Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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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

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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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THK KKMOIt VKAIt IIOOK 17 faithfully and eagerly followed the activities and undertakings of the class which we hold so dear. An annual event of particular interest to the townspeople is the Thanksgiving Day football game between Westerly and Ston-ington. Regardless of the fact that, this year, Stonington won, much praise is due James Fiori, Everette Greene, and Reuben Deutsch, for the very fine game they played. To this classic in the world of sport, men and women, boys and girls, young and old, large and small, came enthusiastically and in great numbers. Of no less interest to the cosmopolitan inhabitants of Westerly was the Senior Play, Moliere’s “The Would-Be Gentleman,” directed by Miss Stanton. Frank Acolina, as Monsieur Jourdain, and Wenonah Smith, as his irate spouse, won not only the spontaneous laughter but the sympathy of their audience. Who could see Minnie Felicetti as the little maid without giving himself up to fits of merriment almost equal to hers? We are sure that Thomas Wright, as Covielle, was particularly enthralled by her charms. Edward Cotter “that good-for-nothing fencing master,” Elisha Peckham as Cleonte, indeed, all in any way connected with the performance, were responsible for its huge success. The 1930 cantata “The Erl King’s Daughter” was considered by. the audience as one of the greatest successes in recent years. Our soloists were Mrs. John Ruisi, former member of the Philadelphia Opera Company, and Mr. La Fontaine, well-known singer and organist. The applause and the congratulations were a well-paid compliment to the soloists, the high school chorus, and to Mr. Robert Valentine, our most worthy and talented director. Yes, the citizens of Westerly have never been known to fail us on the occasion of any important undertaking. Indeed, the very fact that so many have come tonight to listen to our fun and enjoy it with us, proves their admiration. May we, at this time, thank them, one and all, for the kindly interest they have shown in our varied activities and achievements. Thus I conclude this, the History of the Class of 1930, which with all due humility, I acclaim as the most authentic, accurate, scholarly, truthful historical record ever presented to the Westerly public.