Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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Anna E. Aitchison A Marie F. Amelotte yc. Evelyn R. Antonelli Doris L. Busi Florence Ann Capobianco X Clara I. Dratch Grace F. Dunn X Esther N. Fox X Margaret A. Giberti Dora M. Giusti Eleanor A. Gould X Marjorie V. Govoni Ruth M. Hagberg Dorothy M. Kelly X Doris M. King X Jeannette E. Loring Rose A. Maccini X Betty D. Mace x Ann R. MacGraham X Bessie Mamakos Phyllis E. Thorpe Doris Truelson X Ruth H. Vaughan X Phyllis G. Wanzer Frances A. Welch X Isabelle L. Whitney Ella R. Wilson X Barbara York X Marjorie E. Young X John J. Brisbois Anthony L. Colosi X John F. Correia James W. Dacey James J. Dooner John C. Franzosa X Allan S. Hawthorne X Richard E. Henning Jack K. Holmes X James Kelso Barbara J. Marshall Marjorie A. Martin Martha L. Martin X Norma M. Morandi Eleanor M. Murphy Irene R. Ponte X Nora Lee M. Regan Rita N. Regan y: Eleanor Sacco J. Elizabeth Smith Y George E. MacDonald Theodore A. Norman H. Austin Peck Francis A. Piano X Amos L. Proctor Russell L. Smith X John J. Ventola Kenneth R. Volkman Paul A. White s John A. Worcester Graduated With Honor

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O N SEPTEMBER 5, 1935, as eager awe-eyed students, we took our place as the Sophomore Class of 1938. After being the dignified Seniors of the Junior High, it was difficult to become the unsophisticated Sophomores of the Somerville High School but with due respect to Seniors and Juniors we started our year with a willingness to learn. When we attended our first assembly in Clayton Ellis Hall we were officially welcomed by Mr. Sears, our headmaster. He told us he hoped that we would endeavor to do our very best during our three years’ stay by earnest studying and per- severance. Our executive committee consisting of Rita Regan, Josephine Capone, Walter Whittaker and Anthony Fiore was well chosen to take charge of our business and social affairs. Members of our class were very well represented in dramatics, music, athletics, debating and social events. The Sophomore Hop given in the gym on the afternoon of a sunny spring day was a colorful event which will certainly go down in the diaries or little books of the members of our class as one of their most enjoyable times while in school. Soon after we returned from a well-earned summer vacation while still trying to acquaint ourselves with our long forgotten studies our Junior Class officers were chosen. They were the same pupils who served us on the Sophomore executive committee. Our Junior Night Committee consisting of Isabelle Whitney, Ruth Cooke, Barbara Allen, Ray Kenney, George MacDonald and Alden Worces- ter did very well in making our first evening social the grand success that it was. A musical comedy, “Betty Lou. the Dream Girl,” was very well presented by members of our class during the early part of the evening. Dancing followed in the gym, and as strains from the melodious orchestra softly filled the room the dancing silhouettes ’neath the twinkling blue and silver stars presented a romantic scene. Our Senior year! Soon will be gone the happy privilege of calling our- selves students at Somerville High School. “For us no more the warning bell shall ring, nor busy student ply his homework care.” These were the thoughts which ran through our mind as our Senior year started. We elected again the same class officers with the exception of the president. This time Raymond Kenney received the office due to the leaving of our former leader, Walter Whittaker. Our Senior Play, a comedy in three acts, entitled “A Good Egg,” pre- sented on January 4, was one of which the players, committee and the whole class may well be proud. Class Day! The planting of the green ivy on the front of our school was a symbol of our memory always being there, hoping in turn that we will not be forgotten as long as the ivy winds and clings. Senior Night came, followed by the long-awaited Graduation! Slowly they both fade to a secluded spot in our minds, for only our cherished memories are kept to linger there, and be dwelt upon for many a year to come. We wish to thank sincerely Mr. Sears and all our teachers who so kindly guided us through our years of study and in return we will do our utmost to achieve the best so that we may well be worthy of their praise. Senior Class History

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I N THIS COUNTRY today, it is sad to relate, there are comparatively few citizens who have a clear understanding concerning the rights guaranteed to them through the Federal Constitution. Upon these rights rest the foundations of our government. These rights shine out in the heavens like stars. We cannot reach up and grasp them, but, on the sea of life, they help to guide the mariner to a haven of safety. When in the days before the American Revolutionary War, Parliament and the King of England took from our forefathers these cardinal rights of man, they rose up in rebellion and struck the yoke from their necks. Some of the principles for which these men fought and died are found in the memorable words of the Declaration of Independence—words which should find a home in the heart of every true American: These Words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriv- ing their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new government, lay- ing its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and hap- piness.” These principles quoted from the Declaration of Independence mean equal rights for all and special privileges for none. This is the funda- mental maxim of American democracy, the ideal which America has an- nounced as worthy of attainment. This does not mean that all men are born equal in wealth or mental ability or moral character or opportunity; but it does mean that all men, rich or poor, high or low, ignorant or learned, white or black, without regard to lineage, religion, color, race, or previous conditions of servitude —that all must be treated without discrimination by law and government and be allowed the fullest and freest exercise and development of their natural powers. No handicaps should be imposed on some, while special favors are given to others. Moreover, there should be no legal barrier to prevent a man from acquiring the property and rights or rising to the position to which another member of the community is entitled to attain. Accordingly, rank and privilege, political position, and the right to rule, in the words of Lowell in his Essays on Government, “cannot be hereditary, but must be open to every person, who, by talent, diligence, and good for- tune, is capable of attaining them.” Thinking Americans then, as now, agree with Lowell, for note that after independence had been gained the founders of the Republic sought by State and Federal Constitutions to secure this liberty and equality under law. In so doing, they set forth other ideals. The founders, moved by the ideals of eternal justice and the rights of the individual, decreed that there shall be in our country freedom of press, speech, peaceful assembly and the right of freedom of petition. To truly appreciate the worth of these first rights we need only look at Nazi Germany and Communistic Russia. The people of these countries have been reduced from men into cogs of a militaristic machine. If they speak in Class Oration