Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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The Senior Year Book — 1942 Class History We, the three eminent historians who have been chosen to compile your class history, have taken as our model the great English historian, Macaulay. Like him, we have delved painstakingly into the archives of our particular field, the history of the Westerly Senior High School, Westerly, Rhode Island, class of 1942. We have used his plans, his careful methods, his industry, and his regard for details. We, too, are fond of making heroes and have tried to make both our characters, and scenes as vivid as possible. Moreover, we have endeavored to employ an attractive style and to hold the attention of our readers. Perhaps, too, like Macaulay, we have had a slight tendency to exaggeration, thinking with him that “the best portraits are perhaps those in which there is a slight mixture of caricatures and the best histories are those in which a little of the exaggeration of fictitious narrative is judiciously employed. Something is lost in accuracy, but much is gained in effect.” In short, we have endeavored to keep and provide entertainment for our readers. On September 6, 1939, we, the distinguished class of 1942, entered this imposing edifice as sophomores, feeling proud to be at last in a real high school but at the same time rather shy and timid. Early in September, we held our first class meeting under the jurisdiction of Miss Dolan, our faculty advisor, who helped us at every opportunity. We needed every available aid (because we were at the mercy of the superior upper classes who played all sorts of pranks on us. We elected Wallace Greig, president; Loretta Devine, secretary; Michael Gua-rino, vice president; Saul Saila treasurer. Many students from our class took part in the various school activities. We were well represented on the Senior Board and Student Council, in the Leaders’ Club, and in all kinds of sports. Our outstanding representatives in the Leaders’ Club were Jane Richardson, Gertrude Schwabe, Jane Nestor, Margaret Saunders, and Carolyn Crandall. Genevieve Dubiel won first prize in the Prize Speaking Contest, an achievement for the girls to be proud of as never before has a sophomore received this honor. Her popular selection was Stephen Lee-cock’s “Mrs. Iderdown Roughs It in the Bush.” We came back in the fall of 1940 as juniors, more confident and very much more active. Our officers were: President, Wallace Greig; vice president, Loretta Devine; secretary, Jean Graham ; treasurer, Donald Miller. Although Donald Miller made every attempt possible to collect enough dues for a junior prom, he was unsuccessful. Anyway, by having no prom, we displayed our progressive spirit, and since that occasion, we have prided ourselves on breaking numerous traditions. During the junior year we had many students who were highly outstanding in their work, especially in the art of oration. Lily Tamer with Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Blue Flag in the Bog,” won first prize in the Prize Speaking Contest, thus bringing added glory to our class. We had winners in other fields, also. Thomas Maines received third prize in the Martha C. Babcock Essay Contest writing on “The Importance of Education in a Democracy,” and Genevieve Dubiel third prize in the B. P. 0. E. Essay Contest on “What Uncle Sam Means to Me.” Many of our class members in chorus and glee club took part in the Providence Chorus. Thus time passed rapidly and before we realized it, we were ready to enter the gateway leading to the senior year. As far as history goes, we seniors have been thrust into the “Speeding Up” process of everything during the crisis. Consequently, we are the first class to graduate at night, and at an early date in the year.

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Tm: Si mor Ykar Book — 1942 President’s Address Parents, Faculty and Fellow Classmates: We, the class of '42, are about to leave our beloved place of learning to go out into a world of civil strife and greediness. It is with profound regret that we are now breaking the bonds that have held us together as fellow classmates for the past twelve years. We have finally forded the large stream of education; we have taken the twelve stepping stones in stride one by one in order to receive a diploma to prove our educational background. Some of us may soon enter a higher institution of learning in order to further our education: some of us will graduate into business or industry and finally some of us will join one of our great armed forces which are now fighting to protect the high standards that form our great democracy and to make the entire world safe for liberty-loving people and for civil rights. In the present emergency, many sacrifices are necessary—sacrifices by each and every person of every age. But, in a true sense, the term sacrifice does not seem fitting for such a setting. I believe that every true American will consider it a privilege to do without many luxuries and even to reduce his use of many necessities in order to comply with such an urgent cause. One of our classmates has already sacrificed much; he has sacrificed his education in order to join Uncle Sam’s navy to clear the seas of the murderous elements now menacing its lanes. But, all life is not on the serious side at Westerly High. We 'students all have had our good times here and some very interesting event takes place every day. The humor of some of our chums in the classroom rings out day after day and will always be remembered. Athletic competition runs high on Westerly’s field of combat, but sportsmanship always prevails. The basketball team of 1941-42 deserves a great tribute for its wonderful playing, and it will go down in Westerly’s history as one of the greatest teams ever to represent our school. The efficiency of our athletic system is proved by the contributions of this school to the forces of Rhode Island State College. Yes, folks, we have led a happy life at Westerly High, and our Alma Mater will always remain in our minds as the background of our entire future. —WALLACE GREIG. 7 ► -

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The Senior Year Book — 1942 We started our senior year packed full of confidence and willingness to lead the school. We were no longer shy, unsure, and dependent. We had been the subjects of many pranks, sarcasms, etc., and we were now ready to set a better example than previous seniors. Our class officers were: President, Wallace Greig; vice president, Loretta Devine; secretary, Jean Graham; treasurer, Donald Miller. Some of the fellows and girls did not come back for their last year, a fact which we deeply regretted. A shining example of this is Curt Mast, who very patriotically joined the Navy in August. We had one addition to our group, Lloyd Coon, who has certainly shown us that our neighbors from the West are “regular fellows.” Our football squad did exceptionally well this year with practically a new team. ‘Cookie” Laudone, and “Duck Hunting” Saul Saila, our football heroes for three years, were both awarded sweaters for their outstanding work. Our senior class was well represented on the cross-country team by Mickey Lev-cowich and Aaron Tetlow, who came in seventh and ninth respectively in the annual Rhode Island State meet. Aaron very patriotically signed up in December lo fight the Nipponese so was not present to receive his just honors when they were being awarded, but he will long be honored for the.job he is doing now. He was, however, here long enough to see our “dear” friends from across the river beaten when they came over here. We elected Jean Graham as our leader of the Leaders’ Club. The club has been guided through all its problems by Jean’s assistance. Our annual gala senior prom lived up to all the expectations of the dancers, who waltzed and fox trotted to the rhythmic beat of Brennan-Quinn. It is reported that a good time was had by all. Our basketball team did as well as any team in the state by losing only one game, but unfortunately, due to a technicality, we had to forfeit our games. Despite this, the team, in their usual good spirit, showed the whole town that they could take it. We will long remember the high scoring of Seigal Ralls, and looking over the other stars on the team—Dino Pan-ciera, Eddie Gencarella and Mike Guarino. We are sure the next basketball team will miss these boys. It was during the winter months that there was lost to us the pride of the 12A history class, Jane Richardson; for, on January 8, she left many friends in high school to take up the career of housewife. In the annals of history, one assembly program will stand out more than any other. This was a play written by Mr. Kenyon and produced and presented by the Physics class. The audience accompanied Harold Payne, Ken Sayles, Saul Saila, Tommy Maines, and Ferdinand Comolli on a trip to Mars, a destination which was never reached. Bob Young and Jimmy Woodfield very realistically crashed the rocket ship on “Earth” with the help of tin cans, bottles, and metal fans. It was the funniest performance of any kind during the year. Due to our early graduation, many activities had to be omitted. There was no Prize Speaking or Senior Play, but we did enjoy presenting a Commencement pageant, which went over very well. We have very much enjoyed our three years at Westerly High and it is with deep regret that we leave these wonderfully exciting and memorable days. We wish to thank the faculty, principal, and alumni for the cooperation we have had from them throughout our high school career. We also hope that the next senior class will enjoy their final year as much as we have enjoyed ours. Though these learned pages may not entirely resemble Macaulay’s famous History of England in being as entertaining as the latest novel, we trust they may have informed and entertained their readers. —■St 9 ►- RODMAN GREENE PAUL TATE ARLENE CHURCH