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

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A goal ... an aspiration ... a smile ... a shared sadness ... a spark of the knowledge through which we can begin to understand ourselves ... a chance . . . For years we have received, through the efforts of others, those things that compose our minds, our futures, and our identities. We now take on the task of returning those experiences: we must neatly compact the many years into a tiny expression of words — to be wrapped with images and tied together by memories — and modestly presented as recompense for everything . . . Thank You

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sill .. - ■: • ' .

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In Memoriam ARA KARAKASHlAN 1915-1978 During the years 1976 and ' 77 Reading witnessed the loss of three of its most active, productive, and excellent citizens, Walter Hawkes, David Castine, and Bill O ' Keefe. Some of us talked about bad times for Reading High, but I expect that few realized more was to come. News of Ara A. Karakashian ' s death on January 20, 1978, left everyone who was acquainted with him, in addition to a great many others, somewhat stunned — not grieved, at first, but stunned. Mr. Karakashian vacated a position that looked impossible to replace with one other man alone. His influence and the benefits of his experience and competence were immediately missed in many unexpected places, as well as in his common duties at school. His friends were dismayed, and perhaps even a bit angry, that he had gone at a time when his warmth and integrity were so much in need. But Ara would have scolded me already for having wasted so much time on these very words; therfore, I wish to end briefly. It is only necessary that Ara be remembered and that his honesty and love will affect our own actions. There is really only one great regret at his loss — that more people did not come to know and appreciate him in his time.