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 6 tial talent, our class play in our Senior year would be one to remember. Our first formal, the Junior Prom, was held on April 11 in the Whitman High School gym. Color- ful gowns, well-selected decorations, and a gay atmosphere were not soon forgotten and will al- ways remain in our memories as one of the most delightful events in our four years of high school. The Ellen Conway Spellman contest was the first opportunity for the members of the Junior class to show their ability and initiative. The con- test was held in May: and, much to our delight, the Junior class came out on top with two of its members, Dolores Bowles and Robert Case, as the winners. Several committees were organized, consisting of both boys and girls, to usher at the Senior class day and graduation exercises. We felt honored to be of service to the Senior class and gave our assistance willingly. As the end of our Junior ycar drew near, we discovered that Mr. McKey, our able adviser, would not be with us in our last year of school. He had been of great assistance to us, and we re- gretted his leaving. SENIOR YEAR Summers have a way of passing very quickly, and we became full-fledged Seniors in September, 1945. We accepted class responsibilities immediately, choosing as our officers: Allen Marshall, presi- dent: Peggy Gaudette, vice-presidentg Pat Allen, secretary, and Stephen Cole, treasurer. Our offic- ers, together with the advisers, Mrs. Payton and Mr. Stackpole, have done an excellent job of lead- ing us through this most important year of our school lives. the The first dance of the year was run by Student Council, its purpose being to get all the students acquainted. for The A. A. assembly, launching the drive members, was an outstanding success. Led by our cheer leaders, we made the very walls of good old Whitman High School ring, and we believe the roof was raised at least ten feet. Mr. Lane told the usual jokes, but we were polite and laughed anyway. We must admit, though, that Mr. Lane's speech was one of the highlights of our assembly. With Giberti and McCarthy as co-captains, and Coach Malinowski providing a powerful incen- tive, the football team worked itself into a closely co-ordinated group. who played with speed and power. Morale was high. and a very large number of spectators came to every game. The first Senior Dance, The Football Kick- off, was a great success. The gym was crowded, and everyone had a marvelous time. We think that our dances have always been a success because we have tried to have the best decorations possible. The ring committee met early in the year and selected samples from which our class ring was finally chosen. These beautiful onyx and gold rings will serve to remind us of Whitman High through- out the rest of our lives. The Senior Class Play, Meet the Duchess, presented on December 16, was a tremendous suc- cess. Mrs. Avery must have had a touch of genius, because it was the funniest play we have ever seen. We remember Robert Case's portrayal of a film magnate, and Steve Cole's performance as a Shakesperean actor, along with that tall, exotic French Duchess, as played by Barbara Benson. About this time, Tuesday and Thursday after- noons became rather hectic, for members of the chemistry classes were coming back to do experi- ments. It seems to be a law of nature that chemis- try students will produce the foulest smells imag- inable and that a thick blue fog is destined to appear in the lab whenever any two chemicals are mixed. The basketball season found the gym converted into a madhouse of energetic players learning the Hne points of the game under the able leadership of Coach Malinowski. The game which we will always remember as the one which best showed Whitman's spirit was the one with Middleboro. Our team showed itself to have the stamina and spirit necessary to stand up under the strain of a nerve-wracking game. The annual football banquet, held on February 7, 1946. was a great success. The food was good, the speakers entertaining, and the movies and dance afterward very enjoyable. The awards were received amid much applause, making an alto- gether unforgettable night. During the course of the year the Student Coun- cil did an excellent job of governing the school. 17

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,.w.w..4 via. vt. Y ,,. Y, v. ,, -.. -J -.. -.- ii lfgffisswiiiiioav 'I I If I 'I I 'I I 'I I 'I I 'I I I I I I I I I LI ....H.q 'E' I I I I I I I I I I 0 ,I U I H I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I I I I ,I U I I I I P By Lorraine Webber and Alden Gilman Remember that day in September, 1942, that we entered Whitman High? The sun was probably shining and the birds were no doubt singingg but we saw dark clouds, cold rain, and withering scowls from upper classmen. We found the race to the lunchroom quite confusing at first, but we soon learned to use our elbows and heels to the best advantage, and to shove our way as far up in the line as possible. The monitors proved quite helpful in telling us where our rooms were, and as poor frightened Freshmen we were so quiet we didn't receive any slips to 116. As the year passed, we began to take a small part in the school life. We readily pledged our half dollars to the A. A. drive, and many of our boys were to be seen charging up and down the football field in pursuit of a curiously shaped piece of leather. Our home-room presidents took an active part in the affairs of the Student Councilg and the baseball season found our classmates showing the upperclassmen how the game should be played. We also joined the Photography Club, Glee Club, Band, and Orchestra. As Freshmen, we were eager to please the student body and win the friendship of the upperclassmen. We consequently subscribed cheerfully to all the drives and gave freely of our time and effort. Against the backdrop of some of the darkest days of World War II, we applied ourselves to our studies with persistent diligence, knowing that we would find great need for our knowledge in the near future. Consequently, we felt that we were ready for our Sophomore year by June of 1943. SOPHOMORE YEAR After mastering the stumbling blocks of our Freshman year, we returned to school in Septem- ber of 1943, finding that we were to be under the guidance of Mr. McKey and Mrs. Payton. It was a big thrill for us during the first few days to look on with amusement at the perplexed and be- wildered Freshmen, never remembering that we were once just as confused. At this time we began the first organizing of our class and elected as our officers: Joseph Com- erford, president: Margaret Gaudette, vice-presi- dentg Stephen Cole, treasurerg and Shirley Tero, secretary. Some members of the class began to participate in more extra-curricular activities, and we be- came aware that we were really a part of high school life. Although the boys' schedule was com- plete to the end of the year, the girls were handi- capped by the loss of their gym teacher during the second semester. Our first social task, the sponsoring of the Sophomoie dance, the Roseland Shuffe, was con- sidered quile an undertaking by us. When we saw our friends, Freshmen, Juniors, and even the great Seniors at our dance, our pride and con- fidence knew no bounds. Our pleasure was coni- plete when we learned that the dance was a great success, both socially and financially. JUNIOR YEAR Vacation was welcomeg but when September came, we returned to school with a determination to make our Junior year one that would be well worth remembering. We were not to be disap- pointed because many new and exciting oppor- tunities were to come our way throughout this year. The class met and chose as our officers: Allen Marshall, president: Margaret Gaudette, vice- presidentg Stephen Cole, treasurer, and Shirley Holmes, secretary. Our first assembly was held by the A. A. This traditional assembly gave us an opportunity, as Juniors, not only to contribute our share finan- cially, but also to help stimulate enthusiasm on the part of the other members of the school. Football came into season and we thronged the field, eager to Watch some of our own class mem- bers carry the ball across the line. Our Junior dance, based on the picture, Holi- day Inn, was something novel in the way of deco- rations. Once again we enjoyed the patronage of the student body. Six assemblies were enjoyed during the year. These assemblies, consisting of outside talent, con- tributed greatly to our knowledge and entertain- ment. The Dramatic Club was open to all who cared to participate in its numerous, interesting activi- ties. It was easy to see that, because of our poten-

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T H E Y E'A R B O O K 1 9 4 6 The Council wrote an important amendment into its constitution, giving the Industrial Arts boys a representative on the Council. The Dramatic Club, under the direction of Miss Brega and Mrs. Mclnnes, has presented us with three fine plays during the year, Elmer Cleans Up, The Telegram, and The House of Greed. The Club's plays are always amusing, and the act- ing has been excellent. making a program that is thoroughly enjoyable. This year the Sophomores under Miss Shea put on an interesting little play entitled Finders Keepers. The Sophomores are good, but we think that for the essence of dramatic art it is necessary to come to the Seniors. The Yearbook Staff was chosen in the spring, and its work has given us a true account of the time we have spent together. The staff has worked hard to turn out this book which will serve as a reminder of the best and happiest four years of our lives. It will stand as a record of our achieve- ments during these four years and as an inspira- tion to future classes. Our baseball team was of the very best, show- ing power and speed. The team played smart ball, and a successful season was enjoyed. Throughout the year the girls have taken a great interest in sports. Basketball has proved to be the most popular of the girls' sports, and, paced by Dorothea Eidler and Shirley Holmes, the team made a fine showing. In the spring. We chose the red rose as our class flower and blue and silver as our class colors. Our motto was He conquers who believes he can g and we intend to tune our lives to this hopeful thought. Class Day exercises were very impressive, Showing our parents and friends what we had done during our four years at Whitman High School. The Class Day Play was well carried out, the theme being Crossing the Equator. The social hour which followed was a fitting climax to the day. Our Graduation was unforgettable. Here was the night for which we had worked four years, for which we had studied, recited, and worked hard. When we received our diploma and stood to sing the Class Ode, we knew it was worth it and that we went out into the world well prepared for its test of our ability. We met as Alumni at our Senior Reception. As we bade goodbye to our classmates and wished them the best of luck, we realized that we were seeing our friends for the last time and that our school days were over. ie is is ie is ie is ie ie-ie is 2: ie te 1 ---.:-is--:::A.::-veg' Q1 ee-is'-s:-.::A.e is in-.:a-.pie-tue: ia-ie ie--vc is iz aa 2 cmss PRCPI-IECY 2 Pal - 1-ag: its i: fi: ie :Le Ai: -if :-,Q -if :-.: -is in fi: 2-v: ri: -ia -1: -is f-,: 1-v: --v: -ie -is-ie :+.e :A.e:i: -v: vie:-ve ai: -2: 1 -:a -:s-.::A.: By DorotlzcqHolmes, Sidney Mojfnff, u11dEdu'aVrd Giberti News flash! Attention! Alden Gilman, head scientist of the Whitman Institute of Scientific Research with his staff, consisting of James Baird, Dorothy Milonas, and Raymond Lewis, have just reached the moon by means of a newly developed rocket ship- The Luna Tick. Professor Gilman was accompanied by a group of settlers made up of his former classmates of Whitman High. Already I see the well-known building contrac- tors, Hank Straffin and Bill McCarthy, working feverishly to establish living qua1'ters for mem- bers of the Luna Land Expedition. Eddie Blanch- ard's Presto Pre-fabricated Houses are already up. We know they are good. Loretta Raby has just opened up her new dress shoppe, La Petite Paris- ienne 3 and whom do we see modeling the latest fashion, the Luna Skirt, but Barbara Nichols, Ann Reed, and Peggy Towler waltzing to Phyllis Mona- hah's piano accompaniment. Of course Joe Comer- ford, the supervisor of these models, as usual has the situation well in hand. As we gaze out of the window, we hear the strains of the Luna Chorus under the direction of Dolores Bowles. She and Mary Sweeney are singing a duet, I'll see you in my dreams in '56 , to the accompaniment of Chet Yankowski, a fa- mous boogie specialist and also concert artist. Richard Josselyn, a distinguished member of the orchestra was just taken ill in the middle of the Obligato. He's being rushed to the Luna Hos- pital. Yes, there's gentle Edna McClellan, who is head nurse of both day and night shifts at the hospital. My, what a peaceful institution, but it isn't surprisingg for the staff is made up of those quiet and subdued girls, Lorraine Webber, Dotty Eidler--who is always singing There Will Al- ways Be a Buddy -and calm and peaceful Audrey Perry. Allen Marshall, the Chief of Staff, has just entered the operating room. followed by his retinue of efficient Shirley Holmes, bashful but comical Harris Penniman, and brash Sidney Moffat. Someone's on the operating table. Well, let's see. Under all these bandages I detect the visage of John Hutchinson, poor boy. He shouldn't have eaten that ice cream called the Crowley Special. A very modern hosiery shoppe, operated by 18