St Marys High School - Blue Mantle Yearbook (Milford, MA)

Page 25 text:

DEBATING St. Mary 1 s High School has been represented yearly by the best debating teams in the Springfield Diocese. During the last four years the teams attained their greatest success, reaching the finals three times and winning the championship twice. The record of the school speaks volumes for the work of Father Donahue, the coach of the teams 7 rho gave his time whole-heartedly and unstintingly toward these achieve¬ ments. In our Freshman year the debaters won the Bishop O’Leary cup sym¬ bolical of the diocesan championship, by defeating St. Joseph’s High of Pittsfield in the latter’s City. They reached the finals by vanquishing the forensic forces of St. John’s and the Sacred Heart of Worcester. Although the class of ’32 was not represented on the teams, the boys she ed much promise and received praise and recognition from Father Donahue. In 1930, the finals were attained, but the decision was awarded to Cathedral High of Springfield, in a very close and interesting debate. In order to reach the finals the team conquered St. Louis of Webster, and St. John’s of Worcester. Joseph Gallagher as alternate was our sole representative. The following year the juniors blossomed forth in all their glory and the team included these of the class of 1932: John Davoren, George Trudell, and Joseph Gallagher. Although the boys work¬ ed very hard, they were not as fortunate as in other years and lost in the preliminaries to St. Peter’s of Worcester. This defeat nullified the triumph obtained by the affirmative over Sacred Heart of Worcester, as tv o victories were necessary to reach the finals. This defeat lost us the cup, as St. John’s Y ho had two previous legs on the trophy won again, and obtained permanent possession of the cup. The next year St. Mary’s won the first leg on the new trophy dona¬ ted by Bishop O’Leary, by defeating our archrivals, Cathedral High. Prior to this triumph, the team conquered Sacred Heart of Worcester, and St. Bernard’s of Fitchburg. The boys on the debating team included three members of the class of ’32: George Trudell, John Burns, and Joseph Gallagher. May the glory of St. Mary’s never die and may her debating teams be ever successful - these are the earnest wishes of the class of 1932. Joseph E. Gallagher ’32.

Page 27 text:

DRAMATICS Three years have elapsed, since the Dramatic Club was introduced into St. Mary’s Eigh School and the class of ’32 has been pro¬ minent in every branch of this organization. The primary purpose of the Dramatic Club is to raise funds for the support of St. Mary’s Ath¬ letic Association. The Georgia Minstrels, was the first attempt. Joseph Gallagher, a talented member of the class of ’32 sang his way into fame as a mem¬ ber of the Georgia Quartet. This first endeavor of St. Mary’s was well received and a financial success. In May of that same year, St. Mary’s produced Hot, Ain’t Itl , a rural comedy in three acts. In November of the following year a snappy Minstrel Show was presented under the direction of versatile Eddie Sullivan. This was St. Mary’s best effort so far, and the class of ’32 was largely responsible for its success. In May 1931, the Club produced a mystery thriller, the class of ’32, true to form, contributing to the evening’s splendid per¬ formance. During the past year, 1931, the Dramatic Club presented a musical comedy entitled, Hinky Doodle Town . Joseph Gallagher as a social refor¬ mer and George Trudell as a county sheriff gave a very creditable performance. In the supporting cast were many members of the class of ’32:- Leo Sears, William Quirk, John Roche, John Burns, Gen¬ evieve Casey, Ann Lally, Alice Tenant.y, Doris Bul¬ lard, Rita Pyne, Sarah Byron, Barbara Dillon, Eliz¬ abeth Meade and Rita Maheu. The Dramatic Club has been enthusiastic¬ ally supported by the present senior class from its inception. It is the sincere and the whole-hearted wish of the class of ’32, that it may continue to increase and prosper, and bring lasting fame and hon¬ or to St. Mary’s High School. John Davoren ’32.