Westerly High School - Westlyan Yearbook (Westerly, RI)

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The Senior Year Book — 1955 Class IIistor v We, the Class of 1955, have spent a momentous three years within the portals of Ward Senior High School. Before we part to go our widely diversified ways, let us pause to look back over the events of our past three years together. With trepidation we entered the school as sophomores three short years ago. The school was so vast! We stood in awe of the seniors. Could we ever reach such heights? Our first important act as a class was the election of our officers who guided us so ably in our first year. Charles Vars was elected president, with Angelo Perrone as vice president, James Edmond as treasurer, Barbara Carlesi as secretary, and Jean Nardone as P. T. A. representative. As the crisp days of autumn came upon us several of the sophomore boys were given a chance to prove their athletic ability as members of the football squad. Many of our hidden talents were brought to light in the Frolics of ’52. Among those sophomores who contributed to the entertainment were Gayle Eccleston, Margaret Mandella, Janet Shortman, Robert Spargo, Lois Tasca, and James Smith. Playing important roles in the success of the basketball team were George Williamson and Bill Sullivan. With the coming of spring, the baseball season was ushered in. Martin Pierce, Bob Payne, and Bill Sullivan were among those sophomores who were on the team. Adding to our accomplishments, in the literary field Jack Barrett and Donna Lewiss won awards in the prize speaking and Martha C. Babcock Essay contests respectively. Our junior year was entered with a certain degree of confidence and assurance. We entrusted the following with the management of the class: James Smith as the chief executive, Martin Pierce as vice-president, Joann Turo as treasurer, and Marie Panciera as secretary. The football season rolled swiftly past, with such juniors as Bob Payne and Albie Page participating in the sport. Our acting and singing abilities were given a chance to shine forth in an operetta, Victor Herbert’s “The Fortune Teller.’’ Those juniors with major roles were Gayle Eccleston, Jack Barrett, and James Taber. Instrumental in the success of the basketball team were George Williamson, Bill Sullivan, Marty Pierce, and Joe Perry. The junior prom, “Night in Venice,’’ will always be numbered among our dearest memories. Its success and the ingenuity of the decorations cannot easily be forgotten. Our lovely queen was Gayle Eccleston. Ably representing the junior class on the baseball team were Marty Pierce, Bob Payne, Bill Sullivan, and Ronnie Panciera. Another item was added to our already impressive list of accomplishments when the chemistry team consisting of Joann Turo, Carolyn Burdick, Earl Crandall, Barbara Meyer, and Donna Lewiss won second prize in the annual contest at U. R. I., with Joann Turo placing third in the individual scoring. The achievements of the year were concluded with Bob Fair winning first prize in the annual Martha C. Babcock Essay Contest. In the fall of 1954, well aware of the dignity and importance of our new position as the senior class, we duly selected James Smith, Joann Turo, William Ferrigno, Myra Downes, and Joseph Perry, as president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and class marshal, respectively. The football team was ably led by Co-captains Bob Payne and Albie Page. Our senior prom, an outstanding success in

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The Senior Year Book— 1955 I, Jean Osterman, my naturally blond hair to my cousin, Joan Rindell. I, Edward Hoxie, my position as stage manager to Wallace Vanderford who will see that the show always goes on. I, Myra Downes, my love for French to some- onel? . ..... I, Donald Robichaud, my dramatic ability to Joyce Marr, who has hopes of being another Sarah Bernhardt. I, Chester Gacioch, my illegible handwriting to William Duarte. I, Donald Wilcox, my role of the “Senior French Class Jester” to any junior who thinks that he’ll be taking third year French for the laughs. I, Jean Palmisano, my “Fibber McGee” locker to Judy Saunders, who, I hope, is better able to cope with the debris than I was. I, Peter Duhamel, my drumsticks to Joe Bar-boza who, I know, will go on to bigger and better “beats.” We, Robert Bernasconi, Ralph McGibbon, Albert Vennari, and John E. Capalbo, our respective history books to any undergraduate who is interested in tracing man’s footsteps across the sands of time. I, William Kite, my locker and all my old books to Roger Schonning. I, Mary Vacca, my cheerful, carefree nature to Lois Sposato who also possesses this fine characteristic. I, Clarence Fusaro, my secret formula for permanently curly hair to John Chimento, whose search for this formula is now ended. I, Albie Page, my athletic prowess on the gridiron to my brother, Charlie. I, Henry Grills, my ability to shine in Miss Gernsheimer’s English class to Joe Dotolo who is following closely in my footsteps. I, Claire Spear, my flirtatious eyes to Patricia Boucher. I, Edward Brearly, my quiet studious ways to anyone who may be in need of this endowment. I, Ronald Panciera, my sunny smile and bashful disposition to Robert “Puddles” Waters. I, Charlotte Street, my worldly sophistication to Antoinette Parise, who will put it to good use. I, James Monroe Pendleton, my studiousness to anyone w’ho needs it. I, Peter Pucci, my charming way with women to John Joyce who is also a possessor of this much-sought-after characteristic. I, John Turrisi, my love for being a senior to any deserving junior. I, Barbara Meyer, my three years’ season ticket for the home basketball games to Delores Serra, whose fervent interest in the team is inspiring. I, Richard Cahoon, my seat in agriculture class to my cousin Joe. I, Pinky Haggerty, my love for roller skating and fun-making to Martha Fiore, who shares my interests. I, Robert Rizzo, my study halls and locker to Louie Gencarella. I, Lois Dempsey, my vibrant voice to Angetta Turano, who, with the aid of this endowment, will be able to lead our cheering section to the honor of the “loudest cheering section in Rhode Island.” We, Frank Cofone and Joseph Wucik, our short school days to anyone who has a need for them. I, Lea Ylonen, to Mr. Morgan, my unexpres-sible thoughts in physics class, with the hope that he will, by powers of mental telepathy, make good use of them. I, Louis Wilcox, my “aggie” book to Mr. Sherman. I, Anna Rossi, my locker “165, to any undergraduate who can get it stacked as often as I. We, Frances Lilligren and Barbara Holt, our pleasing and cheerful dispositions to all the succeeding seniors. I, Barbara Wood, my profound love for American History to my sister, Elizabeth. Good luck, Sis! I, Stanley Snitkin, my many witty and humorous remarks in the classroom to the “Bob Hope” of the incoming class. I, James Guidice, my great capacity for learning to Lefty Aldrich. I, Robert “Jerry” Turco, my superior management of both the football and basketball teams to my worthy successor. I, Marie Denton, my sincere admiration (?) of English to Judy Denton. I, Margaret Joseph, my ability to evade Mr. Mudge when he is on his “truant-officer-round of duty” to any junior who cares to enter into this strenuous deception. I, Domenic Galluci, “il mio libro d’italiano” to anyone who wants it. “Grazie”! I, Barbara Carlesi, my seat in the typing room to any undergraduate who thinks she can efficiently type my speed of 163 ' • words per minute. I, Sam Grills, my ability to coax music with due reverence from the French horn to anyone who is able to do the same. I, Nancy Johnson, my ability to not do English to Theresa Carsten. I, Jackie Keenan, my ability to stack lockers to any underclassman who can do the same. Best of luck! I, Gerald Tierney, my petite gracefulness to Ginny Gentile. (Continued on page 19 —8(l7)3—

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The Senior Year Book — 1955 all ways, will not be easily equaled in years and by classes to come. “Fall Festival,” the theme of the prom, was appropriately carried out in the unique decorations. Jean Palmisano was our radiant queen. Again showing forth diversified talents, many of the class participated in the highly successful “Frolics of ’54.” Among those seniors who took part were Phyllis Kenyon, Margaret Man-della, Janet Shortman, Theodora Perra, Richard Wilcox, the Senior Sextette, and many more. Contributing immeasurably in capturing the state basketball championship were Co-captains George Williamson and Bill Sullivan, and their teammates Marty Pierce, Bob Payne, and Joe Perry. The highly entertaining and amusing “Father Knows Best” was given as our senior play. The capable cast included Jack Barrett, Lois Dempsey, Barbara Teixiera, Betty Johnson, Jim Smith, Gayle Eccleston, Janet Shortman, Ann Kenneth, Raynor Chester, James Taber, Bob Fair, Charles Vars, David Itchkawich, Peter Pucci, Jean Palmisano, Judy Tetlow, and Margaret Mandella. Joann Turo and Carolyn Burdick were deservedly chosen as valedictorian and salutatorian. Donna Lewiss was given the D. A. R. award. Our three years together in high school have passed quickly, leaving but memories to remind us of our high school days. Now let us look forward with hope and confidence to the future. BARBARA MEYER MYRA DOWNES CLASS AUGURY (Continued from page 14) several influential politicians, namely: Joseph Perry and Ralph McGibbon. The government announced last month that Edward Fournier, James Taber, and Donald Wilcox will be our country’s envoys to France. Their selection was based on their diplomacy and knowledge of the French language. Prosperous goat rancher, Ronald Kenyon, has sold his entire herd to Chester Gacioch, former lion tamer, now retired. Marlies Frieg has been made ambassador to Germany, replacing Lois Main. Miss Frieg was chosen for the job because of her interest in her mother country. Miss Main resigned to take a post with the F. B. I., namely, to serve at Alcatraz. Patty Panciera and Yvonne Fenelon announce that their circus will open in Westerly Square Garden on June 17th. Among the feature acts will be Charlotte Street on the tight-rope with Margaret Joseph and Bernice Crompton acting as hilarious clowns. The National Dare-Devil Association has just announced that its annual Academy Awards will go to Bob Payne, the boy with a Buick-like Trigger, Albie Page, and Gregg Burdick, with their souped-up atom-powered Fords. Futurally yours, JAMES EDMOND CHARLES VARS CLASS WILL (Continued from page 17) I, Robert Kidder, my inexhaustible supply of relevant facts to anyone who through arduous study can attain this knowledge. I, Nancy Serra, my love for cheering to Heather MacDonald. I, Lois Muller, my ability to be seen and not heard to Nina Christy, who hasn’t heard that “silence is golden.” I, Raynor Chester, my captivating dimples to Judy Saunders. I, Karl Heinold, my love for homework to Marianna Cook, who shares my affection. We, the Gass of Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-five hereby decree and will that our momentous achievements and accomplishments be forever immortalized in a 3314 carat gold set of numerals, namely 1955, to be mounted on the highest point of the Westerly High School building. We hereby appoint Mr. Robert Mudge as sole administrator of this our last, final, and conclusive will and testament. In witness whereof, we, the Class of 1955, the testators, have set our hand and seal this fifteenth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and fifty-five. JOANN TURO DONNA BETH LEWISS LEA YLONEN Doctors-of-Law