Whitman High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Whitman, MA)

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O'oVoV ovovovovov QVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVovovovovoVo oVo o o',TVo ' 'o o o'o'o'o'o , 4 ' CLASS l'll5 l OR! ' O .1X.1X.1X.A.A.1X.,X.1K. AoAoAo,,o,o,o,Qg,o,o,o,o,o,o,o,o,og.o,o By Catherine Hynes and William Tirrell Our freshman year is the first proof of our abil- ity, for many of us took the most difficult fresh- man subjects. Within a week we were fully acclimated to the intricate school routine, show- ing that our standard of intelligence is very high. All during that year we applied ourselves industri- ously to our studying as this was the most import- ant year for the laying of the foundation of our future success. We held no social functions this first year at which to demonstrate our originality, but spent our time establishing ourselves as one of the best behaved and most studious classes ever to enter the school. Proof of this is found in the honor roll which contained a greater number from our class than from any other. After a necessary vacation of two months in which many of the class Worked to gain experience for future use, the Class of 1940 returned on Sep- tember 8, 1937, to settle down again to learning as much as possible. Wasting no time, we held an election in which James Carey was chosen presi- dentg Fred Carey, vice-presidentg Lucy Conway, secretary: and Adele Bearce, treasurer. All of these officers were chosen for their outstanding ability and character, which we consider the im- portant factors of success. Some time later, in November, the whole school was entertained by certain capable members of our class, among them Lucy Conway and Bernard Saftler, who demonstrated the enormous advances made in the school toward public speaking. Is it possible that students with no ambition-as it has been stated we are-could spend all their available leisure time in preparing a program such as this? The answer is obvious. For a further example of ambition, on Janu- ary 28, our class presented its only dance of this school year. Because of the loyal and tireless efforts of everyone connected in any way with the various committees, this dance was a pronounced a social and financial success. With no experience at all in this kind of work, the committees suc- ceeded in establishing a record for good entertain- ment. Does that sound like laziness? What if an hour or two a week was spent at a soda fountain? It is an established fact that everyone must have some recreation, and we are certainly no excep- tion. Also, a large number from our class spent their afternoons at various club meetings in school, such as the Photography Club and the Literary Club. Most certainly this cannot be laziness, for, although natural talent and ability play a major part in these clubs, hours of hard work in research and study are consumed at each meeting. Starting in January, several boys and girls be- gan to practice two, three, and even four after- noons every week to obtain the physical coordina- tion necessary to take part in the gym exhibition presented annually in March. Nearly every good characteristic known is needed to last out these three months of intense training which is always appreciated in later life. Certainly, these pupils cannot be called lazy. Naturally, as many of these activities mentioned are extra-curricular, they received only a minute part of our school year. It is needless to record the weeks upon weeks of steady applied concentration to our routine of studies. At the end of this, our Sophomore year, the only class that had more pupils on the honor roll than we did was the Senior Class. This is another proof that we are capable of doing good work. If enough examples illustrating the fitness of our class to receive diplomas have not been cited, many more are as easily obtained. On September 21 of the new fall term of 1938 an altogether new set of class officers was elected, notably among them Thomas Beland who has remained our presi- dent from that day till now. He, certainly, must be ambitious to undertake the innumerable duties of such an office for two years. The other officers were Mary Reed, vice-president, James Carey, treasurerg and Norma Kirby, secretary. Becoming better and better equipped to handle everyday problems, our class officers began to de- velop methods of treating social affairs systematic- ally, in order to save much time in the future. They agreed to co-operate completely and to in- vestigate fully orchestras to be obtained for our dances. These methods were tested at our Junior Dance and proved such a success that all social functions are governed by them. Extraordinary intelligence is needed to put over new ideas, whether in school or business life, and our class succeeded. A Tri-Town Contest was held in 1939 sponsored by the American Legion which offered prizes for the best essays written about the Armistice. Stu- dents from the three towns, Abington, Rockland, and Whitman competed and Anne Lincoln, a mem- ber of our class, received second prize. This cer- tainly shows that we have brilliant and energetic people in our class. There were several candidates from our class for the varsity football, baseball, and basketball teams this year, among them surely a high per- centage of coming stars. It is unnecessary to state what perseverance, aggressiveness, and initiative

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T H E Y E A R B O O K 1 9 4 O Q!0fDQ!0-fDQJ0fDQJWfDQJ0fD1QJWfD QJ0fD 7WfDQ!0fDQJ0fD2WFDQJ0fD Honor Parts ESSAYIST: Mary Tirrell. HISTORY: Catherine Hynes, William Tirrell. ESSAYIST: Priscilla Chapman. PROPHECY: Ruth Shulenburg, Frank Sweeney. ODE: Dorothy Hamilton, Thomas Beland. WILL: Pauline LeFort, Bernard Saftler. GIFTS: Margaret Deehan, Ruth Hall. Class Ode By Dorothy Hamilton and Thomas Beland Tune: Estrellita by Manuel M. Ponce As along life's way we move, Let's strive each day to prove We'll reach the golden star That for years we have followed from afar, And now it's shining near, We part from friends so dear. And now it's farewell to our Whitman High School, To all our friends, pals, and teachers, too. Traveling down the lane of learning hand in hand, We've been a sturdy band, Now at our goal we stand. This hour has come for which we have planned, We have done our best to understand Why we're here, and why we each must face the strife, And now we'll do our best to pass the test-of life. Who's Who Title Most Intellectual Boy . Most Intellectual Girl . Boy Apt to Achieve the Most Girl Apt to Achieve the Most Ambitious Boy . . . Ambitious Girl . . . Busiest Boy . Busiest Girl . . Best All-Round Boy . Best All-Round Girl . Leading Boy Athlete . Leading Girl Athlete . Outstanding Actor . Outstanding Actress . Name Thomas Beland . Mary Tirrell Thomas Beland . Mary Tirrell Thomas Beland . Mary Tirrell Thomas Beland . Mary Reed . Fred Carey . Mary Reed . Fred Carey . Marv Reed James Howard . Louise Goss Class Musician QBoyD . James Howard Class Musician CGirlJ . . Dorothy Hamilton Most Popular Boy . . . Fred Carey Most Popular Girl . Friendliest Boy . . . Mary Reed . -Richard Morse CDete1'mined by 'vote of Title Friendliest Girl . Politest Boy . Politest Girl . N eatest Boy . Neatest Girl . . Most Cheerful Boy . Most Cheerful Girl . Modest Boy . . Modest Girl . . Handsomest Boy . Prettiest Girl . Best Boy Dancer . Best Girl Dancer . Most Stylish Boy . Most Stylish Girl . Class Shiek . . Class Coquette . . Most Sophisticated Girl Class Clown . . members of the Classj Name . Mary Reed Richard Morse . Alma Baker Richard Morse Muriel Forrand Richard Morse . Mary Reed Benjamin Rymut . Alma Baker . Paul Sanville Muriel Forrand Leslie Holbrook Margaret Deehan Richard Morse Muriel Forrand Richard Morse . . June Cole Meredith Spooner William Forbes

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T H E Y E A R B O O K 1 9 4 0 VWKDQJQEQJQZQJWZQJQJDQQJQWDQJWKEQJQZIQJWKDQJOKDQJQVDVWZQJQWD are developed by these sports, for this is shown every day all around us. Another example of ambition was a patriotic assembly presented in April. With no other re- ward than the knowledge that they were helping the school, Mary Tirrell and Priscilla Chapman wrote and delivered patriotic essays to a packed hall. But this is only one instance. Everyone in our class has had a chance to help the class at least once a year, and in every case each one has come through with flying colors. Our class is really to be congratulated instead of being made the subject of derogatory remarks by persons with unfair prejudices, but even more proof of our ability can be introduced. To almost anyone, even the writing of a contest essay is a most difficult task. But when the Ellen Conway Spellman Prize Contest was announced, Louise Goss, a member of our class, responded immediately by writing and delivering an essay which took second prize, the first prize having been won by a Senior. This does not show lack of industry. As dances are the major social activities of any class, our dances served to supply us with a bot- tomless source of evidence of the talent, clever- ness, and perseverance of every member of our class. For an example, on October 20, 1939, we presented a Harvest Dance at which the decora- tions displayed were so brilliant, impressive, and authentic as to draw words of admiration from the dancers and guests. One cannot realize the amount of time and energy expended in preparing the decorations for such a dance unless he has served on one of these committees. To present one of these dances the committees must have originality, industry, imagination, good taste, and skill com- bined. Another instance in which great industry and concentration are needed was the Senior Class Play, The Right Mr. Wright, which was pre- sented on December 20. For weeks the members of the cast met and rehearsed, in order to insure the greatest performance ever given. A very large proportion of the varsity football squad came from our Senior Class, among them Leslie Holbrook, Fred Carey, Tommy Kelley, Robert Lynch, and Donald Perkins, who showed courage and intelligence of the highest degree in the various games. Without these boys, a success- ful football team could never have been produced by Coach Etelman. Furthermore, their school marks testified that they did not allow sports to interefere with their school curriculum. In March, Mr. Bayley assigned the two gradua- tion essays to Priscilla Chapman and Mary Tirrell, and the rest of the Class Day and Graduation honor parts to the other highest ranking students. This showed that at least our principal and our teachers approved of our receiving diplomas at graduation and consider that we have done our work satisfactorily. From these facts it is easy to see that, contrary to these accusations made against us, we were one of the most industrious, intelligent classes that it is possible to assemble in a public high school. We have proved that we do not lack talent, we do not lack ability, we do not lack studious concentration, and, still being human, we can rightfully declare ourselves to be the acme of educational success and well deserving of the diplomas offered to us by the high school. ..1. emi., Class Advisers To our Class Advisers, Mrs. Payton and Mr. Smith, who have given us unlimited aid in all our undertakings, do We, the Class of 1940, with grateful acknowledgment, extend our heartfelt thanks. OUR ALMA MATER