Whitman High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Whitman, MA)

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T H E Y E A R B O O K 1 9 4 5 GN0k939k9GW0k9GN0k9'GN6kDGW0k930k9GN0Q3GX0Q3'0!0fDQ!0fDGW0k33NkD As a final ending to the football season, the annual football banquet was held on December 13. After the dinner and speeches, the awards were distributed amidst much hand clapping and many congratulations. This was followed by some excellent sport films and later by dancing. Early in the year we chose our class rings which were to be material remembrance of our four years at Whit- man High. Previously on October 20, we had held our first dance of the season. Many students enjoyed dancing beneath the harvest moon and amidst the cornstalks and pumpkins. In December, we were all sorry to lose to another school, our class adviser. We wish to express our apprecia- tion to Mr. Magnuson for his unfailing help and guidance during our four years at this school. We will always remember him as one who has done his utmost to help us. There is one teacher who, we are sure, will be none too sorry to see us leave. Mr. Kelly will be able to relax from fear of our classmates blowing up the chemistry lab. It has been tried many times this year but without too much success. We know Mr. Kelly will breath much easier when we have departed. When basketball season came around, shout and cries could be heard from the gym, as our teams came forth to play. These games proved very exciting with close scores. In the course of the year, our Student Council, which included many of our classmates, handled the govern- ment of the school with exceptional efficiency. The Spotlight staff has worked very hard all year to edit the many issues of our newspaper, The Red and Black Spotlight. Approximately 150 copies of the issues of this magazine are being sent to our former classmates and friends who are now in the Service. Remember the Nut Family ? Anyone who saw the Senior Class Play could hardly forget them. The dramatic talents of our classmates were certainly brought forth in this performance under the expert coaching of Mrs. Avery. We are sure that, if it hadn't been for the travel restrictions, our friends would now be Hollywood bound. Early in March, a drive was put on to raise money for another Honor Roll. Our list of service boys and girls had grown so large that it had become necessary for us to purchase this second Honor Roll. Also in Ma1'ch, our Yea1'book staff was chosen to pre- pare the annual yearbook. Much work has gone into the making of this book, but we are sure that when we pick it up in the years to come, we will be able to recall to our memory vividly the experiences of our four years at Whitman High. In April, 105 was announced as the top contributor to the sales of War Bonds and Stamps, with a total of 318,000 This was certainly the greatest contribution to this drive. Early in the spring we chose as our Class Flower the Carnation and Maroon and Silver as our Class Colors. We chose as our Motto, Students Today, Leaders Tomor- row to guide us in our future lives. On Friday, April 13, 1945, the students of the school met in the assembly hall to pay their last respects to our late President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His death was indeed a serious blow to the nation. The Dramatic Club, which we had not had last year, was again organized under the able guidance of Miss Tinker and Miss Brega. In May, two very amusing plays, Elmer and the Lovebug and A Mad Breakfast were given by the members of the club. Class Day exercises were held on June 9, with many of our classmates participating in helping to make that day one which would of '45. June 15 marked the hard. Graduation was special thought to our in the Service or who long be remembered by the Class day for which we had long worked a very solemn exercise, as we gave many classmates who were already soon would be. On June 18, we gathered together as a class for the last time to bid our friends goodbye at our Senior Recep- tion. A touch of sadness was added to this event, when we realized that it was our parting. With a glint of a tear, we said goodbye to our friends and stepped forward, proud to start new adventures on new highways- Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow. 17

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F1 Fw-v-x 2 O9 00 060 00000000000000000000 oooooooooo 0 ' CLASS HISTCDRY 6 Q 4, oAoAoAoAoAoAoAo,,oAo,,o,QAQAQAQAQAQAQ,,o,,o,,o,,0,,0A0A0,,gLt'A'A'A'A'A'A9A'A'A'A' By Natalie Pierce and Stuart Stetson How well we remember that important day in Septem- ber, 1941, when we first entered Whitman High! Like lost sheep, we spent much of our time the first few days in exploring the intriguing rooms and hallways. Gradually, we became accustomed to our new home and began to take a small part in its activities. Football season found our boys vigorously learning the many intricate tricks of the game under the able leader- ship of Mr. Joe Canavan. The boys worked very hard that year, and even a few of our own classmates made the varsity squad. On December 7, 1941, there took place an event which was to change the lives of all of us. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, we all realized that many of our classmates would be called to defend the privileges and rights which we have been taught to respect. More seriously than ever we turned to our tasks. Many school activities claimed our immediate attention. Basketball season found our class eagerly striving to beat the upper classmen. This was followed by the last of the gym exhibitions to be held during our four years. Sev- eral of our classmates took an active part. During the year, some of our classmates we1'e elected as members of the Student Council. Also many drives were held, and we were pleased to see the good response which our classmates gave to these drives. By June of 1942, we felt that we were ready to go on to our Sophomore year. Time marched along fast, and before we knew it, the summer was over and we were once more returning to Whitman High. Our footing on our new soil was now much firmer, and we were ready to take on many new responsibilities. The class gathered together and chose Clyde MacKenzie, Edna Taylor, Bob Landers, and Betty Harper as our officers. This year many more of our boys came forth to play the great American game of football. The girls also organized their basketball team under the able instruction of Miss Tate. Then came our great social event for which we had all been waiting. Amidst beautiful winter decorations, the Snow Carnival was presented on the night of January 15, 1943. We were all thrilled with the success of our first social affair. Spring brought baseball under Mr. Leavitt. The season proved to be very successful, with the team winning eight games and losing only two. Many of you may wonder just what thought was given to our many friends and classmates who had entered the Service. As a token of appreciation to those who had left us to defend their country, on Memorial Day we assisted in the dedication of the Honor Roll. It stands as a worthy tribute to those who, since Pearl Harbor, have left to serve this nation. At last came a day which we had long waited for. When we received our cards promoting us to Juniors, I am sure that we all grew two or three inches, as we felt very proud that we were now upper classmen. In September of 1943, when we returned to school were, we are sorry to say, gaps in our ranks- there some due to failures and others to those who had left to serve in the Armed Forces. Early in October, we elected as our class officers, Harry Terzian, Betty Harper, Bill Curby and Edna Taylor. Coach Leavitt soon began looking around for football prospects. Almost eve1'y afternoon, the team could be seen on the field practicing. On November 19, amidst the silver stars and Santa Clauses, the Junior Dance was held. The blue and white drapes cast a dreamy glow over the gym as the couples danced. After several years without a varsity basketball team, the A. A. this year organized one. At the close of a good season, we ente1'ed the annual basketball tournament, where we beat Middleboro. During the year, the school worked very hard to sell bonds and stamps. We, as Juniors, also did our part in helping to keep the t1'easury flag flying and in the Jeep Drive, with the Junior homeroom of 213 leading the entire school in the amount of sales. At last came our greatest social affair of the season, the Junior Prom, which took place on May 12. Many of you may remember the setting for this dance. The gym was transformed into a ship with beautiful nautical trimmings. In these surroundings, dancing to the music of Don Leach's orchestra was enjoyed. Our talent in decorating was further shown in those beautiful decorations at graduation last year. Those, also, were the work of Juniors. We are sure that the Seniors wouldn't have been able to graduate if it hadn't been for our help. Again the summer passed very quickly, and we found ourselves Seniors in the fall of 1944. The class met and chose as able leaders: Harry Terzian, Betty Harper, Edna Taylor, and Clifton Strathern. This year for the first time our Senior boys were allowed to continue their shop work. One of the projects was the building of a boat. After the boat was finished, it was discovered that it was impossible to remove the boat from the basement. We had to admit, though, our aims were for bigger things. The A. A. held the annual membership drive just before the football season, and as Seniors, we immediately res- ponded to the pleas. Under the leadership of Rosen and Bailey, the foot- ball season opened in the fall with Dan Leavitt in the coaching seat. The team was rewarded by the large num- ber of spectators who cheered them on.

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STUDENT COUNCIL Third Row: lleft to rightl Hazel Weeden, Allen Marshall, Albert Gregory, Toivo Maki, Frances Deehan Lorraine Murm f , ihy. Second Row: George l ahrcnliolt, Ruth Terzian, Bert Brine, Jane Sweeney, Robert Marshall. First llow: Mrs. Mclnnes, NVilliam Curby, Doris Aubert, Burton Rosen, Mr. Kelly. Sfzzdcm' Council In September, the Student Council niet with its advisers, Mrs. Mclnnes and Mr. Kelly, and chose the following officers for the year: President ................ Albert Gregory Vice-President .. .. Allen Marshall Secretary ...... . . . Frances Deelian Treasurer ...... . . Lorraine Murphy Executive Board Hazel Weeden. Burton Rosen Mr. Kelly, a new member of the board this year, proved to be of great assistance in the work of the Council. A committee of Ruth Terzian and George Bay- ley was organized to supervise the sale of war 18 stamps and bonds in the school. Stamps were sold three days a week, and, in several rooms, 100'i of the pupils bought stamps regularly. In October the school entered a contest to buy an Amphibian Duck, costing 258275, by December 7, 1944. The quota was oversubscribed, as the sales amounted to 3S21,791.30. A second Service Memorial Plaque was pur- chased by the Council for the additional names of all those from the school who had joined the Armed Forces since December 7, 1941. The usual projects, including the Red Cross and Infantile Paralysis Drives, were successfully con- ducted by the Council.