West Boylston High School - Lions Roar Yearbook (West Boylston, MA)

Page 32 text:

EXTRA! EXTRA! VOL 3 NO. 52 WEST JUNE 8, 1961 GRADUATION AT WBHS Today the Class of 1961 of the West Boyl- ston Junior-Senior High School is making head- lines— today marks the end of high school ed- ucation, today is graduation. In the audito- rium, before a packed audience of parents, relatives, and friends, sixty-three worthy stu- dents are about to receive their reward for a lot of work and study— a diploma. As they sit on the stage during the ceremonies, some are happy, and some are sad. No matter what his sentiment is, each one feels some touch of nostalgia at the thought of leaving the echoing corridors of his school. For some, each of the four years spent in high school will pass by quickly in retrospect. This is what they will remember: In September of 1957, the members of the Class of 1961 opened the doors of the new West Boylston High School for the first time. As they entered, they knew that they would be the first class to complete all four years of their high school education in this build- ing. This, in itself, was a distinction. Shortly thereafter, the Freshmen held their class elections. Ronald Pichierri was selected to guide the class in its infancy. To support their fine President, the class chose Robert Fisher as Vice-President, Judith Ramstrom as Secretary, Bonnie Goodale as Treasurer, and Joyce Culton as Student Council Represent- ative. Aided by the leadership of the execu- tive committee, the class undertook its first really big project in November— a dance entitled the Cornstalk Rock. The affair was a huge success. On the eerie night of goblins, witches, and ghosts, the Freshman class went about doing good by actively participating in the UNICEF drive. To climax the drive, the school spon- sored a booming Halloween party for the weary teen-agers. After working industriously for ten long months, the students left the school at the end of June for the long, glorious, summer vacation. However, they did not leave before they did their share to say farewell to the departing seniors. A group of girls. Mar y- Jeanne McMahon, Joyce Oulton, Elizabeth Davis, all served refreshments at the Gradu- ation Reception. After two months of relaxation and fun, the school year began again in September of 1958. The Sophomore class was fortunate to welcome three new faces— Lorraine Sardag- nola, Sharon Boynton, and Lorraine DeSanti. After renewing acquaintances with old friends, it was time to hold class elections once again. Ronald Pichierri, the incumbent, was re-elect- ed to serve as President, as was Judith Rams- trom, the incumbent, re-elected to serve as Secretary. Douglas Cameron became the new Vice-President, and David Lacilla became the new Treasurer. Bonnie Goodale and Richard Priestley were chosen as Sophomore Student Council Representatives. Several of the Class of 1961 became active- ly engaged in varsity sports during the 1958- 1959 season. Carolyn Harlow, who had been the sole representative of the class on the cheerleading squad in her Freshman year, was 28 joined by peppy Linda Stewart. This was the year the WBHS Cheerleaders cheered their way into fifth place in the famed Spencer Tournament. Also, during this same year, Richard Priestley, the sole Sophomore repre- sentative to the varsity basketball team, helped the hoopsters capture second place in the well-known Clark Tournament. Bonnie Good- ale, Nancy Lindberg, Joan Haworth, Judith Ramstrom, and Barbara Burke were active in girls ' sports this year. Robert Parker, Ben- jamin Lorge, Carl Nyman, William Quist, John Vickery, Ronald Pichierri, Edward Lynch, Thomas Gates, David Lacilla, Earl Meola, and Richard Meola took part in the various boys ' sports. In March, the Drama Club, under the ex- cellent direction of the new English teacher, Mr. McGrail, presented the first of its annual series of one-act plays. Bonnie Goodale and Joyce Oulton represented the class in this production. To culminate the year, the Soph- omore class, under the leadership of Douglas Cameron, presented an outdoor Memorial Day Assembly, and then they assisted at the Bac- calaureate services for the graduating Seniors. The Sophomore year, however, was only the beginning; more fame was yet to come to the Class of 1961. The Junior year beginning in September of 1959, was a busy, busy year for the Class of 1961. Per usual no class can function effi- ciently without a superb executive committee and per usual our class had the best. Ronald

Page 31 text:

Mile. Scopelliti dit, Repetez, si ' l vous plait ' JUDITH FRANCES WARREN General “Judi To be happy ourselves is a most effectual con tribution to the hap- piness of oth ers. A stranger would never guess that Judi ' s pretty complexion, strawberry- blonde hair, and big hazel eyes camouflage on outstanding sense of humor. Her vigorous ' Charleston typifies her vivacious personality. Judi is everybody ' : s friend — a friend that we all value very highly. Intramurals 11; Softball 12. JOYCE ANNE WELLWOOD General “Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. Joyce joined our class in its junior year, when she transferred from Charl- ton. Since then, she has shown great class spirit in her support of its ac- tivities. She has quickly made many friends in West Boylston. We wish her the best of luck in her future. Dramatics 9, 10; Webo 9; Chorus 9, 10, 11, 12; Choir 11; Senior Play 12 . DONALD H. WOOD College “Don “Men cannot labor on always. They must have periods of relaxation. Don is one of the most brilliant and best-liked members of our class. His quick wit pours through his happy- igo-lucky air in the form of innumer- able, amusing puns. Don loves to tinker with scientific gadgets, and seems headed for a scientifc career. Vice-president 11; Class Committees 11; Audio Visual Club 10; Christmas Ball Committee 12; Magazine Sales 10; Wachusett Regional High School 9. 27

Page 33 text:

Pichierri was again elected President. Judith Ramstrom and David Lacilla were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Donald Wood became the new Vice-President, and Elizabeth Faford and George DeFalco became the Junior Class Representatives to the Stu- dent Council. Welcome additions to our class were Karen Lund, Patricia Nadeau, and Joyce Wellwood. The traditional Junior class fund-raising proj- ect is the operation of the concession at the basketball games. Under the excellent leader- ship of Elizabeth Davis and Barbara Burke, the Class of 1961 substantially increased its class treasury with this project. The Class of 1960 presented its Christmas Ball in December; however, Junior girls made up the Queen ' s Court. They were Joan Gran- ger and Joan Haworth. Many Junior girls played varsity field hock- ey. They were: Bonnie Goodale, Nancy Lind- berg, Elizabeth Davis, Kathleen Davis, Joanne Maki, Patricia Nadeau, Joyce Oulton, and Barbara Burke. During her Junior year, pretty Joan Haworth joined the Junior representatives to the cheer- leading squad, Carolyn Harlow and Linda Stewart. Richard Priestly, Edward Lynch, and William Quist played varsity basketball, and David Lacilla, Howard Rotti, John Vickery, and Alexander Tautkas played junior varsity bas- ketball. Barbara Burke, Bonnie Goodale, Nancy Lindberg, and Judith Ramstrom played girls ' varsity basketball. Soon it was time again for the Drama So- ciety Plays under the directorship of Mr. McGrail. This year, Dorothy Berry, Barbara Burke, Elizabeth Davis, Kathleen Davis, Joan Haworth, Joyce Oulton, Joan Shusta, and Linda Stewart represented the Junior class in the successful production. At the winter award assembly two Juniors were given outstanding awards. Judith Rams- strom was given a school pin for speed typ- ing. Joanne Maki was awarded the Typist of the Year Award from the Underwood Com- pany. The most important event of the Junior year is the prom and our year was no ex- ception. Plans were laid very early in the fall with the appointment of the committee by the president. Members of this committee were Anthony Matera, Chairman; Douglas Cameron, Manager of the Aftermath; Joanne Maki, Tickets and Invitations, Mary-Jeanne McMa- hon, Refreshments; Joyce Oulton, Decor- ations; and John Vickery, Music. After months of elaborate planning and en- thusiastic working, the Class of 1961 present- ed to the students of WBHS on the evening of May 6, the most beautiful Prom in the his- tory of the school— Fantasia. The gymnasium was transformed into a castle and yard suit- able for the queen of any land. To present our queen to her subjects, the Class invited a special ambassador, Al Banx, a prominent car- toonist from the Worcester Telegram and Ga- zette. Before the fantasy of that magical night had faded, one of the members of the class, Joyce Oulton, flew to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she represented her school and her region in the National Science Fair. For many Juniors, May 13 was one of the most rewarding days of their high school ca- reers. On this day, thirteen students were in- ducted into the National Honor Society be- cause of their fine qualities in the fields of leadership, scholarship, character, and service. These students were: Dorothy Berry, Elizabeth Davis, Kathleen Davis, Bonnie Goodale, Joan Haworth, Nancy Lindberg, Benjamin Lorge, Mary-Jeanne McMahon, Joyce Oulton, Judith Ramstrom, Joan Shusta, John Vickery, and Joanne Maki. Soon Memorial Day was upon us. The Junior class was in charge of the school as- sembly. Joan Shusta and Dorothy Berry planned an inspirational program. Partici- pants were John Vickery, Douglas Cameron, Joan Haworth, Joyce Oulton, and Patricia Nadeau. Patricia was the most talented singer in the class. As the year was drawing to a close, the representatives to Girls ' and Boys ' State were announced by the American Legion. Douglas was chosen to attend Boys ' State at the Uni- versity of Massachusetts, and Elizabeth Davis was chosen to attend Girls ' State at Bridge- water State College. Karen Lund, the Boylston representative to our class, was chosen by the Boylston Legion Auxiliary to represent them at Girls ' State. These students were chosen on the basis of their outstanding ability in civic affairs. Final exams were taken and then another school year was over. The Class of 1961 were now Mighty Seniors. Some of the members relaxed over the summer vacation, some worked, and some studied. During the summer, Joyce Oulton and Ben- jamin Lorge attended science courses spon- sored by the National Science Foundation. Joyce studied at Cornell University, and Ben- jamin attended the Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut. Whatever the students did, they all had a busy summer. However, summer didn ' t last forever; soon school bells at WBHS were beckoning the Class of 1961 to return as Seniors. The first official act of the year was the election of new class officers. Those elected were: Douglas Cameron, President; David Lacilla, Vice-President; Judith Ramstrom, Sec- retary; Richard Priestley, Treasurer; and Bon- nie Goodale and Ronald Pichierri, Student Council Representatives. Ronald, who led our class for three years, now led the entire school 29 as president of the Student Council. Bonnie assisted him as Vice-President of the Student Council. The class president ' s first actions were to appoint a committee to run the dances after the Friday night home basketball games and to appoint a committee for the Christmas Ball. Members of the first committee were Barbara Burke, Mary-Jeanne McMahon and Anthony Matera. Members of the second committee were Ronald Pichierri, chairman, Joan Granger, Margaret DuVarney, Lorraine Sardagnola, David Lacilla, George DeFalco, and Donald Wood. The theme for the Ball was Snowbound. As usual, the class, under the leadership of Mr. Phelps and Margaret DuVarney, exhibited ex- cellent taste and skill in their dance decor- ations. In the senior year sports always play a major role. Many members of the Class of 1961 took a part in the WBHS sports pro- gram. The field hockey team had a winning sea- son under the direction of the new coach. Miss Hutchins. The cross-country team won the Southern Blackstone Valley League Title. John Vickery, the captain, and ace runner, broke the school record during the season. Other senior runners were David Lacilla, Earl Meola, Richard Meola, Ronald Pichierri, and Howard Rotti. Richard Priestley was elected Captain of the varsity basketball team in his senior year. Edward Lynch, William Quist, David Lacilla, Howard Rotti, John Vickery, Robert Parker, Carl Nyman also played basketball during their senior year. Linda Stewart, captain of the cheerleading squad, was the sole senior representative on the squad during our last year. Bonnie Goodale, Nancy Lindberg, Joan Ha- worth, Barbara Burke, and Joyce Oulton played girls ' basketball in their senior year. Bonnie has won great distinction in our school, as she has been co-captain of every girls ' sports team since her sophomore year. Among the wonderful Senior Ball, Senior Play, and excellent Junior Prom, the basket- ball and softball seasons were worked in. However, all too soon, the year was ending, and the time for final exams had come. Now, the Class of 1961 was taking the final step which would put an end to its four years in high school. Mr. Johnson was read- ing the names, Mr. Morse was handing out the diplomas, and the Seniors were descend- ing the platfor m. High school, with all its wonderful memories, was over, but the many roads into the mysterious future still lay ahead.