Roxbury Memorial High School for Girls - Laurel Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Glam Officers 'Ha WINONA MCCARTIIY HELEN WISEMAN Presideul Vim P7EY7tdClIf DOROTHY YLAMOS VERA FRANCIS Secrelary Treasurer ASS 944

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THE LAUREL Hlass Address VVinona McCarthy 144 It is indeed a pleasure for me, as President of the Class of 1944, to welcome you, our parents, teachers, and friends, to these our Class Day exercises. This is ajoyous occasion for the members of our class, a day which foreshadows the close of four most interesting years of scholastic endeavor. M It would be strange if we were unmindful on this occasion of those who have made it possible for us to take advantage of the opportunities which our public schools offer to children in a democracy. Most ofall we are indebted to our parents, who have guided and directed our efforts toward worthwhile objectives. In many cases they have made great sacrifices in order that we might enjoy the advantages of a high school education. VVe appreciate the splendid efforts of our teachers, who have been most kind and helpful. They have given generously of their time and sympathy to guide and direct us toward achievement. The ideas, ideals, and attitudes, which have been formed through our training, both at home and at school, will, I am sure, prove most valuable to us all in the future. VVe, the members of the present graduating class, unlike those who have been graduated before us, are confronted with the task of making our way in a war torn world. Not only are we faced with the problem of assisting in the all out war eH'ort on the home front, but we are, moreover, challenged by the need for effective action in rehabilitating those who are daily returning from our armed forces. We feel that the lessons we have learned here at Memorial have adequately prepared us to accomplish this great task. Finally, it is our hope that we may show our appreciation to our parents and teachers by proving worthy of the faith and trust which they have placed in us. O ol lo O

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THF LAUREL History of the Class of l944 PAST IMPERFECT I The Landing of the Pilgrims and the Period of Adjustntent. In the year nine- teen hundred and forty, a band of immigrants from- various sections of Boston landed at R. M. H. S. Timid, wide-eyed, and awe-struck, we wandered about this gigantic labyrinth, wearily trudging our way up the stairs and down the stairs in search of our respective rooms. The Search for 304. Vi here is 3o4? The cry was raised by groups of anguished freshmen scurrying to and fro on the third fioor corridors. Finally, armed with sur- veying instruments, compasses, maps, etc., we located the site of this elusive territory. No sooner did we master the plan of the school, than new burdens like gym lockers combination were added to our ever-increasing load. Quickly, however, the year sped by, and before we knew it, the first step toward graduation had been completed. II The Election of 1941. As sophomores, we began the year by electing for the first time a group who were to represent our classes in the student government: Merle Laviscount, preridenzg Yvonne Greene, vire presidentg Vivian Bolden, .recremryg Gertrude Yarchin, treasurer. These favorite daughters fiercely battled for the rights and wishes of their electors. In spite of our tireless efforts, the immobile faculty sternly refused us escalators, shortened school hours, the privilege of wearing slacks, and the combining of the forces of Boys' and Girls' Memorial. The Induction Day Ceremony. This 'ceremony which marks the ofiicial inaugu- ration of the elected oiiicers was particularly impressive in our sophomore year. We watched breathlessly as the members of the student government marched slowly down the aisles of the darkened auditorium to take their places on the stage which was lighted by a single candle, The Torch. December 7, 1941-Memorial Goes to War. After Pearl Harbor, Memorial quickly adapted itself to a war pace. Air raid drills were instituted, LH was converted to an air raid center, and plans were made to form a Victory Corps. VVar Bond and Stamp Drives were placed on a competitive basis, and the Class of ,44 rose to the emergency. Social Conditions. An abundance of talent in our class supplied our many parties with excellent entertainment. This was first exhibited at the Handbook Party and later at the Sophomore Class Party at which we were privileged to see for the first time, The Lamp VVent Out. Members of our internationally known Freshman-Sophomore Dramatic Club staged the elaborate and costly production of Wake up, Peter, WAKE UP, WAKE UP. A few carefully chosen amazons of this select group supplied the male characters of the smaller-statured Junior-Senior Club's dramatic endeavor Stage Door. Other members humbly but skillfully executed the menial tasks of stage pro- duction, such as arranging a chair, fluffing a pillow, and placing a photograph in some unobtrusive corner. - l36l