Smith Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hatfield, MA)

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PRO MERITO This year, the Smith Academy chapter of the Pro Merito Society has increased in membership immensely, largely due to the fact that sophomores are, at present, eligible for Pro Merito rating. Thus, there are three groups, the senior, junior, and sophomore Pro Merito. The senior group consists of Frederick Belden, Jane Dugal, Anne Faszcza, Judith Ryan and Carl Wendoloski. The junior members include: Pa- tricia Novak, Joan Kalentek, Robert Kowalski and Rita Vollinger. The sophomore members are: Phyllis Baceski, Jean Klocko, Stephanie Majeski, Helen Pitchko, Michael Raffa, Jane Romanowski, Joan Romanowski, Charles Sadoski and Lorraine Woloss. A ' l students are required to have an over-all average of eighty-five or better to be eligible for membership. Tho Smith Academy Chapter is a member of the Massachusetts Pro Merito Society, which holds an annual meeting in the spring and regional meetings in the fall in vari- ous schools. This year no regional meeting was held, but the members of the Smith Academy Pro Merito Society are eagerly looking forward to attending the state con- vention which is to be held this spring.

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STUDENT COUNCIL The Student Council met earlier in the year and elected the following officers: Stanley Cybulski, president; Judy Ryan, vice-president; and Pauline Backiel, secre- tary-treasurer. The other members who made up the Council were Sylvia Raffa, sen- ior; William Wilkes, junior; Charles Sadoski, sophomore; and Robert Betsold, fresh- man. Several meetings were held and different subjects were brought up. Among the first was the problem of a senior homeroom. The beginning of the year found the seniors sharing the sophomore room. Much disappointment arose because of this. As a result, it was finally brought up before the Student Council, and with the approval of Mr. Jakobek, the seniors were given their own homeroom. Noisy classrooms and crowded corridors were also mentioned. Through the authorization of Mr. Jakobek, all teachers were asked to calm their classrooms and the students were warned that two minutes was ample time to get to class. A penalty for offenders was stressed. This system proved to be very effective. At another meeting, Junior Prize Speaking awards were discussed. The Council members decided that every speaker should be given a prize. First prizes consist- ing of six dollars were to be presented to a girl and boy winner; four dollars as third prize to both a girl and boy winner, and a prize of two dollars to each of the remain- ing speakers. This proved to be very satisfactory as each speaker received something for his effort given to this project. , All in all, the Student Council has taken up most of the important problems in Smith Academy, and was most ably advised by Mr. Jakobek.

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