West High School - Westerdays Yearbook (Pawtucket, RI)

Page 15 text:

MR. CHARLES E. SHEA, JR. Superintendent of Schools Former Principal, 1949—1958 boasted of seven National Merit Scholarship finalists. These students, Nancy Friedman, Donna Fox, Carol Robinson, Ronni Kern, Sue-Ellen Wittner, William Spillman, and Stephen Ostrach. ranked in the top one-half of one percent of all high school seniors in the nation. West can well be proud of them. During its twenty-five year history. West High has undergone several personnel changes. Mr. Chester M. Dascombc, principal for nine years was succeeded in 1949 by Mr. Charles E. Shea. Mr. Shea remained at West until 1958, when Mr. Thomas J. Moriarty and Mr. John B. Richer became principal and vice-principal respectively. In 1963. Miss Eleanor F. Cullen replaced Miss Mary McKitchen as dean. In this transfer of authority, West High lost one friend and gained another. Also in 1963, Mr. William J. McDole, for many years a West teacher, was elevated to the position of vice-principal. Dramatics has always boasted acclaim at West High. In 1946, for the fourth time in the school’s six year history, West High actors took first place in the annual State Drama Festival at Brown University. They presented a play entitled, “The Open Door.” The Dramatics Society in 1964 presented its first musical, “H.M.S. Pinafore.” West is best in the field of sports for our school can boast of many championship teams. In 1941. the Ranger hoopsters began their two year reign as state basketball champions. In 1949, West hasehall team secured the Class B Championship of Rhode Island. In 1963. West held the state championship in tennis. Who would have believed that two sophomore girls could have caused a state-wide ban on girls participating in boys’ sports? West boasts of this dubious honor. Gail Abrams and Ruth Fishbein joined the golf team in 1962. Although they won their positions through open competition, they were barred from future competition for their remaining two years. Thus, Ruthie and Gail became the first, last and only girls to compete in “Boys’ ” Sports. Norman Brunelle should he cited as the most determined graduate of West. Although he was a polio victim and unable to attend formal classes, he graduated with the class of 1953. He went on to achieve success in .life. It is interesting to note that in 1960. Michael Rabb and FRANCIS J. VARIEUR Deputy Superintendent Former Teacher

Page 14 text:

Twenty-five Year History TWENTY-FIVE YEAR HISTORY In September, 1940, the newly built Pawtucket West Senior High School opened its doors to admit its first students. The awe and wonder that must have filled the minds of these students is beyond the powers of our comprehension. Students who were the initiators of the West High traditions of courage, determination, ambition, effort, activity, endurance, and achievement that they found inscribed on their new building. This wonder soon turned to curiosity that led to knowledge, understanding, perseverance, and the fortitude that permeates these halls enticing present and future students to live up to a proud heritage. We now charge future generations with the responsibility, duty, and privilege of carrying the torch of learning on to greater heights. Designed by architect John F. O’Malley, ground-breaking ceremonies took place on September 15, 1938. Mayor Thomas MR. CHESTER M. DASCOMBE First Principal 1940— 1949 P. McCoy lifted the first shovel of earth from the property donated by Frank A. Sayles, prominent Pawtucket businessman and philanthropist. Mayor McCoy was also present to put the cornerstone in place in 1939. The first graduating class chose as its officers Frederick Massie, Mary Cavanaugh, Jean Whyte, and John Wilson. The academic year 1940-41 marked the beginning of many activities that have become an integral part of our school life. On November 15. 1940, the first issue of the WESTERNER was published under the joint editorship of Lois Colinan and John Dillon. On graduation night, June 16. 1941, the first edition of WESTERDAYS was presented to the graduates. Many of the members of this first graduating class who had left their studies to serve in the Armed Forces during the crucial war years returned to receive their diplomas at gradua- MISS ELLEN A. VANCE First Dean 1940-1949 tion exercises. Caps, gowns, and uniforms were the attire of the diploma recipients. One of West High’s dearest traditions is the class ode. The ode, written yearly by seniors in competition, marks the final act of the graduating class. Only once in the history of the ode has a student written both the words and music. She was Dorothy Barlow, who in 1944 wrote, “Fill our hearts with wisdom pure and wipe away our tears.” The history of West High has been highlighted by the achievements of many of its students. Showing remarkable versatility, they have distinguished themselves in fields ranging from electronics to sewing. West has also had its share of writers. Three times in four years a Ranger won the state-wide Governor’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation essay contest. In 1962. the award went to Christine Esau, and in both 1960 and 1961 Cynthia Nield, recently a student-teacher here at West, won. Miss Nield also won second prize in a nation-wide “Jobs For The Handicapped” essay contest. She received her plaque from Vice-President Richard M. Nixon in Washington, D.C. The year 1964 was an academic triumph, for West High 10

Page 16 text:

Raymon Sullivan repaired the public address system that had been out of order for nine years and declared hopeless by professional electricians. During those critical war years of the 1940’s, West High aided the war effort with courses in aeronautics and radio. Bond sales and salvage drives were the order of' the day. Many teachers still reminisce and chuckle when the airplane assembled in the mechanical drawing room is mentioned. When this biplane was assembled, all marveled at the achievement, the only problem it presented was that it was impossible to remove it from its hangar. This year. 1965. has been memorable in many ways. It is a year of improvement here at West. This began with the installation of a new public address system, a remodeling of the office, a total refurbishing of the auditorium, painting of the exterior, and replacing of floors. The language lab, built last year, came into full use in 1965. Students are now able to grasp the phonetics as well as the grammar of a language. For the first time in its history, West sent a delegation of six students to a Model General Assembly of the United Nations held at Salve Regina College in Newport. The students represented the nations Monaco and Israel. Miles Jensen, this year, became the first West High student to win a principal nomination to one of the four Military Academies. He was the principal appointee of Congressman Fernand St. Germain to the Air Force Academy. This year’s main dramatics project was “My Fair Lady.” Starring Richard Charpentier and Kathy Marsden, the play was greatly acclaimed by all. Seventy-nine members of the senior class were elected to the Rhode Island Honor Society. As we conclude this informal review of the history of West High, our minds turn naturally to speculations of its future. We. the class of 1965, remember with fondness our three years at West—our gay sophomore year, our junior year shadowed by the death of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and our solemn, hopeful senior year. We feel a pride for and an affinity to West, our Alma Mater, and we would like to feel that these feelings are wholly and singularly ours. But the fact remains that these emotions are not unique, for as far back as the first graduating class. West has displayed the charm of evoking in its Rangers feelings of pride and joy and anticipation. This charm inspired Janet Grabowski. class of 1941, to write: LOOKING FORWARD Within Wfest High’s protecting walls So many students sit, And to each one the duty falls To make all proud of it. A brand new school in which you see Improvements of all kinds; Perfection with a capital “P” To improve American minds. So hark! young students, seize your chance, Take up your books, resolving That toward some goal you shall advance. Your future you’ll be solving. West High, so dear to us all, has reflected the changes of our times, but has been able to maintain the spirit, tradition and heritage inculcated by our predecessors. We pray that these ideals will always remain. L. Gomes J. Priluck J. Stern 12