Woodbury High School - Warrior Yearbook (Woodbury, CT)

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 middle of the year Miss Jagger left us, due to illness, and right after exams we had another new teacher, Miss Brucker, who immediately began quieting us down. On the Monday following St. Valentine’s Day we came back to find that our Principal, Mr. Coombs, had tired of single life, and had married our English teacher, Miss Sweet. Our class was well represented in Dramatics by Brewster Reichenbach, Russell Coburn and Mae Swanson, each of whom had roles in The Worm.” Later on we went in for music and the following crooners either sang or occupied space in the Glee Club concert: Helen Travers, Phyllis Sharrow, Irma Judson, Katie Kowaleski, Florentine Curtiss, Grace Platt, Mae Swanson, Brewster Reichenbach, Oscar Lovdal and Kenneth Bradley. Elsie Dickinson and Gertrude Smith also starred at this time, as violinists. About this time, the saying, Can you imagine Helen Travers keeping still?”, originated. The Mirror owed its success during our Junior year to Helen Travers, Mae Swanson, Sidney Platt and Oscar Lovdal. Phil Scoville and Benny Gwiazdoski starred on the basketball team. Phil, Benny and Brewster received large W’s for imitating Babe Ruth. Phil, Solokas, Joe Krakauskas and Sidney Platt carried off all the honors in track. Even the girls in our class did something that year, for Mae Swanson was manager and Irma Judson, Captain of the basketball team. On April list, the same group of singers who had participated in the Glee Club concert went up to Hartford, to Station W.T.I.C. for an Audition. We enjoyed ourselves but we didn’t receive an invitation to broadcast. This was probably due to the underclass members of the clubs. Just before exams, one of our classmates and star athletes, Joe Krakauskas deserted us to join the unemployed. It is to us that the Class of ’31 owe the success of their Commencement exercises. Without our Reggie Wittek, their grand marches would have been devoid of either time or beauty and then too we gave a Prom which was a new thrill. We entered upon our Senior year, determined to have the respect of the underclassmen. We had no new, good-looking teachers at the beginning of the year, but in October Miss Brucker left, to take a position in her home city, and we were given a chance to ruin the disposition of another teacher, in the person of Miss Scott. In October our class published an issue of the Mirror and although the rest of the school never agreed with us, it was a remarkably inspiring issue. In November our class was again represented in a musical way for a few of our members helped make the Operetta a success. In the Operetta, Helen Travers, Phyllis Sharrow, Irma Judson, and Mae Swanson tried to make a hit with the boys but Oscar Lovdal, Brewster Reichenbach, and Kenneth Bradley bestowed their attentions upon a Freshman girl. They finally succumbed to the charms of their classmates at the end of the play, (and in the play only.) Around Christmas time we gave a class party. A few members of our class attempted to gain poise and grace by attending the dancing classes during the winter. This training and the fact that it was our class that gave it, may help you imagine the success of our April Fool’s Dance which, incidentally, was not an April Fool joke. Phil Scoville broke his previous records in track during our Senior year and the same group of boys starred on the basketball and baseball teams. Soon we’ll leave this dear old school and even though we’ve had a few misfortunes and troubles, I’m sure my classmates will join with me in thanking the parents and teachers who have made possible these years of good times and learning. Few of us know what the future has in store for us but we can sincerely say that we’ll never forget the good old days at Woodbury High even if we do all become Presidents some day. CLASS WILL Helen Travers—Kenneth Minor Know All Men by these Presents; That we the class of 1932, of Woodbury High School, in the town of Woodbury. County of Litchfield, State of Connecticut, being of sound and disposing minds and memories, do make, publish, and declare the following to be our last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by us made: To Robert Abbott, we leave his diploma, so that he won’t have to study next year and can spend all his time writing poetry. To Margery Butler, a large supply of school paper so she won’t have to rush after some so often. To Frank Mulvey, the privilege of using the laboratory at any time next year. To DeFrance Clarke, a special license, so that he may drive his mother’s car. To Bertha Bitzer, a translation for her Latin text, so she won’t have to go to Miss Clark every day for help. Page Twenty-One

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 CLASS HISTORY Elsie Dickinson-Kcnneth Bradley Four years ago, thirty-nine inquisitive Freshmen entered the halls of Woodbury High School. Some were destined to graduate with honors, others just to graduate, and a few left us in a few days, their tnquisitiveness having been satisfied. Most of the boys came to high school with their hair parted on the side, but they soon turned collegiate. How the girls could talk! The class officers were: President, Elizabeth Hodgkins; Vice-President, Philip Scoville; Treasurer, Alida Warner, and Secretary, Oscar Lovdal (who was then such a bashful little boy). This was the largest and most intelligent class that had ever entered the school. Of course we lost many of our members that first year, including: Frederick Bradley, who is now at Mount Hermon; Dorothy Manville, who left due to an illness which caused her death; Robert Weasa, Myrtle Morgan, and Doris Smith, all of whom are now married. Elizabeth Johnson left, to work at home, while Betty and Elizabeth Hodgkins moved away. Others, who were missing at the beginning of our Sophomore year were: Cecil Lewis, Margaret McManus, Helen Reynolds, Dorothy Roger, Edna Burns, Wilhemina Balcom, and Judson Towne. The faculty during our Freshman year consisted of: Miss Clark, Mr. Coombs, Mr. Clark, Miss Sweet and Mr. Munsell. In January of that year, we held a skating party at Bacon’s Pond. That we were, even at that time, an ambitious class, is proved by the fact that we elected a Room Improvement Committee which kept the Freshman room exceptionally neat. We chose our class colors. Maroon and Silver and a banner was made by some of the girls. This banner has adorned our respective rooms. Mae Swanson was Art Editor of the Wide Awake and others in the class were willing contributors. George Salokas began his eventful career in baseball at the end of his first year. Just about this time the boys’ voices began to change and instead of childish tones we heard funny cracked sounds. We went back to school as Sophomores, in September and felt quite proud to be sitting in the Sophomore-Junior room. The faculty was the same, and that year we lost no one. The class officers were: President, Philip Scoville; Vice-President, Phyllis Sharrow; Secretary, Mae Swanson; and Treasurer, Elsie Dickinson. Dur- ing our Sophomore year, our classmates gained notice in Athletics and Dramatics. Philip Scoville became a hero on the Track and also entered the Tennis tournament in New London. Oscar Lovdal, Brewster Reichenbach, Henry Canfield and George Salokas, were well received in Basketball and Baseball. George Morris showed his dramatic ability in Silas Mar-ner” and The Time of His Life,” while Mae Swanson also made her first stage appearance in Silas Marner.” Kenneth Bradley took part in The Exchange” and, (quoted) moved the audience to tears as he told how he had never had a good time in all his life.” Kenneth usually toned us down when we became too gay. Philip Scoville won a basketball letter his Sophomore year. On one of the few nights that winter when skating was possible, our class held a skating party at Hawkins Pond in South Britain. The boys claimed they were nearly worn out from helping us put our skates on, but nevertheless, they managed to get to school the next day. In June we all managed to pass our examinations, so we looked forward to the coming fall when we would be Juniors. It was at the beginning of our Junior year that we began to notice how really unimportant the underclassmen were. We decided that we should elect our class officers right away and show them how it should be done. After a little confusion, we found that we had, as President, the Honorable Oscar Lovdal; as Vice-President, the studious Sidney Platt (this was before Sidney became interested in the ladies); as Secretary, Handsome Philip Scoville; and as Treasurer, Little Alida Warner. (Quite a few of the girls had tried to make themselves beautiful during the summer by getting nicely tanned and by curling their hair in movie-actress fashion. Helen Travers and Mae Swanson began staying out nights, as late as half-past eight.) We had a new teacher to break in. Miss Jagger, who succeeded Mr. Munsell when he left to take a position at Storrs. We soon discovered that two of our former classmates had deserted us. William Ferris decided to go to work, and Mary Mirfield joined the Class of ’31. To make up for this loss we had three new classmates: Katie Kowaleski, Joseph Krakaus-kas and Benjamin Gwiazdoski. About Thanksgiving time, we had an occasion to rejoice and show our superiority, for it was then that we received our class rings. (I’m not so sure that our parents rejoiced with us.) During Christmas vacation we gave our first dance and, considering our lack of experience in such undertakings, we were fairly successful. Towards the Page Twenty

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 To Anne Plungis, an alarm clock, to remind her she is getting up in the world. To Louise Smith, an almond bar, so she may see how it looks to be sweet and nutty. To Emily Klatka, a leash for Melvina, so she can always keep track of her. To Edna Olson, a midget piano, so she can carry it along with her sheet music. To Edith Platt, Grace’s position as the Belle of Pierce Hollow. To Gilbert Roswell, Philip Scoville’s ability as a basketball player. To Charles Sharp, cross eyes, so he can keep one eye on the teacher and one on the surrounding activities. To Dorothy Wells, a volume control, so that she can be toned down. To Steffie Zitkus, a medal for bravery, for we know she faces a lot of powder. To James Richards, a special time table that shall designate the difference between daylight saving and standard time. To Miles Bennett, a can of anti-freeze fluid, so that he will not have to wear a hat all summer. To Francis Brassill, a special summer course so that he can finish high school. To Dorothy Cable, Mae Swanson’s popular-ity. To Louise Clements, a milkman, so she won’t have to go after her milk every morning. To Charles Grisgraber, a clown, so he will know what he looks like. To Ernest Hicock, a bottle of Mellon’s Food. (This is Irma’s favorite recipe.) To Sidney Joselovitz, a talking machine, so he won’t have to use his hands. To Walter Krakauskas, Clarence Olsen, and William Lautenschlager bicycles, so they can get down to Jimmie Cannon’s more quickly at noon. To Peter Olzewski, an ocean, so he’ll think he is living at Coney Island. To Helen Belz, some invisible chewing gum. To Raynall Coley, a separate entrance, so he can go and come without his parents knowing it. To Harry Hull, an alarm clock, so he may be ready for the bus in the morning. To Sidney Lovdal, his brother’s advise on Why be a woman hater.” To Elizabeth Martin, a definite way to arrange her hair, so we’ll know whether or not she’s grown up. To Margaret Smith, another beau to Phil” a departing senior’s place. To William Swanson, Henry Canfield’s line” to hand to the girls. To Dolly Wight, Olive Oyl’s Secrets of Dancing.” To James Wilson, Kenneth Bradley’s ability to handle a Chevvie.” To Luigino Bruni, Brewster Reichenbach’s sense of humor. To Virginia Wells, a book entitled, My High School Wardrobe.” To Ester Lundin, a pair of water wings, so she won’t have to worry if the buoys (boys) aren’t in sight. To Alfred Vidler, a catalogue on sugar farming, so he’ll have a chance to learn how to raise Cain.” To George Coad, Kenneth Bradley’s Chevvie”, so he won’t have to use his girl friend’s car. To Helen Munson, a swival chair so she won’t get curvature of the spine. To Hazel Manville, a ring, so that she will not have to borrow other people’s. To Melvina Welles, Kenneth Minor’s stray lock, so that he won’t wander away from her. To Concetta Rossi, a trailer in which to put her Austin.” To Jane Somerset, her father’s permission to use his car in which to carry her male. To Foster Whitney, insurance on his smile. To Maude Eyre, a milk white charger to ride to the fray.” To Oscar Johnson, a pair of seven league boots. To Stanley Lusas, an obelisk, so that he mav have something to study that may seem hard to him. To Frank Matula, a sled, so that he can slide and not hop on the dance floor. To Candace Thompson, a lease on the piano for next year. To Nattie Clements, fifty cents to get a boyish bob. To Robert Fray, a ventilator, so that he will always be sure to get enough Eyre.” To Irene King, a radio, so that she may always hear the news by way of the Mike.” To Warren Mansfield, some vanishing cream, so that he can get out of Miss Scott’s sight when he is not wanted. To David Stiles, a nail in his shoe, so that he won’t be so willing to run errands for the girls. ““ • - - • - - i ip-----1-- i —if-r-rr r if-r Tr . Page Twenty-Two