Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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THE SENIOR YEAR ROOK 15 Wyoming, Bradford, Carolina, and Kenyon. All of these have proved the best of comrades and many of them have greatly enhanced the fame of our group. Four capable scholars whom we chose to represent us during our third year were: Our Junior year is perhaps distinguished more for its entire lack of important happenings than for any extraordinary events which occurred therein, the most remarkable omission being that of the usual Junior Prom to which every socially-minded junior is accustomed to look forward. If you wish to know in more detail why we held no dance last year, ask our treasurer. As we were, however, the first class, since the dawn of history, unable to have a Prom, we might as well pride ourselves upon the fact as feel ashamed of it. The one outstanding feature of that year, in the estimation of my observers, was the forming of various clubs, including the following: English Club, Dramatic Club, Handicraft Club, Travel Club, Commercial Club, French Club, Radio Club, and Aviation Club. These groups met every Thursday, enjoyed themselves greatly, and accomplished much. One morning in Assembly we listened to an announcement of especial interest to the effect that each club would be called upon to present a program on a certain date and that a prize would be given to the most successful contestant. This award was won by the English Club in its presentation of the pageant, “The Coming of Spring,” based upon the old Greek myth Dimeter and Persephone. Later in the year, the Dramatic Club submitted Richard Harding Davis’ play “Miss Civilization” at a meet held in competition with ight other schools at Pawtucket. Although ‘Miss Civilization” was not given the honor of first place, it was enthusiastically received and reflected great credit on Miss Jane B. Stanton, director of the play. In spite of the numerous omissions and hardships of our junior year, it came to an end all too soon. Although we returned to school in the fall of 1929, feeling infinitely superior to the other classes, a few uncalled for but rather illuminating remarks by some of our teachers brought us to earth and a more humble attitude with a crash. Since the duties of senior officers are more arduous and responsible than those of other class authorities, wTe took great care to choose representatives who would make the school proud President Vice President Albert Green James Federico Secretary Treasurer Malcolm Hinchliffe Frank Acolina

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14 THE SENIOR YEAR BOOR logs. We certainly get a great deal of amusement out of the bright sayings of the freshmen, don’t we, Marjorie?” “Indeed we do. Upon being asked who, in his opinion, was our most famous American author, an enterprising youth answered, ‘My father.’ Miss Simmons, somewhat surprised, ‘Why, does your father write books?’ ‘No, but he writes all my checks.’ ” Perhaps many fathers present tonight did not realize before that they were famous literary lights. Virginia Collins brought this humiliating conversation to an end by saying, “Well, Marjorie, we must be going. There’s the bell for class, calling us to a discussion of really important subjects.” And the Seniors of 1927 never to this day have discovered that their uncomplimentary remarks were overheard. With the passage of the months, we gradually became wiser and lived down the great shock to our self-respect caused by an innocent freshman’s eavesdropping. Bear with me now while I relate to you the report of my third group of observers, our present senior class. With great diligence and earnestness, they have collected for me a record of the activities of the class of 1930 during the last three years of their high school life. As sophomores, we had acquired a great store of legitimate pride, finding ourselves one step higher toward that goal in life for which everyone strives—Success. After getting settled and becoming accustomed to the routine of our life as superior beings, we elected the following officers: President Frank Acolina Vice President Everette Greene Secretary Barbara Briggs Treasurer Alphonse Gencarelli To make the achievements of our second year complete, we can truthfully say that we did our part toward bringing additional athletic fame and renown to swell the already glorious iecord of W. H. S. Reuben Deutsch and Quentin Tucker particularly deserve our wholehearted praise for their hard work and conscientious practice during the sporting season. Other outstanding football heroes, who by their many successful games helped put W. H. S. on the map, were Abraham Itchkawich, Vero Morrone, and Everette Greene. We can accredit the high standard of our records in track particularly to Edward Cotter, Reuben Deutsch, and Everette Greene, who, we even then felt sure, would win future honor as cross-country runners. In the opening days of 1928, we were glad to welcome several new members from Hope Valley, Asha way, Shannock, Rockville,

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J« TUI. SHMOH VIlAll HOOK of us in the years to come. The following, after much deliberation, were chosen: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer John Tobin Nelson Thorp Barbara Briggs Frank Acolina Under their expert leadership, we were able to hold our Senior Prom, a most enjoyable and festive occasion. Indeed, from every point of view, our senior year has proven the happiest and most successful of the four. It is with pardonable pride that I now relate to you the viewpoint of our well-beloved faculty. Imagine their amazement upon hearing that twenty-three scholars from our brilliant group were eligible to the Rhode Island State Honor Society: In fact, the teachers were so overcome that they have insisted upon my giving the list to you. John Dudley Tobin Patsy Joseph Celestino Malcolm Cheney Hinchliffe Minnie Katherine Felicetti Freda Maria Hannuksela Rickey Tutsch Claire Marie Fraquelli Ruth Saunders Julia Carlene Irish Eleda Mary Langworthy Ella Winifred Astill Evelyn Monica Bliven Susan Harriett Suprika Gertrude Irene Greenhalgh Gertrude Augusta Solomon Evelyn Monica Bliven Marion Estelle Crandall Isabella Zella Leon Ellen Margaret Sunderlund Gertrude Adeline Melbourne Wenonah Elaine Smith Martha Louise Cook Ruth Frances Parker 'Two of our members, Gertrude Solomon and Louise Cook, through distinguishing themselves as valedictorian and salu-tatorian, respectively, have won the especial approval and undying admiration of the faculty. For four years they have upheld the highest standards of scholarship. Frank Acolina, who won second place in the 1929 Prizespeaking Contest, and Ella Astill, winner of the second prize among the Martha C. Babcock essayists, have also gained for themselves a particularly soft spot in the hearts of the teachers. Last, but not least, the faculty and class of 1930 are rightfully proud of Gertrude Melbourne whose exceptional ability won for her first prize in an essay contest of the American Chemical Societies. We feel that anyone who has not read her essay “The Relation of Chemistry to the Enrichment of Life” should not fail to do so at his first opportunity. The report of my last group of observers, the citizens of Westerly, will no doubt be of particular interest to you. For the entire four years of our high school life, they have