Class History
Thanks for the memories! That's what we graduates say to one another, to our teachers, to our principal, and even to the imposing building in which we've spent the past three years of our lives. Thanks for the memories; memories that began the day we entered the portals of our dear Alma Mater three years ago.
Our first year was a hectic one, for we found ourselves meeting many new friends and facing the problem of adapting ourselves to a new environment, especially the idea of changing from class to class. Though we were the "babies" of the school, we managed to handle our first responsibility with a good measure of success. The occasion was the Columbus Day assembly, and it marked our first public appearance before the entire school.
Late in October, we witnessed the traditional ninth grade Halloween party and, of course, we were tremendously impressed with this wonderful school event. Naturally, we began then to look ahead to the day when we would be able to take part in a Halloween party ourselves.
Quite a few members of our class experienced the thrill of seeing their poetry or compositions in our school paper, the Metcalf News. Pauline Diliberto, Marie Menard, and Neil Sheehan were elected section reporters.
Then came sports. Our seventh grade athletes, led by such stars as "Jimmy" Lyle, "Butch" Moriarty, John Reidy, Alan Stefancik, Edward McNulty, and "Jerry" Rome, won inter-school pennants in football and baseball.
As our first year rolled to a close, our attention was directed toward the annual tennis tournament, the very impressive graduation ceremonies, and our yearbook, the Metcalf Annual.
The fall of '49 found us reporting to our eighth grade section teachers: Miss Hallisey, Miss Gorman, and Miss Griffin. We are now the proud "juniors" of Metcalf. During our second year at J. M. S. we witnessed many new activities. Among them were: baton twirling for girls, dancing classes for eighth and ninth grade boys and girls, and school dances one evening each month. These activities added a great deal to our life here
at Metcalf, and we were all very eager about taking advantage of them. At the school dances we were able to prove that we were now quite "grown up".
This year also marked the beginning of the single session school day which has turned out to be so popular with both pupils and teachers. We now find that we have ample time to take part in many activities here at Metcalf and still keep up in our school work.
At Christmas time of our eighth year Miss Hallisey's section put on a beautiful pageant. It made such an impression on the students that it was repeated at night for the parents. This entertaining program included beautiful singing under the direction of Miss Pin, and a grand pro-cession of the choir as a finale.
Just after Christmas the associate staff of the Metcalf News was increased by Mr. Leary to include eighth grade students. Esther Whitmore, Marie Menard, Judy Cain, Nance Grandchamp, Caroline O'Neill, Richard Wing, Jewell Dobrowolski, and Neil Sheehan were the new staff members from our class.
In January, the Metcalf P. T. A. sponsored a "Parents' Night" at the Holyoke High Gym. The program, under the direction of Mr. Leary, included a Jr. I basketball game, followed by a Jr. II game. Then the large audience was entertained by the Metcalf Majorettes in a baton twirling exhibition under the direction of of Mr. William F. O'Brien. In the main basketball game of the evening the Metcalf varsity defeated the fast
Alumni team thirty-seven-thirty-five.
The Metcalf-Highland trophy, generously donated by Dr. Roland Stebbins and Mr. Charles O'Neill, was won by Metcalf. Our varsity won all three games in the best two-out-of-three series, and the seventeen inch trophy now rests in the school show case. "Butch" Moriarty, "Jimmy" Lyle, and John Reidy represented our class on the varsity team.
How time flies! After it seemed like two months at Metcalf, we found ourselves entering the last but most memorable year Our section teachers were: Mr. Leary, Miss Sullivan, and Miss Moriarty. The first big thrill of a wonderful year was the Hallowe'en assembly. All ninth graders participated and had a marvelous time. Mr. Leary chose a cheerful minstrel for his group, Miss Sullivan's class put on a humorous and realistic circus, and Miss Moriarty's section put on a very entertaining play and a clever tumbling act. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes in the grand march. Naturally, we think that our Halloween party was the best ever. Mayor Toepfert was on hand to witness the festivities. We take great pride in the fact that he always makes it a point to be with us for the Halloween party. In his own words: "I wouldn't miss a Halloween party at Metcalf, if I can possibly help it."
Next, we turned our thoughts toward the election of class officers. This is one of the many practical lessons we get at Metcalf. After nominating Richard Stebbins for president, Judy Cain and Myrna Dubbrin for vice-president, James Montcalm and Lewis Green for treasurer, and Caroline O'Neill and Barbara Golden for secretary, we were allowed to proceed to election under the very same rules and regulations that hold for our parents when they go out to vote.
Richard Stebbins, Judy Cain, Barbara Golden, and James Montcalm were the successful candidates.
The next important event was the formation of the Metcalf News staff. This year, instead of the usual editor-in-chief, we had co-editors Nance Grandchamp and Caroline O'Neill. The choice of these two girls to run the school paper was justified when both wrote prize-winning editorials in the National Tuberculosis Editorial Contest. The Metcalf News was improved in many ways during the year and as a result it was awarded a second place certificate by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in the annual competition among school newspapers.
On Monday, February 5, the second annual "Parents' Night" was put on under the auspices of the Metcalf P. T. A. at the Holyoke High Gym. A banner crowd of over 500 witnessed the program which included basketball games and baton twirling. A new feature was the appearance of the Holyoke High Majorettes. Our varsity basketball team was nosed out by a 33-31 score. Mr. William F. O'Brien again directed the girls in their maneuvers, and Mr. Leary was in charge of the program for the P. T. A. Of special significance this year was the fact that our parents very generously accepted an opportunity to serve as patrons of the "Parent's Night" program. Their contributions have made possible this very hand-some year book, and we certainly want to extend hearty thanks to all parents who helped us in this way.
Two new activities were added to the many already in existence here at Metcalf. Miss Sullivan applied for and received a charter from the National Honor Society Foundation. With it she organized a chapter of the society here at Metcalf. It sponsored "The Big Show" in which Judy Cain (Vice-president of the society) starred as the glamorous Talulah Bankhead, and Richard Stebbins (President) played a co-starring role as Merideth Wilson. Nearly every member of the Metcalf Honor Society participated in the show in one way or another. "The Big Show", largely because of Judy Cain's sterling performance, was a big success, and the National Junior Honor Society of Metcalf established itself as a constructive service organization when it purchased a tape recorder and a new amplifying system for the school from the proceeds of the show.
A Student Council was organized by Miss Moriarty and this activity, too, has turned out to be a very constructive service organization. Details of the Student Council appear elsewhere in this yearbook, but we can say here that the Metcalf Council has done wonders around our school and is definitely here to stay.
Spring finally rolled around and with it came baseball activities, the annual tennis tournament, and last minute preparations on the yearbook. Richard Stebbins was editor-in chief of this year's Annual and Judy Cain and Nance Grandchamp were his chief aides. How could our Annual miss?
Then came time for graduation. Always the biggest event during the school year, we pre-pared for it with some very solemn thoughts running through our minds. As we said our regretful goodbyes, one thought, above the rest, stood out clearly: "We thank you, Mr. Murphy and teachers of Metcalf for everything you have given us. May we be worthy of your inspiration, your trust, and your affection." So devotedly, we made our departure.
by Marie Menard, and Nance Grandchamp
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