Watervliet High School - Spectator Yearbook (Watervliet, NY)

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS 0F 1947 FRESHMAN YEAR September, 1943, should be remembered by all of Watervlict High School. It was the freshman year of a brilliant class--the Class of 1947. -The first d-ay was the most confused and tiresome of all, especially to beginners. We were brought to the audi- torium where we listened to some teachers discussing the various courses. After the talk, teachers led us to our homcrooms on the first and second floors. The freshmen encountered many mishaps, such as failing to find certain rooms, but it did not take long to get adjusted. Before we knew it, five weeks had passed by and that meant studying for the tests. We surprised both the teachers and ourselves by passing with Hying colors. The freshman class were certainly proud of themselves when January had gone by and they found that they had a half unit to their credit by having passed a half year subject, namely, civics. Before the Christmas vacation, we organized and elected our class officers. Miss Ruth Murray, homeroom teacher of 209, whom some lucky freshmen, including myself, got for a homeroom teacher, aided us in the election. The officers chosen were the following: president, Ed Kapelag vice-president, Ruth Levack, secretary, Rita Kristof, and treasurer, Paul Skinner. During our freshman year, dues were collected weekly. It seemed the students took finances seriously, for at the end of the year our treasury was full. Many freshmen participated in sports, especially in basketball. On the freshman team were Teddy Baxter, jimmy Wiseman, Ed Kapela, and John Sally. W.H.S. came in second in the Principals League. Baseball in the spring found Watervliet winning the championship again with the aid of a new freshman star, Hack Harris. We were proud of W.H.S. because of a banner year in sports and we felt that we were part of the success. iWith the arrival of spring, came two important school events. In May, Mr. Saunders had a special assembly at which he presented the honor students of the Senior Class. Each freshman wished that he could be on the stage as an honor student in 1947. In June, according to custom, all classes go to the auditorium for Moving-Up Day. The freshmen become sophomores, sophomores become juniors, and juniors become seniors. It is a sad day for the seniors, as we shall soon realize. Following Moving-Up Day came June finals, which meant study and cramming. The time flew and soon all the exams were finished. We certainly were glad when at last we had two months to relax. SOPHOMORE YEAR -When vacation was over, we found ourselves struggling once again with our schedules, in addition to making new friends and renewing old ones. We were sophomores now and looked up to by freshmen. The task of getting to a room in two minutes flat now was as easy as rolling off a log . Perhaps this year, some of us could get the sixth period free and lounge on the davenport in the library. The librarian, then Miss Lcttis, helped us considerably in picking books suited for us. English teachers liked this practice because both they and we knew book reports had to be in on time or else . Now that we were sophomores, class officers had to be elected to lead us through a successful term. The election was held in the auditorium, and the following were chosen as officers: president, Gerald Terrill, vice-president, Marion Mackay, secretary, Ted Baxter, and treasurer, Fred Gloeckner. Basketball began and at the end of the season, W.H.S. won the Class B championship and the finals in the Saratoga play-offs. Watervliet proved to be skillful in both baseball and soccer by winning the pennants. All of the Sophomore Class looked forward to the Sophomore-Senior Party, a social event given to the seniors by the sophomores. Miss Murray aided us again, and thanks to the committee chairmen, the party was a huge success. The music was provided by Charlie Randel. The gymnasium was deoerated in various colors by students of the Sophomore Class. jane Meyer and Travis Mosier read the Senior Roll Call. Many prizes were awarded and everyone seemed to have a. pleasant time dancing and drinking coke with his best girl. ' Before anyone had realized it, June just around the corner . Moving-Up Day then made jolly juniors out of us, a title which all of us liked. JUN1o1t YEAR Our year as juniors was one of the happiest periods of the whole four years. The feeling of satisfaction, confi- dence, and courage made everyone ready to smile. Now, we realized that teachers were real human beings. We knew that if a problem arose, a teacher would help and be a real friend to us. In our junior year we were accus- tomed to everything in the school. We also noticed a change in ourselves as we developed from children into adults. People spoke to us as men and women, not as children. Teachers had more respect for us, knowing that we were upperclassmen now. 'In September, 1945, Miss Ellen Barrett, a new social studies teacher, came to join the faculty of W.H.S. The Junior Class chose her as advisor for the coming year. Miss Barrett organized the class for the election of officers. The students who represented us this year were the following: president, Fred Gloeckncrg vice-president, Bill Gensicki, Page Twenty-two

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x ,- College Lntranee Manager 5 at' ' nb 35 Soeeer fi Assembly ' F 0 .ll 45 junior-Senior Basketball 1.5 Frm 1 C 5 'l'raeI. o it 1 4 H1Y 2 5 4 Party C V' 3' 5 '- -, I, 1 y gave his little class- Om laws, And oked surprised at his elass- mates' applause. Kmlsllfzs wisumixy T-Gaia .1.1,.x Basketball l, 2, fl, 45 'l'raelc I, 2, Il Sophmnore-Senior Partv Conunittet 25 Soeeer fl, Captain 45 lli-Y 2, fi President -1: junior-Senior Partx' Committee 4g Varsitx' Club 4. A carefree, handsome sporlsman ln-5 7A buddy and pal he'll alwavs be. ANNE WUNDERLICH K'Annie Commer 'ial ' I.eadi-pg' illl lll t'4 . , . eiat'mn 1-5 ..emblx' 2' ' ian 2, Il g tor Plav'fg eer Team 4 l you l of Annie, please idx get your gun, For .he's really a sln' gal, but alwavs full of fun. ROSE BAKUN Rinse Cotnnnereial Assistant Treasurer 25 Girls' Athletic Association 25 Student Council 3 Sl'l'1C'I'ATOR Staff -14. Fireside happiness and hours of ease, Blest with that charm, the cer- tainty to please. Awww A Qt 5 CS FREDERICK ROSS Fred Academic Latin Club lg Varsity Club 45 Track 1, 2, 3, 45 Basketball 2, 3, 45 Sopho- more-Senior Party Committee 25 Base- ball 2, 33 Soccer 35 Football Manager 45 Junior-Senior Party Committee 4. His face is of the pleasing kind, And no better sportsman can you find. JAMES O'BRlEN 0.B. Academic At first he, to you, may seem shy But you'll change your mind by and by. ALEX YVITUSZYNSKI Alex 1 Co 1 ,Z , unc . uh 4-. His wit w' , plus the f That 1 s ' r f- w, make his success cert ZA ' ZEND N Zac . . , So onto e- 'nior J 4. e .p - -eh that is g for notlu 5 Here lies a sr ence that' is better.

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secretary, Doris Hopsong and treasurer, Ted Baxter. There was an increase in dues because of the many social events of the year. The juniors proved their brilliance by acting in the Christmas play, Why the Chimes Rang . Miss Jane Gabriels directed the play and the following students .were featured: Tom Boghosian, Ronald Powell, Gladys Lacerda, Phyllis De Poli, Gerald Terrill, and Anne Wunderlich. ln February, a long awaited time arrived-we chose our class ring. All the class enjoyed choosing the one they thought was best. A ring committee was made up and students who volunteered to work on-the job were congratulated. .The campaign between Bill Gensicki and Hack Harris for Student Council president will never be forgotten by the classes of W.H.S. Campaign speeches were read over the sound system each day for a full week. On the voting day, everyone cast his ballot and waited for the news. When the votes were all counted and Bill Gensicki had won, homeroom 209 felt deeply honored. The semi-formal Junior Prom was held at the Ten Eyck Hotel in Albany. The committee heads for the Prom were Fred Gloeckner, Bill Gensicki, and Gerald Terrill.. Music was furnished by Paul Erwin, and Shirley Jallon was crowned queen. At the end of the season, we had again obtained the championship in baseball, our fourth straight Principals League championship. In soccer we ended the season with a record of five wins, three ties and two defeats. The basketball team's most important game was playing Glens Falls at Convention Hall. Our boys in the closing seconds of an overtime game lost by one point. SENIOR YEAR After patience and hard work mixed with fun for three years, we are very proud to be called seniors. This is the year that everyone looks forward to and waits for patiently. The thought of graduation appears in every senior's mind. During the past three years each one of us has had problems which Mr. Sanders' kind and understanding manner has helped many of us solve successfully. The ofiicers chosen to represent us in the last year are the following: president, Fred Gloecknerg vice-president, O Robert Harrisg secretary, Camille Cutieg and treasurer, Louis Romeo. In November, the Junior-Senior Party was held in the gym with the Solid Senders providing the music. The Senior Ball: an April event, was a success as always. As a result of the efforts of some outstanding seniors and our faculty advisor, the Senior Ball will be remembered by many graduates of 1947. ln May, the senior play, You Can't Take It With Youu, was given. It was directed by Miss Jane Gabriels, head of dramatics, and the cast consisted of the following: Gerald Terrill, Gladys Lacerda, Patricia Carofano, Frank D1-Brick, Howard Stanley, Douglas Williams, Robert Knott, Fred Gloeckner, Marilyn Doust, Dick Burns, Shirley Ray, Bill Gt-nsicki, Ronald Powell, june Morrison, Camille Cutie, Herbert Fleck, and Warren Carr. i The Class of 1947 extends its sincere gratitude and esteem to Mr. Sanders, our principal, our teachers, and our class advisor, Miss Ellen Barrett. Their untiring efforts in helping us when we were in difficulty will never be forgotten. We shall always be grateful to them for their willingness to direct us on the path to success. y PETER CORNELL ' SUBJECTS English is, you all must agree, Very important to you and to me. In class each senior is a saint Although outside he still says ain't . In our grin class we must, of course, Do gymnastics on the horse. We vainly try to vault with charm But end up with a broken arm. H is for history which all must take, - Forty-hve minutes a day we forsake. We study and learn about Faraday, But 'throw back erasers which come our way. llealth, arithmetic, law, would be fine If we could only get ninety-nine! Subjects would not then cause pain If answers would only sink in our brain. Pity not us, but our teachers all, Who stood us winter, spring and fall. In their friendly hands we placed our fateg 'Tis for them we cheer as we graduate! MARION LABELLH Page Tavehtyrlrree