Somerset High School - Raider / Memoirs Yearbook (Somerset, MA)

Page 33 text:

In January we started the New Year by sponsoring a roller skating party. We chartered buses and had an enjoyable time skating at the Portsmouth Rink. Several members of the other classes attended, and we were proud to show the upper classmen that we had some initiative. In no time at all, it seemed, June was upon us and we were no longer freshmen. It had been a very busy year and we had had a lot of fun working together. SOPHOMORE YEAR When the summer vacation was over, we entered as sophomores. I re¬ member how proud we were to no longer be the youngest members of the school. With Mr. Ralph C. Westcott as our adviser, we held our first class meeting soon after school started. Those elected to lead us that year were: President, William Matthews Vice-President, Dorothy Camara Secretary, Eaye Crocker Treasurer, Paul Daley Girl Councillor, Mary Wawriw Boy Councillor, Donald Gray Clubs and activities of the previous year were continued and improved, although several activities were cancelled because of the war. Events were carried on as near normal as possible. We sponsored the Freshman Reception, the first dance of the year. It was then our turn to be host to the new members of the school. In this year, also. Coach William Spokesfield left Somerset High and the class met to de¬ cide on a parting gift. Remember how sorry we all were to lose one of our best-liked teachers. JUNIOR YEAR In the fall of 1943, we were proud to enter the school as upper class- men. We were juniors and we were proud of our three years’ work that gave us that title.

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ass isiory. FRESHMAN YEAR Looking back over our high school days it all seems like a beautiful dream—a dream of cherished experiences shared together. I remember how anxious and a little timid we were when we first entered as students of Som¬ erset High in the fall of 1941. We had looked forward all summer with great expectation for that moment, and then it seemed impossible that we were really members of the high school student body. Our freshman class was a large one, consisting of eighty-seven members. At our first class meeting we were all rather shy, but with Mr. Thomas F. Eagan as our class adviser, we elected the following officers: President, Donald Gray Vice-President, Dorothy Camara Secretary, Ann Santos Treasurer, Paul Daley Girl Councillor, Ethel McFarlane Boy Councillor, George Auclair The first social event of our high school career was the Freshman Recep¬ tion under the auspices of the sophomores when we were officially greeted as members of Somerset High School. I remember how excited we were and how good it felt to have our upper classmen make us feel welcome. During those first few months of school most of us joined clubs. The Glee Club was very popular with both boys and girls. Also claiming our attention were the Science Club, athletic teams, and many other diversions from our regular studies. By Christmas we had grown used to the routine of high school life and we were much better organized as a class. On December 19 we sponsored our first social affair, the Christmas Dance, and I remember how proud we were when the excitement was all over and we realized it had been a big success.

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Our class officers for the year were: President, William Matthews George Auclair Vice-President, Dorothy Camara Secretary, Faye Crocker Treasurer, Paul Daley Girl Councillor, Mary Wawriw Boy Councillor, John McGrady Soon after the year got under way, the sophomores challenged our class in the purchase of war bonds and stamps. It was to be a contest lasting from October 20 to December 7, the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. By class vote we accepted the challenge, and we felt proud on winning the contest. It was not long after when we started discussion on what most of us consider the most pleasant event of the year, the purchase of our class rings. Because of wartime restrictions, it was necessary to have the same design as that of the previous year, but there was a special size Victory Ring for the boys. It seemed ages before the shipment of rings arrived, and I remember how very happy we were the day they came and how proud we were to show the symbol of our school to others. On February 11, 1944, we sponsored a mid-winter dance, the Winter Carnival. Committees were appointed, issues decided and carried out, and the dance was a success. In March we were faced with the problem of electing another president, which office was made vacant by the enlistment of William Matthews in the Navy. George Auclair was elected to succeed him as our president. In June we sponsored the Junior-Senior Prom in collaboration with the Seniors. The motif was that of spring and flowers. It was a gala affair and enjoyed by all who attended. Thus our third year at Somerset High ended. Many of us helped in various ways with graduation, after which we realized we had just one more year of high school left. SENIOR YEAR When the fall of 1944 came it seemed impossible that we were in our last year of high school. We began it with our usual enthusiasm, and the following officers were elected at the first class meeting: