Wheeler High School - Wheelerite Yearbook (North Stonington, CT)

Text from Pages 1 - 52 of the 1958 volume:

Dedication It is with deep gratitude and appreciation that this Senior Class of 1958 dedicate this yearbook to our Principal, Emery C. Blanchard. An old Latin saying states: After the battle, the rewards, but such is not the case of this principal, teacher, and counselor. It is he who has battled, but we who have received the rewards - rewards amounting to a fine education. For this we are forever indebted to you, Mr. Emery C. Blanchard, Principal of Wheeler High School, friend of us all. EUGENE DiORIO Quiet Please” Assistant Principal A. B., Providence College M.A., Boston College Social Studies, English Student Council BARBARA WHELAN What - in the ever-loving blueeyed world... B. S., Teachers College of Connecticut English, French Dramatics, Yearbook ATTILIO GIZZARELLI Always put your Latin book close to your heart. A.B., Providence College Latin, Spanish, English Senior Class Advisor Washington Club Classical Club JOHN KENYON III What's going on here!!! ? B. S., University of Rhode Island Biology, Agriculture Mathematics Guitar Club RUTH BRIGGS Eyes off the keys B. S., Union College Business Pep Club ELLERTON WHITNEY Do it like this ... CRASH' B. S., Springfield College Physical Education, History Sports Club, Varsity Club THOMAS DiCANDIA Just wanted to see if you were on your toes! B. S., Providence College M. A., Boston University 1957 Science, Mathematics ELEANOR BANKER Come on now, girls B. A., University of Massachusetts Home Economics Cheerleaders Home Ec Club, Chefs Club HOWARD HELVESTON What? ... OH! B. S., Millersville State Teachers College Pennsylvania Industrial Arts yearbook Staff Through thick and thin, high water and no water, this staff managed (although our advisor, Mrs. Whelan, had many doubts,) to compile a yearbook. Editor......................................................... SUSAN BROWN Copy Editor - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - DOUGLAS BASSETT Art and Layout Editor------------------------------------------ JOHN SCOTT Feature Editor - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- MARILYN MAIN Subscription Manager and Assistant Ad Manager--------------------ROBERT ADAMS Sports Editor............................................ROBERT HAUPTMANN Assistant Feature Editor------------------------------------- JACKIE TAYLOR Assistant Art Editor---------------------------------------- CHRISTINA DANKO Ad Manager - -- -- -- — ------------------------------------- DONALD HAYES Yearbook Advisor-----------------------------------------------MRS. WHELAN CLASS OFFICERS First row, left to right: Nancy Hayes, Secretary; Jacquelyn Taylor, Vice President; Marilyn Main, President. Second row: Douglas Bassett, Assistant Treasurer; Robert Hauptmann, Treasurer. CLASS MOTTO After the Battle, the Reward. ROBERT ADAMS - General Classical Club 4; Vice President, Dramatics Club 2,3,4; Sports Club 4; Yearbook Staff 4; Washington Club 4; Driver Education 3; School Play 3,4; Fire Arms Club 3; Chorus 2,3; Current Events Club 1; Guidance 1; Basketball Scorekeeper 3; Baseball 3. ROBERT BANNING Varsity Club 3,4; Sports Club 1,2,3,4; Driver Education 2; Guitar Club 4; General Audio-Visual 1; Washington Club 4; Basketball 1,2; Baseball 1. DOUGLAS BASSETT - College Student Council 3; Vice President; Classical Club 1,2,3,4, Secretary 1,4; Dramatics Club 4; Wheeler-ite 3; Sports Club 2,3; Yearbook Staff 4; Washington Club 4; School Play 3,4; Assistant Treasurer of Class 4. ROBERT BOISSEVAIN - College Student Council 1,2; Classical Club 4; Driver Education 2; Washington Club 4; School Play 3,4; Chorus 4; Basketball 1; Dramatics Club 3,4; Fire Arms Club 3. SUSAN BROWN Band 2,3.4; Chorus 1,2,3, 4; Dramatics 3.4; School Play 3,4; Student Council 1,2,3, Secretary 2; Driver Education 2; Softball 1,2; Junior Prom Court 3; College Washington Club 4; Classical Club 2,3,4, Vice President 2,4; Wheeler-ite 3. Editor; Yearbook 4, Editor; Basketball 4. CAROL BURDICK - General Varsity Club 4; Washington Club 4; Chorus 1; Band 1,2; Pep Club 4; Sports Club 1; Square Dance Club 1,2,3; Volleyball 1,2; Basketball 1,2,4; Badminton 3; Baseball 1, 2; Army-Navy Team 2. DAVID CHAMPAGNE - College Student Council 3; Sports Club 2; Washington Club 4; Classical Club 2; Guitar Club 4; Driver Education 2. CHRISTINA DANKO Class Treasurer 2; Chorus 1; Dramatics 1; Student Council 1,4, Treasurer 4; Pep Club 4; Varsity Club 4; Business Driver Education 2; Washing ton Club 4; Wheeler-ite 1, 3; Yearbook Staff 4, Art Editor; Basketball 4. DONALD GRAICHEN - General Student Council 1; Driver Education 3; Audio Visual Club 1; Basketball 1,2; Baseball 1. ROBERT HAUPTMANN - College Classical Club 2,3,4, Treasurer 2,4; Dramatics Club 4; Sports Club 1; Wheeler-ite 3; Yearbook Staff 4; Washington Club 4; School Play 3; Driver Education 3; Audio-Visual 1; Basketball 3; Class Treasurer 1,4; Class President 2. DONALD HAYES Classical Club 2,3,4, Vice President 3; Dramatics Club 4; Wheeler-ite 3; Sports Club 3; Varsity Club 4; NANCY HAYES - College Classical Club 4; Dramatics Club Treasurer 4; Driver Education 3; Band 2,3,4; Washington Club 4; Cheerleader 2,3; Chorus 2,3,4; School Play 3; Baseball 3; Basketball 4; Class Treasurer 3; Class Secretary 4; Junior Prom Queen 3. ROY LEE - General Sports Club 1,2,4; Washington Club 4; Driver Education 2; Audio Visual 1; Fire Arms Club 3; Basketball 4. MARILYN MAIN Student Council 2; Class President 3,4; Dramatic Club 1; Varsity Club, Treasurer 4; Washington Club 4; Driver Education 3; Cheerleader and Business Manager 2,3; Band and Award 2,3,4; Chorus 1; Business Yearbook Staff 4; Wheeler-ite Typist 3; Basketball 4; Junior Prom Court 3; Assistant Manager Magazine Drive 2; Manager, Magazine Drive 3. GEORGE McGOWAN - General Sports Club 1,2,4; Washington Club 4; Driver Education 3; Audio Visual 1; Fire Arms Club 3; Basketball 1,4. JOHN SCOTT - General Dramatics Club 4, President; Fire Arms Club 3; Treasurer, Sports Club 4; Stage Manager, Play 3,4; Yearbook Layout and Art Editor 4; Baksetball Manager 3,4; Band 3,4; Washington Club 4. JAMES SMITH Classical Club 2,3,4; Wheeler-ite 3; Varsity Club 4; Driver Education 2; Washington Club 4; Chorus 1,2; College Audio Visual 1; Cross Country 4; Class President 1; Class Secretary 3; School Play 1; Band 3,4. RONALD STEDMAN - General Student Council 1,2,4, President 4; Varsity Club 3,4; Sports Club 1,4, President 4; Washington Club 4; Fire Arms Club 3; Nature Club 3; Baseball 2; Class Vice President 1. JACQUELYN TAYLOR - Business Class Secretary 2; Class Vice President 3, 4; Chorus 1,2; Student Council Secretary 1; Pep Club President 4; Varsity Club Secretary 4; Cheerleader 1,2; Captain 3; Driver Education 2; Washington Club 4; Dramatics 1; Home Ec 1; Yearbook Staff 4; Wheeler-ite 1.3. BEVERLY WILCOX - Business Washington Club 4; Pep Club 4; Basketball 4. WINFIELD STEDMAN - General Varsity Club 4; Sports Club 4; Washington Club 4; Driver Education 3; Guitar Club 4; Audio 1; Nature Club 3; Basketball 3; Base ball 2,3; Safety Club 4. VIRGINIA BIRKBECK - Business Wheeler-ite 2; Cheerleader 2; Home Ec Club 2; Treasurer 3; School Play 3; Driver Education 2. Class History From the one-room woods-schools - Center, Boom Bridge, Clark's Falls, Shunock, and that terror of teachers known as Bloody Six - we converged at last, on March 19, 1950, on the school from which we were finally to be graduated. We were a motley crew, more used to the wood-shed and the backyard pump, to the buzz of several classes in one room, and the warm-in-front-cold-in-back feeling of winter around the stove than to the airy, modern rooms, the convenience of running water, and the full attention of one teacher instructing our grade all day long. It took us a few years to become used to the ways of a real school; up to our graduating day, teachers and Mr. Blanchard alike usually looked to the class of 1958 for the explanation for anything in the way of mischief around the schools. In fact, several people in the know share our private belief that it was this class that sent a number of more timid and sensitive teachers screaming for the hills. But our ledger does not all appear on the minus side. It was our class, too, that built a reputation for being up-and-coming. We introduced cinemascope to North Stonington, started the tradition of a semi-formal Sophomore Hop, put on numerous food sales at Brown and Stone's, made and sold Christmas wreaths, and put on the first Sock Hop seen in the village, an innovation to have long and revolutionary effects on the laundering habits of many. Our many paper drives were notable, if not for their crashing financial success, at least for the enthusiasm with which the entire class turned themselves into avid scrap collectors! And when senior days came at last, about one half of the class found itself college-bound. Piloted by willing class officers and encouraged by sympathetic advisors, we sped our happy busy years through Wheeler and at last faced the threshold of that hazy time then known as the future. Class Will We, the Senior Class of Wheeler High School of North Stonington, in this year of 1957-58, being of sound mind and body, do hereby make this, our last will and testament. I, Robert Adams, will my janitor's position to Brian Hill who is already somewhat indoctrinated. I, Robert Banning, leave my experience with CHICKS” to Thurlow Coats. I, Douglas Bassett, will whatever I have to whoever needs whatever I have and can do anything with whatever this thing is. I, Virginia Birkbeck, just left . . . 1, Robert Boissevain, leave all my excuses for tardiness to Jonathan Nichols. I, Susan Brown, will my ability to get along with fellow juniors to Billie Platt. I, Carol Burdick, will my many athletic abilities to good-natured Frances Smith. I, David Champagne, leave to Miss DePaul my wonderful and profound memory. I, Christine Danko, will my artistic abilities to Marlene Driscoll. I, Donald Graichen, will my curly hair to Danny Bill. I, Robert Hauptmann, will my absolute genius with the guitar to Hollis Scott. I, Donald Hayes, will my eagerness in French 11 to anyone who wants it. I, Nancy Hayes, leave my many qualities to be divided among the Junior Class. I, Roy Lee, leave my muffler-bearings and Foo-Foo valve from my Ford to Charles Bliven. I, Marilyn Main, leave my many musical abilities to Elaine Belanger. I, George McGowan, wish I had something to leave but circumstances as they are I need all I've got and more, too. I, John Scott, leave my agreeable personality to anyone fitted to accept it. I, James Smith, will my genius to that DARLING Carol Johnson. I, Ronnie Stedman, will my crew cut and my muscles to Tommy Knight. I, Winfield Stedman, leave my ability to break into the lunch line and never get caught to Robert Nagle who always is. I, Jackie Taylor, leave my love for dancing to Harold Stedman. I, Beverly Wilco, will my shyness to Rommy Boissevain who needs it. Zhe Day of the Cobalt TIME: June 4. 1988 PLACE: Anywhere, but mainly at the Proving Grounds at Dinamo, Nevada. It was on this fateful day that the earth shook, exploded and crumbled. A cobalt bomb had set off a chain reaction of explosions; the people of the earth were utterly destroyed. Except, that is, for members of the class of '58. Below are the probable occupations of each member of this class as it might happen in 1988 - the day of the cobalt. The first thing this tribe needed was dwellings. This task was taken over by John Scott and Ronnie Stedman who would have been draftsmen in our day. They designed a wonderful apartment building - a cave, of course. Of course everyone knows - we did anyway - that to be progressive we must have education. Right up there in cave No. 5 is the school-house and inside, I hope, are three teachers. Susan Brown teaches the little kiddies basket weaving, pottery, sewing and all the other basics while Jimmy Smith teaches the little darlings that ug and wug-bug. Marilyn Main teaches the business end to the children - the end of the big stick - you know. Of course every tribe must have a Dulles, ours being Donald Hayes because he could talk the other tribes out of attacking us, for he was a public relations man or would have been if - . But now, if we were attacked, don't think for one minute that we would not be ready. Robert Banning formed a thing called a Navy and had two boats he called battle ships because it was a battle to ride on one of those logs. George McGowan started an Army that fought on land with his wonderful invention - the spear. Our village was not without its science, no sir! Robert Hauptmann and Bob Boissevain have recently discovered a square doesn’t roll as well as a circle does, but as of yet have not found a use for this great fact. Give them time -after all. they're only engineers. Scientists, Doug Bassett and Dave Champagne have made the astounding discovery of a thing called fire. They found out that it makes smoke but that's about all. Guess fire won't amount to much. The restaurant business got its initial beginning when Virginia Birkbeck opened her Home-Cooked Food Shoppe in cave No. 8 on Ledge 2. Religion got its beginnings by Robert Adams, who would have been a missionary if, you-know-what had not happened. He is our tribe's legal advisor to heaven, and doing a good job, too. We even have the honor of having a medical authority in our town. Her name is Nancy Hayes; she runs a physical therapy shop in cave No. 9 and business is booming. Donald Graichen and Roy Lee even made a nail once. Jackie Taylor, Carol Burdick, Beverly Wilcox and Chris Danko are all writing or drawing our advancements on the walls of caves by a new method of shorthand - hiro-glif-ics. They all were determined to be secretaries if the world hadn't exploded when it did. As you leave our village you shall probably see the most industrious man of our tribe, Winfield Stedman. He has set out to push the mountain away so that the sun will rise earlier in the morning. He is the world's first bulldozer operator. CT3 3 Jins Front row: Brian Hill, Raymond Gould, Wayne Walters, Jonathan Nichols, Charles Bliven, Joseph Moran. Second row: Robert Nagle, Martin Schoonman, Billie Platt, Thurlow Coats, Harold Stedman, Romelia Boissevain, Marlene Driscoll, Thomas Um-phlett. Third row: Mr. DiOrio, Class Advisor; Francis Smith, Anita Watrous, Elaine Belanger. Missing for picture are: Barbara Gould, Thomas Knight, Hollis Scott. Class Officers: President, Thurlow Coats; Vice President, Harold Stedman; Secretary, Romelia Boissevain; Treasurer, Billie Platt. Editor and Assistant Editor for Yearbook of 1959: Billie Platt and Barbara Gould. The main activity of the Junior Class was the Junior Prom. They also sponsored other subordinate activities. {Juniors Class of J 959 Sophomores Front row: F. Ellis, R. Wilkinson, J. Hill, W. Wilkinson, P. Oeltgen, H. Teague, J. Mitchell. Second row: J. Nagle, K. Baker, S. Kallen, J. Lewis, E. Blanchard, G. Main, C. Johnson, M. White. Third row: S. Gould. M. Roberts, J. Dnscoll, R. McGuire, C. Maine, J. Cooper, I. Fortin, M. Holman, B. Geer, S. Gould. Missing for picture is: Mrs. Whalen, class advisor. Sreshmen Front row: P. Girardin, F. Anyzeski, F. Joiner, D. Bill, R. Lechner, P. Devaney. Second row: N. Chesbro, H. Mitchell, L. Leaycraft. G. Coats, B. Umphlett, J. Clark, K. Hill. B. Banning. Third row: Mr. Whitney, Class Advisor; S. Murphey, L. Palmer, B. Hoxie, E. Tough, C. Driscoll, G. Main, S. Shepard, L. Burdick, C. Main, B. McGowan. Eighth Qrade Front row: T. Campo, W. Taylor, R. Mitchell, P. Stedman, D. Platt, R. Champagne, A. Main. Second row: R. Holman, D. Smith, N. Coats, P. Dubuque, S. Hayes, C. Moussie, J. Joslin, J. Gould, P. Tillinghast, G. Brown. Third row: Mr. DiCandia, Class Advisor; R. Swain, W. Smith, E. Wirtanen, E. Johnson, E. Coats, R. Chesbro, P. Grufstedt, C. Lee. t Seventh Qrade Front row: A. Latham, W. Dennison, P. Williams, A. Coats, C. Shepard, C. Smith, R. Henry, J. Sullivan. Second row: H. Falck, P. Wilcox, D. Parant, G. Geer, L. Bill, D. Umphlett, J. Caswell, N. Kallen, J. Mitchell, J. Birkbeck. Third row: M. DriscoU. M. Main, R. Seymore, P. Gerrish, V. Tough, A. Conyers. D. Stillman, S. Wood, Mr. Helveston, Class Advisor. Pep Club Home Economics Club School Baud School Chorus basketball Zeam For the first year Wheeler High has had a Cross Country Team. Team members are, standing: Danny Bill, Joseph Nagle, Martin Schoonman, Ralph Lechner, Coach Whitney. Front row: Harold Stedman, Douglas Bassett, Thomas Umphlett, James Smith. Varsity Cheerleaders Center: Sanna Kallen, Captain; Susan Gould, Sandra Gould, Kneeling. Standing: Carol Johnson, Josephine Driscoll, Marlene Driscoll. ‘Junior Varsity Cheerleaders Kneeling: Carolyn Maine, Gail Coats. Standing: Lorraine Leaycraft, Gail Main, Captain; Susan Shepard. COTTRELL LUMBER CO. Best Wishes to the Class ' ' Sinct 1815 The Cottrell Lumber Company MYSTIC. CONN. DUl-C-IN Rt. 84, North Stonington SUPET2E1“ TE Groceries - Meats - Provisions North Stonington Road Westerly, Rhode Island Connecticut Tel. 5-5994 PATRONS AND PATRONESSES Blanchard’s Filling Station Uneeda Cleaners Murphey Chevrolet Westerly Cleaners Smith Flower Shop Sandy’s Fruit Market Terminal Bakery Dew Drop Inn Gulino’s Bakery Travato Bros. Mr. and Mrs. George H. Stone Charles E. Lamphere Sears, Roebuck and Co. Vars Drug Co. Westerly Tire Co. Schackner’s Radio and TV Dr. and Mrs. Paul A. Giuliano The Teacher’s Association Perry’s Gift Shop Shoe Box Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Crider Toscano’s Men’s Shop Morrone’s Dairy Bar Leonard’s Shoes Atlantic Service Station Urso Hardware Co. Granite Street Sunoco Clark’s Market Scott Upholstery Westerly Jewelry Ray’s Motor Court The Laundramat Kenyon’s Cleaner Co. Midway Gas Station White Oaks INTRA STATE TREE SERVICE, INC. Stonington, Connecticut Telephones Jeff. 6-3614 6-8849 Specialists in Tree Care and Landscaping Visit Our Nursery and Garden Supply Center Route One Between Pawcatuck and Stonington TOMORROW...A NEW CAREER That first pay check can be the foundation of financial independence for millions of graduates. come in and open a savings account with us when you receive your first salary check. Then keep adding to it. Planning and saving ahead will keep you moving ahead. Open Thursday Eves. 6 to 8 P.M. Your Headquarters for Banking Convenience” CHELSEA iSAVINGS BANK L NORWICH. CONNECTICUT Postage Paid Both Ways Save-by-Mail Service Compliments of Compliments of SEARS T2BOT2 120EBUC C ACTS K CO. 2 Cliff Street North Stonington Tel, Turner 7-3501 Connecticut Norwich, Conn. Shop at Sears and Save Good Luck in the Future (Mo INC. From Westerly, Rhode Island THE CLASS OF 1959 Best Wishes to Class of 58 Compliments of • Compliments of Rt. 84, North Stonington Connecticut S V v IS w' ( V y K r r f f f ( North Stonington, Conn. THE WASHINGTON TRUST CO. Compliments of Complete Banking Service Established in 1800 oOomzy Your Favorite Fashion Store Westerly Hope Valley Westerly, Rhode Island Compliments of AVET2.V ADAMS JEWELER Westerly, Rhode Island Westerly, Rhode Island Compliments of Compliments of itMucm MARKET TOGGLE HOLLOW GREENHOUSES Granite Street Tel. Jefferson 6-7928 Shopping Center Mystic, Connecticut Compliments of CENTRAL -C TT■ r )'C3T=£=i DRUG STORE A. LOMBARDI, Reg.Ph. 10-12 Canal Street Westerly, Rhode Island Tel. 2152 Established (1845) — -2 1 v S r.. i—„ ' Westerly, Rhode Island Compliments of Compliments of MVSTIC PHARMACY LAWTONfe AUTO SUPPLY 11 East Main Street JE 6-8615 Westerly, Rhode Island Mystic, Connecticut Good Luck Class of 58 Compliments of MAIN {rfO'mWtf n lNET2 DUFOU12 Rt. 84, Stonington, Conn. Pawcatuck, Connecticut Compliments of sy Compliments of ? CmMMW DAfEY cmmcM HARDWARE Westerly, Rhode Island Pawcatuck, Connecticut Compliments of Compliments of 'United T3UI l_JDE12€3 3EOS. Westerly, Rhode Island Westerly, Rhode Island -EE. . OOWMSON MFG. CO. Compliments of Manufacturers of Gears, Cams Metal Stampings Designers of Tools, Dies and Special Machinery GATES FABRICS Stonington, Connecticut Westerly, Rhode Island Compliments of WESTERLY PAWCATUCK BARBER SHOPS AF OF L CIO LOCAL 897 POULTRY FARMS Mello’s Calosi’s Lombardi’s Crystal Lew’s Chapman’s Ligauri’s DiNoto’s Perri’s Toscano North Stonington, Conn. Compliments of Compliments of T3T20WN Xr STONE STORE CHEVROLET CO., INC. Chevrolet - Oldsmobile Cadillac North Stonington, Conn. Mystic, Conn. Since 1920 Best Wishes to the Compliments of Class of 58 For Your Photographs Westerly, Rhode Island New London - Norwich Compliments of EVET2E 1—r M XIK1 V BUILDING CONTRACTOR Specializing in Modern IVI0T20ANJ and Conn. Type Ranch STEWA12T Homes Construction Work Alterations - Repairs North Stonington Connecticut Tel. Jeff. 6-2933 North Stonington, Conn. Route 2 (Next to Rotary) IKr l«l I AVI OK MAIM I AVI OK KUWKMING COMfAKV PAllAS I HAS - Vi.. , imtm