Turners Falls High School - Peske Tuk Yearbook (Turners Falls, MA)

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“ Onward and Upward ” Turners Falls High School 1944 Then mysteriously our ship is drawn by some unknown force into space. Ruth Smith, astronomer, reports that we are approaching; a new planet. The first living things we see on this planet are Eddie Coogan and Doinald Felton and we learn their strange tale. Last fall Joey Constance, Donald Felton and Tedy Coogan were walking arm-in-arm down the street when Red felt a tug- ging at his hair and suddenly they all rose into space. The boys landed on this unknown planet and decided to name it “Felton’s Foilly”. When they got there whom should they find but Peggy Merrioitt. It seems that this planet has a strong attraction for redheads and Peggy had had the same experience. During the ensuing months Red’s beard grew and grew with amazing rapid- ity until it reached its present luxuriant length. Due to atmospheric condi- tions it discharged a strong electric current which had drawn our plane in on its beam. Leonard Aldrich, the President’s advisor on International Affairs, steps forth to greet us. Jimmy Bitzer, historian, is busily dictating notes to his sec- retary, Edmund Gamelin. Eddie Krysiak displays the cartoons he drew as we were approaching the planet. Arlene Phelps asks about possibilities of extending her busline of autogyros to this planet. Stacia Naida and Margaret Greene, two Red Cross nurses, step forward and raise the flag to declare “Felton’s Folly” a new possession of the Uni- verse. With this scene we leave the class of 1944. Our vision dims and the fu- ture, alone, holds the expansion of our achievements. Jean Pelletier Jean Spencer Katherine Clark Page Thirty-seven

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“Onward and Upward” Turners Falls High School 1944 dean, ascends the ladder into the plane. Helen calls our attention to the snow festival in which the skiing feats of Ginny Richardson are featured. The ruins of the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus inform us that we are approaching Italy. The International Police Force, headed by Theresa Allen, zooms up to meet us by means of their rocket belts, forming the let- ters T. F. H. S. Mildred Pipione, housekeeper to the President, points excit- edly at the picturesque toreador, Raymond Denkewicz, performing in an open amphitheater in Rome. The unmistakable sounds of a dog and cat fight issue from a rear com- partment. Plumblossom, the President’s wife’s pet cat, is pursued by the canine passengers, Wilbur, Mokey, Oueeny and Brownie. Close behind are their frantic keepers, Agnes Bergiel and Jake Jacobus. In vain the gardener of the plane, Jackie Bassett, tries to prevent Plumblossom from seeking ref- uge in the priceless and unique fruit tree, created by Glenna Boyle. All known types of fruit grow to, immense size on this remarkable tree. Reclining un- der it are Fay Closson and Helen Ethier who have perfected the rare art of transmitting brain waves. Suddenly the whole ship shakes from stem to stern as the Comet streaks by. Ruthie Burch, our messenger, rushes to the window and cries excitedly, “Look, flying by, — it’s a bird — no it’s a plane, — it’s the Comet, manned by Varick Smith, who has come to act as our escort, removing all obstacles from our course.” Unexpectedly Jean Murphy, who writes a column entitled “Sugar Short- age for the lovelorn, overcome by the altitude, faints. Her assistant, Claire Thomas calls the physician, Helen Lojas and Lillian Nadeau, registered nurse, and soon Jean is recovering under their careful administrations. Sooiii the vast expanses of the U. S. S. R. appear in the distance. We land in the center of Red Square. At the Turnerskov Opera House where the im- perial ballet is featured, Genevieve Bugai, Marg-uerite Lemoine, and Gladys Suhl, star ballerinas, are performing. The next act presenting the American dance artist, Eddie Simanski is a sensation. The costumes for the ballet were designed by Alice Pervere. Jeannette Dion was athletic advisor for the bal- lerinas. Jean Golaszewski, celebrated chemist, studying at the famous Moscow Russian university, comes o,n board. After this stop, a delectable lunch is served, prepared by the French chef, Tillie Boulanger. During the meal we heard Walter Molongoski, foreign correspondent broadcasting from China. Over in a corner, Virginia Jennison, child psychologist, is reading a book, “Proper Care for Children” written by Charlotte Haigis. Crossing the mountainous regions of Tibet we stop at Chungking to take on board Walter Wysk, teacher oif Chinese children, Phyllis Campbell, head of the USO for the occupying troops and Theresa Griesbach, who has been teaching the Chinese women new European hair styles. Page- Thirty hit

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“Onward and Upward” Turners Falls High School 1944 CLASS HISTORY FRESHMAN YEAR Unable to comprehend the full significance of the event, but with the knowledge that a goal in our young lives had been reached, we, 171 inexperi- enced freshmen, entered Turners Falls High School on September 7, 1940. Conscious of our ignorance and wondering what part in this organization would be ours to play, we undertook our elected courses and welcomed the guidance of our superiors. Weeks passed while we accustomed ourselves to the rules and practices of high school. Having already become familiar with the members of our class, our next step was to become acquainted with the upperclassmen. This opportunity was given us by the class of ’41 at the freshman hop held in our honor. Their welcome made us feel that we, too, were a part, though as yet insignificant, of the Turners High ' student body. Before winter began, the class of ’44 had representatives in many of our school organizations. Our basketball team had an excellent season, totalling six victories and no losses. The players on this team were Joe Constance, Bernie Bourdeau, George Bush, Brian Jacobus, Edward Coogan, Edward Czarnecki, Russell Baird, Joe Ivabaniec, Rene Parenteau, and Morton Morri- son. In February, Jean Spencer and Geraldine McCarthy represented the class in the annual American Legion oratorical contest. On June 25, 1941, the class of ’44 witnessed the traditional Class Day ex- ercises and on June 27, we quietly received our promotion cards, marking the close of a successful year of study and social activity. ft 8 SOPHOMORE YEAR No longer timid, and with the dignity that was suited to our new posi- tion, we commenced our second year of high school on September 8, 1941. Sophomores ! How little it concerned us that our title was of classical origin — meaning “wise fools’’ ! Such trackmen as Bernie Bourdeau, Brian Jacobus, Harold McCormick and Jackie Bassett brought victory to Turners High at the Franklin County Fair, the Western Massachusetts Track Meet held in Springfield, and at the Massachusetts State Track Meet. ' fhe one act play, “A Modern Thanksgiving” by Margaret Parsons, di- rected by Miss Alice Teed, gave Katherine Clark, Jeanne Pelletier, Ruth Wil- son, Fay Carroll, Geo,rge Bush, Bernard Bourdeau, Henry Czuj, James Mar- lin and Geraldine McCarthy an opportunity to demonstrate that our class po ssessed not only athletic ability but also dramatic talent as well. In October, Bernard Bourdeau was elected our first class president. Other officers chosen were : George Bush, vice-president ; Glenna Boyle, treasurer ; and Geraldine McCarthy, historian. Under the direction of Miss Alice Reum, class teacher, all efforts of the class were combined to present the sophomore social. With pride in our colorful autumnal decorations and an intense desire Page Thirty-eight