Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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The Pioneer Nineteen thirty-eight To round out the events of the year the High School on June 15th and 16th is putting on an historical play to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. A distinguished cast, picked from all three classes, under the capable direc¬ tion of Miss Devaney and Mr. Dixon is rehearsing in¬ dustriously almost every night after school. From what we hear the play is going to be splendid, so let’s all turn out and pack the house. Just now the seniors, recalling the old saying that the school days are the happiest period of one’s life, are making the most of the few now remaining to them. We are really mournful about our coming departure, but knowing the Junior and Sophomore classes, we have no fears for the future of Reading High School. Malcolm McGann 38 Sophomore Commentary Two hundred and two strong, the Sophomores have swung merrily but busily along through their first year in high school. In the spring of 1938 capable class officers were chosen: Jeanette Davis, president; Alice Goodwin, vice president; Richard Fellows, treasurer; and Barbara Gonnam, secretary. Although the class as a whole was inactive, as usual, during its first year, it was represented individually by a number of contribut¬ ing Sophomores in sports, public speaking, dramatics, music, and the Pioneer. Our only formally sponsored activity was the spring dance, which was a surprisingly great success. The dance was held on May 6 in the Senior High School Hall and was attended by ninety merry couples. The decorations were carried out in the spring fashion with mainly huge apple blossoms and other paper flowers in pastel colors. The decoration committee believed that their flowers were appreciated, for there wasn’t one left to pick up the following day. Ted Roderique and his orchestra from Lynn kept the feet of the dancers going until eleven forty-five when everyone reluctantly, we think, left for home. Punch, ice cream, and cake were served in the lunchroom during intermission. Our pat¬ rons and patronesses were Mrs. Wendall Dav is, Mrs. Horace Fellows, Miss Helene Ernst and Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald. From the class officers many thanks go to Miss Simon, our class advisor, whose advice and co-operation succeeded in getting the class on its feet this year. We also thank her for her kind interest and help in plan¬ ning and carrying out the Sophomore Hop. To the various teachers of the Sophomore Class, we wish to extend our thanks for a most pleasant and profitable year. Barbara Gonnam ’40 Junior Year This year, as is the general rule, the Junior Class functioned mostly on the social side. Under the follow¬ ing class officers, Jimmy Heselton, president; Dick Knud- son, vice president; Bette Merrill, secretary; and Mar¬ jorie Crosby, treasurer, arrangements were made for the annual Junior Prom. Held before the Xmas vaca¬ tion in the High School Hall, and amidst original decora¬ tions in the usual Xmas colors of red and green, the Prom was a great success—socially and financially. Ned Marshall and his Colony Club Orchestra, known to most Readingit es, provided excellent and continuous dance music, not to forget spectacular entertainment during in¬ termission. Our patronesses were Mrs. Heselton, Mrs. Knudson, Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Connelly, and Miss Simon. Without the co-operation of various committees and the chairman-—-Jimmy Heselton, orchestra; Bette Merrill, decorations; Polly Stembridge, refreshments, and a most successful ticket committee presided over by Ruth Pol- litz, the Prom would not have been up to the usual high class standards. It has been rumored that the class of 39 has the reputation of putting on the best dances; we are confi¬ dent that this year’s Junior-Senior Reception will stamp out these rumors, and establish them as a basic fact! We are trying to bring Ned Marshall back to play for us, as popular demand is great. Thanks to an increased treasury we are sure of the success of the reception, and know that the nautical decorations, already in pro¬ gress, plus the possibility of a return engagement by Ned Marshall, will make the old hall shine on the eve of June the sixth. As a class we wish to express our thanks to Mr. Hal- pin, our class advisor, to the faculty, and to all those who have made this year one to be remembered by the faculty and students alike. Bette Merrill ’39 Hi-Y Under the capable advisory leadership of Mr. Pope, Newell Morton, and Clarence Gay, Hi-Y closes its sixth year at Reading High. The officers, Orville Poland, presi¬ dent; John Sawyer, vice-president; Robert Gray, secre¬ tary; John Colley, treasurer have led the members through an interesting and instructive group of meetings. Mr. Dixon started the season of excellent programs with a lecture upon American leadership. Ed. Kevorkian, outstanding in football as a member of the “iron men at Brown, spoke at “Football Night,’ and at a following meeting Mr. Orville Poland led a discussion on liberty. The succeeding talks in December were based on foreign countries; Mr. Bishop spoke concerning Guatemala with pictures and native costumes as illustrations; Mr. Bur¬ ton, recently returned from China after six years there, T wenty-five

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The second half year has proved even more “chock full” of work and activities than the fall term. Our as¬ semblies have been particularly numerous, especially th ose dealing with educational subjects and good enter¬ tainment. In fact, we owe a debt of thanks to Mr. Suss- mann and the various school organiza tions for their un¬ tiring efforts along this line. To head the list of some of our outstanding assem¬ blies we had two excellent plays, “The Red Dress” and “The Beau of Bath,” produced by Mrs. Wiens ' advanced public speaking class the last day before the Christmas holidays. The actors did a fine piece of work reflecting credit both on themselves and their most capable coach. January 7, 1938 This day’s assembly was one of most unusual inter¬ est, for we received a visit from an “old grad” of R. H. S., Ronald Mansfield, who is now a popular radio singer. Mr. Mansfield ' s songs included “Rosalie,” “Sweet is the Word for You. “Rose Marie,” and several others, all of which made a great hit with the student body. Also on the program were several of our own stars from the Girls ' Glee Club; namely, Vivian Hook, Evelyn Comey, Alma Mansfield, and Virginia Perkins, accompanied by Marjory Jewett, Dorothy Harrow, and Ronald Mans¬ field. Last but not least was Dan Barrett with his “bull fiddle.” January 14, 1938 That Community Fund Drive is certainly a worthy enterprise, which deserves all kinds of support. The moving picture shown here fully confirmed this opinion by illustrating the various kinds of relief work carried on by this organization which eases so much of the suf¬ fering experienced by the needy and unemployed. February 14, 1938 We were extremely fortunate in having Mr. Cowles of the Army and Navy Y. M. C. A. speak to us on the present war in China. Mr. Cowles, who has recently been in China, gave us an intimate picture of the war- wrecked provinces, and expressed his opinion that the Lnited States would be involved sooner or later. February 18, 1938 I his year’s assembly commemorating Washington’s birthday was opened by Mr. Sussmann who spoke to us on the significance of the day. Next on the program was Doris Steele with an account of the life of Susan B. Anthony, the great woman social reformer who was the champion of woman suffrage. Natalie Kevin closed the program with some interesting and less-known points on Washington’s life. March 4, 1938 The New England Coke Company by means of mov¬ ing pictures demonstrated to us the many complicated steps in the manufacturing of coke. March 25, 1938 Mr. Willard of the Bentley School of Accounting was present at a general assembly to outline for us the advantages of accounting as a profession. The Girls’ Glee Club under the direction of Mr. Peck presented sev¬ eral selections among which were “The Moon and I” from “The Mikado sung by Vivian Hook, and “Three Little Maids from School, sung by Vivian Hook, Evelyn Comey, and Alma Mansfield. March 28, 1938 Business again, and this time it was moving pictures on the career of a private secretary and, again, the ad¬ vantages of accounting sponsored by The Fisher Business School. It seems as if this is the only career for wide¬ awake young people. March 30, 1938 More movies on the manufacture of Bird’s Eye Frosted Foods. Now we know all about that amazing new food process. April 14, 1938 Dean Morrison Smith of Bordentown Military Academy paid the school his usual annual visit with a fresh batch of jokes and a lot of good common sense. He impressed upon us the importance of being able to search out the value in anything really worthwhile, no matter how unattractive it might appear on the surface. April 25, 1938 Mr. Paul R. Elliot, who has shown us travel pic¬ tures during previous years, returned with movies on Japan and the Coronation pictures in technicolor. While the reel on Japan was interesting, the shots of the Coro¬ nation were, of course, the main feature. Mr. Elliot who was there in person with his camera obtained some excellent shots of the procession, the crowds, and som • fair close ups of the King and Queen. Tuenty-four

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The Pioneer Nineteen thirty-eight HI-Y First row: E. Batchelder, D. Miller, R. Pomeroy, J. Colley, O. Poland, J. Sawyer, R. Gray, N. Burbank, B. Howe, E- Oliver Second row: R. Hutchinson, A. Boyd, F. Davis, E. Chisholm, R. Stratton, C. Gilman, R. Lawler, J. Quinlan, W. Haselton, W. Hill, R. King Third row: R. Lyons, N. McKenzie, A. Beaman, C. Pinkham, R. Smith, K. Hicks, W. Richmond, H. Richmond, R. Childs, J. Haselton, W. Jaques. presented a very vivid word picture of conditions that exist in China and offered his views and predictions on the Sino-Japanese condition. Mr. Howard turned our minds to our own immediate vicinity with pictures of a very instructive nature on his trips back to nature in Maine and other surrounding nature wilds. Dr. Wake- ling spoke on the health which is necessary to perform the antics pictured in the films shown on “Ski Night. “College Night brought past members of Reading High hack to “alma mater” to present their college to pros¬ pective college students. Recently joining the National Hi-Y Fellowship gives Reading eligibility to send a candidate to Berea, Ken¬ tucky in June to a Hi-Y congress, which will bring mem¬ bers from 5,000 schools together. In 1938-1939 the officers will be Richard Stratton, president; James Haselton, vice-president; Carl Pink- ham, secretary; Frank Weeks, treasurer. Secretary — Robert Gray ’38 $— - $ IN APPRECIATION The editor and the senior members of the Pioneer Staff wish to express their appreciation to the members of the sophomore and junior classes who contributed so generously and ably to our literary number at Christmas. We are convinced that next year you will carry on the work of the Pioneer capably and effectively and that in so doing you will achieve greater glory in journalism for Reading High. More power and success to the Pioneer, its new editor-in-chief and its staff! Marjorie Morss ’38 - - - - - -- —■ — —— Twenty-six