Smith Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hatfield, MA)

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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.

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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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SMITH ACADEMY 23 School Paper Seated: Patricia Mullins, Virginia Yarrows, Kay O ' Neal, Teresa Nartowicz, Barbara Ryan, Dorothea Fortsch, Joyce Cantwell, Carol Levitre, Ann Kennedy, Phyllis Kochan, Eleanor Vollinger Standing: Janet Vollinger, Mary Belden, Miss Ryan, Carole Howard, Phyllis Pelis, Helen Backiel, Bernard Saydlowski, Roger Wendoloski, Walter Moskowicz, Mrs. Pruzinski, Edward Betsold, John Barrett. Not in Picture : Chester Foster. In September all interested individuals who wished to serve on the Purple and White Echo staff met in the assembly. At this time the fol- lowing staff was appointed: editor-in-chief, Bernard Saydlowski; associate editor, Carole Howard; art editors, Edward Betsold and Dor- othea Fortsch; literary editors, Ann Kennedy and Joyce Cantwell; feature editors, Virginia Yarrows, Patricia Mullins, and Mary Belden; sports editor, Kay O ' Neal; reporters, Barbara Ryan, Roger Wendoloski, Janet Vollinger, Phyllis Kochan and Eleanor Vollinger; business managers, Walter Moskowicz and Carol Levitre; and typists Helen Backiel, Phyllis Pelis, John Barrett and Teresa Nartowicz. Mrs. Pruzynski and Miss Ryan were apnointed as staff advisors. This year several new sections have been added to the school paper. Among these are: a French page supplied by the French classes; Physical Education, contributed by Mr. Symancyk; Music covered by Ann Kennedy; and On the Rialto, an exchange column, written by Patricia Mullins. The Echo has become a much larger magazine, for there has been much more art work in our issues, as well as the additional sections. The majority of the staff attended the WMISP fall and winter conventions held at the Uni- versity of Massachusetts in Amherst and at Commerce High School in Springfield. The con- ventions proved to be entertaining as well as educational and were enjoyed by all the dele- gates. At the May 13 convention held at the Uni- versity of Massachusetts, Carol Levitre was elected corresponding secretary of the Western Mass. League of School Publications. At the same convention the Purple and White Echo won the cup awarded for general excellence in the non-letter press class. Let us hope that this cup remains within the walls of Smith Academy permanently.