Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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The Senior Year Book — 1953 President’s A ddress Classmates, Teachers, and Friends: We, the Class of 1953, are about to be graduated from high school. We are about to break the bonds that have held us together as classmates for the past three years. For some this graduation climaxes twelve years of friendship. It doesn’t seem possible that time has flown by so quickly; indeed it has passed far too rapidly. Now, however, we are ready to say “Good-by” to high school and “Hello” to college or career. To the members of our faculty we owe a debt of gratitude, for they have helped us realize the great problems we shall face in future years. They have given us a priceless possession — a well-rounded high school education. We must resolve that this heritage shall be assured to those who follow us. One need only think of those who this very year are trying to deprive the world’s youth of democratic training. The years we have spent at Westerly will always linger in our memories, for they have been happy years that have been filled with proms, parties, athletics, and, of course, the fun in the classroom. How can we ever forget our Junior Prom, the first major social event that we sponsored, the informal parties in the homes of our friends, that particular teacher that each singled out as the most enjoyable. Here in our yearbook, then, we give you concrete evidence of our academic achievements, our extra-curricular pleasures, and the good-will of the class of 1953. —JOHN LEACH 4{l2)S - -

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The Senior Year Book — 1953 Class Poem TO ALLAY THE MISTRUST IN WHICH THE WORLD HOLDS US Are you afraid, World? Do you fear that this new generation Is unprepared, timorous, immature, unwilling? Do you suspect that we are not made of The stuff to accept and share your burden? Fear nothing so much as your inability to contain us. We are bold, fearless, hearty, brawny, Vigorous, ambitious, newly created— Still growing, strong young giants. In us is the stuff that sustains Nations and makes them great: We will fight your wars, pay your Taxes, till your fields, harness Your energy, climb your mountains. Expand your industries, rear your Children, educate your backward, Execute your laws, fill your pulpits, Sing your songs, weep at your Woes, and be interred in your bosom. Be not alarmed by our youthful Enthusiasm. Rather, receive it with joy for By it shall we rectify our Errors and yours. Yes, fear nothing, Weary World. Ignore the pessimists and Give a terrestrial shudder of Relief— Because now your weight Is borne by broad shoulders And strong backs. —MARTHA RIDER Class Song Chorus: To our Alma Mater, Teachers and friends so true. To you, dear Westerly High, we bid, a fond adieu. Second Verse: We’ve a road to travel, as the years go by. And to reach our chosen goal, we will always try. Though we may be parting, thoughts of you will stay. Of your love and guidance, too, toward us day by day. CLASS MOTTO di i 4 Ji [ 4 a -l| Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. 1 - »»r» in our n rto wo'U J Cff: cf yvu - CLASS COLORS 41 Blue and Silver. C o im : P S- £

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The Senior Year Book — 1953 Class History With the sounds of the graduation march ftly fadin. the curtain gracefully des- cends on a sigiuimnt event in the experience of the most nwJ3ym e (yid illustrious class that A ai k ni nijdfSchil hA ver known— the class' ,A symbol of jj£'fight- iviii]y'sun, Uu be-hl i3 school has IWiminated Sr miwith UxmXfWEc and kw shed its to lu nten and guide « 1 myslSnous paths wmich pch member i Ki AK will tread i ®Oturg ears. et us. thj underlie irtl the color to our I at Ward Send ev«|g, i u ' again, of This glorious um , nts whdFli haveWven frorr he time High j itil our dgpa The first bright event was the election of our was elected president o Lees as vice-president, Jack Siswick as treas sopttomoft lear Donald Afmnd ass wdth Mty eyer as secretary, As cooler weaker 5rri l, our sophomore boys were given a Aance to show their athletic ability by participatMg in football, some of the more promising candidates being Joe Quaratella, John Leach, and Roger Tamer. The desire for social activities brought about our Sophomore Hop which gave us a welcome opportunity to become better acquainted with one another and with our upperclassmen, of whom we had stood in breathtaking awe. We greeted the warm, sunny spring days with enthusiasm especially because they brought with them the drama and excitement of baseball —with John Leach, Ed Gordon, and Lou Capalbo contributing immensely to the value of the team. Entering our junior year with more confidence we chose the following to carry the Promethean fire for our class: John Leach wielding the gavel and Irma Olean ready to offer her assistance; Ruth Geyer keeping the books in order and Richard Pignataro supervising our financial affairs. We were well represented in the P. T. A. by Martha Rider. The brilliance of our glory became evident when in our junior year our well-versed chemistry team consisting of Martha Rider, Jean Marriott, Bernie Mindeck, and Charles Schriver won second prize in the annual contest at U. R. I. Two bright rays, Chic Irwin and Joe Quaratella, shone down on our basketball team and played important roles in qualifying it for the state finals. Under the capable direction of Martha Rider, the production “Swept Clean Off Her Feet, was awarded first prize in the competitive plays of 1952. The entire class was filled with pride, having outstarred the upper classmen. The cast which made this possible consisted of Ruth Geyer, Richard Pignataro, Brad Hartford, Richard Sea-grave, D’Ann Frechette, and John Leach. “Prelude to Spring” the appropViate theme for our junior prom wrill linger forever among our memories. The outstanding decorations and the record breaking attendance made a beautiful setting for the crowding of our dazzling queen, Irma Olean. The sun once again cast its rays on two of our junior classmates. Richard Seagrave and John Maxson were awarded prizes in the annual Martha C. Babcock Essay Contest. When we returned in the fall of 1952, we were entering upon that highest golden flight of stairs—the flight which signifies the end of our high school education. Our first step toward making our last year most successful was the election of our officers. John Leach, Irma Olean, and Richard Pignataro were given the second term as president, vice-president, and treasurer respectively, with Margaret Serra as secretary. The Senior Prom added another bright star to our sky of memories. The song “Harvest