, 4, Assistant Manager of Magazine Campaign 4. Ellie and her wonderful sense of humor have certainly brightened many hours for all of us. ln fact, whenever there's laughter in room l2, you are sure to find Ellie's wit re- sponsible for it. What is the Minstrel going to do without her clever impersonations of famous movie stars? What will happen to the Prattler's L. A. P. column without Ellie? Only the future holds the answers to these baffling questions. I3