Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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for luncheon. Among those seated at the head table were Miss MacPherson and Bev- erly Conn, who was awarded the N.E.S.P.A. Scholarship two years ago. Following lunch, Mr. Bice Clemnow, pub- lisher of the West Hartford News and East Hartford Gazette, spoke to the convention on the subject of “Communications Throughout the World. Mr. Baram awarded prizes to the outstanding magazines, newspapers and yearbooks. The Radiator and the 1956 Year- book were cited for “Outstanding Content and Make-Up.’' After this closing session, many delegates boarded the chartered buses which took them to the B.U.-Syracuse game, at Boston University Field. CHRISTMAS Rosalyn Perrone ’57 Since the fourth century, Christmas has been observed by the Christian Church on the twenty-fifth of December to celebrate the Nativity of Christ. Although the origin of its practice is un- known, scholars believe that it is derived in part from the pre-Christian rites of Ger- manic and Celtic tribesmen held in celebra- tion of the winter solstice, the point at which the sun is farthest from the equator. The exclusive devotional observance has become interspersed with a number of heathen customs such as the use of holly, mistletoe, Yule logs, and wassail bowls. The Christmas tree is of ancient origin, tracing back to the Romans of pre-Chris- tian times from which it spread to the Ger- man people and then to the people of the British Isles. The singing of Christmas Car- ols by waits, out-of-doors on Christmas Eve, is an old English custom. The sending of gifts had its origin in the Yule gifts of northern European countries and ancient Rome. In later times Christmas celebrations ac- quired a wide secular and social significance which has featured the sending of Christmas cards, a custom originating in 1850. The early Dutch settlers brought to the New World the custom of celebrating St. Nicholas, Santa Claus Day, on Christmas Eve. The foregoing is but a brief history of Christmas which brings us up to the present day. What does Christmas mean to you? The majority of people think of Christmas in terms of Christmas trees, presents, tasty food with all the trimmings. As a matter of fact, some families com- mence preparation weeks in advance. Actu- ally there is nothing wrong with this, but how many people stop to consider the true meaning of Christmas? The birth of our Lord was the most im- portant one of all time. If we are to make any preparation, we should prepare our hearts for the Infant Jesus on His day. On Christmas morn, we should all attend the church of our choice and offer up a birth- day greeting such as a humble heart, thanks for mercy he has given us, a forgiving spirit with which He has blessed us, and grati- tude for many blessings such as peace of mind.. Merry Christmas to all, and remember: Do not leave Christ out of Christmas. Seven

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STOP AND THINK Marjorie Howe ’58 “What is my primary goal in life?” “How can I begin to realize my ambition now ?” Sometime during our busy high school days, we should take time out to ask our- selves these very important questions. In- deed, as high school students, we should feel the necessity of looking ahead, apprais- ing critically our plans for the future. This is our time of preparation. It we were asked to name our choice of work, would we be able to give a fairly conclusive answer? If we only shrug our shoulders and reply, “Well, I dunno yet” or “I haven’t the faintest idea,” then we had better settle down and really do some serious thinking. Unless we give serious concern to our future now, it may be too late to do what we prefer! We should all, therefore, have some ultimate plans in mind. Although they may only be vague, these plans should serve to stimulate our enthusiasm now. Once we become en- thusiastic, it becomes necessary that we al- ways be on the “qui-vive.” Being alert will enable us to see the many opportunities which surround us. Only by showing interest and industry will we begin to realize our am- bitions. It is said that each one of us has been given the ability to do some specific work, which will assure our happiness in future life. Such a natural inclination should be en- couraged now, and not be disregarded through inexcusable laziness. It is impor- tant, therefore, to apply ourselves earnestly to whatever learning and training will best prepare us for the future. Our spare time might prove invaluable to us, if we would spend it in wholesome activi- ties. Sports, educational hobbies, and reading classical literature are pastimes that will in- evitably make us far better persons. Our everyday actions, although seemingly trivial, should be governed by our ambitions, also. If we mean our lives to be significant, we must begin to consider the other fellow. We should strive to overcome such faults as greed and selfishness. Remember real suc- cess in life goes to the person who can Be trusted and respected. Yes, stop and think! We, as teenagers are striving for an honorable position in the modern world. We must begin to mold our futures now! N.E.S.P.A. While most of the SHS students were en- joying a three day holiday on the weekend of October 26, six members of the Radiator Staff, along with their adviser, Miss Mac- Pherson, attended the two day and evening New England Scholastic Press Association Convention sponsored by the Division of Journalism of Boston University. Those who represented SHS were Carol Fields, editor; Herbert Weene, business manager; Debra Mabel, Rosalyn Perrone, Judy Tarentino, and Dotty DeMita. Approximately 350 students and advisers from all over New England convened at the opening session to hear welcoming talks by Mr. Robert Baram, Director of N.E.S.P.A., and Dean Hatch of the College of General Education. The principal speech, “Your Role in the Battle for Freedom of Information,” was given by Dr. Joseph DelPorto, Director of the B.U. School of Journalism. After this, the students attended the semi- nars of their choice. Included also among these were “Magazine Content and Make- Up,” “Sports Writing,” and “Writing the Feature Column.” During the afternoon, the opportunity was afforded to any senior to take the N.E.S.P.A. Scholarship Examina- tion. An applicant for this four-year $1000 scholarship was required to write a feature or news story on varied subjects. At the session on Friday evening, two critiques, one for students, the other for ad- visers, were held. The most interesting and informative event of the evening was a col- legiate press panel comprised of the staff members of the B.U. “Hub” Yearbook, their adviser, and reporters from some of our greater Boston newspapers. The following day, two interesting groups of seminars took place, one of which on edi- torial writing was conducted by our own ad- viser, Miss MacPherson. The delegates then met in the Dome Room of the Hotel Lenox Six

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SOMERVILLE HIGH’S SHOT SESSION Dorothy Shubow ’57 I had graduated from Somerville High a few years ago and was visiting some of my teachers when I noticed this boy and followed him down the stairs. I saw that his sleeve was rolled up. He had a funny look on his face, as if he were nervous and anxious. Fi- nally he arrived at a door where other boys and girls were waiting in line. The smell of alcohol filled the air. When I managed to peek inside I noticed nurses and doctors all in the process of administering inoculations to these pupils. I had extra time so I waited until the last pupil filed out. Then I walked over to one of the nurses, and asked her to explain what the inoculations were for. It was then that I found out that Somerville High is one of the many schools playing its part in the destruction of polio. But there was much more I wanted to know. I enjoyed a very interesting conversation with Mrs. Cahalan, one of our school’s nurses, and learned much about polio that I didn’t know before. Each year thousands of young people of high school age are stricken with this dread disease. Polio will continue to cripple and kill teenagers as long as there are unvacci- nated teenagers for the virus to attack. To- day plenty of Salk vaccine is available, but vaccine on the druggist’s shelf does not pre- vent polio. It must be injected into your arm to do any good. The injection which is nearly painless takes only three seconds. The first shot begins to take effect in from seven to ten days. The second shot is given two to four weeks after the first, and brings a sharp rise in protective antibodies. For long-lasting immunity, a third or booster shot must be given seven months later. Recently over 1,000 adults, teenagers, and young children were hit by polio in the Chi- cago epidemic this past summer. Of that number, not a single paralyzed person had received three shots of Salk vaccine. This does not mean that the Salk vaccine has con- quered polio. Thousands of doctors all over the country are now, at this moment, work- ing on a better cure for polio. Already Dr. Hilary Koprowski nf the American Cyana- mid’s Lederle Laboratories has been develop- ing a new kind of vaccine that can be taken through the mouth. So, you see, polio is not conquered yet, but we now know that its control is possible, and as more and more peo- ple are vaccinated, the rate of paralytic polio will steadily diminish. As I walked out of Somerville High, quite satisfied with my visit here, I began think- ing about what the nurse had told me. Before I knew it, I had changed my course to visit my family physician and ask him if I might get these polio shots. The nurse con- vinced me. How about you? THE WHITE PLAGUE Joan Berry ’56 Ed. Note: Annually the Christmas Seal drive, sponsored by the National Tubercu- losis Association, helps to aid TB patients in hospitals and also furnishes money neces- sary for further research in the long effort to stamp out the disease. The following ar- ticle was written by one of last year’s gradu- ates who was stricken with TB while in high school. Naturally she wanted to warn others about the treachery of the first stages—of how quietly and painlessly the tuberculin germ can get started in anybody’s system. Since the paper was received from Joan too late for our final issue last spring we decided to publish it this year. The incidence of TB in Somerville is said to be high. Already this years, one of the seniors has had to leave school to receive the hospital treatment re- quired. Written at the hospital, Waltham, May, 1956 by Joan Berry ’56 The tubercle bacillus is the very prevalent tuberculin germ carried in the lungs of every human being. It remains inactive as long as the body resistance is kept up, but as soon as the resistance drops the germ has its chance to take over. If able to take hold, it usually, though not necessarily, infects the lungs first. If not detected in time, tuberculosis can spread to every living organ. (Turn to page 22) Eight