Shelton High School - Argus Yearbook (Shelton, CT)

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Class History Prologue: The Class of 1943-the fourth class of its kind in almost fifty years. We have the unique distinction, if you please, of being the fourth class to graduate from the Shelton High School during wartime in almost half a century. Being the product of a country at war, we have a feeling of kin- ship to that other great graduating class of this warring nation-the United States Army. We have, therefore, taken the liberty of comparing our four years of study at this institution to the life of an American soldier from his induction into the army until he receives the stripes of a sergeant. September l, 1939-Nazi Blitzkreig into Poland! A week later an official notice appeared to the effect that all candidates for Camp Shelton should appear for induction on September seventh. When we were all accounted for on that first big day, we were ushered into the large auditorium. The meeting was presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Karl K. Tarbell. commander of the camp. He assigned us to our barracks known as home rooms. Then started our long period of studying and training that would eventually make us First Class Privates, or Sophomores. There were many fields of service and each trainee signed for the course that in the next four years at camp would bring him to his goal. Some, not very many, wanted to enter the Offi- cers' Training School, or college, when graduated: so they took the College Course that required long hours of studying. Others wished to become engi- neers and they embarked on the course that included mathematics, a very necessary subject in determining how to build a bridge that will permit a thirty-two ton tank to cross it. A larger group were more interested in the financial and commercial fields and their needs were provided for in the Commercial Course that would eventually make them Technical Corporals and Sergeants in the Bookkeeping and Paymasters' Department. Others took a more general course to train them for the field units. To lead us through this initial year of our training, George Fette was made Acting Corporal. There were numerous assemblies during the year, but the two most important were: the pep assembly before the Thanksgiving Day game in which Captain Eddie Finn, coach of the football team, gave a stirring talk, as did also the co-captains of the team: and a Christmas assembly in which we heard from the verse choir, the Glee Club and the Dramatics Club. Being only yard- birds in This Man's Army , we weren't allowed to participate in football or track events, but we sent a fine array of cagers for the basketball team. We also had an equally large group representing us on the baseball team. On May twenty-first some of the musical members of Camp Shelton put on a music festival. It was under the able supervision of Lieutenant Hames of the W.A.A.C.s and Captain DeMarco, one of our instructors. On Iune seventh we helped the U.S.O. put on the first dance we were permitted to attend. It was a big party with plenty of games, food and dancing. One popular club of our first year at camp was the handicraft club. There were eighteen U.S.O. members in it. They made mittens, dresses, scarfs, handkerchief edges: and learned to crochet. Virginia Pisacane was President: Norma Goad was Vice-President: and the Treasurer was Louise Bennati. And so ended our first year in the Army. With our basic training completed, it was on the nineteenth of Iune that we all were advanced to the rank of First Class Pri- 24

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Honor Students Christine Agnes Smith, Albert Joseph Walcek Valedictorian Salutatorian Barbara Mary Perry Elizabeth Eloise Zaskalicky Virginia Lee Peterson Herman Michael Pastore William Edward Stone 23

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vate. Then Lieutenant Colonel Tarbell announced that we would have a long summer furlough with orders to report back for duty in September. September 1940 found us back at camp ready to take up our duties as First Class Privates. As we fell in for assembly on the first morning, it was plain to see how happy and proud everyone was of his first stripe dis- played on his sleeve. But these were soon forgotten as we started the regular grind: studying and drilling: drilling and studying. It was now a little different. We could look down on the lowly buck private and speak up to the hard boiled Sergeant with the false courage that always accom- panies the first stripe. Well, once again George Fette was Acting Corporal to lead us through the year. His assistants were Louise Kane, Barbara Perry and Iohn Davey. We were summoned many times this year by the bugle call of General Assembly to the large auditorium to hear different guest speakers and sometimes to see short plays put on by the men who had dramatic ability. This year we were qualified to send members to the Camp football team. The following First Class Privates took up the sport: Peck, Page, Hosko, Balko, Romano, Baker, Wells, Boyko, Kassheimer, Teevan, Stevens, Tarbell, Garbien, Fette and Turovetz. And on the basketball team were: Weimann, Stevens, Turovetz, Fette, Tarbell, Garbien, Boyko, Ogle, Comcowich and Baker. Comcowichstarred in the Derby game that year. In baseball, Turovetz, Fette, Smarz, Tarbell and Comcowich went out for the team. Ogle, Lesko, Kassheimer, Stone, Romano, Spoerl, and Nagy were on the track team. The U.S.O., with the help of a full company of camouflage experts, gave a Valentine Dance on February 14. Evidence of Sir Cupid's presence was shown by the huge red valentines which were hung all around the auditorium. Duke Coffey played for this gala occasion. Our men did more than just take part in sports and give dances. There were some on the newspaper staff, in the Mathematics Club, the Dramatics Club, and the Boys' Glee Club. On Iune nineteenth we were assembled and told that we were to be pro- moted again. Another advancement! It seemed too good to be true! We were corporals: two stripes-non-coms7 people to be feared and obeyed! We had anywhere from eight to sixteen men under us-men that would have to jump when we spoke, obey our commands to the letter. Then on top of it all we received another summer furlough. Would gifts never cease! In September 1941, we started our training as Corporals which brought corresponding duties and responsibilities. George Fette was chosen Com- manding Officer for the third time, and the officers under his command were Iack Davey, Barbara Perry and Angeline DeMarco. Our maneuvers included both scholastic and social life. Of the scholastic activities Oral Expression Class brings back more happy memories than any of the other classes-the plays, the speeches, and the all-round good time that was offered with that course. One day Captain DeMarco straightened his desk which had been on a slight angle. A pupil who noticed this asked, Don't you like to sit on an angle? Captain DeMarco replied, I'd much rather sit on a chair. Foot- ball was another of our field maneuvers that was not slighted in our training as Corporals. On November 19, 1941, we had our Thanksgiving Rally at which Captain Glendon was Master of Ceremonies. The next day we won a victory of 27-O over Derby. Romano, of our class, was a solid chunk of granite in the center of the line. Boyko, also a Corporal, was one of Shelton's 25