Smith Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hatfield, MA)

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SMITH ACADEMY 21 Thespians WHO WOULDN ' T BE CRAZY? In the Memorial Town Hall, on November 5, the Thespians presented their annual play, a three-act farce called Who Wouldn ' t Be Crazy? The play, with action taking place in the court- yard of a sanitarium, was centered around the complications in the life of Speedy Marshall, played with great versatility by Roger Wen- doloski. The role of Mr. Marshall, president of the board of directors, and also Speedy ' s father, was played by Bernard Saydlowski, whose per- formance showed dignity and a sense of humor. Most of the humor was provided by Edward Betsold, who delighted the audience with his portrayal of Pluribus, the colored boy known as general utility man. He was assisted in his comedy lines by Dorothy Goodwin, as Pendie, the colored maid. The scenes with Pluribus and Pendie proved to be the highlights of the evening. Patricia Mullins and Joyce Cantwell, cast as head nurse and superintendent of the sanitarium, played their parts with authority and provided balance in some of the hilarious scenes. Cast as the eccentric Inmate No. 1, revealed eventually as the villain, Walter Moskowicz gave a colorful performance. As his accomplice ' Ann Kennedy, in the role of Inmate No. 2, gave a clever impersonation in a fluttery rattle- brained manner. Katherine O ' Neal, as Lois Meredith, the girl in Speedy ' s life, gave a charming performance, and Phyllfe Kochan, Dorothea Fortsch, and Janet Vollinger impersonated young friends of Lois with enthusiasm and gaiety. Donald Jand- zinski, in the role of Reggie, an admirer of Lois, also contributed many comedy lines. Virginia Yarrows showed skill in her performance as the wistful young heiress, Evelyn Winslow, and John Barrett gave a good performance as Ed- ward Gordon, Evelyn ' s long-lost fiance. As Hardboiled McCafferty, the cop, Francis Godin gave a splendid portrayal, with the comic and the serious well-balanced in each scene in which he appeared. Prompting was done by Carole Howard, Bar- bara Ryan, Carol Levitre, Mary Belden, Helen Backiel and Eleanor Vollinger. The play, directed by Miss Ryan, was for the benefit of the Senior Class, whose advisor, Mrs. Florence Muller, had charge of finances. Music was presented between acts under the direction of Miss Boyle, music supervisor. Programs were typed and mimeographed in the commercial department under the direction of Mrs. Pruzyn- ski.

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20 PURPLE AND WHITE ECHO Student Council Seated: Robert Widelo, Virginia Yarrows, James Smith. Standing: Patricia Mullins, Bernard Saydlowski, Roger Wendoloski, Mrs. Spakowski. On September 22, the newly elected Student Council members met to elect officers. Bern ard Saydlowski was elected president; Chester Fos- ter, vice president; and Roger Wendoloski, secre- tary-treasurer. The other members were Patricia Mullins, Virginia Yarrows, Robert Widelo, and James Smith. Mrs. Spakowski was the Student Council advisor for the year. On September 27, a Council-sponsored maga- zine campaign was started. In the campaign which was a financial success, the students repre- sented both the Curtis and the Crowell-Collier Publishing Company. Several meetings were held to decide what would be done with the money obtained from the magazine campaign. It was finally decided to give a Christmas Party for S. A. students and faculty. After much hard work with prepara- tions, the Council held the party on December 22. It turned out to be a social success. The main feature of the affair was a talent show followed by refreshments, carol singing, and the appear- ance of the traditional Santa Claus with gifts. On April 1, the Student Council presented to the student body the motion picture, The Sullivans, which was apparently enjoyed by all. During the year, the Council helped to run several other projects, one of which was the dances after the basketball games. Another project was the Good Government Day elections which were held on January 14. The annual Prize Speaking Contest on May 10 was again sponsored by this worthy organization. The last Council venture of the year was the Smith Academy June Jubilee, a semiformal dance held in the Memorial Town Hall on June 10. This colorful combination prom and alumni homecoming was well-attended, and proved to be as great a success as all the other projects sponsored by the Council this year.

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22 PURPLE AND WHITE ECHO Pro Merito Barbara Ryan, Mary Belden, and Bernard Saydlowski, accompanied by Miss Ryan and Mr. Jakobek, attended the annual ball conven- tion held at Northampton High School, Satur- day, October 16. They were greeted by Miss Beatrice Litchfield, Pro Merito advisor of the i ( rthampton group. Following registration, the visiting students were taken on a tour of the building. During this time a meeting of principals and advisors was held at which plans were discussed to aid Pro Merito students to get together for talking over problems and exchanging ideas. Joan MacRae of Northampton High School presided over the general business meeting of student delegates. All business was taken care of and then there was an open forum on problems, such as Pro Merito activities in the school, special privileges for honor students, and a state-wide induction ceremony. After luncheon a program featuring the light comedy, The Romancers, by Edward Rostord was presented by members of the North ampton chapter. Another interesting performer on the program was Joan Houston, chanteuse, playing her own guitar accompaniments. Dick Tracy, another ' Hamp student, and Francis Pratt, an alumnus of N. H. S., gave clever impersonations of Jimmy Durante, Ted Lewis, Candy Kanden, and Red Ingal with the assistance of fine record- ings. This program brought to a close a very successful and enjoyable convention.