Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

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ZheQreen years It memory serves us correctly, it was the fall before the end of the war that we became freshmen. About the first thing we can remember is the elec- tion of class officers. You remember Frank Joslin, the fellow we chose as president. Then there were Vice President Orvis Saxby; prim Secretary Miriam Torian, who left us at the end of the year; efficient Treasurer Bob Swift; and last but not least our little red-haired chairman of the Social Committee, Gladys Anderson. From then on the time flew, and before we knew it. it was time for our Spring Hop. After a few shy moments, the dance went over well under the supervision of Miss Risi, enthusiastically sup- ported by our class. We went into our sophomore year just after the war had ceasen. Again we elected classmates to lead us during the school year. Class artist, Francis Mc- Hugh, who left us at the end of the year, was voted president; Donald Sullivan, who also decided to leave us at the end of the fourth charter, was elected vice president; popular Marjorie Bingham was sec- retary; Bob Swift still remained our efficient treasur- er; and Bill Simkins, one of our hockey stars, became chairman of the social committee. As this was the first year we took an active part in sports, all of us had high expectations. We had a wonderful football team, and the hike to the Win- chester game was a joyful but very strenuous under- taking. When Punchartl came to play us, the cheerleaders led a parade through the square l ' )efore the game. Probably no one went home afterwards without be- ing a little bit hoarse. Soon the Carnival Ball rolled along, and we had a combined rehearsal of the Boys’ and Girls’ Glee Club down in the gym. Miss Drago and Mr. Ark- well had a big job on their hands and only three weeks in which to perform miracles. To everyone’s surprise they trained us for a performance excelling our wildest dream. The basketball tournament was really special in our eyes, for it was the first year we actually com- peted; and even though we didn’t win. we did give the juniors a mighty good fight. All in all our sophomore year was very success- ful and gave us a good foundation on which to build for our ultimate goal, graduation. Our junior year appeared to be busier and more active than it was ever thought possible. We had a wonderful leader in President Amelio Salera. Vice President Alan Lisk wasn’t a bad runnerup either. Secretary Jean Fama and Chairman of the Social Committee, Priscilla Goudey, most certainly helped keep things going; and Treasurer Bob Swift, who was elected for the third time, capably handled our finances. It appeared as if everything were happening now at almost the same time. How many of us will ever forget the time when Frank Goudey and Courty Dunbar tried to make soap and came out much the worse for their attempt , all the fun iiB had when Mr. Richardson was absent; Priscilla Foote ' s good luck in being absent the day the light globe fell on her desk in typewriting; the business and general contestants looking forward to the time Miss Re- gish handed them the typewriting and penmanship certificates they had worked so hard for; the da-, war was declared in chemistry and two Ci pupils suffered acid wounds at the hands of a fellow class- mate! Nobody in Ci or C2 will ever forget the de- bates in Miss Finn’s En,glish class or the intellectual periods in Miss Foley’s room. Athletics were beginning to play a bigger part in our school life, and there were many class heroes who made the first teams. Even though our teams were not always victorious, it still made us feel good to see our fellow classmates on the playing field. One of our major accomplishments during the school year was the forming of a band with the help of the Stoneham merchants. Under the direction of Mr. Jordan, the band has grown, and its performances have become more and more enjoyed by all who have heard it. The Carnival Ball came around again, and as always the Town Hall was filled to overflowing. Many people thought the festivities even better than those of the past years because of the larger Glee Club and the elaborate program. Then came spring and more activities. The Spring Concert, baseball, and the Junior-Senior Prom at Bear Hill filled passing time very enjoyably. Before we knew it, we were the senior-ranking class in the school. The seniors of 1947 had left school early and were preparing for graduation. We felt pretty big because we were practically seniors and had no class as superiors. A few days later grad- uation came. The graduates made a wise choice in naming Marilyn MacKenzie and David O’Doherty as marshals. School soon closed, and ahead of us was our last year in Stoneham High. September came sooner than we had thought possible, and we were seniors. We may have been a small class, but our energy, ideas, and perseverance more than made up for lack of numbers. Class Pres- ident Paul Testa wasted no time in getting the wheels in motion with Vice President David O’Doherty right behind him. Secretary Priscilla Goudey did a won- derful job of encouraging us and keeping the re-

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say with the ancient Hebrew philosopher, ‘‘I sat where they sat, and I was astonished at what I saw.” All too often we just don’t take time to understand as we hurry along our own path. People of all races and creeds are going to be rubbing shoulders with us. and they will all be contributing their particular gifts to society. The “tissue-paper” difference of skin pigmentation doesn ' t lessen their gift. Look for a moment at a man well ahead of us on the Second Mile. He has the brilliant mind of a scientist, and from his creative genius has come the ability to make from waste products food that has fed his race and products that have clothed them as well as us. I speak of Dr. George Washington Carver, a Negro. Lincoln, a man whom we all cherish and respect, once said. “All men are created equal.” In our Declaration of Independence, we pronounce for the world to hear, 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 unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” How can a man even pursue happiness if we not only condone racial prejudice by sanctioning it, but also take part in its malignity. We forget how racial epithets would sound if they were directed toward us or our family. With understanding we see all people as they are, fellow human beings who are loyal to their own race and creed much in the same manner as we try to be loyal to ours. Again. I repeat, if we can say with sincerity, “I sat where they sat, and I was astonished at what I saw,” we have understanding and we have walked harmoni- ously with our fellow men as we all pursue the Second Mile. The final attribute necessary for the journey of the Second Mile is faith. None of us know exactly where we are going or what problems life is going to present. We can only hope to know that if we try, we will progress. Faith is not alone something that is instilled in us. It is an intangible element in our make-up that must be constantly nursed and nurtured before it can blossom forth in its full power. This is the greatest and most difficult hurdle on our Second Mile. Many times we will be shaken to the core, and only blindly can we grope and feel our way even on the Second Mile. Possibly the faith we have in ourselves will be gone, but stronger than our own faith will stand the faith that our parents have in our final achievements. Temptation to abandon our chosen route is bound to come. The way is hard; the ascent is steep. Back of us, standiiiK four square, is the faith of our mother, our father, or a trusted friend. Thus we can and must go on. Faith is our main staff on the Second Mile. Everything may be taken from us, all mankind may forsake us; but no man can ever take faith from us. We have to push it away ourselves. Every successful person possesses faith and often his success varies in direct ratio to the amount of faith he has in himself. Today, we stand together at the end of the first mile. Tomorrow we step out into the vastness of the Second Mile more or less alone. I have had time to mention only a few of the important factors that are essential to our success. I could have spoken ot loyalty, sincerity, honesty, and reliability — all of them important; but to me those of prime importance in the turbulent world of today are the four which I have mentioned to you — ambition, service, understand- ing, and faith. As we leave these, our graduating exercises, to enter the Second Mile of our endeavor in life, may we take with us firmness of purpose and a renewing of personal devotion to the realities of adult living so that we will walk with strength and be able to stand at the end of the Second Mile and see a record that we have made which is worthy of our best selves. I fully realize the scope of the journey I have outlined, and it is with certain knowledge that the way is difficult; but in spite of hardships and diffi- culties, I commend it to you as the only way we, as a class and as individuals, can possibly hope to com- bat the chaotic world conditions that confront us Let us, therefore, go forward with heads erect and hearts equal to the journey ahead — The Second Mile. Beverly Hanson PATHWAYS Into the future runs a silver road, But to discover it, man needs a code Of always serving and doing good deeds Often forgetting his personal needs. No one must live for himself alone His friends are the fruit from the deeds he has sown; For he must live with real joy and true love That many blessipgs will come from above. Ann Griffin

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cords straight. Treasurer Harold Shurtleff proved to be Bob Swift’s equal, and Chairman of the Social Committee Kay Strickland certainly had plenty of ideas and pep. Stoneham was not outstanding in athletics this year, but no one can say that it w ' asn’t fun playing on the teams. Hockey was a bright spot, and except for a poor start Stoneham might have won the cham- pionship. The last game was heart-breaking to lose; but then, no team can win every one. The fellows who played in the games, will have much satisfac- tion in the future talking about the team of the good old days. In November the senior class presented their an- nual play, “January Thaw’’. It had been a sensation on Broadway and it was chosen with the hope that it would be the same in Stoneham. Under the cap- able direction of Miss Preston the play progressed very rapidly and on opening night it was a completely finished production. The cast included Lorraine Morin, Mai Salera, Priscilla Goudey, Ann Lundberg, Margie Bingham, Bev Hanson, Donald Leavitt. Or- vis Saxby, Audrey Wright, John Houghton, Herb Higgins, Donald Hodson, and Bill Simkins. They did so creditable a job that everyone who saw the play thought it was by far the best that had been produced in years. All of us can truthfully say that being in the twelfth grade has been exciting. Sometimes we thought we’d never be able to get through the year. There were of course many humorous incidents that popped up every once in a while to help make school a little more enjoyable. Doc ' s pet joke on how to get an elephant through a keyhole was good for a few laughs, and Miss Preston’s discussion of Pro- fessor Kittredge of Harvard certainly raised the eye- brows of those in Ci. One of the nicest things that hap{iened, occurred at the letter assembly when Ozzi came walking in with a birthday cake for Doc Gor- don. Doc was flabbergasted. Lorraine Morin should get the prize for the biggest surprise of the year. No one even suspected that she had taken the big step. The Senior Tea, given in honor of the senior girls and their mothers by Mrs. William Nadeau, was one of the most enjoyable events of the year. The w’elcoming committee was most cordial as the guests entered the building and those in the receiv- ing line were very friendly. The stage had been effectively decorated by Mrs. Baker and her commit- tee. and Miss Finn’s welcoming speech was very gracious. Mr. Earl Widener, talented violinist, with his mother as accompanist, and our own Miss John- son as soloist presented an excellent concert. Re- freshments, served by Miss Pickering and her com- mittee, added the final festive touch to a delightful afternoon. When Carnival Ball Time came again, we knew we were even closer to graduation. As we were the seniors, most of the responsibility for plans fell upon us. Now, as we look back, it was quite a job. but with the help of the various advisers it was made easier. Dave and Maril)n certainly looked just like a king and queen, and the Glee Club and other per- formers were exceptionally good. The ball with its brilliant pageant is one event that will never be for- gotten. The special routine of songs and cheering made the 1948 basketball tournament a very colorful and entertaining occasion. The girls, under the direction of Mrs. Lawson, made up their own routines and perfected them in a week. There were over eighty girls taking part in the whole thing. In the midst ol the sophomore-junior game, two of our most ath- letic senior boys were almost murdered by the ball. The two embarrased fellows fell flat on their backs, through the swinging doors, with their chairs under them, while the crowd, you remember, roared. The A. A. Banquet given in April by the Booster’s Club in honor of the athletic teams, was a very gala affair. At the delicious catered supper. Mr. John O ' Doherty officiated as master of ceremon- ies. Beautiful jackets were presented to football, base- ball, and hockey teams, and miniature basketballs were given to the girls on the basketball team. Gifts were presented to the guests and coaches by the Booster’s Club and the athletic teams respectively. The dance, which concluded the banquet, was thor- oughly enjoyed. The Spring Concert in our senior year was a great success. Again Miss Drago and Mr. Arkwell worked against time to get the Junior and Senior High School Glee Clubs singing to perfection. Then the big night came, and the whole town turned out to attend the concert. I think those who had a part in preparing the program had just as much enjoy- ment as those who listened to the finished produc- tion. Around the first of May. it was a familiar sight to see the girls grouped in the halls discussing the gowns they were going to wear to the Junior-Senior Prom. Although Mt. Hood in Melrose was a little off the beaten path, all those who went had a won- derful time. Now that graduation was just a few days off and all of us were preparing for what we were go- ing to do in the future, we were a little sorry to be leaving school. In looking back we could laugh at most of the trying times that at the moment seemed more important than anything else. Stoneham High had been like a neighborhood meeting place, and it would be very strange not to be making the daily trips there. If all our )ears in the future could be as pleasant and as easy as the years in Stoneham High had been, everyone would look toward the future with a light heart and with a sense of assurance. Lena Guastaferro John Rees