Ravena Coeymans Selkirk High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Ravena, NY)

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CLASS HISTORY HE HISTORY or THE CLASS or 1940 is so dramatic and colorful that it resembles a play-one of those modern plays that so skillfully disregard all the rules of the drama. With your kind permission, I, as dramatic critic of Ravena High School, will review the play called The Class of 1940 in an absolutely unbiased manner. T The curtain opens for the first act on the scene of the organization of the Freshman class, with the following officers: Carmen Sgroi, President, Ellen Phillips, Vice-President, Dorothy Halsted, Secretary, Henry Blenis, Tresaurerg and Wetona Jackson, Class Reporter, As the play continues, Freshmen are interested in new exercises called basketball, baseball and football and manage to attain a high degree of prowess in each. They suffer much agony and despair during this period of the play because of the social functions which they are required to attend in order to acquire poise and dignity. Act II shows the same cast in prominent parts, but they are now known as Sophomores, owing to an advance in rank. There are pleasant affairs in the form of dances, plays, and sports. In this act the mem- bers of the cast seem to have achieved a charm, an ease of manner, and a feeling of security that were noticeably lacking in Act I. Incipient love affairs are noticed and the costumes are very elaborate, as is the make-up used. The officers that were elected are as follows: Henry Blenis, President, Howard Westervelt, Vice-President, Dorothy Halsted, Secretary, John Tompkins, Treasurer, Wetona Jackson, Reporter. After eight weeks' intermission, the curtain is drawn for Act III. The actors are so changed that this act seems like an entirely new play. They are now called Juniors. Their positions and their pride have both advanced, but there remains the haunting dread of study, the villian. Many delightful interludes make this a cheerful actg namely, the Harvest Hop, the Junior Prom, and the Apple Blossom Ball, at which the two prominent cast mem- bers, Melvin Hotaling and Dorothy Halsted, appeared in a royal ceremony and were crowned King and Queen of Ravena High School. Carmen Albano, john Tompkins, Tony Scalzo and Kenneth Storr were members of the effective ballet presented at a Balloon Dance in this act. The final act is warmly received because, by this time, the actors are so matured, so at ease, so changed for the better, that they are difiieult to recognize as the shy, awkward, frightened persons of the Freshman class. The action is more rapid and more complicated than in preceeding acts. There is more comedy than before and there are some new interpolations. It is an act filled with money-making activities, such as the merchandising drive, selling popsicles and soda, the magazine drive, benefit movies, a bake sale and the Senior play, West End High. The merchandising drive and Senior play were the two outstanding activities. As in act III the organization of the Senior class was noteworthy with the following cast: Henry Blenis, President, Howard Westervelt, Vice-President, Dorothy Halsted, Secretary, john Tompkins, Treasurer, Wetona Jackson, Class Reporter. The grand climax of this act was the Washington and Virginia tour during Easter vacation. Throughout the play numerous minor actors helped to knit the action together. Many of these parts, taken by faculty members, exercised considerable influence in bringing about the changes already mentioned-such as the gradual conversion of a group of gawky, semi- ignorant children into intelligent, school citizens. In the opinion of this critic, it will be a long time before another play of such greatness will be presented in the theatre of Ravena High School, but I am also of the opinion that this group will be seen and heard from in the future. Carmen S groi Page

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Page lil Left to right: Dorothy Halsted, Howard Westervelt, Henry Blenis, John Tompkins SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS HENRY BLENIS .,....... ....... P resident HOWARD WESTERVELT .... .... V ice-President Donomv HALSTED. . . ..... Secretary JOHN TOMPKINS .... ..... T reasurer

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is 5 i 1 sigh: CARMEN ALBANO ' Albie Likes: Bowlegs Dislikes: Snobs He turned and he varied full ten times a day Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 45 Varsity Club 3, 45 Dramatics Club 45 Senior Play 45 Attendant 35 Band 1, 2, 3, 45 Prize Speaking 3, 45 Orchestra 1, 2, 3, 45 Cheer Leader 25 Scarlet Tanager 1, 25 Basketball 1, 2, 3, 45 Football 2, 3, 45 Track 35 Class Prophet 45 Student Council 45 jazz Orchestra 2, 3, 4. ESTHER BENN Skeezix Likes.' VVindow shopping Dislikes: Washing dishes 1 mind my compass and my way Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 45 Library Club 2, 3, 45 Class Executive Committee 45 Activities Editor, Cap and Gown 45 Scarlet Tanager 15 Arts and Crafts 35 Archery 1. HENRY W. BLENIS Hank Likes.' Excitement Dislikes: Getting-up early Ever let the fancy roam Pleasure never is at home. Varsity Club 45 Senior Play 45 International Relations Club 3, 45 Class President 2, 3, 45 Class Treasurer 15 Prize Speaking Contestant 35 Scarlet Tanager 35 Football 3, 45 Bowling 3, 45 Student Council 2, 35 Pres. 45 Rifle Club 15 Sportsman's Club 1. SHIRLEY CARL Likes: Song Faithful Forever Dislikes: Getting-up early Even a single hair casts a shadow Glee Club 45 Senior Play 45 Attendant 35 Class Executive Committee 45 Prize Speaking Contestant 45 Moving-Up Day Speaker 1, 45 Chairman, Strawberry Shindig 25 Chairman, Junior Prom 3. ELLEN ANN CARNIBUCCI Chic O Likes: Sports and dancing Dislikes: Spinach As merry as the day is long A Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 45 Library Club 45 Dramatics Club 3, 45 Arts and Crafts 35 Archery 1, 2.