Swampscott High School Class of 1953

the Swampscott High School student magazine
1950-1953
"It is always a pleasure to find your subcultural life being represented
with accuracy and without condescension."  Seamus Heaney, "Burns's Art-Speech,"
reprinted in Finders Keepers (London: Faber & Faber, 2002).
"Well done.... Would have enjoyed reading the entire articles, though, not just a synopsis."
Robert W. Goldman, Vice-President and CFO, Conoco Inc.

click on underlined words to go directly there

digests of the 1952/53, 1951/52, and 1950/51 editions of
The  SWAMPSCOTTA
featuring contributions by Class of 1953 members

digests of the 1949/50 and 1948/49 editions of the
JUNIOR SCULPIN
our 9th and 8th grade magazine
featuring contributions by Class of 1953 members

The SWAMPSCOTTA 1952/1953

1952/1953 SWAMPSCOTTA staff includes Editor-in-chief Arnold Goldman
Associate Editors Suzanne Rafferty, Ann Maitland....
Activities Bill Hastings, Beverly Cowan
Business Manager and Advertising Manager Patti Cook; Circulation Manager Kenneth Ferris

Swampscotta suggests... that the proper authorities look into the matter of making the traffic in the school yard one way. The congestion... has evoked unfavorable comment from parents, people who live in the vicinity of the school, teachers, and even students.... ...that the people who systematically go through the contents of first floor lockers cut it out before the proper authorities are called in.... we do have conclusive proof.... ...that the Art room be given a better pencil sharpener....

The Case for the Hot Rod by Neal Brown: The many young playboys who roar around in their father's new Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs are the cause of more death and destruction than all of the hot rodders that have been, are, and will be.... [In California,] soem of the [police] officers actually built their own hot rods and joined the hot rod clubs, where under their supervision the boys organized and were granted places to race unhindered.... These high caliber sportsmen and their cars are receiving the blame for the actions of a widespread class of people who endanger [life]... by gunning around in poorly tacked together, out of balance, ugly, so-called cars that try to imitate the true hot rods.

The Place of Satire in Humor by Arnold Goldman: The leading exponents of satirical humor on radio television, and magazines are Bob Eliot and Ray Goulding, John Lardner of Newsweek, Jack Benny, Sid Caeser [sic], and Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo. The satire of Bob and Ray is marked... by what I call appositional repetition.... watch for what I call a combination parody.

The Qualifications of a Baby-Sitter by Ann Maitland: [A baby-sitter] must have: the patience of Job, the endurance of a ten-day bicycle rider, the knowledge of Albert Einstein, a working knowledge of television and radio repairing, a knowledge of psychology, and a good supply of bribes, treats, rewards, or whatever you may wish to call them.

Mickey Flick, Private Dick by Richard Gilman: A torrential rain, intensified by great flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, beat a steady and monotonous tattoo on the roof and shutters of the dismal old house at twelve Drury Lane.... Flick holds the key to the recent onion robberies from Mrs. Van Gelt's kitchen.... "Who else but Crenshaw, the butler?... He is a victim of a sleeping sickness.... I merely noticed that the butler had blood-shot eyes."

Dishing Out the Ice Cream by Arthur Dinerman: Many of us had jobs this summer.... I worked at Doanes, where everyone comes down to hang around on summer nights and occasionally buy an ice cream cone or a box of greasy clams or equally greasy French fries. [He never said this during the summer: I never ate there again. A.G.]

On the Slip Stick by Philip Palatt: The slip stick is an instrument generally known to the layman as a slide rule.... Students have been amazed for years by that magic thing Miss White whipped out to solve in seconds problems that took us hours.... Another beauty of the slip stick is the margin of error allowed.... At any rate, the slip stick is definitely the latest fad....

The Will to Win by Fred Johnson: Unlike the English, who play for the fun of the game, Americans play to win.... High school football is stimulated by a strong desire to beat each team encountered.... Winning is not always determined by the score, but the extent of the effort that was put into the game. If the team plays its very best through the entire contest, it is a win and the score will take its place accordingly.

Massachusetts Girls' State by Catherine O'Leary: Girls' State is a mythical forty-ninth state where girls from all over Massachusetts learn about their duties and responsibilities as future citizens.... I was a member of the town of Democracy.... During this time we were addressed by members of both national parties on the merits of the two party system.... Congressman John F. Kennedy was one of our most interesting speakers. He told us of his recent trip to Asia and the growing importance of that area in foreign affairs.

Outside Activites at Boys' State by Tom O'Leary: there was the usual horseplay after "lights out".... Athletics played a main part.

Miscellaneous Hot Tips: Thomas O'Leary, Fred Johnson, and Derek Hepworth sponged a free meal from the Swampscott Rotary Club on October 8 by relating their experiences at Massachusetts Boys' State last spring.

Twenty-Five Years of Swampscotta: It would be a near impossibility to separate the history of Swampscotta from the history of Swampscott High School, or for that matter, from the social and political history of the entire country for the past twenty-five years. Swampscotta is a twenty-five year chronicle of Americana."

June 1929: Swampscotta adds a Senior Section.... Over twenty years later this will become a full fledged Yearbook.
February 1930: the first real "cartoon" to appear in Swampscotta.
November 1930: Walter R. Henshaw becomes faculty adviser [a position he was holding in 1953]... A Joke Section is added.
March 1934: one page of advertisements [in March 1953: 14½].
November 1934: "here is a book review section. The pages are tinted yellow.
April 1938: the first and only Swampscotta cover [to 1953] featuring a girl in a bathing suit.
November 1940: Editorial: America First.
April 1944: Article: "Why I Like Frank Sinatra."
June 1948: Swampscotta reduces to three issues a year. Fourth issue is taken over by the senior class, who name it the Sea Gull, and it becomes a full Year Book.

Yearbook Variety Show: Members of the chorus... opened the show with Sylvia [Manchin, student director] as Miss Yearbook of 1953. The newest [?] attraction was the Dixie-Land Jazz Band.... [Sylvia] danced the tango. The Hokey Pokey [sic] was a razzle dazzy [sic] success. How could it miss with this lively cast: ... Barbie Young, Vera Wiltshire, Barbie Getchell, and Mary Lou Carroll as the lovely young misses and Nancy Waldo, Sonia Ryan, Mi Mi Dudley,... and Pricilla Parks as the knee-sock kids? [Stage credits went to Billy Alberg ("the most able accompanist"), Phil Palatt, Campbell Soutter and Marshall Mac Stay. Philip Jenkin was the adviser.]

I Love Lucy by Pricilla Dudley: As yet, I have found no one who dislikes this performance. It is what the American people have been waiting for. They are sick and tired of murders, ancient movies, and cowboy pictures. This a good wholesome comedy in which a young married couple find happiness, no matter what problems may arise.... it is hard to believe that in real life [Lucille Ball] is a serious woman, wife, and mother.

Swampscott Asks Is This a Biography by Peter Waldo: [The man who was always late, as, apparently, Peter always was.] Somebody with a brain got wise to Leonard and put the time fiteen minutes ahead of the actual time. Now Leonard was on time for all events to which he was invited. This posed a tremendous psychological problem to Leonard who didn't know what to make of being on time.... [It] threw him into a terrible state of melancholy.

The Memories of a Pair of Dungarees by Barbara Bresnahan: My usefullness over, I am discarded and forgotten.... Without the memories of happier days I could not go on. Originally I was purchased to be worn at a Hallowe'en party, and for a while my life continued on this social stratum.... There was the time at the beach party a bottle of mustard broke all over me.... later came second degree burns from a flecked off ash.

The Winning Team by Patti Cook: [Mike] began to think of the championship basketball game Friday night, the most important thing in his life.... it would be the last time he would every play basketball or any other sport for the rest of his life.... Those recurrent pains in his chest were getting worse.... Within a second before the buzzer sounded to end the game, he scored the winning basket.... The next day the papers carried the news of the death of 18-year-old Mike Sanders who had died of a heart attack upon winning the state championship for his school.

The Years by Merry Kells

A sleepy sun shone
On warm, bright sands,
And turned gold-brown,
My lazy hands....

A mild sun shone
On sweet green grass,
And seniors sigh,
We, too, must pass.

Swampscott by Patti Cohen

S eems as if to high school I came
W ith little hope of fun or fame
A fraid that these four years in school
M ight prove me to be an utter fool.
....
T 'is the general knowledge - the friends I see
T that will always be a part of me.

Musical Notes The Swampscott High School Band of eighty pieces performed at Fenway Park on November 8, 1952 at Boston University's annual High School Day as one of the two bands representing the New England area. [As a result, the band missed seeing and performing at the school football team's only victory of the year, against Methuen. A.G.]

Social Slander: The omnipotent SENIOR CLASS again shines as a sterling example set for the lower, lower classes to follow....

Department of Crooked Politics: Jordan Freedman has been elected president of the Camera Club. Thomas James O'Leary... was elected Good Government Day Representative by the dumber elements of the student body.... It is rumored that Teege went to the (*$æ&!|) the evening! and day before college boards, Tom, tch, tch. Ye olde Travel Club has elected its own set of bribe-takers.... (With Lanie [James Lane] as treasurer, we'll probably have to walk to Washington.)... The International Relations Club, or Commmies, Inc., has also elected its officers, and a motley lot it is.... Jerry Adlai Olanoff, president,... and Harry Goldberg, treasurer (another crooked one).

Miscellaneous Tips: Hot, Cold, and Luke-Warm: Tufts has decided to close its doors to all Swampscott lads after an episode last fall with serveral of our undergrads. Bob Fuller, ringleader, and Ken Ferris, Philip Palatt, and Art Dinerman invaded Tufts in November and proceeded to alienate the college to any future prospects from S.H.S. [Phil Palatt and Art Dinerman went to Tufts.] A group of naturally dumb history students showed just what good luck can do for you. Arnold Goldman, Ann Maitland, Jerry Olanoff, and Bill Hastings won valuable prizes in the Time Magazine current events test. These bums, by pure luck, won those nice prizes.

Poll of the Class of 1953: a poll among the Seniors, [to] discover what their opinions are on many subjects of great importance in their lives today. These are:

your favorite subject [English, followed by History]
report cards [only marginally favoring their abolition]
[the classroom] with the best view [Mr Henshaw's, Room 203]
favorite male vocalist [Eddie Fisher 15 votes, Frankie Lane 14, Perry Como 10]
favorite female vocalist [Doris Day 13, Patti Page and Joni James [who?] 11 each]
favorite band [Benny Goodman 10]
favorite female actress [Marilyn Monroe 13, the rest nowhere]
favorite actor [Jerry Lewis and Gary Cooper 7 each]
favorite television program [I Love Lucy 14, the Red Buttons Show 9, Dragnet 4]
favorite comic strip [Dick Tracy 17, Li'l Abner 7½, Pogo 6½]
favorite sport [football 14, followed by baseball and basketball]
smoking [almost half... "in favor"]

The girls show good sense in saying that it depends on the boy and the length of time you have known him as to whether he will get that good-night kiss at the front door after the first date. A good number have reverted to the good old Victorian custom of saying "'no".

Facing the Draft by Derek Hepworth: There is no excuse for trying to escape" military service by just going to college for no other reason. "We may all have to serve in the military at some time and we might as well not try to get out of it, but should look at it as something we have to do, whether we like it or not.

The Judgement Day by Neal Brown: [on College Board examinations] As the day drew near,... our eyes became bleary, our glances furtive, and our heads hung low from the weight of the bags under our eyes. We experienced attacks of hot and cold running chills and then the deep dark fog of cold clammy fear set in on us and gnawed and gnawed until we felt that we were the dead, damned forever to walk the face of the earth clothed only in our bare bones.

The Fabulous Harlem Globe-Trotters by Richard A. Goldberg: Racial prejudice forced them to spend many nights huddled in their car.... It wasn't until 1940 that the Trotters began to make real money and gain fame.

Prejudice by Arnold Goldman: I dare not even ask [his 10 year old brother Bob] politely to retire for the evening. If I did, he would... "tell Dad that you hit me".... If I let him stay up [late]... he tells Dad that too. [Bob is] "either the world's greatest genius or the greatest master confidence man of all time. [Robert W. Goldman is Vice President and CFO of Conoco Inc.; his brother is editing these selections.]

Student Government Day by Tom O'Leary: Among the questions defeated by the [Student] House [of Representatives] was an act providing for a penalty for failure to vote at state elections, a proposal to extend the term of governor to four years, and a bill proposing the annexation of cities and towns in the metropolitan district to the city of Boston.... In fact, the only act passed was one establishing a committee to review comic books.

Spring Fever by Philip Palatt: Starting about the third week in March, right after March 14 to be exact, a great change comes over the students of Swampscott High.... The change I refer to is commonly called Spring Fever.... At about 2:30 you will find throngs of students gathered about the cannon on Fisherman's Beach relaxing and perhaps indulging in a cigarette or two.... The girls will sneak off among the boats to try to get an early tan without interruption from prying eyes.... It is still a bit early to congregate down the beach at night, for Doanes (the favorite hangout in the summer) has not yet opened its doors. [See Dishing Out the Ice Cream by Arthur Dinerman, above.]

Driver Education: last spring... our alma mater first adoped the driver education program for school use.... The entire program, headed in our school by Mr. Eichelberger, is aided by Registrar King of the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston. They... send an inspector to examine the students in the school car. In our case, this latter is a shiny, grey, 1951 Studebaker made available... [by] the Swampscot Standard Garage from where it was purchased at a token fee.... [Mr Eichelberger] has taken a special course given by the AAA....

Preview of the Past: On May 21, 1852, Swampscott began her career as a town.... Swampscotta will bring you a big Centennial Issue.... The issue will be filled with articles on old Swampscott and lots of pictures to show you what Swampscott looked like years ago.... we'd like everybody to help us in this. That includes you.

Our Friendly Beast by Doris Eisenberg: My sister and I had been pleading with my parents for a long time to buy a dog.... Our dog's greatest asset... was his unusual friendliness. He announced every visitor by great serenading, and at the command, "Shake the man's hand," he immediately did so with his teeth.

Microbes for Massacre by Bill Hastings: The year is A.D. 1994. The scene is Doctor Perfect's laboratory on a humid August evening. Doctor Perfect has been working on a new bacterial serum for cancer.... "Those microbes. They - they've got a civilization. Yes, a civilization like ours - only - only much better, much further advanced...." There was only one way [to stop the microbes from destroying humanity], one last desperate plan. Those microbes had one weakness. The gas released by burning human flesh was deadly to them.... He must die, but [his assistants] must die too; as they know the secret of the microbes.

Incident on the Cliff by Erwin Strogoff: Hammer clept along the incline on his hands and knees.... Hanover was dead; he had taken care of that with his own hands.... Hanover's head had fallen directly off its shoulders directly at him.... He fell back... in a second he was gone over the edge of the cliff.... A mountain rat... swiftly moved toward the left arm of the headless body and sunk its fangs into the cold flesh. The marks it made were exactly the same as those on the throat of the head....

Swampscott's Birthday: This is the story of Swampscott - not a long detailed history of the twon but a picture of Swampscott through the years [from 1629].... Perhaps you'll doubt the existence of our famed Sea Serpent or wonder why it was that we didn't beat Marblehead more often [11 times in the 32 games between 1909 and 1951].... This Swampscotta has given each student the chance to have a part in the centennial celebration....

Weather in Swampscott by Arnold Goldman: Weston K. Lewis has kept the complete Swampscott weather record for the past 37 years.... severest storm, the hurricane of 1938; largest snowfall, St. Valentine's Day, 1940.

Log for Swampscotta by... Suzanne Rafferty: [items from 1629 to 1944].

Streets in Swampscott by... Carolyn Bessom

Early Pioneers of Swampscott by... Malcolm Price, Barbara Young

Swampscott's Authors by Adrienne Pease: [The authors were:] Marjorie Hall, Elsi Oaks Barber, Elihu Thomson, Leroy Jeffers, John Albree, Ruth Bjorkman, Ann Hathaway, Madle Rudd, Alice Pope and Ruth Blodgett. [It was perhaps too early to notice Larry Eigner, the most distinguished poet ever raised in Swampscott. A.G.]

The Maritime History of Swampscott by... Richard Parletta: [includes the design of the Swampscott fishing dory, "draftsman Neal Brown"]

[Swampscott's churches] The Universalist Society by Sylvia Manchin and The Holy Name Church by Sylvia Manchin

Public Buildings in Swampscott by... Harry Goldberg

Sports by Arnold Goldman, Kenneth Ferris, Ronald Winer: In forty-three years of interscholastic football the "Sculpins" have played 391 games. Swampscott has had eight football coaches. [The piece listed] the schores of the Marblehead games and all Swampscott captains of the sport of football.... Swampscott began interscholastic basketball in 1932 under the coaching of John McLaughlin.... Harold Martin has been basketball coach since 1935.... most points scored, one game, vs. Marblehead 1952: 65; most points against, one game, vs. Woburn 1952: 68.... Swampscott has produced an outstanding figure in American hockey, the present coach of that sport, Ty Anderson.

Girls' Basketball by M. Kells: Swampscott High Girls' basketball team has completed its third straight undefeated season! With Nancy Waldo top scorer for the season at 99 points....

[The Swampscotta Centennial Issue contained 84 pages - ordinarily issues were 40 pages long - including 41 pages of photographs and drawings.]

On May 1, 1952, Mr. Frank L. Mansur began his retirement after twenty-one years of service as Superintendent of Schools in Swampscott.... Under Mr. Mansur's superintendency, the Swampscott School System has kept the highest academic standing. Without sacrifice of this standing, the school program has been enlarged to fit the needs of the particular student. An excellent illustration is the Swampscott High School Business Department.

T.V. Cowboy Pictures by Neal Brown: Here we are, riding along with that great hero from out of the old West, Ichabod Snakeskin. What a man! Blond hair, blue eyes, and black eyebrows, immense shoulders, and stupendous build.

On Closets by Bill Hastings: Did you ever consider the 'mess' this world would be in if we didn't have closets.... A closet is a definite guide to one's personality.

Spring Skiing by Fred Johnson: to the diehard skier [spring skiing] is all his dreams come true.... at the top of Mt. Washington... the sun shines with a brilliancy found no where else in the country.... Each step of the way was breathtaking.... The sight before us was unbelievable.... In front of us stood Little Headwall, which is climbed to reach Tuckerman's Ravine.... the real Headwall [is] one of the steepest slopes in the world.... While sitting upon the rock, I began to realize the wonderful benefits of skiing.

National Honor Society: In an impressive ceremony taking place in the presence of the entire student body, the juniors and seniors elected this year to the National Honor Society were initiated. These students are... Derek Hepworth, Ann Maitland, Suzanne Rafferty, Arnold Goldman, ...Richard Gilman, Harry Goldberg, and Wilmot Hastings.

[Anti-Communism?] "The Letters for Moscow Contest," sponsored by the Lynn Item, was won by Neal Brown...

Vaudeville Lives Again, the spring musical... took place on May 16. [It] included seven big acts with a variety of novel features.... Arnold Goldman gave a speech dramatization set to music.... Elaine Harmon did a vocal solo. One of the most interesting features proved to be a fashion show.... Featured in the singing and dancing was... Sylvia Manchin, Gladys Colletti, and Ann Maitland. "Vaudeville Lives Again" was certainly a gay show full of music, dancing and laughter.

The Breath of Life: One of the many priceless gifts bestowed upon the youth of Swampscott is the unsuppressed expression of spirit which prevails at our various athletic contests.... The spirit which will dance in the air on Thanksgiving Day will have diffused itself from the hearts of the football players, the students and faculty of Swampscott High, and the many loyal citizens of Swampscott who will be out there Thursday as part of one big happy family.

Editor's Watch Tower: This year we have become a full-fledged four year high school. This freshman class has the distinction of being the first ninth grade to be up on the hill.... The sophomore class [Class of 1953] is also here for their first time and we do not want them to think they have been forgotten in the excitement.... Walking down the hill to Fisherman's Beach, one is able to see a lot of activity going on around the framework for a new building. This new building is going to be a theatre. The sign on Humphrey Street states that Swampscott's theatre will be the finest in New England.... When we get our new movie theatre, what will Marblehead have that Swampscott doesn't have?

High School by Mary [sic] Kells: As I sit in my class, drinking in the view of the sparkling sea, I think that, well, maybe high school isn't so bad after all. However, I recall with anguish the first few hectic days I spent looking for rooms.

Those Funny Humans by Sally Smith: I had best introduce myself. I am Flopsy, a Cocker Spaniel, property of the Jones family.... [Human beings] are indeed ungrateful.... They give us a hasty but firm shove from the bed that is accompanied by a series of inaudible sounds.... [Is this the only - albeit covert - reference to sex in the history of Swampscotta 1950-53? A.G.] We can take just so much from you humans.

Football by Tom O'Leary: This game, modeled on Rugby, is forever gaining popularity in the United States.... For those who yearn for the skill of stars, there is a professional league with teams comprised of ex-collegiate gridsters.... As you can see, it is no game for a sissy....

Dairy [sic] of a High School Student by Suzanne Rafferty: Dear Diary, Today was my first day at Swampscott High!... in my home-room... we are arranged in alphabetical order.... At least the rooms are not as crowded as in the junior high.... Gee, some of those teachers are mean.... Happy days are here again! I receive good marks on all my tests.... I have also decided that our home-room is a home.... There is a cute boy in front of me in a study, and today he winked at me.

Old Man Death by Sylvia Manchin: The volunteers had been fighting against this "man" for weeks on end.... "Old Man Death" was one who could destroy anything and everything in its pathway.

The Golden Haired Doll by Linda Ann Valpey: While looking through a closet the other day, I found a doll. It was a beautiful one although quite battered and broken by a child who played with it long ago.... as I showed the doll to the young woman, who was once that small child, her eyes filled slowly with tears, remembering the untroubled years so long ago when she had happily played with the golden-haired doll.

[Sophomore class officers are president: Derek Hepworth; vice-president: Joan Rooks; secretary: Pricilla Dudley; treasurer: Robert Fuller.]

There is a new club... called the Projection Club which is in charge of showing films and slides at assemblies and in the classrooms. Campbell Soutter was chosen President, Marshall McStay, vice-president and Robert Grimes, secretary-treasurer. The other members are: ... Neil Brown, Paul Johnson, Samuel Schawbel,... and Robert Gibson.

From the Editor's Watch Tower: Many people are becoming unnecessarily upset about things that may never happen. It is quite unlikely that Russia will drop an Atom (or Hydrogen) Bomb on us; nevertheless, if she did, there is very little that we, as individuals could do about it - so why worry? Let's all just hope and pray for a satisfactory outcome to all this trouble.

One of the Boys: A popular trend, it seems, is sweeping the school, that of making fun or laughing at those less "talented" than others.... A boy who doesn't participate in sports possibly because he doesn't like them, or his parents don't want him to, finds it hard.... Also, I know many boys would like to participate in more activities, particularly in dramatics, art, and music, if they were not afraid of being laughed at by the "boys".... It seems that you cann not be over aggressive in asking girls out on a date or you'll be classed as one of the "Go-Get'Em" boys. It has now reached a point where many of the girls are now going out with boys from out-of-town who, it seems, don't give a d--- [sic] about the two-cent opinion of the boys.

The Will to Win by Mary Hughes

Sing a song of basketball,
Redfield's on the go
Dunn is shooting passes
While Burnham's stooping low [etc etc]....
Our flashy five has met the test
And Sculpinville's champ again.

Brother's First Date by Sally Smith: I am Mindy Jones, age elevent, and I happen to be one of the unfortunates cursed with a brother.... Dick, my dear brother, called the lucky girl... he was combing those luscious curls ever so gently... There he stood in front of the mirror, Van johnson come to life.... The family was exhausted getting Brother out on his first date....

High School Runyon by Arnold Goldman: It is maybe eight-o-five of a Thursday morning, and I am waiting around for Phil to come and drag me out of the house. As usual it is a school day, but more important it is a report card day. Also, I think what a good thing it would be for me and the seat of my pants if I get a good card, but this does not happen, because I never before got a good card, and this is no time to start. [I was inordinately pleased with this pastiche, my first contribution, written in the afterglow of seeing Guys and Dolls on Broadway. A.G.]

The Price of Liberty by Merry Kells: The moon looked down on the lonely ranch house.... The girls tugged at the barn door and slid through the narrow opening.... Inside, a tall black stallion moved nervously at her approach..... He pushed his head affectionately against her slight body.... she stood back and gazed at her horse in admiration. He stood tall and arrogant. Mighty muscles rippled and flowed under a gleaming ebony hide.... Known as the Black Terror, he was sold to her father for a small sum.... If her horse loved his freedom more than life, she would die with him. All at once some of his hate of man was transmitted to her.... The cold, dark waters closed over the two proud rebels.

Stacey the Wonderful by Ann Maitland: Stacey the wonderful, the beautiful the magnificent, his girl, had just been informed of the last-minute details of their date for the evening - the prom.... Maybe he would be a poet, they led such interesting lives. Then he could write poems worthy of Stacey.... There was one stain on this rose-colored picture, his sister Carole.... She told him... she had met Stacey... and Carole [had said], "Did you fall for his line, too?"... Dave rushed at her, blinded with rage... his foot got caught in a rabbit hole and down he went.... a broken ankle.... "Oh, Dave," Stacey wailed, "does it hurt awfully? I don't care about the old dance; I'll come over and take care of you tonight."

Professors of Language, Beware by Arnold Goldman: Right here in Swampscott, to the horror of Speech and English teachers, a new dialect seems to be developing.... wayadoon, hoo gipdma books, geezat stuf tuf, gimme sumpina eet... goenhoamrinow, bugonnasee Tvlaeron....

Bowling Blues by Constance Valpey

It's Monday afternoon again
And down the hill I go
I try my luck at bowling;
What I'll get I never know....
My score I dread to think about;
It seems so awfully low...
How nice not one has mentioned
That sixty-nine, my score!

Yours Truly by Patti Cohen: I have been in this house for two generations; and have heard many confidential discussions; but never have I voiced an opinion.... Haven't you guessed my identity? I reflect only the truth. I am a mirror.

The Big Wind by Jordan Freedman: "Ya think that was a bad storm?" asked the old timer. "Why I 'member ----, wait I'll tell you about it.... [My little grandson] was playing with a big ball, nearly as big as he was.... This here wind blew that there ball away. After three days and nights... that there big ball comes rollin' in the yeard. But that there ball done so much rollin', that it was down to the size of an apple."

Cause of Prejudice by Pricilla Dudley: Leaders having prejudices are menaces to our society for their thoughts and actions are usually condoned by their followers.
Notebooks by Arnold Goldman: Note books are the bane of the average, under average, and above average student.
Communism by Fred Johnson: Communism has taken advantage of our freedom of speech and has stooped so low as to influence the poor and uneducated people.... Even today in the center of Boston there is a notorious communistic literature store. This store stays within the law, therefore nothing can be done about it.
Cheating by Derek Hepworth: The majority of us, although we decline to admit it, have cheated at least once in our school years.... Just remember a dishonest person is rarely successful for long.
"The Hydrogen Bomb" by Carol Mascott: Can it and will it be used for the benefit of the people not against the people? This is a problem that concerns you!

Literary

The Art of Laughing by Arnold Goldman: Laughing at the right time can not only serve to make you popular, but can prove to be a great asset. Laughing at the wrong time can become very fatal in one way or another.
I Go to See Vladimir Horowitz by Richard Goldberg: At the conclusion of each piece, I am in a trance like the rest of the people after such exquisite playing.
Wood Fire Day Dreams by Caroline Bessom: The fire roars on and on as it looks like a fiery stallion conquering its enemies and foe.
Guardian Angel (poem) by Barbara Anne Pettis: Guardian angel, vision bright,/ Tenderly guide me through the night....
Peace of Mind by Elaine Harmon: For my book report I read Peace of Mind, by Joshua Loth Liebman.... [It] combines the greatest truths of religioun with our comparatively new science of psychoanalysis.
The Forest in Winter (poem) by Philip Palatt: The forest in winter has an ivory luster;/ The snow has covered every berry cluster....
The Successful Hunt by Richard Gilman: Today our little party of six was going on a hunt for deer in the deepest part of the New Hampshire forests.... [They fail to bring down a red doe.] After three hours of searching... there in the middle of the clearing was the red doe busily nursing her young fawn.... We always considered that trip a huge success even though we came back empty-handed....
Black Arrow by Bob Fuller: Black Arrow, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, is a most exciting and entertaining novel of a young lad's adventures in old England.... My only adverse criticism is that the author did not tell enough of the incidents surrounding the death of Dick's father.
A Sonnet to Trees by Elaine Harmon: Lovely trees with waving limbs/ Stretch your arms at last....
Writing Poems (poem) by Derek Hepworth: One day we came to see Miss White,/ She asked us all a poem to write,/ I sat for hours, and racked my brain,/ Ideas I'd none, 'twas all in vain.... But now, 'tis over as you may see/And no more writing poems for me.
John Johnson's Plan (poem) by Arnold Goldman: John Johnson was a daring man,/ For he has hit on a daring plan. To rob the bank at next high noon,/ And get away fast, and soon.
A Ball of Fire by Patti Cohen: The "ball of fire" I refer to is my little cousin.
What Is a Skip by Tony [sic] Jaffee: That night [at camp], after taps had blown, we snuggled into our beds and pretended to sleep.... When the alarm rang, a group of giddy, loquacious girls scrambled out a back window and made their escape.

News

Augusta-Swampscott Band Concert by Kenneth Ferris: On Thursday, March 30th [1950], the Augusta Band arrived at Swampscott High School, ready to work and play.... [On Friday night,] both bands put on a gala performance for the town's people in the auditorium, which was filled to capacity.
Dramatic Club by Ronald Winer: The play "Murder" was produced by the ninth grade Dramatic Club with much help from other departments in the school, especially from the manual arts department.
Seventh Grade Class Party by Kenneth Ferris: Among the waltzes and fox trots there were rumba, samba, and a polka."
Eighth Grade Class Party by Kenneth Ferris: This was the night when the boys would come all dressed up in their best tie and suit and the girsl would put on their Sunday best....

Sports

Athlete of the Year Class of 1950 by Ken Dunphy: His name is John Casey.
The Best Girl Athlete by Carolyn Bessom: Pricilla "Mi-Mi" Dudley.
Scoreless but Victorious by Fred Johnson: The Junior High football team had a bad year but they played hard to win.... [It] had more spirit than all the other teams put together.
Baseball and Basketball by Ken Dunphy: It seems basketball had a poor year this year.... However, we are looking forward for better results in baseball....
Boston Baseball (poem) by Ken Ferris: The baseball season has arrived with all its pop and steam./ The Red Sox, they're a going to have a bang-up winning team. [The New York Yankees won the American League pennant in 1950. A.G.]

The School Lunch System by Arnold Goldman: Having changed to a new lunch system, which provides for a slice of bread and some vegetable with each hot plate, the Hadley School has definitely improved its lunch system in the eyes of most of the pupils. On the other side of the fence, though, some pupils dislike this system which makes no provisions for chocolate milk or potato chips.
The History of Egg Rock by Gladys Coletti: The first adventure of interest occurred about the year of 1815, when a young Italian lover, who lived near Swampscott, was on his way back to Italy to visit his family. He sailed out to Egg Rock to pick up some forget-me-nots for his sweetheart. The boy drowned on his return journey from the lonely rock, and the girl died of a broken heart.

Activities

8th Grade Class Party by Charles Batchelder: The class party... was too good for words to describe, but here I am trying my best to do just that.... To start off right, all the girls had to have a corsage.... The dance floor was immediately covered with a lot of eager-beaver rug cutters.... When the lights were off and everyone was quiet Patti Cook came out... and introduced the 8th grade band. Patti is a very good announcer... we had some sort of an Arabian Dance with Sylvia Manchin doing a very nice job with her tap dance. Sylvia is always busy doing tap dancing and ballet. She may make her living doing this.... After the party was over, most of the boys and girls went to the Hawthorne. I didn't have a girl, so I went over and drowned myself in a frappe.
The Dramatic Club by Beverly Cowan: The latest play presented by the Dramatic Club was "High Jinks at Hollister," a comedy in two acts. The cast was made up of eighth grade girls.

Literary

Home (poem) by Patti Cook: I stood beside the flowering brook,/ With summer flowers blooming,... I'm lonely for a fireplace/ A home with grateful laughter.
The History of the Snowflake by Sally Kitfield: Snowflakes live in the sky all the year around.... When the snowflakes come down, they always have an adventure. When the go back into the sky, they tell the other snowflakes about it.
Cloak and Dagger by Arnold Goldman: This is the "Now it can be told" story of the fight to win the war right in the enemy's back yard. It tells how "Mr. Average Citizen" was taken out of normal life to be trained in espionage and counter-espionage.... There was no order to the chapters in this book.....
The Civil War in Poetry (poem) by Elaine Harmon: The story starts in the slavery days./ The North told the South to change its ways..... Grant hammered at Lee's line 'till he wore him out/.... Then at the house of Mr. McLean,/ The South surrendered after years of pain.
An Eraser, a Pencil, a Pen, and a Ruler by Elaine Margaretes: I am an eraser; my companions were Mr. Ruler, Miss Pencil, and Mr. Pen. We were really quite inseparable except when one of us was being used.... Our individual lives were an orgy of mishaps and calamities.
The Newcomer by Merry Kells: A small, dark girl set down a heavy suitcase and rapped on door Number 13 [of Kingsdale Boarding School].... The cold reception could mean only one thing.... She lay on a narrow, white bed... and brooded over her own loneliness, and the poignant grief of being unwanted.
A Television Set (poem) by Bob Fuller: We've had much company, you can bet,/ Since Dad bought our T.V. set.
A Nightmare? I Wonder by Arnold Goldman: it was true - all steel was gone!... everything made of steel had disintegrated... from automobiles to xylophones.
The Ocean (poem) by Harding Clark: I sat on the rocks down on the shore/ The day was warm and spring-like once more.... Swampscott's bay was a beautiful sight.

Features

Boston Backtalk by E. Strogoff: "The other oscillation from the equipment for producing incandescence has been discontinued." ... a little newboy came by... and said, "Hey, Bub, yer lights are out."
A Day in My Life by Harry Goldberg: Hearing the General Electric ring, I shut it off and arose leisurely from my Red Cross. Getting into my Best and Co., I Squibbed by Moss's. Going downstairs I found my mother cooking Aunt Jemima, Hoods, and Ralston, at the Gleenwood. Sitting down at the Heywood-Wakefield I drank some Sunkist.
Baited by E. Strogoff: "Why did you put salt in your gun?" "Wal, now, I thought someone would ask.... I had to do something to keep [the deer] from spoiling 'til I got thar."