High School, MA 02184
Class of 1964

OUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

The curtain rose in September, 1961, on the play "Our High School Years". As we walked back and forth across the stage, we trembled with fright, for this was our first production. The beckoning spotlights and the smiling audience helped us through those difficult moments of stage fright. Act I was guided by JOHN CARLSON, Director; JUNE THOMPSON, Assistant Director; EMILY RINALDI, Script Writer; and BILL CRISPIN, Producer. The cast of 530 members was unique in that one of us came from Kenya , Africa; this was KIMANI ROKI.

In Act I the scenes were varied and colorful. The Hollis stage belonged to us alone, while the whole theater was owned jointly by three companies. The first scene featured

"Our Hearts Were Young and Gay;" there was loud laughter and deafening applause from our receptive audience. Following this success came scene II. MUSIC IN THE AIR, our SOPHOMORE SOCIAL, was the big event of the act. However, this act came to a close when our Band, consisting of several SOPHOMORE members, .became host to the members of the High School Band of Keene, New Hampshire. This was the first half of our EXCHANGE CONCERT, which brought delight to all music lovers. Thus, our first act ended, and the house lights went on as intermission began.

Before we had found time to change our costumes, the lights dimmed, and our second act was underway. On making our entrance, we stopped short, for our theater was the same, but the stage was different. At first we were a bit confused and bewildered, but soon we lost our fears as the play progressed. Just as our stage had been changed, so had some of our leaders: JOHN CARLSON, Director; FRED HILLIER, Assistant Director; BETTY ANN BISSETT, Script Writer; and BILL CRISPIN, Producer. SUSAN KITUNA, another foreign student, was added to our cast.

The first scene opened on a B.H.S. Student Council meeting. Presiding was our own JUNIOR JAY HEDLUND. Scene II followed with "Teahouse of the August Moon." .The Oriental atmosphere was indeed a favorite with the audience. Our next scene took us back two centuries to Scotland in that unforgettable land of "Brigadoon." The delightful music of the Girls Choir and mixed Glee Clubs captivated young and old alike. From the past we bounced back to the present in our next scene which featured our Varsity Basketball team, consisting of eight Juniors, in the class B Semi-finals of the Tech Tourney.

By now we had gained confidence in our movements and progressed rapidly. Our fourth scene again was comprised of music, but this time the Band received the honors. This was the completion of the EXCHANGE CONCERT of Act. I. B.H.S. Band was now the guest of the Keene Band. We were very proud of scene V in which forty-nine of our members, were inducted into the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY. Then it was here; our HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY, THE JUNIOR PROM. Oh, but that was a wonderful night for the happy couples. The Prom, as well as the After Parties, will never be forgotten. Before we realized it, Act II was over and it was intermission again. Back stage we hustled about changing costumes, fixing make-up, and replacing scenery. This was to be our final and biggest act, and we wanted nothing to go wrong. The lights flashed, the audience was seated, and again the curtain rose. We held our breath and stepped on stage. Our experienced team of JOHN CARLSON, Director; FRED HILLIER, Assistant Director; EMILY RINALDI, Script Writer; and BILL CRISPIN, Producer, led us through our final act. The scenes raced along from the cheering football season and wonderful HOMECOMING to the Dramatic Club's fall production, "The Diary of Anne Frank." Later the stage was decorated with holly and ornaments creating the yuletide atmosphere for our CHRISTMAS PARTY.

Suddenly, the New Year had approached, bringing an end to our fabulous basketball season and introducing us to our FOURTH ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR. After this came the musical presented by the singing and dramatic clubs. Then came STUDENT GOVERN­ MENT DAY as one of us took part in the proceedings on Capitol Hill. Again the scenes changed as our tremendous SENIOR SHOW was staged. Our final social event, THE SENIOR RECEPTION, came and went all too quickly. This memorable scene was followed by the AWARDS ASSEMBLY, where many of our fine actors received recognition for their performances.

Then the finale was here. As we stood holding our diplomas and singing our Alma Mater, we realized that our play had ended. The curtain, closing with the hearty applause of the large audience, was a reminder that now each of us would go his own way, to act on a stage of his own making.

page 102