Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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The Senior Year Book — 1948 before football games with Stonington? Remember the thrill you felt when we won them . . . . the “never admitted” heartbreak when we lost? No, we won’t ever forget the basketball games, the bus-trips to the play-offs, the hamburgers at Joey’s, and being thrown out of study hall. No, we won’t forget any of those seemingly minor incidents that have become major incidents to us during the past three years. We’ll look back at some things and laugh. We’ll look back at other things and maybe have a few regrets. But whenever or however we look back on these past three years .... we’ll think of them as three of the most wonderful years in our lives. We wouldn’t change or trade any part of them. They’re three years we shall always remember. Yes, that’s what we are ... lucky—darn lucky. I.ucky to be living in a country like ours where learning is considered the birthright of everyone .... where “to learn is as important as “to live. Lucky to be living in a town whose citizens have done so much to build and equip fine schools and make education as free as the air we breathe. Lucky to have had capable and friendly instructors, under whose patient guidance we’ve reached this graduation day. Now it’s our duty to make the most of this good luck, to make active and creative use of this priceless possession of ours .... a high school education. How? Well, no one can take our high school education away from us. Now, we’ve got to make sure that no one will ever take the right to such an education away from the youth that will follow us. We can do this! We’ve got to do this, by going out into the world with the desire and determination to make it a better world, a world free from wars and petty prejudices. It’s a big job, but it’s our obligation. We owe it to our country, our town, our parents and teachers, and to the students of tomorrow. It’s hard to say goodbye to Westerly High .... and it’s difficult adequately to express our appreciation for the privileges we’ve enjoyed here. Although our words may be simple .... they’re filled with deep and heartfelt sincerity. To the teachers we say “thanks a lot. We’ll miss you and hope you’ll miss us a little too.” To the class of 1949. “we wish the best of luck, and although it’s like leaving a good friend behind us, we leave the school to you. Have fun!” To each other, “we’ll make an earnest pledge that our friendships will not be forgotten, and that when we meet again, we’ll be able to prove by our accomplishments that our twelve years of schooling have been mighty worthwhile, and that the class of 1948 was one of the very best classes that ever graduated from dear old Westerly High.” —FRANCIS GENCARELLI, President Class History Our Three Happiest Years 1945-1948 It has often been said that our happiest days are those spent in high school. To prove this fact, here is a true-to-life story of three wonderful and profitable years in a typical American high school. But this is a special high school to the class of '48. This is our own beloved Westerly High which we shall sadly miss. The First Year: The September air, still warm with the heat of summer, is filled with the familiar ring of the school bell. The happy shouts and laughter of young people float through those now familiar portals. Another school year has begun. There is a certain feeling present that first day of school. It is one of mixed emotions, of joy at seeing friends we have known since childhood, and have missed during the summer months, and anxiety over the new work which is to come. To the sophomores, the class of '48, this was a very new and exciting experience. At last we felt “grown up,” a little more mature and wiser in the ways of the world. The day we had so long awaited had arrived. We were entering high school! We held no fear of the upperclassmen for we were a very independent group as was often shown in later days. The first day was spent discovering the sundry points of vantage in the school such as the alcoves and the quickest routes to the cafeteria. As the weeks passed and the days became routine, the class settled down as much as was 9

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The Senior Year Book — 1948 President Vice President Senior Class Officers Francis Gencarelli Secretary Edward Murphy Treasurer Marshal Joseph Cugini Glennis Geyer Evelyn Reese President's Address Classmates, Teachers, and Friends: We, the class of 1948, are about to graduate from high school. It hardly seems possible, does it? Why, only yesterday we thought, “Gee, three long years before we’ll be signing year-books, ordering class rings, getting fitted for caps and gowns, having our pictures taken, and such.” Yes, time has certainly flown by, and here we are ready to say “so long” to high school days, and “hello” to college or career. Remember how we used to look forward to a prom, a big basketball game, or any other such exciting and special event? We waited impatiently for the night to come, waited and planned and dreamed in happy anticipation. Then, when the time finally came, we went to the affair, and had a wonderful evening! But, just before the evening ended, we stopped and thought. “It s almost all over. It’s gone too fast. Now we won’t have anything to look forward to.” Don’t you think that’s how we all feel about graduation? We’ve thought about this event for three years. For some of us it was going to mean the welcome end of three years of wearisome studies. For others it would mark the page of a new and exciting chapter in our lives—college. But whatever graduation meant to each of us as individuals—aren’t we all a little sorry that the day has come so fast? Now when we stop and look back, we can’t help but have fond memories—sentimental or not .... cherished memories. Remember the rallies -4 8

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The Senior Year Book — 1948 humanly possible for such an active group, and work was begun. The officers elected that year were President, Kenneth Panciera; Vice President. Andrew Boris; Secretary, James Lamb; and Treasurer, Francis Gencarelli. We were very fortunate to have as our advisor and counselor for three years, Miss Josephine Gernsheimer, to whom we owe our undying gratitude for the help and inspiration she has so readily given us. It appeared that the bashful sophomore boys were women haters—this condition didn t last very long. Our class’ athletic ability was immediately shown during the football season when many of our classmates were on the squad. In fact there wouldn't have been a team without such boys as Walt Nigrelli, “Chief” Azzinaro, Jim Lamb, Johnny Finster, Charlie Browning, Fran Gencarelli, Ken Panciera, “Terpy” Nardone, Joe Monti, Len Holland, Ray Nardone, and Rus Payne supplying practice opposition for the first team. The same story was true with basketball with our own Nig” on the first team, which won the Class B championship that year. The entire Jay-vee team was made up of sophs with just one exception. This was a truly remarkable class. We even shocked the teachers with an occasional paroxysm of intelligence. The rest of the year passed swiftly and uneventfully and was soon over. The sophomore class looked forward to a new and better year as juniors in W. H. S. The Second Year: Time marches on, they say, and with it came September and a new school year. There were many new faces that year, for we were joined by students from Ashaway and Hope Valley, who became our firm and lasting friends. Many events were scheduled to take place during the year. The capable officers chosen were President, Francis Gencarelli; Vice President, Kenneth Panciera; Secretary, Rose Marie Rosso; Treasurer, James Lamb. As usual, we had many athletic stars. The football team came home with the Class B championship. Those who shone especially were Walt Nigrelli, Jim Gulluscio, Pete Grills, Jack Eldridge, Johnny Finster, Dave Robinson, Len Holland, “Chief” Azzinaro, Andy Boris, Ken Panciera, Ed Murphy, “Terpy” Nardone, and Rus Payne. In basketball, through the prodigious efforts of “Nig,” “Gene,” “Jimmy,” “Hendy,” Pic,” and “Dody.” the Class B and State Championships were won. “Nig” was selected as All State and All New England center. In baseball we had Ken Panciera, Jack Eldridge, Pete Grills, and James Gulluscio. During our junior year, we saw the beginning of the W. H. S. band, under the supervision of Mr. Silverman. Twenty-one members of our class were members of the band, and five girls were twirlers. Two girls from the junior class, Maria Li-gouri and Jackie Kenyon, were cheerleaders. Edwin James, a junior, was a member of the cast of “Gold in the Hills,” a play given by the Dramatics Club under the direction of Mr. Crockett. Proceeds were given to the band fund. Ed also won the first prize in the Prize Speaking Contest and third award in the Martha C. Babcock Essay Contest. The most important social event of the year was the Junior Prom held in April. The gym was beautifully and elaborately decorated with an April Shower theme. The prom was a tremendous success—another happy memory. At the science fair in Providence, Elly Heyder was awarded first prize for her casein exhibit. Thus was brought to a close another wonderful year at W. H. S. The Third Year: At last we had reached the height of our glory. With a feeling of elation we resolved never to condescend to lower classmen. We walked about with such complacent looks on our faces as if we were the first ever to reach the senior status. The year was destined to pass much too quickly, or so it appeared. In our last election in high school, we chose as our leaders: President, Francis Gencarelli: Vice President, Ed Murphy; Secretary, Glennis Geyer; Treasurer, Evelyn Reese, and Marshal, Joseph Cugini. We had our usual abundance of stars for the football season. “Cap,” “Gullu,” “Chief,” “Finst,” “Jackpot,” “Artie,” “Pete,” “Russ,” “Andy,’ “Murph,” “Terpy,” “Ken,” “Quatt,” and “Nig” gave their all for the Blue and White. With the end of the football season came the resignation of Mr. Robert Mudge as coach of the team. His wonderful leadership and guidance encouraged the teams on to greater victories than was believed possible. We have been fortunate to have had such a wonderful friend as coach and teacher. With pride we say “Our team was coached by Bob Mudge.” We had an exceptionally fine cheerleading squad made up of Betty Champlin, Glennis Geyer, Catherine Brucker, Marie Pignataro, Lois Lenihan and co-captained by Maria Ligouri and Jackie Kenyon. In October we held our Senior prom, which was another successful, happy event. Basketball season was here again, and it was 3io)s—