Smith Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hatfield, MA)

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t Memories As we prepare to bid farewell to the halls of Smith Academy, to leave behind us the carefree, dependent stage of our lives, we reflect happily on what awaits us in the future. Yet, eager as we are to begin our new lives in the adult world, it is with heavy hearts that we depart from Smith Academy, a tiny school which has left a big im- pression on us. We have gained invaluable know- ledge and experience in our four years here, whichwe know will benefit us in our future lives. Now, standing on the brink of this future, rich memories of the life we are about to leave come before us. It was in September of 1958 that thirty -nine meek boys and girls first entered Smith Academy, eager to discover what awaited us in high school, yet apprehensive of the newness and strangeness of it. Under the guidance of Mrs.Spakowski, our faculty advisor, we held our first meeting and selected the following students to serve as class officers: President, William Celatka; Vice- President, Martin Wilkes; Secretar y, Robert Daniels; Treasurer, Constance Zack;and Student Council Representative, Mary Pat Rogaleski. During our Freshman year, we welcomed Ronnie Hebert, a transfer from Northampton, and Frances Barry who moved to Hatfield from Vermont. Sur- viving the worst ordeal of the freshman year, initiation, we became more confident, and in the spring, sponsored our first social event. This was a successful spring dance, aptly entitled Spring Frolic. A quaint garden with spring flowers stood in the center of the floor while garlands of the hall. The music for this event was provided by Ray Bouchard. As June and the end of the school year approached, we found ourselves looking forward to returning in the fall. The next year, as self-assured sophomores, we promptly elected the following officers to guide us through our second year in Smith Academy: President, Robert Petrick; Vice- President, Charles Symanski; Secretary, David Rudy; Treasurer, Clare Pickett, and Student Council representative, Mary Pat Rogaleski. One of our first acts as sophomores was to sponsor a Halloween dance with Ray Bouchard as disc jockey . Decorations consisted of a harvest scene complete with pumpkins, cornstalks, and autumn colored streamers. The highlight of our sopho- more year was the receipt of the traditional class rings which arrived in early February. During this year, the basketball team won the Hamp- shire League entitling them to compete in the Western Massachusetts Basketball Tournament held at Springfield College. They won this tour- nament and went on to represent Western Mas- sachusetts in the New Englands at the Boston Garden. Our class was well represented on this championship team with Martin Wilkes, Charles Symanski, and William Celatka. During the year, we lost one of our classmates, Frances Barry, who transferred to Frontier Regional High School. Adjourning for the summer , we anxiously awaited our first year as upperclassmen. In September, we again returned to Smith Academy, this time as upperclassmen. This year, we welcomed two new members to our class. Richie Kot, a transfer from Northampton High School, and Marie Madew ell from Spencer, Ten- nessee. The following students were selected of- ficers: President, Martin Wilkes; Vice-President, William Celatka; Treasurer, Charles Symanski; Secretary, Clare Pickett; and Student Council representatives, Mary Pat Rogaleski and Connie Zack. At the beginning of this year we sponsored the annual freshman initiation which took place at the end of September. During the middle of the year, we lost Robert Daniels, who transferred to Northampton High School. Again this year our basketball team won the Western Massachusetts Basketball Tournament and went on to the New Englands. Again our class was well represented with Martin Wilkes, Charles Symanski, William 24

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CONSTANCE ZACK ' Connie ' Northampton, College Course Yearbook 1,2,3,4; Student Council 3; School Paper 1,2,3,4; Glee Club 1,2,3,4; Pro Merito 1,2,3,4; Class Treasurer 1; School Play 4; Thespians 4; Girls ' Basketball 1; Creative Writing 4; Discussion Club 4; Science Fair 3; Washington Trip 4. Amherst Weekends -- Yankee fan -- Gore Avenue -- EDDIE -- Are you satisfied? --letters everyday -- stuck in the mud --class shorty --School Paper Editor -- Give me ti-me and I ' ll do it. -- the third member of the tri- angle -- the last Secret Pal -- budgets. Class Officers 23

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are made of this Celatka, and Richard Harubin. In the spring of our junior year, we had to face the ordeal of declamations. Ten students were chosen to speak at the town hall, with Clare Pickett and Charles Symanski emerging as victors. Our next project was the junior prom. After weeks of planning and much hard work, the magic event took place on Friday, June 2, with the orchestra of Don Tepper providing music for dancing. The prom was called Evening in Paris and the town hall was transformed into a Paris street scene com- plete with outdoor restaurants and the Eiffel Tower. Overhead were myriads of silver stars, and in the corner was a tiny wishing pond amidst rocks and flowers. The highlight of the Prom was the Grand March which was led by Martin Wilkes and directed by Mr.Symancyk.Mary PatRogale- ski was chosen to reign over the Prom while her attendants were: Clare Pickett, Barbara Yarrows, Maureen Molloy, and Carol Maslanka. A memo- rable evening was enjoyed by all who attended. Delegates to Girls ' State and Boys ' State, who were selected by the faculty were Mary Pat Rogaleski and Martin Wilkes. Leaving Smith Academy for our summer vacation, we assured each other that we would return in the fall filled with ambition to begin our final year. Then came our senior year, by far the most memorable. Selected to guide us through our last year were: President, Martin Wilkes; Vice- President, William Celatka; Treasurer, Robert Petrick; Secretary, Clare Pickett; and Student Council representatives, Mary Pat Rogaleski, Charles Symanski, and Donald Sikorski. Rose Ann Martino did not return for our final year as she transferred to Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Enfield, Connecticut. Early in the year, Marie Madewell left our school also. Our senior year was awhirl of activities, beginning with ahighly successful three -act comedy, Boarding House Reach which took place on November 10. Dur- ing this year, we also sponsored a campaign to elect a representative from Smith Academy to take part in the annual Good Government Day in Boston. After much avid campaigning, the stu- dents elected Martin Wilkes to represent them. Senior pictures were taken at the Arlene Studio in Northampton early in October. Our next social function was a successful record hop held on November 22 with popular disc jockey Phil Dee . During April the seniors ordered their graduation announcements from the Josten Company. A number of food sales were held throughout the year and this augmented our treasury considera- bly. The D.A.R. girl, chosen for good citizen - ship, was Mary Pat Rogaleski. The most outstand- ing event of our senior year was our memorable Washington Trip, which started at the railroad station in Northampton on the morning of April 17 at 9:35. After spending Tuesday evening in New York, the students continued to Washington where they spent three days touring the high- lights. On Friday, the students returned to New Yorkand finally disembarked for home onSatur- ' day. Upon arriving at Northampton, the tired and restless students felt that the trip was worth- while and enjoyable. This trip culminated four years of planning, hard work, and fund raising. Our class banquet began the Commencement activities. Class Day was held on June 14 fol- lowed by Graduation at the Town Hall on June 15. Superintendent Barry of Northampton was the main speaker. The diplomas were awarded by Mr. William H. Dickinson, of the Board of Trustees. Now, as our last year draws to a close, as we prepare to leave behind us the carefree, depend- ent stage of our lives, we must think of the future and of the broadening horizons opening before us. We will take our places in the adult world with more confidence and more wisdom because of the four happy years we have spent at Smith Academy. 25