Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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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—

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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 a glorious one. We were proud of a wonderful team of “Pic,” “Gene, “Nig,” “Dody,” “Henry,” and Jim who won the Class B Championship and the State Championship. W. H. S. can never forget such fine sportsmen and Coach Jim Federico, whose hard work and expert coaching have produced championship teams. It was questioned whether a senior play would he given, for we were Without a supervisor and director. Mr. Patrick Visgilio, a professional actor, was chosen for the position. The comedy, “Junior Miss,” was chosen along with a very fine cast. The play was an hilarious success. Much credit must be given to Joan Meyer and Bernard Matthews, editor and co-editor respectively for the Barker,” and to the entire Barker staff for the work they have done and for their perseverance which made possible the maintenance of the paper. The band continued to progress in leaps and bounds under the direction of Mr. DeBenedictis The head twirler was Betty Ferrigno. The receiver of the D. A. R. award was Jacqueline Kenyon. The valedictorian and salutator-ian chosen were Joan Meyer and Elly Heyder. Joan was also a finalist in the nation-wide PepsiCola contest. The date for graduation was set for June 16, 1948, the day of farewell to Westerly High. To the Entire Faculty: The class of ’48 gives you many thanks. You have been understanding and lenient in many ways. You taught us much and made our days l'ar from prosaic. We have placed a great value on the guidance and advice you have given us. We shall miss each and every one of you. To the Class of ’48: Our carefree days are over. We have had fun, we have worked hard. We shall miss the friendship we have known for twelve years. These are the memories we shall treasure always. Our high school days, our happiest days, the never-to-be-forgotten days! We face a serious future—one of maintaining peace and security in troubled, unsettled times. We must face these problems with careful forethought, responsible reasoning, and decorum always. May we always cherish within our hearts these fond memories of these joyous school days at W. H. S. and may the realization of the importance of the companionship we have known grow with the passing years. MARY COZZOLINO, Historian Class Prophecy Put on your hat and straighten your shoelaces; in our gorgeous time-machine we’re going places. This astonishing machine was concocted by Matthews, Payne, and Pete Grills—eminent (if mad), scientists, and was painted in maroon and gold stripes by Elly Heyder. Carl Brooks supervised the construction and the placing of the dials. Now Assistant Cherenzia throws the master switch. Lightning flashes! Thunder crashes! The air is filled with the acrid odor of “Tabu”! As the haze clears away, we find ourselves among strange people—our classmates. We seem to be in a bustling metropolis— llopkinton City. Only the New Look can be seen; across the street is a long black skirt, Bobby Welch. Screaming with joy, she rushes toward us. and trips on the white line. Zoom! Squash! “Charlie Cunliffe’s road is patterned with the people he has flattened!” screams Chief Azzinaro, local constable. “She’s still good,” says Jean Harding. “Charlie can use her for a drumhead.” An ambulance screams to a halt; out bounds Doctor Finster, who scoops up Bobby with a spatula. Sighing, we watch Interne Prosser drive her away. Then we step into the peace and quiet of Joseph Nicholas Cugini's Flower Shoppe, but we’re stopped short by another noise. Clank! clank! Professor Den-Den Barber trails past the flower shop window, laboriously dragging his green lunch pail. Joe explains that Ed Murphy has opened a new Boom Bridge Naval Academy and employed Den-Den as Dean. Hannah Whaley and Don Champagne are in a corner of the shop nursing a small wilted petunia in an onion patch. A few customers are standing in the center of the shop, sniffing ecstatically. Despite the blissful expressions we recognize two lovers of beauty—Donald Munger and Phyllis Cambra. “Viola le chrysanthemum,” says Phyllis. A blare of bugles! Throbbing drums! We rush out of the shop to see a gorgeous parade passing in review. Leading are Rosalie Moor-house and Jean Lanphear on white chargers. Behind them follow three twirlers—Betty Ferrigno, Dot Davis, and Connie Grills—with shiny gold batons. Occasionally they trip over their new