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

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The Pioneer 19 40 Tom Connelly Tom, more intimately known as “The Rabbi”, has been president of Hi-Y and a member of Student Council and the Service Squad. We can well un¬ derstand why he was given a post on the first floor. We also understand that Tom has recently bought a new car (it is a car, isn’t it?) and was surprised to find the gas tank much larger than he had anticipated. More than once, Tom and a certain red¬ headed fellow have been seen tenderly pushing this vehicle toward an un¬ known destination. Tom wants to be a successful financier; it ought to be easy—he dresses and looks the part right now. William Connelly Of course, this is our football cap¬ tain, “Speed”. He was always one of the hardest players on the squad and one of the best when it came to sports¬ manship. “Speed’s” injury during the football season made him one of the few of us ever to have a dance held in his honor. He has been a faithful member of the Student Activities Committee and the A Capella Choir. Speed” is taking the Civics and Busi¬ ness Course, but hasn’t decided what he will do next year. However, this summer he will go to C. M. T. C. at Fort McKinley. “Speed’s” ambition is to make good, and we know he will. Kathryn Conron Kathryn is that quiet young lady whose uncanny way with poetry has had Miss Devaney’s first period Eng¬ lish class wondering whether she would surpass Browning or Milton. Kath¬ ryn, who also answers to the appela- tion of “Spiffy”, plans to trudge the boards of Ye Olde Highe Schoole again next year before departing for Wheaton. “Spiffy” confesses that her greatest thrill (Att. Mr. Spencer) was translating the “Aenied”; that her most boring times were at assem¬ blies on jobs. She has belonged to the “T. N. T. Club” and has played basketball for three years. Marcit Courossi “Meg”, with the classic features and copper-colored hair, aspires to be a model, or to work in a department store. She’s expert at ping-pong, has been on the basketball squad, and en¬ joys tennis and bicycle riding. Her favorite spot is beside a radio, but she emits an “Oh, phooey!” when there is too much advertising on a good pro¬ gram. She likes boys that are tall, dark, and not too handsome, and good dancers that are not conceited. Does that describe the one and only, “Marg” ? Barbara Currie “Strip Tease” Currie she was called in those days! (Honest, “Barb”, it was just to see you blush!) She’s a member of Junior Woman’s Club and goes for anything in the line of sports. She’s been on almost every R. H. S. team, from field hockey to bowling. Cdby Junior College is waiting for “Dynamite” at the end of this year, and after college, she intends to be a big-time buyer. She loves assemblies that run over time and hates boys who debate in history. Another pet aver¬ sion is remembering dates, and off¬ hand, we’d say she’d rather dance than eat. Betty Dalton Remember “Bets”, that flirtatious }roung lady with the long lashes and flashing smile? She’s a member of Junior Woman’s Club and is secretary of the one and only “Clique”. Lately, although her hobby is dates, her inter¬ est seems seriously concentrated. This summer Betty plans to mix work and play, and next year she’s going to Westbrook Junior College to prepare for life as a designer or as a model. Here she’s especially enjoyed dances, most of which she’s helped run ! Stanley Davis “Stan”, better known to friends as “Red”, is the leading exponent of the “Jazznocracy Club.” He claims that he’d rather be in the company of his “sax” than anyone else. (Appearances are deceiving; at least, we’re sure that his favorite hangout is Walnut Street!) “Stan” hasn’t any particular ambition as yet, but he dreams of becoming a success in the musical world. We un¬ derstand that your ideal is Jimmy Dor¬ sey, “Red”, and that you want to be just like him. Well, remember your old school friends when you’re passing out autographs! Lorraine Day Lorraine will never be forgotten as Milly-Lou, the brat in the Senior play. “Rainy” enjoys her school work, es¬ pecially chemistry, but could get along without homework. Glee Club certain¬ ly will miss her! This summer she is going to recuperate from the hard task of keeping up with life. The majority is always right, so when “they say” that Lorraine’s hair grows redder every day, it must be so. Don ' t worry Lor¬ raine, most great people have red hair. (Editor’s note: Now which member of our write-up staff could have written this ?) Eight

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19 40 The Pioneer Gregg Brewer Gregg came back after an absence of eight years to rejoin our class and liv¬ en up our history periods. Where would Mr. Dixon be if it weren’t for Gregg’s helpful and timely remarks? He is a member of Hi-Y and the “Pio¬ neer” staff and is interested in pho¬ tography and the South Sea Islands. He adores tomatoes and can’t stand people who recite in low voices. (Speak up, girls!) Next year he’s going to bowdoin, where he’ll pursue his fav¬ orite sports, skiing and swimming. If Gregg ever gets to England, they’ll make him poet laureate; he can toss off a ditty in no time at all, at all. George Bridges Well—at last we have found a lad who claims that wo men don’t faze him — much He hasn’t the time, any¬ way, for the opposite sex (that’s what he claims) as he is preparing to be¬ come a doctor. George’s desire is to be just like his father; you certainly can’t go wrong with an ideal like that, His favorite pastime would be driving if there weren’t any women drivers (and he doesn’t like the girl who in¬ sists on narrating her latest escapades at places like the Ritz Roof, either). George is going to spend some time at his camp this summer, before start¬ ing to work at the Shawsheen Mills, prior to prep school and then college. Some future, “Doc”! Kathleen Browne Wherever you see “Katie”, you see Bette, her pal and confidante. Natur¬ ally, “Katie” has a soft spot in her heart for Kimball’s “Dude Ranch”, since it’s a great place for having fun, and who doesn’t like a lot of fun? She’s gone out for the swimming, bas¬ ketball and tennis teams and has pur¬ sued the Secretarial Course. Much credit is hers for the splendid work she did on the Ticket Committee for “June Mad”. Franklin Bryant One of the muskiest of “The Three Musketeers” is “Frankie”. (We don’t know what “muskiest” means, either, but if it fits “Frankie” it must have something to do with being happy-go- lucky). Even when he hounded those of us in Room 1 for class dues, he kept that cheerful disposition. As a member of Hi-Y and Student Council. “Frankie” had a finger on the pulse of all social affairs. His ambition is to own a car of his own. (We think self¬ protection may have something to do with it). He heartily endorses Gracie Allen for President. Here’s hoping he gets as big a kick out of life when he’s ninety as he does now. Gilbert Camp If you want any electrical appliance repaired, just get in touch with “Gilly”. He knows electricity from A. to Z. As the electrician, he made good behind the scenes at the Senior Play. “Gilly” works hard at his Scientific Course, but finds time to be faithful to Hi-Y and on the go as business manager of the “Pioneer” and president of the Young- People’s Society at his church. He cannot abide the 25 and 30 m.p.h. speed laws in many towns. “Gilly” will re¬ turn for a P. G. next year, but his goal is to become a second Thomas Edison. The wizard was a busy man, but then so is “Gilly”. Barbara Cleveland “Becky” is a member of our famous A Capella choir, a Rainbow girl, and a member of the Junior Woman’s Club. She has pursued the Classical Course, although she preferred lunch period s, chemistry, and the choir. “Becky” is averse to “men in general”, except, of course, Don Ameche, who is her ideal. Her ambition is to be a singer. (We think she is one now.) She will attempt to realize her ambition by en¬ trance to a conservatory of music. We’ll be front row center, “Becky”, when you make your debut. Betty Coan Here’s a girl who likes to enjoy her¬ self. When we say that dancing is her hobby, we’re putting it mildly. Betty belongs to the Junior Woman’s Club and Rainbow, and has recently been an officer in the latter. Carole Lom¬ bard seems to her to have achieved near perfection (could that be because of Clark Gable?). Since wind is Bet¬ ty’s pet peeve, we wonder what she did on the night of September 21, 1938. Betty has had the good fortune of doing office work during the summer, and she plans more work or prep school next year. Mr. Businessman, here comes another secretary. Evelyn Comey Evelyn is the cheerful little miss who makes up a big third of “The Melody Gems”, both singing and play¬ ing the piano. She has had a speak¬ ing part in various assembles and has been a soloist in the A Capella Choir. She definitely plans to make music her life. If she doesn’t broadcast, then she’ll be Music Supervisor in a high school. “Evie” has enjoyed R. H. S., its Glee Club, and its dances—so much that she plans to take a P. G. in preparation for B. U. Conservatory of M usic. Seven

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John Dissel We’re used to seeing “Long John” wielding one of “Charley’s” brooms af¬ ter 2:30 or flinging newspapers in the general direction of doorsteps as he cavorts around town on his trusty bi¬ cycle when most of us are just getting out of bed. Yes, John, we can un¬ derstand why your chief hobby is “sleeping”; we wonder how you ever find time for the other ones: swim¬ ming, bowling and skating. “Diddle” has one wish to make that the rest of us echo; he hopes the world won’t be too hard on the Class of 1940. Bernard Doucette If you see the members of the Cross Country Team rolling on the ground with laughter, you will know “Bernie” is cracking a joke. He is one of those fellows who are always working; he has a paper route in the winter time and is a cook in the summer months. If you rave over the fried clams at Sailor Tom’s, you can hand the credit to our own “Bernie”. He does enjoy good times when they come his way, especially if some fair lady is around to help him do so. He is going to continue study along the engineering line next year at night school while he holds down some lucrative position or other in the daytime. Harold Doucette Harold’s prime ambition is to see the world. We’d say there are certain spots on this globe that he’ll have to skip right now. Before he embarks on his world cruise, we can probably find our friend at the Recreation Hall. Harold’s favorite subject is book-keep¬ ing. Many of us are surprised at that choice, but “Hal’s” a hardy gent. Don’t forget to send us a post card from China and to keep away from Hitler! Christine Ellis “Christine” to people who don’t know her, but “Tina” to her friends! “Tina’s” been trucking on down the corridors of R. H. S. for these three years. Her only particular idea about the future is that she would like to sing with an orchestra. So far, she’s been training in Glee Club. She would like to have everyone know that jitterbugs are not crazy, and she claims that Paul Whiteman agrees with her on this point. Well, everyone to his own opinions, “Tina”. Theo is a girl who wants to be a lawyer. To this end, she w r ill go to Pembroke College next year and then to law school. Law may seem a strange profession for a girl, but we wish her as much success as Portia had. Theo has been active in sports, being on the hockey and bowling teams, but her favorite sport, believe it or not, is football. My, what mas¬ culine tendencies! All kinds of best wishes, Theo! Erdine Farwell Listen — do you hear that soulful moo-o-o-o? It’s “Dean” calling to her friends in the Maine pasture. “Dean” may giggle a little in Latin IV, hut she usually knows the answers—especially the meaning of “remugio”. She holds the office of corresponding secretary in the Junior Woman’s Club, is a high officer in Rainbow, and has slaved for the “Pioneer” as staff secretary. She has two ambitions: to get her driver’s license and to be an English teacher. She plans to attend Boston University next year, but will spend the summer near that certain alluring pasture. Dean’s” pet peeve is being reminded that a chicken is not a mammal. Helen Foster During her three years in R. H. S. Helen has been one of our most en¬ thusiastic secretarial students. Next year she will further prepare herself for work in this field by attending a business school. The summer months, however, will find her enjoying a va¬ cation in New Hampshire, where her ambition is to someday own a farm of her own. Helen’s pet peeve is hearing “No School” come over the radio for what seems like every town but Read¬ ing. A farmer’s life a bustling one, Helen, for a girl who confesses that her favorite hangout is “bed”. Betsy Foxcroft Betsy is a friendly person who al¬ ways seems to be busy with something (or someone). When it comes to Ger¬ man, she is just about tops. We don’t see how you do it, “Foxy”! “Bets” has been a member of the Girls’ Bas¬ ketball Team, the “Pioneer” board (she garnered more ads for this issue than the magazine has ever had be¬ fore!), the Senior Carnival Commit¬ tee, and the back-stage crew of our play, “June Mad”. (Betsy put the boys to shame, we hear, nailing the set in place.) We’ll wager she has had few dull moments this year—or any other year.