Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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The Senior Year Book — 1937 en, and, despite the distracting commotion, they succeeded in electing a capable leader, the diminutive but officious Elmer Cornell, with Russell Rae as Vice President, to assure the position of an apt substitute. Thomas Moffitt was appointed guardian of the bullion, which is not an edible substance as some people think, Helen Leon to record any noteworthy experiences of the term 1934-35. Prof: Jah, Chauncey, I couldn’t haf done better myself. Chauncey: If as well, dear instructor. Prof: Oh, iss dat so? Now kviet anyhow. Veil ve must leave der poopuls of der Class of ’37 for dere first year. Now ve come to another term, 1935-36, und der poopuls iss fresh back from vacation. Mike: Fresh is ’-ight. Prof: Jah, Mr. Smarty, suppose you don’t be so fresh yourself. Now who can tell us vat vas der most important thing the Class of ’37 did in 1935? Jah, Cherry, suppose you tell us. Cherry: Well, I think they had a meeting. Prof: Yes, go on. Cherry: They umm----------they chose of- ficers. Prof: Und who vas dey? Cherry: The President was—Elmer Cornell—-I think. Prof: Jah wohl, dat makes vun correct thinking for Cherry. Who else? Cherry (with confidence): Russell Rae Vice President. Prof: No, no, Cherry, dat vas for 1934. Cherry: O-oh um,—let me see. Aby (whispers between snores): Clayton Arsenault. Prof: Aby iss you sleeping or vaking? Aby: (Snores) Axel: Professor, I tank I know dem. Dere was Clayton Arsenault, he vas Vice President, Villiam Brown, he vas Treasurer, und Helen I,eon, she vas secretary. Prof: Das right, Axel, Now, Aby, come und tell us vat else dey did for dat term. Aby: Veil, der same pipples vas still playing der same game still, but dere vas some others too. Michael Tarasevich and Bill Brown vun a whole flock of medals in a cross-country meet with some odder schools, and Dory Panciera vas made a member of der All State Feetball Team. Chauncey: Oh, Professor, I should like to add----- Prof: Chauncey, vere are your man- ners? Dis iss Aby’s recitation. Proceed, Aby. Aby: Oi, Professor, it must have slipped my mind vile I vas stooding here. Prof: Jah, Aby, ve can imagine. Veil, Chauncey, you can tell us vat you vas so eager to say before. Chauncey: I was merely attempting to mention that Elmer Cornell won the IPi-Y Award for his excellent personal qualities, and that Alden Nichols, as a worthy reimbursement for his literary aptitude, was awarded the Martha C. Babcock first prize of $22.50. Ah, how gratifying it must be to have one’s genius appreciated. Prof: Jah, Chauncey, I agree with you. But could possibly Cherry tell vat amoose-ments dey had? Cherry: I think so, Professor. There wasn’t any Junior Prom, but Edna Kissick was one of the funniest things in the Varieties. She danced around like this. (Demonstration of the dance.) There was a little boy with her, only no one could see him very well. Then the Class of ’37 gave the graduating class a farewell ball and that was the last day of school, so the next thing was another vacation. Mike: Hey, Professor, ain’t it time we got a vacation around here? Prof: Don’t get impatient, Michael, der best iss yet to come. Chauncey: Indeed it is, Professor. These last two years were the most important as well as the most interesting. With their same experienced leader, Elmer Cornell, they were destined to terminate their third year in this educational institution with great success in all branches of student activities. Prof: Jah wohl, Chauncey, und dey did chust dat. When dey had dere class meeting, whom did dey choose for president? Class: Elmer Cornell. Prof: My, but you iss improving. Und who vas Vice President? (Silence) Prof: Hmmp. I take id all back. Now vonce again I ask id, who vas der Vice President? (Pause) Chauncey? Chauncey: Oh dear me, Professor, I most implorably regret to inform you at this precise moment I am unprepared to give the required answer to your interrogatory statement. To be perfectly frank, 1 don’t know. - S( io )8»

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Tiik Senior Year Book — 1937 (ClaHtf iatnrg Fellow classmates, considering the deeds which we, the members of the illustrious Class of '37, have accomplished during the short stay in Westerly High School, we could not deprive the later generations of such valuable knowledge. Therefore, we have compiled an historical epitome which will, we hope, carry the memory of us and that for which we stand through the ages. Let us now be mystically wafted into the future to see if our desire for everlasting glory has been fulfilled. The scene is the small school house of Professor Pretzlebaume. We’re just in time to see his scholarly flock hastening into the fold of knowledge. Curtain Professor rings bell. Pupils dash noisily in, Chauncey bringing up the rear with dignity. Prof: Gifs it a kviet please while we call der roll call. First in der book comes Axel Gris, our squarehead puddin’head. Answer here, Axel. Axel: Sure I’m here, Professor. Prof.: Jah, und next we haf our sleeping beauty, Aby’s Irish Rosinbloom. (Silence.) Or haf we nbt? Aby, iss you here? Aby: Oi, soitunly, Professor. Prof.: Das all ve vant to know', only don’t go to sleep again yet. Now' for der flower among der bullrushes. Shall I put vun “here” in der book for Cherry Blossom ? Cherry (in sing-songy voice): Yes, Professor. Prof.: Jah wohl, und now ve come to dat little stick of dynamite, Mike Mulligan. Mike: Yeah, I’m here. Prof.: Veil, und so ve come to der last poopul in der poopulation, our own valk-ing dictionary, Chauncey Van de Pest. Chauncey: Dear Professor and classmates, contrary to my usual custom, I will dispense with any lengthy dissertation upon my whereabouts, but let it suffice for the present to say that I, Chauncey Van de Pest, am undoubtedly and assuredly among those present in this edifice w’hich was erected for the worthy purpose of coeducation of minors. Prof.: Veil, Chauncey, I guess you iss here. Chauncey (sitting down): O-o-ooh! 0 mercy me, I’ve been stabbed! Prof.: Who iss responsible on dis? Wiio brings tacks to school mit dem? Mike: Me. Ya wanta make somethin’ of it? Prof.: Mike, dat vas entirely unnecessary und it gifs a reciting from der History. Mike: Aw gee, Prof. Prof.: Today you haf studied der history of dat most colossal Class of 1937 uff der Vesterly High School. Come now, Mike, begin vere you want to. Mike: Well, Prof., ya see dis was dere foist year in da place and—well—uh—dere ain’t much ta say. Prof.: Mike, vat English you uses? Mike: Aw baloney. Yours ain’t so hot either. Prof.: Michael, enoff is too much. Proceed w-ithout comments. Mike: Well, one thing ya kin say about ’em is dey w'ere pretty good in sports. Dere was two guys w'hat w'ere especially good, Dory Panciera and Dick Walthers. Dey played both football and baseball. Dory played basketball, too. Den dere was a lettle guy named Elmer Cornell. He played a swell game of baseball. He W'as somethin’ else, too, only I fergit what. Prof.: Und could somevun propully tell us vat der sombtink else iss vat Elmer vas? Chauncey: Oh, I can. Professor, I can! Mike: Aw, pipe down. No one asked you. Chauncey: If such crude side remarks can be dispensed with for the present, I shall give you a complete informative dissertation on the more important activities of the Class of ’37. Of course in 1934-35, being Sophomores, they had very little representation in School Government, but four w'orthy lads, Alden Nichols, Elmer Cornell, Kenneth Gould, and Adam Celes-tino, were entrusted with the responsibilities of Student Council members. It was finally arranged that a class meeting be held for the purpose of organizing this promising group of young men and wom- 3( 9

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The Senior Year Book — 1937 Prof: Shame on you, Chauncey. Axel: I know, teecher. Prof: I doubt it Axel, but you can’t be any wronger dan der odders. Axel: William Cornell. Prof: Veil, Axel, dat vaa vorse dan I expected. Veil I shall haf to tell you. Dey vas—dey vas—hrump (looks in book) dey vas (children chime in) Dory Panciera, Vice President; Louis Capalbo, Treasurer, and Herbert Broadmeadow, Secretary. Prof (looks up : heepishiy): Close your books. Now let us see vat else you don't know. Come, Aby, see if it gifs a correct for you. Aby: Veil, esk me a kvastion. Prof: Jah. Maybe you know vat iss der N. E. S. P. A. Aby: Sure, now especially sale of pents at Aby's. Prof: Cut oud der advertising, Aby. Cherry, I think you know. Cherry: Yes, Professor, it was an as-so-she-ashun of school papers and magazines in New England and the kids on the Senior Board went to it ’cause they were members, and the R. I. A. S. C. was an as-so-she-ashun of Student Councils in Rhode Island and Elmer Cornell was President of it. Prof: Veil, ve haf anodder shining poo-pul mit us today. Jah, Cherry, das iss kvite right. Und now, Axel, do you know sombtink of der entertainments, perhaps? Axel: Sure, Professor, dey vere all very gude, and Louis Capalbo and Leon Perkins and Frank Perra made a lot of people come to see dem. Prof: Jah. but vat vere der tings dey vent to see? Yes, Aby? Aby: Dey gave six vun act plays in two nights and vere dey a bargain, almost as good as at Aby’s. John Nichols, Virginia Archie, and Barbara Campbell vere peaches actors! Prof: Jah wohl. Und don’t forget dat der best play, der vun in vich was Virginia Archie, entered der State competition. Veil, how vere der dances. Cherry? Cherry: Oh they were all right, Professor, only the Prom was the only one they gave, but everyone had a good time. Prof: Und so ve come to der finish. (Chauncey raises hand) Veil, Chauncey, don’t tell me you know sombting der book forgot ? Chauncey: No indeedy, Professor, but you seem to be slipping too lightly over the parting. It was history itself, for the doors of the dear old building were to be closed that year never to open for educational purposes again, for a fine new edifice had been erected to succeed the Broad Street High School, and thus when the Class of ’37 passed over those noble thresholds on their way to Baccalaureate, it was a solemn caress of farewell. (All look tearful and woebegone) Prof: Jah. Chauncey, look vat you haf done. Next ve vill haf a flood if you don’t cheer dem up. Chauncey: Well let us then all join our harmonious voices in the rollicking song of the Class of ’37, which, by the way, was composed by one of the members of the Class, John Maines. Stand and Sing Prof: School iss dismissed. Chorus: Rush out yelling. Curtain HELEN LEON MICHAEL TARASEVICH ALDEN NICHOLS