Springfield Trade High School - Beaver Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Trade Beaver HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1945 1942-1943 It.was a group of scared and timid students that entered Trade School on September 9, 1942. Some of these students were destined to be called by the armed forces before they were able to finish their three years in Trade School. There were posters all around the building informing the new students where to report. The boys reported to the assembly hall, the girls to Mrs. Ells. Here we found out how the school functioned and what courses were available for students. The first few weeks we had trouble finding our way around the building. Many of us were sepa- rated from our friends because of the various courses we chose. The student association was explained in our first assembly and we were told the advantages of joining. One of the most entertaining assemblies that we had that first year was the hobo assembly in which several of the men teachers played leading roles. Another assembly was the Easter Cantata under the direction of Mr. Schuler, who is now setving in our armed forces. Part of our school was taken over by the Army in order to train soldiers in different courses. Great stress was laid on the sale of stamps and bonds, and under the leadership of Miss Tarr we were awarded the Minute Man Flag which has flown on the flag pole in front of the building during our entire stay here. In sports our Rifle Club developed many ex- pert marksmen. Our bowling team took the Western Mass. championship and our soccer team took both the city and Western Mass. championships. 1943-1944 When we returned to Trade in the fall of 1943, we were Juniors. There were new girls joining the two year courses. Our first real assembly was the Sadie Haw- kins assembly advertising the Sadie Hawkins dance. Our annual Christmas play, “The Christmas Road” was once again presented for the Christmas season. For a short time during our second winter some South American students were seen around the building while taking the airplane mechanics course. After school classes in social dancing were established under the direction of Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. Thomas. This enabled all students to learn how to dance. A band was also started under the direction of Mr. Persson. One of the great highlights of our junior year at Trade was “Victory Capers,’ a musical stage show under the supervi- sion of Mr. Quinn. This show proved a great success both financially and as enter- tainment. We had our first visitors’ night in the new Trade School. All parents of all students were invited to the school to visit all shops and classes. An honor roll was erected in honor of students who had left Trade School to serve their country. In the spring the Junior class had its first meeting and elected the following class officers to lead us in our third and final year: Valentino Ricci, president; Ada Casagranda, vice-president; Edith Nickerson, secretary; and Joseph Tesini, treasurer. In sports our football team ended the season with a good record, the best they had accomplished in recent years. This was highlighted by the fact that Coach Ted Plumb was thrown in the showers by the members of his football squad at the end of the season.

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Front row, left to right: Mr. William J. Fennel Miss Louise B. Mezzacappa Mrs. Martha Sullivan Mr. Dennis J. Brunton Mr . James Rey Mr. Harold W. Vinecombe Miss Angeline A. Mourtses Miss Louise Mazzuchelli Mr Mr Mr Mr . David R. Spence . Harley O. Plaus . John E. Thomas . Herman E. Drewes Trade Beaver Second row, left to right: Miss Lucy Mirarchi Miss Lillian Erickson Mrs. Lepha P. Lavallee Mrs. Mildred Martensen Mrs. Louise N. Johnson Miss Doris Gilson Miss Mary J. Bawn Miss Belle H. Bransfield Miss J. Eleanor Johnson Mr. Alfred J. Magee Mr. Frank S. O’Brien Mr. George F. Mack Mr. Joseph M. Heenehan Third row, left to right: Miss F. Elizabeth Harvey Miss Beatrice L. Arata Miss Teresina C. Bianchi Mrs. Grace T. Allen Miss Eleanor K. Carlisle Miss Helen Cronin Mrs. Marion P. Coleman Dr. Margaret C. Ells Mr. Joseph B. Elvin Mr. Francis N. Knapton Mr. Herman Hesse Mr. Paul H. Phillips Mr. Charles G. Coombs Back row, left to right: Mr. Harry T. LaBroad Mr. Emil J. Fasser Mrs. Mabelle S. Murphy Miss Agnes Mansfield Mrs. Louise M. Perrin Mr. Edward Plumb Miss Asenath E. Tarr Mr. Herman A. Persson Dr. George A. Burridge Mr. Elmer H. Thompson Mr. Donald J. Moran Mr. Clayton E. Bliss Mr. James H. Hill Mr. Harry R. Cramer Mr. James A. Brown Mr. James K. Perry

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Trade Beaver 1944-1945 Our class advisors for this, our final year, were Miss Tarr and Mrs. Perrin. As seniors we had senior class dances where we could get acquainted with one another. Once again we held our annual Trade School show. This year it was called “Trade Review of 1945” and again as last year it was a great success. An unfortunate incident that occured in Trade this year was the fire that started in the airplane shop. Fortunately it was quickly extinguished before it could do serious damage. Another event that saddened our senior year was the death of President Roosevelt who died on April 12, 1945, during his fourth term as president. About the middle of our third year we began to hear rumors that we were to have a nationally known figure as our graduation speaker. His name was not re- vealed to us until one day Dr. Burridge told us at assembly that he was to be Father Flannigan of Boys’ Town. By now we were beginning to make eager preparations for all the class events connected with graduation, and the year book committees be- gan to be very busily engaged. Our banquet which was to be held at the Kimball Hotel and the prom at the auditorium, which would be made festive for the affair by the twinkling lights of the crystal ball, became topics of much enthusiastic con- versation. Class Day also began to seem close at hand especially when a group of students began wandering about the building taking pictures to be shown that day. In sports our soccer team won the city championship. The print-shop won the intermural basketball championship and gained permanent possession of the bronze placque for being three-time victors in this sport. And so three pleasant and profitable years at Trade School are brought to a close and we stand ready to take our place in the world, hoping that before long it will be a world at peace. PHMEIISSY BZN STANLEY MAT YSCZYE: CLASS OF '45 POEM By MARGARET HARRINGTON As we leave you, dear Trade School, And go on our way We know that we'll miss you More every day. Fond memories will linger Locked in our hearts Of the good times and bad times In which we had parts. So we shed a tear And heave a sigh As to our Trade School We say Goodbye.