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

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“ Onward and Upward ” Turners Falls High School 1944 to make this, our first social activity, a success, we acted as hosts to the fac- ulty and student body. The pleasant evening enjoyed by all who attended was ample reward for our labor. In early fall, five boys invaded the varsity line-up of the football team. These included Jackie Bassett, David Gunn, Edwin Banash, Varick Smith and Brian Jacobus. These sophomores aided in bringing seven victories to Tur- ners High. Only one game was lost. In November, Bernard Bourdeau, George Bush, Virginia Richardson and Jane Thomas were selected as the committee members to chopse our class ring. On December 8, 1941, we assembled with the other classes in the audi- torium to hear the historic broadcast in which Congress declared war upon Japan. We realized then that our school and home life must undergo many difficult changes, but we were determined to carry on in opr activities with the fighting spirit long characteristic of Turners High. Under the direction of Miss Helen McGillicuddy the sophomores pre- pared a program in observance of December 15, Bill of Rights’ Day. The opening of the basketball season found seven sophomores competing for positions on the second team. These boys were Bernard Bourdeau, George Bush, Brian Jacobus, Edward Czarnecki, Edward Coogan, and Joseph Yarmac. They were victoriops in six of the seven games played. In the American Legion oratorical contest held in February, 1942, Ken- neth Rau and Geraldine McCarthy represented the class. In the spring two of us George Bush and Brian Jacobus won berths on the varsity baseball team. For the first time in our high school careers, we participated in the an- nual graduation exercises in June. With the conclusion o,f these ceremonies, our summer vacation began. JUNIOR YEAR On a warm September day in 1942 school reopened and our class now numbering 96 members began its third year in Turners Falls High School. In the class elections Bernard Bourdeau was reelected president ; George Bush, vice-president; Jean Spencer, secretary; Katherine Clark was elected treas- urer; and Geraldine McCarthy was reelected historian. In the third week of September, Co,ach Joseph Shefif took a fine track team to the Franklin County Fair. The juniors who aided in bringing another great track victory to Tur- ners High were Bernie Bourdeau, Harold McCormick, and Brian Jacobus. The boys also participated in the Western Massachusetts Track Meet. At the commencement of the football season of 1942, six junior boys competed for positions on the varsity squad. William Martin secured a berth in the backfield. Varick Smith, Brian Jacobus, Jackie Bassett, David Gunn, and Edwin Banash also saw much service. With the support of these boys, the squad totaled seven victories and only one defeat. In the early winter, two members of the faculty, Mr. Bernard Foley, teacher of Latin and history, and Mr. George Richason, teacher of mathemat- ics were called into active military service. Mr. Richason received his call in November; Mr. Foley, in December. Both men, who had enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve, were commissioped ensigns. New teachers included Mr. Olaf Hoff, Jr., mathematics instructor, Mr. Pape Thirty-nine

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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

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“ Onward and Upward ” Turners Falls High School 1944 George Reed, chemistry and physics instructor, and Mr. Philip Smyrnios, teacher of commercial law and bookkeeping. Following the resignation of Mr. Hoff, Miss Ruth Dunn was appointed mathematics teacher. In January, 1943, the effect of war was truly felt when two, of our class- mates, Louis Zankin and Francis Legere were drafted for military service. Both boys entered the United States Army. Under the leadership of Coach J. J. Sheff, the ’42-’43 basketball season was a very favorable one. Our classmates, Geoirge Bush, Brian Jacobus. Bernard Bourdeau, Joe Yarmac, Ed Czarnecki, and Red Coogan played a proiininent part in bringing eleven victories to Turners High. Seventeen games were played. On March 17, 1943, tryouts for junior priz e speaking were held in Room 16. Those juniors selected to compete in this important school activity were Jean Spencer, Albina Waidlich, Jane Thomas, Glenna Boyle, Brian Jacobus, Leonard Aldrich, Edwin Banash and Varick Smith. First place in this May event was won by Brian JacoLus with his selec- tion. “The Devil and Daniel Webster”; second, Albina Waidlich, with “My Friend Flicka , and third, Jane Thomas with “With the Photographer”. After several weeks of untiring labor by Miss Reum and the dance com- mutes, the annual Junior Prom was presented on May 7. Against a back- ground of light and French blue crepe paper, colorful streamers, and blue panels decorated with stars and airplanes, the Class of ’44 acted as hosts at this annual formal dance. Our prom had the largest attendance of any prom in the history of the high school. A month passed, and it was time for another socia l activity — the senior farewell. Then came graduation and we were sobered by the thought that our high school days were rapidly fleeing. SENIOR YEAR Seniors! How elated we were that we had attained this long-sought goal ! Only 86 members of the original 171 passed through the portals of Turners High in early September. The class of ' 44 realized that it had lost a sympathetic friend and capable teacher when Miss Nellie P. FitzGerald, librarian and tejacher of English and Social Science resigned. Miss Dorothea Shute was added to the faculty to teach English and history and to serve the high school as librarian. Mr. Joseph J. Sheff, teacher of biology, and Mr. Paul Shumway, chemis- try and physics instructor, entered their country’s service. Mr. Shumway is a Lieutenant in the Naval Air Corps; Mr. Sheff is la private in the U. S. Army. Three more teachers have been added to fill vancancies. These include Miss Lillian Pojitella, Latin and French teacher, Mr. John Welsh, biology in- structor and Mr. Edward Prondecki, teacher of chemistry, aeronautics, and general science. Captained by Bernard Bourdeau, our track team was victorious in the Franklin County Fair Meet. Harold McCormick, Brian Jacobus, and John Bassett ' aided in defeating Greenfield by a 56 2-38 count. In early October we elected the officers for the last time. Bernard Bcur- deau was reelected president; George Bush, vice-president; Albina Waidlich was elected secretary ; Phyllis Schneider, treasurer ; and Geraldine McCarthy was reelected historian. Page Forty