Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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The Class Histor FRESHMAN YEAR Dear Diary: September 8, 1948 was my first day at my new home. Wakefield High School, and it was as strange to me as it was to the 251 freshmen students. The helpful upper class- men directed us to the elevator, pointed the way to the science labs in the basement. and advised us to run up the wrong stairway to the lunchroom on the third floor. About the second week we had mastered the maps in the little red manuals and felt very much at home in the building which, to me, had first assumed the proportions of the Empire State Building. There were several new members among the faculty too, including Miss Callan, Mr. Barry, Mr. Hennessey, and Mr. Sheehan. Freshman Day came early in September. It was strictly a girls' affair, however, spon- sored by the Inter Nos Club. The girls appeared with pigtails and carried their belong- ings in pillow cases. The boys appealed to Mr. Healey for a part in the celebration, but he assured us we were good for a laugh as we appeared naturallyg consequently we counted the number of pigtails on the girls' heads with a superior air while trying to decide which damsel was pretty enough to accompany us to our first dance. The Student Council, sponsoring canteens, selling pennants, and backing activities, functioned well throughout the year. Although none of the freshmen made the football team, they were ardent fans right through the season to the Thanksgiving game, the one which spotlighted the season. By tying Gloucester 13-13, the Warriors prevented their opponent from winning a cham- pionship. This game, incidentally, was disputed because of an alleged mistake by a refereeg but no further action was taken: therefore the score remained unchanged. Another innovation that year was the Sports Club organized by Mr. Earle Crompton, the athletic director. In February the club presented a successful Talent Night. Doug Morley assisted the master of ceremonies, Mr. Ceddia. Virginia Hewitt, Lessie Spinks, and John Zappala were other representatives of the Class of 1952. Barrie Irish, a. freshman from Greenwood, won the coveted God and Country Medal presented to Eagle Scouts as their highest award. Three freshman girls, Eileen MacLeod, Charlotte Harmen, and Marilyn Curley served on the Lookout staff. On April 22, several members of the Class of 1952 participated in the annual music concert presented by the members of the band and orchestra. Doug Morley, Barrie Irish, Janet Wenzel, Shirley Tucker, Bruce Nahigyan, and Harlan Glover were in the band: Dorothy Dexter, Ruth Granston, Harlan Glover, Barrie Irish, Bruce Nahigyan, and Doug Morley were in the orchestra. This concert was in preparation for their ap- pearance at the Massachusetts Music Festival, held at Newburyport in May. The cheer- leaders and majorettes also represented the school. Ending on June 22, the first year was labeled a happy, noisy, crowded, but very suc- cessful one. I had to anticipate a lonesome summer, however, while my new friends were away on vacation. SOPHOMORE YEAR Dear Diary: Chasing mice got to be monotonous-even those educated mice of W. H. S.-and I was delighted when the noise and excitement started again on September 8, 1949. Some of my good friends began to develop into leaders in the second year with the election of homeroom ofiicers early in September. Next, in October, sophomores appeared for the first time in the Student Council, and in November the coveted position of class president was won by Arnold Salvati. The interest of the class then shifted to the gridiron, where we were well-repre- sented. The team, having been supported by an enthusiastic student body throughout the season, won a thriller from their great rival, the Melrose eleven, on October 29. The Science Fair was the next exciting event, and the Junior Forum came into being in the same year-1950. The basketball season really hummedg and, on January 7, we climaxed a good year by winning from Melrose High and attending a dance given by them after the game. Doug Morley brought publicity to Wakefield by taking part in a record judging show over radio station WHDH and winning irst prize. Dances and other social events closely followed one another and several reflected the time and energy of Carol Crocker. Doug Morley's orchestra was the most popular one that year too. As usual the school band participated in the annual Music Festival which was held near Pine Banks Park, Melrose, in April. Talent Night brought the debut of another sophomore, the famous comedian, Ray

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Girardin, Ji., who acted as master of ceremonies. Lessie Spinks again this year im- pressed her listeners with her pleasing voice. The final event of the year for us two-year-olds was, of course, our own Sophomore Hop on April 14. Many enjoyed dancing to the music of Jimmy Weeder's orchestra at the Movie Wonderland. Yes, Dear Diary, our second year and its happy memories have come to a close. leaving us a bit stunned but thrilled at the prospect of being juniors-another step to- ward our goal. JUNIOR YEAR Dear Diary: This was my third year at W. H. S. The school was so packed that I was nearly trampled every time I ventured toward the kitchen for one of Mrs. Prince's fish rolls. I couldn't understand why Miss Alice Kupiec, Mr. Kinder's secretary, had given my li'l black head such a romantic pat when she said goodbye in June: but I knew the reason when she returned in September with a new name-Mrs. Daniel Conley. We juniors met the new chemistry teacher, John Timothy Broderick, in his third floor medicine chest. His bow tie shook as he greeted me with, Surplus, get out of that catnip! Football again claimed our attention. Dick Boucher, Bob Luken, Arnold Salvati, Ray Girardin, Roy Serrentino, James Santoro, Barrie Irish, William Santoro, David Surrette. and Richie Fotino were on the field. We held a Beat Melrose Rally at the town hall the night before the game, and there was a parade through the Main Street preceding it. The spirited work of the cheerleaders-Frannie DeVita, Claire Sliney, Lois Windt, Kathy Creedon, Fifi Kent. Carol Hanson, and Norma VanDemark-helped the boys to a 7-7 tie the next day. In November came the Cinderella Junior Prom. Much credit for the glamor of the fairyland atmosphere went to the energetic decorating committee composed of Joan Maynard, Judy Horton. Carol Hanson, and Ray Girardin. Pat Henchey and Amold Salvati led the Glass Slipper Grand March. The Sports Carnival was another big winter event, and I was not a moment too soon in pussy-footing into the gym to see Joan English and Bob Howell crowned king and queen. The girls never painted my claws with their green, blue, silver, or gold nail polish- the newest fad-but. just the same. Johnny Pesky chose me for his Valentine at the Student Council Valentine Record Hop. On February 17, the third annual Talent Show, sponsored by the Sports Club was again a great success. Ray Girardin was the witty M. C.: Lessie Spinks won second prize: and Doug Morley's orchestra provided the background music. Dorothy Stockwell. Bernice White. Janet Evans, and Carol Crocker helped to make the dance a success. Eager to do our part toward the building of a new high school, we oifered our serv- ices as baby sitters during town meeting days so that all parents could attend and decide what to do about this great civic question. On March 12. 1951, we chose our class colors and motto. Diolinda Ponte was chair- man of the color committee and Carol Carr served in the same capacity on the motto committee. From the ten mottoes submitted, the class chose Live to Learn and Learn to Live. Maroon and gold became the class colors. Gay circus figures covered the walls of the gym on Friday evening, March 31. when the Majorettes held their Circus Fantasy. Dr. Bair, our superintendent for three years, announced his resignation in April to become superintendent in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Mr. John B. Hendershot was to re- place him in September. As spring approached, outdoor life appealed to us, and juniors Louis Rindone. Bob Luken, Russ Jeffery. James Santoro, Leonard Meuse. Leo Spang, and Alban Lobdell were seen burning up the track in preparation for a winning season. Mrs. Dexter. the former Miss Marjorie T. Bunker, constructed her last right triangle and solved her final equation as she retired from teaching at W. H. S. in June. In June I packed Shirley Needham, Diane Crowell, and Donald Myers' suitcases like cans of sardines for their trips to Girls' and Boys' State. Finally June and vacation days were upon us and we became of age, assuming the grave manner of seniors. in preparation for September when we would really be the elite of Wakefield High School! SENIOR YEAR Dear Diary: Seniors at last! There was a new man at school this year. He always took time tc pat me and give me extra meals. Was I surprised when I leamed that this was friendly Mr. Hendershot, our new superintendent! Our class election was the first important event in this busy year. We chose Arnold Salvati as president: Doug Morley. vice-president: Kathy Creedon, secretary: and Mal Curley. treasurer.