Worcester High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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High School of Commerce and the efforts of the pupils were Well rewarded by its undoubted success. Much credit was due to the coaching of Miss Gordon. Class Games were again held at the New England Fair Grounds. Commerce spirit was evident everywhere, and with the co-operation of the athletes Commerce placed second. Another picnic was held, only this time it was called the Senior Picnic. Lake Chauncy again was graced by the presence of our Seniors and a wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone. A new Mercury staff was elected with every position Hlled by our classmates, who, brought about a very successful year. Summer vacation came and went and we were again together in September for our last term at Commerce. We had no sooner returned than election time came once more. Frank Stevens was chosen President, Ruth Stickney, Vice-President, Helen Daley, Secretary, Albert Carlson, Treasurer. That year our boys won great fame for Commerce. In the inter-high cross country run we broke North's fourteen year monoply of the championship by winning four victories in four days. This is the first time in the history of the school that Commerce has ever held this honor. Much credit is due to Frank Sanella, former Commerce boy, who coached the boys on to victory. The Senior Prom, held on Nov. 21, was a gala affair and almost everyone attended. The success of the evening was due to the co-operation of the pupils and the chaperonage of Miss Laura E. Carrigan and Mr. and Mrs. Calvin H. Andrews. Class Day elections were held and the result was: Class Prophet, Bertha Lavertyg Class Orator, Joseph Dumas, Class Musician, Albert Shellang Class Pianist, Mildred Johnson, Class Soloist, Leslie Partridge, and Class Historian, Gloria Ragagli. And so now we prepare to leave the place Where we have learned our lessons of love, loyalty, school spirit and friendship, and to turn our faces toward our life's work. I extend to all the teachers and our ever-helping principal, Mr. Andrews, gratitude for aiding the class of 1925 to fit themselves for life's great work. The records of the past have been a pleasant story to write. The glorious past may be a prophecy of the success of our class in the future. And so, the pen of time writes a Finis to the four chapters of our history. As we may never all be together again, we pledge this day loyalty to High School of Commerce and to the class of 1925-A. E211

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High School of Commerfe Stevens. Those on the girls' team were Josephine Keblinsky and Mildred Smith. Both quintets won second place in the inter-high series. Every year it is customary for the Junior class to hold a picnic at some place of recreation. So, accordingly on June 20, Lake Chauncy was the scene of much merriment. Swimming, dancing, bowling, and pool were enjoyed by all. Every village on the way knew something unusually important was astir when the electric cars came speeding by filled to their capacity with charming boys and girls from Commerce. Much gratitude was felt for the kindness of Miss Laura E. Carrigan, our high school chaperon, and of Mr. Curtis and Miss Morrissette and her orchestra for their part in helping the students enjoy themselves. Our third class day was here, and we certainly came forth with a bang. This day was to be a great one for the 1925-A class, for Harry Wiseman, our classmate, that day broke the record for the 220 yard dash set by Jesse Hermon, former Classical High athlete. No wonder the Juniors were proud. Parting time came once more and though we left eagerly we returned in September even more eagerly. Our class elections were held again and the result was the same as in our Sophomore year. Our stars in the football season were Spooks Shea, John Kennedy, Frank Stevens, Earle Patnod, and jack Hartnett. The team won second place. 1 The Britomart-Assembly annual Halloween dance was given Oct. 30, in the school gymnasium. Many boys and girls of the junior class attended and had a delightful time. After our Christmas vacation the school board passed a law that the high schools of the city were no longer to have the one-week-in-every-eight as a vacation but would be dismissed earlier in June. Most of us were satisfied. Our fourth chapter of history started with great excitement and enthusiasm, for at last our goal at Commerce was reached. We, after three years of struggle and strife, were privileged to call ourselves Seniors. Oh, what a grand and glorious feeling! Our first social function as Seniors was the Blackfriars annual play, Disraeli, given exceedingly well by Commerce pupils. The 1925-A members of the cast were Duke of Glastonbury, Frank Stevens, Duchess of Glastonbury, Bertha Lavertyg Charles, Viscount Deeford, Leslie Partridge, Sir Michael Probert, John Kennedy, F looks, a Rural Postman, Thomas Seymour. During our Senior year a Principal's Cabinet was formed, consisting of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the three upper classes. John Kennedy, Arline Moore, Helen Daley and Albert Carlson were the representatives for the 1925-A class. For recreation from social functions the 254A class decided to put aside a day known as Kid Day. In we came the next day arrayed in gingham dresses, with dolls, hair-ribbons and lolly-pops. All through the day the fun proceeded. Even the teachers were a little lenient towards us. But, I think that most of us feel a sense of relief that we were really Seniors in disguise. The first Mock Trial and Vaudeville show ever held at Commerce was presented by members of the Assembly. Commerce hall was filled to its capacity that evening E201

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lass Qbratiun, 192541 THE GREAT AMERICAN Joseph Dumas ERHAPS no name, will ever stand out so impressively l in the history of organized labor as that of Samuel Gompers. It is with a deep sense of my own limited powers, that I endeavor to eulogize his most laudable achievements. His life was an eventful one, composed of one good deed after another. All that is just, all that is virtuous, all that is sublime, he strove, for righteousness sake, to accomplish. There is nothing in Gompers' birth, education, or cir- cumstances, as far as these are known, calculated to arrest the attention or impress the imagination. His coming in this country, was as that of many, un- heralded and unproclaimed, whose calling is to shape the f l destinies of men. He came to America a poor, little immigrant boy, but with the foresight and keen perception of one destined to do so, he won his way into the heart of labor and public sentiment. When organized labor made its first advent into the affairs of industry, it found conditions in a most deplorable state. VVomen and children, deprived of the sunshine and happiness of life were toiling long dreary days in the mills and factories. Man, whose labor was regarded as a commodity, was struggling for very existence. The oppressive heel of autocracy crushed the holiness of homes and left misery and suffering in its wake. Picture to yourself a large city, the metropolis of today. ln its great canyons, we see the young and innocent, whirled along in the merciless throng. We see, in its slums, the growing generation bred in dark, squalid tenements, where young minds are warped and bent, innocents pitifully stunted, and where they are exposed to crime and avaricious vice. Here was the life's blood of America, the flower of American Alemocracy, slowly being crushed into obscurity! Here was tempting food for the germ of Bolshevism and radicalism! Here was the awful ulcer in the side of America Alemocracyl But was it destined to corrupt the nation, was it destined to drag down to ruin so young and promising a people? ln their dire necessity there was a dumb pleading, an earnest supplication, which Gompers, great humanitarian that he was, discerned. He heard their prayers, and l22l