Schuylerville Central School - Schuyler Yearbook (Schuylerville, NY)

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At this time our country was facing a critical paper shortage, and our school participated in a paper drive. Keen competition arose, and everyone excitedly watched the numbers grow until the fight remained between grade 8 and the Sopho- mors in room 15, under the direction of Miss Healy. Each pupil worked earnestly, and the day before the winner was to be announced all practically tore up their books to add a few extra pounds; we must admit that a few welcomed this as an excellent excuse for accomplishing a past dream. The winner was announced, and we lost by about 500 pounds which was definitely a blow to our 10th grade vanity. Soon June arrived, and we again “crammed” and pushed our way a little farther up the scale of knowledge until we could be called Juniors. September 1942 came with a rush of gay sunshine, and assigned to rooms 15 and 14 under the leadership of Miss Healy and Miss Duby respectively, we eagerly continued our studies in the third year of high school. The first great event of the season was the choosing and purchasing of our Junior rings. There was much con- troversy over the style to be chosen, but we finally agreed to have two different rings from which to choose. A great interval of eager waiting elapsed until the anticipated rings arrived, but when they finally came, we thought they were the best ever and still look at them with pride and joy. The school had decided to purchase a motion picture camera, and each class was asked to contribute its share. As a means of attaining our goal we undertook a Minstrel Show, both written and produced by the class. Much preparation was made for this event, and the da'e was set for March 17th. At the last moment an epidemic of colds grasped the cast, and the show had to be postponed until the fol- lowing week. Finally, the night arrived and we presented the minstrel. The audi- ence was great, and I imagine some are still wondering how we persuaded the black coloring to come off. Th;s event more than produced our quota for our contribu- tion and added a little more to our funds. The next plan we undertook wa? a Junior Prom with Richard Townley chair- man. We followed no definite plan for our decoration scheme but used flowers that were in season. The Stephen Gitto orchestra played; the dancers and the guests enjoyed a colorful and pleasant evening. Our class slowly dwindled this year, and it was at this time that we learned that we were going to lose one of our best friends, Miss Healy. It was then we realized that she had seen us through all our troubles as a class, and wc knew that she would always live in our memory as a grand teacher and friend. 1944 saw our class of 32 veiy nonchalantly enter room 15 as the present seniors of Schuylerville High School. We had reached our goal! Our final chapter of class history was to begin, and we immediately made a new friend in our adviser, Miss Sickler. George Canzeri soon left our class and joined the United States Navy. We regretted his going, but we all wished we had the chance. At present we are making plans for our greatly anticipated graduation day. We realize that very soon all of us will be going into the world, some to serve their country until we again have a full and permanent democracy, and yet others to begin a chosen vocation. However, we have the consolation that we are leaving behind four grand years of “S. H. S.” together, years which will remain as a guide to our future accomplishments as the Alumni of this fine school. 20 —Doris Bean ’44

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4 PART HARMONY On the morning of September 3rd, 1940, the sun cautiously guided 61 pupils who were making their way to S. H. S. to begin 4 years of high school training together. Everyone was equally frightened as each read his name on the bulletin board stating to which room he was to report, room 10 under the supervision of Miss Healy, or room 11 with Miss White. But soon all fears were forgotten as everyone made friends with the pupils and teachers alike and began his schedule as a Freshman of the class of 1944. The first few months sped by, and soon all were wishing for some activity in order to get together as a class. Many suggestions were made, but finally a sleigh ride was decided upon, and it was held with great success. Junior High Parties were also being enjoyed, which may be credited to the fact that as Fresh- men we felt we could scornfully look down upon the 7th and 8th graders. The Junior High Student Council plays were also a great topic of conversation at this time. Room 10 chose as its drama “Mother’s Day Off,’’ and room 11, “Elmer Cleans I. p.’ As the time drew near for the plays to be given, everyone became nervous and excited, but the night finally arrived, and all went well. At once a new problem arose. We had all been looking forward to a Senior trip, and money had to be made. Everyone racked his brain, and a dance in the form of a Freshman Frolic was chosen. This proved a tremendous success as a contri- bution to our slowly rising funds and an excellent source of enjoyment. Suddenly June was upon us, and the time was approaching for our Junior High graduation. There was a rush for new’ clothes, and we all held our breaths until the list was posted stating who had made the grade. The anticipated night arrived and proved very warm, but we all went aw?ay feeling vastly superior as we were now entering “Senior High.” We started our second year in high school with high ideals. After talking the many gayeties of the summer over, we became absorbed in our work with a new zeal. We had many new ideas to discuss at our home room meetings held in rooms 15 and 9 under the supervision of Miss Healy, Miss Mesnig and Mr. Yaple, and a round and square dance was suggested as a means both of raising more funds, and of having a good time. This idea was accepted immediately, and we began to plan for the cccasion. The orchestra having been chosen, we decided to hold the event soon. The anticipated frolic arrived and was attended largely by pupils and adults alike. To square dance was something new to most of us, but finally we grasped the general idea and it proved very enjoyable. The dance also added greatly to the treasury, and our hopes began to soar. The next idea that presented itself was a play entitled “A Bird’s Eye View of Mabel.” The cast fussed and fumed, and at the last minute our leading actor, Walter LaVoy, became ill, and a substitute had to be produced quickly. After a few days of suspense for the remaining cast, the stand-in, Douglas Bean, learned his lines and performed for the matinee, but soon our hero became well enough to lend his talents for the evening. 19

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MUSIC OF TOMORROW Tired after a day of general duty at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where I had been working hard on the case of a superannuated schoolteacher, I hurried home to set my mind on pleasanter matters and to take a good rest. 1 set my alarm clock and lazily crawled into bed. In the background, I could hear the sweet melody of that favorite song, “As Time Goes By ’ and presently I found myself listening to the famous opera singer, Doris Bean. She and Frank Swoonata held the top bill- ings. Doris’s singing brought about as many masculine grunts of approval, as they applauded her, as Frank’s brought feminine shrieks and sighs. I was so excited after hearing Doris that I rushed to her dressing room in hopes that we might reminisce about our high school days. She told me that Doug had profited through his participation in plays at high school and was now co- starring with Shirley Temple in a famous Hollywood production. I accepted an invitation to spend the night with Doris with the promise that the following day we would continue our recollections while touring the city. The next morning I was awakened early by a startling noise and was curious to know what it was. When Doris told me it was the milkman, Ronald Hunt, 1 asked the maid to have him wait. Ronald didn’t seem to mind this as the maid was just an unsophisticated person whom he would like to take back to the farm with him. In no time at all, I found myself asking numerous questions. Ronald said that he and Joe Biss owned a large dairy just outside of the city which supplied thousands of people with the necessary amount of milk. Joe was also very handy at repairing machinery and as a result had established a machinery clinic. Farmers from va- rious parts of the state patronized him, and the business proved very profitable. Ronald told me that Glen LaBarge had secured a patent for a new five piece orchestra. It consisted of five instruments centered about a piano. When the notes were played on the piano, the same notes were played on all the other instruments. Ii was a very complicated invention, the principles known only by Glen. We came to the conclusion that he obtained these elaborate ideas while dozing in history class. After Ronald left, I went with Doris to have her hair done. It was Doris’s first visit to this particular beauty salon, and one could imagine our surprise when we discovered it was owned and operated by Jacky Drew and Betty Brewer! Jacky, we discovered, was excellent at designing new hair styles while Betty’s manicuring ability proved to be superb. They said that they often dined with Muriel Germain and Caroline Pechette. Muriel was now a dress designer, well-known by many of the celebrities of New York. She often designed clothes for the various stage plays. Caroline, an interior decorator, planned decorative schemes for many prominent places. One of the most exciting incidents of her career was when she was asked to decorate a “swanky” night club. Upon her arrival there, Caroline discovered the proprietor to be none other than Steve Oslica! His place was very successful and was one of the main centers of attraction in the big Metropolis. By that time, Doris was ready to leave, and we said “goodbye” and hurried on. We soon approached a library, and immediately Doris had a desire to get a book. We were amazed at the thousands of books inside this huge building and didn't know quite which way to turn. Suddenly, we heard a soft voice, “What kind of a book would you like?” We turned quickly, and there before us, stood Dorothy Rus- sell. Doris completely forgot what she was after as we talked on and on, asking hundreds of questions. Dot told us how helpful her membership in the Library Club back at good old S. H. S. had been. “By the way,” she continued, “I hear that Wilma Phillips and Walter LaVoy are back there teaching. The first graders just adore Wilma for her patience and interest in them. Walt is conducting an art class which he always thought was an essential. He is teaching it in coordination with the study cf English as he always felt the necessity of dual work in classes.” Time passed quickly, and soon Doris and I found ourselves on the go again. As we walked down the Library steps, we met a familiar figure. We quickly decided