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

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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

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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 On October 20, 1943, the Turners Falls Fittle Theater of the Air broad- cast William Saroyan’s People With Light Coming Out of Them” over WHAI. This program was first presented to the student body in a Columbus Day assembly. The seniors who took part were Brian J ' acobus, Varick Smith, Jean Spencer, Glenna Boyle, Leonard Aldrich, Jane Thomas, Edwin Banash, Albina Waidlich and Kenneth Rau. With Brian Jacobus and Varick Smith as ends, Jackie Bassett as tackle, and David Gunn as guard, the 1943 football season got under way. Of the nine games played, five were won, two lost, and two tied. The Thanksgiving classic, played on our oval, ended in a scoreless tie. Three of Turners High’s regular cheerleaders are members o,f the class of ’44. These are Claire Mercier, Peggy Merriott, and Fay Jean Carroll. In December tryouts for parts in the senior play, Lost Horizon”, by James Hilton, were held in the library. The judges were Mr. Wrightson, Mr. Lorden, Miss Shute, and Miss Reum. The casit selected included Sylvia An- near, Leonard Aldrich, Lawrence Boulanger, Fay Carroll, David Gunn, Mar- guerite Lemoine, Geraldine McCarthy, Alice Pervere, Kenneth Rau, Edward Simanski, Varick Smith, and Jean Spencer. Assistants to the coach were Ruth Burch and Helen Kelleher. For many weeks Miss Teed directed this group and on February 10, 1944, this phantasy, one of the finest in the history of Turners High, was presented to a capacity house. In December four more stars were added to our high school service flag when Kenneth Mathieu, Warren Lambert, Kenneth Finck, and Edwin Banash left for active service with the navy. With “Temples of Liberty” as his subject, Kenneth Rau wo,n the Ameri- can Legion oratorical contest in February. With the opening of the basketball season, six seniors reported for prac- tice under a new coach, Mr. Edward Prondecki. These boys, who formed one of the finest varsity squads Turners has produced, included George Bush, cap- tain, Red Coogan, Brian Jacobus, Bernard Bourdeau, Ed. Czarnecki and Joe Yarmac. The team won 16 of the 19 games played, making Turners rank third in Western Massachusetts. This was the best basketball record that Turners has had in 25 years. The peak of the season was reached in March when Capt. Bush led his team to victory on three successive nights in the Massachusetts State College Tournament, thus winning the Small School Tourney. The class of ’44 was again victorious in the intramural games when Knobby’s Hellcats of Room 23, captained by Varick Smith, won the finals in this competition. In late winter Miss Ayer, faculty advisor, selected the members of the yearbook staff and work was immediately begun. On January 29, the last day of the mid-year exams, the seniors presented a Sports Cabaret for the entertainment of the student body. The committee which planned the affair included Bernard Bourdeau, George Bush, Phyllis Campbell, Mary Care, Geraldine McCarthy and Miss Ayer, faculty advisor. Leonard Aldrich acted as Master of Ceremonies. Their efforts to provide entertainment after the strain o,f exams were most successful. Under the leadership of Miss Alice Reum and its officers, the Class of ’44 carried on its last activities with calm and efficiency. In spite of our small number, w r e participate in all projects with zeal and ever strive to climb “On- ward and Upward”. Page Forty-one