Westfield High School - Prospectus Yearbook (Westfield, NY)

Page 37 text:

FORTY-SIX Eleanor Decker, Robert JFatson, Patricia Jaynes, James Eggert, Judith Pentz, Richard MeEvoy, Marianne Bixby, Marc IVaite, Phyllis LaPorte, Robert Brown, Grace Beck. Lorraine DuChaine, James Ilage, Eleanor Kurgan, Jean Allen, Ruth Schuette, Ralph Myers, Charles Grim, Margaret Jackson, Robert Neill, Roberta Gundlach. Mrs. Trump, Advisor Clarence Saxton, Dale Bowen, Theodore Barlowe, James Gervaise, Richard Dalrymple, Arthur Kester, John Clement, James La Porte, Peter Baideme, George Orlando, Anthony Marsala, Ileyiry Canale. Eugene Breads, Carmela LoPreste, Edna Farnham, Arthur Nusom, Alice Bush, John Ossman, Doris Bird, Leo iard Balsano, Alice Miller, John Bowen, Betty Killbury, Herbert Dedrick. Norman IVheeler, Caroline Syracuse, Edith IVilcox, Margaret Krash, Eleanor Karash, Marcella Fickle, Mariette Engelhardt, Sarah Light, Lynette Milligen, Duane Sherman. Mr. Brooker, Advisor 29

Page 36 text:

CLASS OF I he fall of 1943 found the new Sophomore class trooping downstairs to take up residence at opposite ends of the second floor. Under the leadership of Mrs. Trump and Mr. Brooker as advisors, candidates were chosen and the oflicers elected. I ' his time Ruth Schuette emerged as president; Jean Allen, vice-president; Ralph Meyers, secretary; and Emma Rohman, treasurer. Later Eleanor Kurgan was chosen Red Cross representative and Charles Crim, Student Council representative. A color chart was obtained and the class colors, primrose and light blue, were selected as the most harmonious. Not long after solid session was over, plans were under way for a harvest festival, with several groups taking care of the refreshments, decorating, tickets, advertising, etc. Ihe evening of the big event found the auditorium adorned with corn stalks, bales of hay, pumpkins, and other “atmosphere” which contributed to the general hilarity. Guests were required to come in old clothes, which were considered the proper attire for the energetic square dancing which followed. CTeat quanti¬ ties of cider and doughnuts were consumed by all during the long and strenuous evening. I he attendance was very gratifying, as it was the first important social event of the school year. After one of the local basketball games, we sponsored around dance with profitable results for the class treasury. On April 4 in the auditorium, the English II classes presented a well-known radio play which had been adapted for the stage by Mrs. Trump. This sketch was used only with the special permission of the author who writes the weekly radio series. Owing to a conflict with the Senior play practice, all of the rehearsals were held during the noon hour and after the close of the afternoon session. Because of the required voice changes, several of the principals’ vocal cords underwent con¬ siderable strain. Helping behind the scenes with the curtain, scene changes, sound eflFects, costumes, and make-up were James Gervaise, Anthony Marsala, Charles Crim, James Eggert, Judy Pentz, and Eleanor Karash. Robert Watson read a selection from the Scriptures. At the request of the author, we are not permitted to mention the title nor characters of the play. The cast included the following: Richard McEvoy, the son of the family; Marc Waite, the father; Jean Allen, the mother; Ruth Schuette, the sister; Robert Brown, another school boy; Eleanor Decker, a high school girl; Herbert Dedrick, a third school boy; Robert Watson, the principal; Joyce Bartley, his secretary; Roberta Gundlach, the aunt; Margaret Jackson, the girl friend; John Clement, her father; Marietta Engelhardt, her mother; and Eugene Breads, the announcer. A committee consisting of Ruth Schuette, Eleanor Decker, Richard McEvoy, and Robert Brown met frequently at Robert’s house. An original radio script was prepared which the class hope to present in a study hall assembly later in the year. In our English classes, we have had other opportunities to show our acting ability. During the study of the “Merchant of ’enice” and “Twelfth Night,” many scenes were acted out for the enjoyment of the room. Especially effective was Marc Waite’s interpretation of the vindictive Shylock, armed with a long and sharpened butcher knife. Although solid session cut seriously into most of our programs, some have managed to maintain a high scholastic average. With the addition of an extra period to the school day, many have found it possible to take five or even six subjects. Two of our former classmates, Charles Mutch and Anthony Cogliano, are now serving in the armed forces. At last reports, Charles has advanced to the rank of gunner’s mate. James Hage, Marc White, and Charles Crim were asked to join the Hi-Y, that thriving W. H. S. institution headed by Mr. Brooker. The girls joining the Mi-Y were Ruth Schuette, Marietta Engelhardt, Jean Allen, and Marianne Bixby. The day of the great paper drive found many of our more hardy members out in full force despite the chilly weather. Again the sports curriculum is well represented, as a large number of boys and girls went out for basketball. The class honor in this field was upheld by such stellar athletes as Charles Crim and Ralph Meyers, who were the envy of the whole school. One of our most reliable players, the indefatigable Ralph, proved recently that it took only a siege of pneumonia to prevent him from playing the game. The girls’ team was well organized this year under Eleanor Decker as captain and played many remarkable games with the upper-classmen. A new and welcome addition to the teachers’ ranks was Miss Little, who replaced Mr. Booker in Social Studies. Later on, when Mr. Konstanty left, we gained Mr. Schell as Phys-Ed instructor. A baseball team was soon organzied by him with Charles Crim, Richard McEvoy, James Gervaise, Robert Watson, Henry Canale, and James Hage competing for the various positions. Spring training was held both in the gym and at Welch Eield when the weather improved. I he distinction of being the first group in the high school to achieve a 100% stamp sale fell to the Sophomore boys. This provided the incentive for the girls to follow, and close competition resulted. Twenty-one consecutive weeks starting No¬ vember 10 with the 100% purchase of stamps is the school record so far. Special credit is due to Mr. Brooker, who helped start this movement. With ever increasing confidence in the future, the entire group looks forward to the two years lying before them. High school has been incomparably more exciting than the life which we left behind in grade school. 28

Page 38 text:

CLASS OF In September of the year 1943 a large group of Freshmen made their debut in Westfield’s Senior High School. Naturally this first appearance held all of the thrdls and suppressed excitement usually felt by the new class. It seemed like a major triumph for each of us and we could not help feeling important as we turned our backs on Junior High School and looked ahead toward new and bigger things. The first few days passed by in a wild confusion of program arrangements, new books, fees for this and that, and the various other exciting preparations for the school year. Gradually however, we settled down to the general routine and were slowly absorbed into the various activities offered by our school. Our days were full and our programs varied. In November we elected officers by ballot. For president we chose Vincent Trlppy to lead us through our first year in high school. William Kincaid was elected Vice-President. Lyman Watson found himself in charge of our funds and Martha Spencer was given the task of recording the history of our Freshman year. With the help of our advisors, Mrs. MacCutcheon and Mr. Eaton, our class was organized and became a working example of co-operation and class loyalty. The musical organizations of our school provided anopportunlty for extra-curricular activities and many classmates not already band or orchestra members soon found places in those organizations. The Freshman class also contributed a generous group to the Boys’ and Girls’ choruses and to the mixed chorus. As the school sports program developed some of our boys and girls joined basketball teams. The boys have already established a good record on the school teams and the Freshman Girls’Team is working to improve its standing. A large group of Freshman girls have also joined a bowling team. Several of our classmates may also be found assisting in the school library. Their work, while it helps the school, also gives them access to the library’s facilities. Three of our classmates serve the school in the capacity of cheerleaders. Besides school and class loyalty we regularly practice loyalty to our country by the purchase of War Stamps and Bonds. Mrs. MacCutcheon’s room has had 100% stamp sales several times and we hope to continue that record. During this school year a large sum of money has been turned in from these purchases and we are proud of our patriotic enterprise. One of our first activities was our Freshman Assembly Program. The English I classes, with the co-operation of other departments in the school, presented an assembly program for the Junior and Senior High School. The program began with devotions. Then it took the form of a radio program. A “Woman’s Hour of Inspiration,” consisting of a most entertaining monologue and poems about Lincoln and Washington, was broadcast over Westfield’s own Station WHS, operating on 1947 kilocycles. A radio play, “The State Versus Joe Miller,” was then presented. The appropriate sound effects and well-read parts made it an exciting presentation. After the radio program Abraham Lincoln walked through the darkened auditorium in search of his little friend, Grace Bedell. A flute solo, “Serenade,” by Eranz Shubert, was next on the program. Last but certainly not least was the adapted version of a Thornton Wilder play. The Frosh Playhouse did a fine job and our imaginations went to work as we followed the Kirby family from Westfield’s “west side” to Dunkirk. Our vote of thanks goes to Mrs. Trump who spent a great deal of time and effort on the program. The class spent a busy week-end, for o n Monday evening after the assembly program, the class sponsored a Leap Year Dance. We were delighted with the success of our party. A large crowd gathered for round and square dancing. The room was gay with crepe paper decorations. Being a Leap Year party the girls were on the job and there wasn’t a dull moment. Again the class members co-operated to make a good time for everyone. The Freshman Class looks forward to three years of study and recreation. We hope to live up to the good example set by the classes before us so that when we graduate in 1947 our school may be proud of us. 30