Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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TOW A III! A MORE PERFECT LIFE CLASS ORATION, 1941 By Edward Boyson Here we arc assembled perhaps for the last time. It is a momentous hour for us who are obout to enter the threshold of another life different from that which we hove hitherto known. Some of us will continue in the quiet, pleasant path of acodemic learning and study. But most of us in a short while, a few years at most, will undertake the grove, enriching, but now imperceptible responsibilities of life. We shall be seeking out positions — jobs thot will ossure us a reasonable living wage — a guarantee of economic security thot will enable us to assume the normal functions ond ful- fill the manifold duties of the good citizen. Naturally, like the many graduating classes before us ond those that will follow, we are at this time enthusiastically expectant regarding the future ond our place in it. Our minds are filled with soaring ambitions; our hearts are ingrained with lofty idcolism. This ambition — to accomplish, to do things — to make ourselves economically useful and this idealism — we must never let die. For these are the real, basic qualities which the world is sadly locking. These ore the musts, which are vitally necessary for an accom- plishment of any note. This power of ambition and this cleansing flame of idealism must go hand in hand. The two are inseparable, for ambition without idealism transforms a humon being into a callous, unjust, tyrant, whether in the field of economy, the realm of government, or even in the com- mon actions of everyday life. Idealism, on the other hand, without ambition, makes a man a useless dreamer. But the demand for the practical, ambitious dreamer, however, is great. The Pasteurs, the Edisons, the Jeffersons, and the Lincolns of other ages are inspiring examples of dreamers who went out. mode their dreams materialize, not bv accident or chance, but because of good, hard work. Perfection, therefore, or nenr perfection constitutes the proper blending of idealism and ambition. But we must remember that merely becouse we ore ambitious ond idcolistic does not necessarily insure immediate success. For the road to glory as has been well soid, Is stormy, Iona and lonelv. beset with many discouronemcnts, sorrows and tears. It Is quite proboble thot those of us who hove the most mettle, the willingness to work, and the strenath to bear adversity will get both fhe temoorol ond soiritual rewards in this life. Here in America we may be both ombifious ond idealistic. For it is only here that we may pursue our own goals and even phantasies — if we wish. It is only here that we need not depend on the whims ond caprice of absolute rulers for our sociol and financial advance- ment. It is only here thot we can reasonably expect a reword for ambition and idealism. Briefly and simply, the embodiment of opportunity — the chance to become economically secure and the extension of the greatest scope of individual freedom of action, to say what you will — ond to go where you will — ond to do what you will, so long as the exercising of these rights does not encroach or abridge the similor rights of others, is manifested here in our land. To strive to maintain and perpetuate our civil liberties as we know them from our study of the American Constitution, ond more especially the amendments thereto is most assuredly holding high the torch of a lofty ideal. But even in times such as these when civil liberties have risen to new importance and new value, we must bear in mind that these seemingly priceless liberties ore but a sham and a cheat to any man with on empty stomach, without shelter ond unclad. If a man finds him- self without opportunity to obtain a reasonably secure livelihood to keep his body ond soul, what core he for civil liberties or more aptly, what to him the swing of Pleiodes, the magic of music, or the beauty of noture. It is for us, fellow elossmates, to see thot these unfortunates arc given renewed hope in their abilities ond capacities. It is for us, fellow classmates, to see thot our notion, to avoid the chaos so prevalent in Europe, moves everlastingly on o pro- gressive rood toward a goal of perfection — the more perfect state and more specifically, the more perfect democracy. Briefly, we should moke democracy work — we should demonstrate its unlimited capac- ity to grow ond develop — so well in America thot it will be os a shining light for the vanquished ond hopeful of all notions. This is the challenge which has been given to gen- eration after generation. Some hove vainly endeavored to meet it, and others hove simply ignored it. It is our challenge. I wonder how posterity will record our offorts in behalf of this longstanding, but ever increasingly difficult problem. In the words of Nathalia Crane: You may not chooso your battlefields. The gods do thot for you, But you can plant a stondord Where a standard never flew. And thot, fellow classmates, parents, guests, and fellow Americans, is exactly what we must do. We must plont a stondord on a lonely, forsaken battlefield, corry it forward against overwhelming odds, recruit from the unwilling, and storm the citodel of difficulty, and then the world will inaugurate a new cro of harmony ond prosperity because a few have sacrificed. % A

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 'lt IH TI P WITH IIOXOII Girls ALBERTI. RITA BAUMEISTER. MARJORIE BERRY, BEATRICE BOLT, ANNA BUCHAN. MARTHA BURKE, RITA CAIZZI, ISABEL CALEY, BARBARA CAMERON, AGNES CAMPBELL, BARBARA CHMIELEWSKI, AUGUSTA CHRISTOPHER, AUGUSTA CRAIG. LORRAINE CRISPIN, NANCY CROWELL, RUTH CUSICK, DELMA DAVENPORT. RUTH DAVIDSON, MARY DAY, ETHEL DEAN, ELEANOR DeINNOCENTIS, ROSANNA DeSTEPHANO, HELEN DIONNE. DOREEN EKSTROM, EIVOR FARRELL, ANNIE FORRESTALL, MARIE FOUNTAS, BESSIE GALLERANI, IRENE GOODWIN, SHIRLEY GORDON. DOROTHY GRACIO, MARIE GUMUSHIAN, LUCILLE HART, LOUISE JAMES. MADELINE JELLIS, CLOVER KALIS. FLORENCE KINGSTON, MARTHA L. LANE. BARBARA LAUZON, ALICE LIEBERMAN, BERNICE LINDSAY. CELIA LORD, HELEN LYNCH, EILEEN MARGESON, MINNIE MARINO, THERESA McCarthy, bernice McNEILL, HELEN MELLOR DOROTHY MINEAR, GRACE NELSON, ALICE NORMAN, INGRID PUGATCH, CHARLOTTE RAMSDELL, ELINOR REARDON. ELIZABETH L REGO, MARY RIGOPOULOS, GEORGIA ROSS, PHYLLIS SARTORI. TERESA SCALINGI, NORMA SCHICK, MABELLE SCOTT, VIRGINIA SHERMAN, MARY SLOANE, SHIRLEY SMITH, GRACE TREMBLAY, LILLIAN TSOTSI, VIRGINIA TUTELA, LOUISE WHITFIELD, JUNE WILLIAMS, MARJORIE WOHR, RUTH J. ZELLARS. EVANGELINE Boys AHERN. JOHN L. BORGATTI, JOSEPH CONLEY, JAMES N. DcTHOMASIS, GUIDO EAGLES. DONALD GOLDSTEIN, NORMAN GOLDTHWAITE, ROBERT GREENLAW, ALDEN HEALEY. ROBERT HENDERSON, GEORGE INNIS, LESLIE JOHNSTON, EDWARD LANG, PAUL A. NARDONE, LOUIS J. NARDINI, ROBERT PATALANO. JOHN P. SULLIVAN, WILLIAM TASH, NICHOLAS THIBODEAU, ERNEST WELDON, JOHN WILLIAMS, RALPH

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CLASS We, the closs of 1941 of the Somerville High School, situated in the very heart of that ancient and historic city of Somerville on this, the fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and forty-one, being of sound (?) mind, do bequcoth and bestow to the faculty and undergraduates the following: 1. To the Radiator Staff and Miss Mac- Phcrson wo leave o bright and shiny pencil sharpened to facilitate their work in the Editorial Room. 2. To the incoming Seniors we leave the unequalled pleasure of waiting until 12:15 to devour the leftovers of the lunchroom after the Juniors and Sophomores hove sufficiently filled themselves. 3. We leave to all three classes the challenge of surpassing or even equaling the double record of this honorable (?) class by hoving all dues paid by January, 1941, ond making the most money on the Senior Play. 4. To the Ployers' Club we leovc larger, bigger ond better audiences, thus enobling them to give more ond more scholarships each year to deserving prospects. To them we also leave a new curtain to beautify the stage in the ossembly hall. 5. To future Webster and Portia aspi- rants we leave the feeling of good notured enmity which does, did, ond always will exist between the two societies and is best for oil concerned. It keeps them in practice! 6. We leave the west and cost buildings ond the bright, shining, clean central build- ing to all future students of this esteemed high school. 7. We also leave on ogrceable school committee, willing to comply with the stu- dent's clamorous demands. They promise: (1) Free cakes in the moin corridors in the summer ond hot coffee in the winter. (2) Shirt sleeves and no ties in hot weother. (3) Free lunches at 9, 11, and 1 o'clock. (4) Ice cold water fountains in every room. (5) More vacations. 8. We bestow upon the school an ex- cellent (?) staff of teachers who faithfully (?) promise: (1) Permission to use the water foun- tains, which the School Committee pro- vides, more often. WILL (2) Shorter hours ond better marks. (3) More recesses. 9. To the Seniors we leave that feeling of superiority ottained after two years of humble service to the same, — yes? 10. To chemistry closscs we leave the thrill of evolving new, odiferous concoctions of unknown potential power. 11. To the new Juniors we bequeath their first promotion ofter being insignifi- cant Sophs. 12. To the Student Council we leovc the task of keeping harmony between the faculty ond the pupils, the pleasure of help- ing worthwhile students, and the zest and enthusiasm that reigns high at their meet- ings. 13. To the English closses we leave the incomparable enjoyment (?) of composing sonnets. You'll rebel, but you will still write them. Take it from those who know. 14. To the Glee Clubs, Band, and Or- chestra, we leave more talent to provide all with their unsurpassable, inspiring annual concerts. 15. For the benefit of oil, we leave o dummy traffic squod to keep order in the corridors ond to prevent pupils from going up a down stairway 16. To oil future Senior Classes we leave an annual donation sufficient to amply provide on orchestra such as Glenn Miller's for Senior Night. 17. To the faculty we express our sin- cere gratitude for all they have done for us and humbly opologize for any incon- siderate act that might have been committed by us. 18. To our beloved headmaster, Mr. Seors, we leove our highest respect, our deep appreciation, for all the help he has given to us, and for the patience, tolerance, and consideration with which he hos borne our petty troubles. May he enjoy many, many more yeors in his capacity os head- master of Somerville High School. We shall never forget him. We earnestly hope that he will remember us. (Signed) Closs of 1941. WITNESSED BY: Phyllis Berry Warren B. Syer Alden Greenlaw