Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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THE SENIOR YEAR BOOK - 1936 Qilaan 'itinturg UST two years ago tonight that our class graduated! How appropriate that I this very minute have finished a letter to Ilse Heyder, who has just re- turned home from Pembroke for the sum- mer vacation. It seems a long time since those days spent at Westerly High, but I remember and cherish many incidents in the program of my class. Ilse, also, is naturally deeply interested in the pleas- ures of the past, and has asked me to write down for her whatever fond mem- ories I have left, after two years. Won't you share with my friend and me the reminiscences in my letter? Westerly, R. I. June 15, 1938. Dear Ilse: Remember that first day when we wide- eyed Sophs roamed around the corridors looking for our rooms? We knew that studying in this school would be diferent from studying in the up-to-the-minute Junior High, but we could not prophesy whether we would like it or not. In three years We came to revere the ven- erable old building, and as one of the last classes to study within its walls, we felt fortunate for having had the exper- ience. We elected to the helm that first year Mary Pothier, able and adroit, a girl who spurred the class to heights of achieve- ment. Dorino Panciera was made Vice President, while Pauline Pitcher and Ruth Spargo were voted for the positions of Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. This quartette brought our class out of oblivion to zealous life. During their Sophomore year many of our classmates began their athletic ca- reers which were to make them outstand- ing throughout their high school- days. Everett- Peduzzi was a highlight on the basketball court, as you probably remem- ber if you saw him defending the Blue and White against the Fisher's Island High team. Archie Dubuque was a prom- inent baseball star, while Mary Donati, Doris Pierce, and Lois Kessel were chosen for the varsity basketball team that first year. In early spring we were saddened by the sudden and tragic death of our dear classmate, Lydia Champlin. She had gained many friends during her brief as- sociation with us. On the last day of May, Doris Pierce, the girl with the unforgetable voice and vivacious personality, won second prize in the annual Prize Speaking Contest. The year of 1934 ushered in a new type of entertainment to our school-the Varie- ties Show-immensely popular. Eleanor Martin, classmate for a year, was a hit as the Cinderella of the minuet. The Va- rieties were a tremendous success, due partly to their personal touch and partly to the time spent. in perfecting them. We left school for the summer vacation, not at all disappointed in our first High School year. Highly we resolved to con- tinue our record throughout our sojourn at W. H. S. And our Junior year adequately ful- filled that resolve. Early in the fall the class officers were elected to their posi- tions of responsibility. John Taylor be- came president, and immediately assumed the proper dignified attitude. The other officers were Ilse Heyder, Bob Kessel, and Gertrude Plympton. Chemistry is one of the outstanding memories of my Junior year. How well we recall the stifiing odors that often is- sued from our test tubes! One of our fellow Juniors, Elsa Schuster, came off with honors in the Interscholastic Chem- istry contest at Rhode Island State Col- lege. She certainly deserves credit for her ability and effort. Our classmates had many interests and how zealously they pursued them! Those who had been successful in ath- letics the first year continued their good records. At the Thanksgiving game, West- erly downed Stonington, 6-0, with the -..agf 9 ly..-

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Tun Slmlok YIQAR Book - 1936 1Hrwihent'n 2-Xhhreaa THE Class of 1936 extends to the eit- izens of Westerly and to the teach- ers and students of Westerly High School a most cordial welcome to its last evening of fun together. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all for your wonderful support in our school activities. We also thank you for the new high school which is now be- ing built. Although this class will not be attending the new school, we appre- ciate all that its added facilities will mean to those who come after us. For their teachings, patience, and will- ing guidance, we sincerely thank our teachers who have supervised us during these years of our secondary schooling. During these past three years various events have cemented friendships with classmates from this town and surround- ing towns-friendships which we are sure will never be broken. And though this may be our last eve- ning of fun and frolic together, the night is still young. Shortly our historian will relate some of the highlights of our so- journ in dear old Westerly High School. Certain members of our class have vari- ous talents, either born to them, achieved by them, -or thrust upon them, and as our Class Will is read, these abilities will be left to undergraduates. To give you an idea of our brilliance and versatility, our prophet will tell you of what we are ex- pected to accomplish in the not-too-far- distant-future. And we also have de- grees to be read and gifts to be given. But why indulge in long preliminaries, when we have so many pleasures to look forward to? -Paul Misisco. 3 53..,.-

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THE SENIOR YEAR Book - 1936 help of Dick Walthers, Everett Peduzzi, Hunk Williams, and Edgar Goff. Fencing, a new sport which was introduced into the school that year, attracted several Junior boys. Lois Kessel and Mary Don- ati, in fine form, brought their basketball team to victory over the Seniors with 11 score of 22-16. In soccer, too, the Jun- iors had the strongest team. That same year the tennis courts at the Junior High School were opened. When the 1935 Seniors were graduated, and the results of the Martha C. Babcock essay contest were revealed, our class again could take pride in its own, for at that time was discovered the literary tal- ent of Ruth Nichols and Louise Himes. Our Junior year slipped away. Chem- istry and Cicero were soon things of the past. Not long after we settled down for our last year, the Senior class elec- tions were held. Upon Paul Misisco as president, Bob Kessel as vice president, Pauline Pitcher as secretary, and Max Raithel as treasurer, was conferred the leadership of the class. Casting all mod- esty aside, let me mention that I was editor-in-chief of The Senior. Our last year was destined to be so full that we had little time to idle away. Sports were a major issue to many. In football, Captain Kessel's fine leadership, with the remarkable playing of other Sen- iors, brought W. H. S. the co-champion- ship of Class B. Our captain was hon- ored by being selected as a tackle on the All-State eleven. At the annual track meet at Kingston several Seniors brought our school th-e leadership in its class di- vision. The Senior Prom, in the autumn, was very much of a success. The harvest dec- orations were not only novel, but also ap- propriate and lovely. There was eager talk in anticipation of the grand event, and much reminiscing afterwards. Early in the fall, Miss Stanton began the search for talent for the 1935 Varie- ties. What a success the show was be- cause of the old fashioned songs done in pantomime, and the popular amateur hour! Placido Trovato, Bob Kessel, and Josephine Brusa were outstanding high- lights, while Virginia Van Bramer, our own Dizzy Lish, captured the show with her infectious interpretation of the radio star. Constant practicing for the Senior Play, Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The School for Scandal, brought on much weariness on the part of both the casts and of their director. The play, given on April 21 and 22, was a brilliant performance, but those who realized what the participants had undergone appreciated it most fully. The gorgeous costuming produced a color- ful effect which emphasized the actors' ability. The subjects for 1936 Prize Speaking were Celebrated Personages of Rhode.Is- land. Marguerite Beebe, representing Prudence Crandall, wonfirst prize for the girls, while Virginia Van Bramer, as Ida Lewis, was awarded second prize. Every phase of our school life revolved around the Tercentenary. Our class work was revolutionized, home-room periods for dis- cussion of Rhode Island were established, and last but certainly not least, for our graduation exercises we gave a Tercen- tenary pageant. After the necessary ma- terial had been looked up, a committee was chosen to write and stage the play. Class Night, the Class Banquet, and Graduation followed each other in rapid succession. After we received our di- plomas, our High School education was entirely completed. l When we look back, we have many things to regret, but oh! many, many more to be thankful for. And isn't every one of 'these blessings worth a hundred regrets? With many happy memories and wishes for the future, ELEANOR CRANDALL. P. S.-I have written a long letter, but its very length is an indication of the many and varied interests of the Class of '36. So, please excuse the rambling. I have forgotten many details but I am glad I have captured so many incidents to write you about. I hope you will keep the let- ter as a reminder of our class, and of the school from which I bring these pleas- ant memories. -.,5f Io 19..-