Winooski High School - Carillon Yearbook (Winooski, VT)

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Seaiar Piofe eccf Time: 1973 As I was looking through my library a few days ago, I chanced upon a book which brought back many familiar memories. Browsing through it, I became very curious and I was very eager to find out what had happened to my classmates of Winooski High School’s Class of '53. I was determined to take a trip back to my Alma Mater and to see all of my old chums. I arrived in Winooski and I was first greeted by Shirley McNasser and Marcia Villemaire who were on their way to a hot rod race in which they were to appear as the outstanding dare-devil drivers that afternoon. I chatted with them a while and I started up the street in time to meet Theresa Rochefort, Shirley Winn and Janet Terrien who had just dismissed their classes at Winooski High. They told me that they couldn’t imagine what was happening to the senior classes of this generation. Students nowa- days were bold and daring while the seniors of our day had been so meek and submissive. They mentioned that there was to be a meeting of the Cheaper By The Dozen Mother’s Club. (The major requirement is tipulated in the club’s name.) Times have certainly changed! I was invited to lunch with friends of mine who had long since been out of sight but who were not for- gotten. I attended the meeting of the Mother’s Club and to my surprise most of the girls were there. Nan- cy Decarreau, Dolores Bourgault and Shirley LaBelle were members of high standing. As time grew short, I decided to go to the local newspaper office The Onion Skin of which Lorraine Chicoine was editor-in-chief. This was the best source of information concerning my friends. Chic” and I reminisced and we later dug into the files for news of our old partners in crime during that last action filled year of twenty years ago. Brad Mayo, Bob Piche, and Earl Kirby were district attorneys in various parts of the country. They had decided on this career because of that gift of glibness which had won them many a controversy.

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Our sociat life was very vital And worth a place in this recital; Our dances each a great event. To which the school’s elite all went. Our Senior play showed gifts surprising And talent quite beyond surmising; Our banquets, food and fancy blended. By far the best the town’s attended. When business troubles caused distress Our president, with great finesse, Just called an extra meeting. Then He told us what to do and when, And how each question to decide. To him--smart boy!--we point with pride. We’re cultured, really most polite, And very, very erudite. And, with our higher education, Acquired broad-minded toleration. Our store of knowledge is so great We fear lest we confuse it. But when we take our place in life We’ll have a chance to use it. We have, although a trifle checkered, A most extraordinary record. Now comes the longed-for gala day; The auditorium, in array. Is crowded with spectators fair Who all their festal garments wear. And on the platform, side by side. Behold our class, aglow with pride, But sad at leaving this dear place, Where they sojourned a little space, And hoping life will be as kind As these four years they've left behind. Oh, class of 1953, Look downward from your starry vision. Assure me you do not infer These lines were spoken in derision. I know that you are wise and good. Abhorring falsehood, sloth, and pride. That wisdom is your daily food. And justice ever is your guide. But, if you think my style amiss Nor care for histories like this. Or if the class--much worse— Be weary of my straggling verse, I tender to you promptly these My most sincere apologies. Margaret Sallah

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John Ludue and Joe Myers had acquired positions as coaches at well known universities. Peter Formica who had been so fond of all sciences in school was a nuclear physicist. He had just de- veloped a new type of atomic pill which gave great energy to the human body. Raymond Drolette and Neil Perrotte were ski instructors in Switzerland while Cosimo Brigante won the Olympic Prize for track having had so much practice going to and from school everyday. Tex Gamelin and Bob Gauthier had gone into partnership and had formed an important firm which manufactured athletic equipment for local high schools. Peter Ignaszewski had become sole owner of a large soda bottling concern and he had placed distribu- tors throughout the nation. He had retired soon after having amassed an immense fortune. Gerald Meunier and Jake Gamache were to fight the following week at Madison Square Garden for the championship heavyweight title. Joyce Ritchie, Margaret Sallah, and Betty Beveridge were secretaries in the Treasury Department in Washington where they received fabulous salaries. Ernest Cabrera had given several concerts at Carnegie Hall and was at present, on tour. Claire Ville- maire was singing at the Metropolitan Opera House. Pat Augostino and Gerald Francis were cycling through Europe. Roland Gaboriault was publisher of the latest popular magazine. Homer Bousquet and Charles Carpentier were on a safari in the wilds of Africa. Bob Romprey who had gone to California for his health was now a movie magnate. Roy Zeno was a retired general whose hobby was building battleships and airplanes. Leonard Crowley had married and settled down and was at the moment, the general manager of an electric appliance plant. Roger LaCroix was the head of the English Department at U.V.M. and was busily rewriting the diction- ary. A great feeling of satisfaction pervaded my entire being as once again I was on my way home. Per- haps I would never see these friends again but the memories had been renewed and happy memories never fade completely.