Williams Memorial Institute High School - Legenda Yearbook (New London, CT)

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Message to the Graduating Class Frequently during your high school course reference has been made to your school as a family . When you graduate in June and give up active participation in school studies and activities you are leaving the family circle in the same way that most young people leave home for vocational or other reasons. Just as under such circumstances your parents will hope for frequent word from you, and for visits home from time to time, so we hope that you will keep in touch with us, and will visit your alma mater whenever possible. Challenging times lie ahead. Women will take an increasingly important part in public affairs. We believe you have received here that preparation which will enable you to make a real contribution to the solution of postwar problems, and that you will feel an obligation to participate actively in community matters. Our best wishes go with you as you leave us for the wider opportunities ahead. d 9

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F acuity CAROLINE CARUSO. College of St. Elizabeth, B.A. Science MARY EUSATANIA, New York University, B.S. Business Subjects Teachers College, Columbia University, M.A. DOROTHY MORTIMER FULLER, Radcliffe College, A.B., A.M. English ANNA F. HEWITT, New London Business College Secretary LORETTA P. HIGGINS Public Relations, French, English, Journalism Connecticut College for Women, B.A. DOROTHY PAGE, Smith College, B.A. German, Spanish Middlebury College, M.A. MARGUERITE LEWIN QUIMBY, Smith College, B.A. Mathematics ESTHER STENSBY, Framingham Teachers College, B.S.Ed. Homemaking MAURA G. SULLIVAN, Connecticut College for Women, B.A. History NATALIE P. SWIFT, Goucher College, B.A. French Middlebury College, M.A. KATHERINE BUCKLEY VARGAS, Connecticut College for Women, B.A. History VIVIAN B. WETMORE, Castleton Normal School Director ol Health Lawrence Memorial School of Nursing MARGARET H. YOUNG Business Subjects Connecticut College for Women, B.A. Teachers College of Connecticut, B.E. 8

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SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS President . . . Marion Bruhns Vice President . . May McGuinness Secretary .... Evelyn Reynolds Treasurer .... Norma DeBiasi Honor Court Representatives Norma Deveau Marilyn Portelance Phyllis Dicero Senior Class History In September 1941, we approached the doors of Buell Hall, which had been painted green in honor of the freshman, with no small amount of apprehension as to what lay before us in our four years at W. M. I. It didn't take us long to get right into the swing of things—the Wednesday morning sing periods—the Friday assemblies—the group guidance classes—the music appreciation classes. We were oriented to our high school life which was so different from our grammar school days. However, we were but a small part of the world who underwent changes. It was in our freshman year that the attack on Pearl Harbor, the declaration of war on the Axis, and the tragic fall of the Phillipines came, all as major factors which shook the world. With our sophomore year came new privileges and, naturally, new obligations. We no longer walked in a daze, but went on our way knowingly, but with a little hesitation for we were still underclassmen. We began to think of our careers. With the war, came a completely new field—women's auxiliaries. Several of our alumnae joined the armed forces, and we felt a glow of pride, and just a twinge of envy, that we weren't old enough to get into it —to be able to share in the experience of a United States on the offensive in the first bombing of Japan, and the American landings in North Africa. September 1943 we returned to school as upperclassmen, ready for work, play, and anything else that came along. We felt quite grown up when we entertained our freshman sisters at our tea in October. We held our Junior Prom, the first formal which we had sponsored, and were justly proud of the results. Most of us were old enough to do war work, and we all tried to do something. We crowded around the radio on that memorable day of June 6, 1944—D-Day. This was an anxious time, for the war had reached a critical point. Our return to W. M. I. as seniors gave us a very strange feeling which was hardly tangible—a mixture of eagerness, of pride, of fear, and anticipation. Most of us plunged into that senior subject, chemistry, hoping for the best. As our men marched in Germany, we became serious about our careers— each hoping she could do something concrete for the cause. We began to realize that our generation would be the one called upon to assist with the reorganization of the world. The class of 1945 goes forth to fulfill our purpose in life, with God's help. 10