[The following are direct transcriptions from my diary for the last two weeks of high school. A “gentle reader” may scan the names I’ve included. Perhaps, I should have deleted them from this transcript, but the memory of these classmates is still important to me, and my past.]
Sunday, May 24: Went to noon Mass. Spent the day at home – my last day in the seventeenth year of my life. Some life. I’m entirely disgusted with it. If it doesn’t change soon there is no use in existing any longer. But before I die I want to see everything and do everything there is to see and do. I want a full life to make up for my youth of dull monotony. Life should be worth the effort of living. So far it has not been worth the effort.
Monday, May 25: Happy birthday to me – since no one else will say it, or rather has said it today. As each year for the past 18, this was an extremely lousy day. The Board of Education meets tonight to hear how the Seniors finished. I think I will be third. My guess is: Johanna David, first; Myrtle Ann Gifford – second; myself – third; and Scott Garrett – fourth. As long as I come in ahead of Scott, I don’t care what I place. Mailed my graduation announcements at last.
Tuesday, May 26: I was wrong about the honor roll. I am valedictorian. Myrtle Ann is salutatorian; then Virginia Granata, Scott Garrett and Martha Smith. I was more excited about Mart’s fifth place than I was about my own position. I had the devil of a time trying to think of a quote for the Hi-Crier. Golly, I’ve worked for the position, so how could I say how I feel. But confidentially, I feel pretty great about the honor. However, I really wonder if it was worth it. I wish, instead, I were more like other guys. Maybe they didn’t place on the honor roll, but they’ve had fun in high school. They have memories, but what do I have – nothing. I hope college is different. We got our caps and gowns today. They are blue while the tassel is red. Had a Senior assembly at which I presented Miss Galster with a gift and Bob Wick gave Mr. Sharp a watch.
Wednesday, May 27: Our Dragon {school year book} at long last arrived today. On the whole they are very nice. I like them. We had a Jr-Sr assembly today on civil defense. Fourth period I went up to see Mr. Bond about my valedictory speech. He told me what to include. All I have to do is write it. This evening George Davies, Bob Billig, and I went to see The Niles Story. It was mainly one long commercial. The only things I enjoyed were last year’s seniors, underclassmen, and the faculty.
Thursday, May 28: Senior Banquet: I rushed around this morning to get speeches lined up for the banquet. The banquet was nice – at least the speeches were. However, the turkey was extremely cold and I had trouble locating the potatoes. The program included: Grace – Dorothy Ann Wenzel; Toast – Bob Wick; History WJHS – Myrtle Ann Gifford; History McKJHS – Janice Gibson; Tenth grade, serious – Lucy Liberatore; Tenth grade, humorous – Tom Calderone; Eleventh grade, serious – Bob Billig; Eleventh grade, humorous – Ron Nolder; Twelfth grade, serious – Barbara Gerheim; Twelfth grade, humorous – Dick Rashilla; Class prophecy – Diane Lapolla & Joann McNammara; Faculties – Mr. Sharp; Introduction of Board – Bob Wick; Introduction of Mr. Cardinal (retiring) – Scott Garret; Introduction of Miss Gagster (retiring) – Bob Owens; Farewell – Bob Wick. All of the speeches were wonderful. Wick’s farewell was touching. Rash’s was wonderful. In a few more years he’ll be another Eddie Fusco – toastmaster. {No, I did not give a presentation; as usual, I was the behind-the-scenes person who organized everything!}
After the banquet I felt in a down mood and was walking home when I met Bob Wick, also walking home. So we walked together. Boy, did we walk – all the way to Washington Junior. Then we stood on the porch (or terrace) and talked and talked about almost everything. Bob admitted that we aren’t close friends, but it seems like we sure confide in each other. Talking to Bob is like talking to my alter ego. I can relax and say whatever I feel. And he does the same. I wish we could be friends. It would be interesting to someday repeat our little talking itinerary. I hope we can. Bob is a swell guy – in fact he’s tops. Everyone likes him. He told me how to gain friends – learn to act like them and like what they like. Which means I have to learn baseball.
Friday, May 29: Recognition Day and Saturday, May 30: This was certainly a busy day. We Seniors wore our caps and gowns to school for the Jr-Sr assembly. As valedictorian I had to give a Bible reading and a prayer. I choose the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 2 and the Lord’s Prayer. I got a number of certificates. I also received a gold medal for valedictory honors. I received a check for $10 from the Kiwanis Club and $5 from the Rotary. I hope I didn’t break them with the gifts. The assembly lasted for over two hours which was way too long.
After the assembly we had practice for Baccalaureate on Sunday night. This afternoon George Davies stopped for me and we went to see some of the teachers at Washington Junior. After that we went down town and we met Martha Smith and Diane Lapolla with the car. We asked if they would take us to Warren to register for the draft. There we gave the registrar a rough time with our names. She wouldn’t believe my name was Patty until she saw my birth certificate. When she didn’t see William down, she wouldn’t put it on my draft card. George Davies had trouble too because his father’s name is Davie. Afterward, we talked to Mr. Cardinal. Saturday I wrote my valedictory.
Sunday, May 31: Baccalaureate: I went to 12 o’clock Mass. This evening I went to the Baccalaureate with George. I’m glad it lasted for only 55 minutes. Afterwards, George, Bob Billig, John Tudhope, and I went to the Robbins to see Off Limits with Bob Hope. It was very funny. Afterward we went up to the Snack Shack to eat. Then we drove around for a while.
Monday, June 1: I typed out my speech. Rode down to graduation practice with Billig and George. We each got twelve tickets. Now I have to weed down from twenty-some relatives. After practice I took my speech to Mr. Bond. He approved it. Then George and I went to talk to Mr. Cardinal again. He’s a wonderful person and teacher. It’s too bad for the students that he is quitting. This evening I went over to George’s to watch TV and to help him fill out an application to Kent.
Tuesday, June 2: [Don Seaborn’s Wedding; Queen Elizabeth II Crowned] Because of a lack of transportation I was not able to see either event. I went to town this morning to get a key chain and to have my valedictory pin engraved. This afternoon I tried to memorize my speech. My gifts so far include an electric razor from Ed Shobel (my father’s friend) and a pen and pencil set from Uncle Frank and Aunt Rose Borecki along with mom’s key chain.
Wednesday, June 3: Graduation: Well today was the big day. I felt extremely nervous this afternoon about my speech. I was also very disgusted with “him.” Although I am valedictorian, not once has “he” congratulated me or even mentioned my merit. Instead he jokes about my graduating and going to college. I got dressed early and went to George’s to wait because I couldn’t stand being around “him.”
Before commencement began, Myrtle Ann Gifford and I had our pictures taken. There was a large crowd there. All my relatives, except Uncle Frank Moransky, were there. I think the ceremonies were very short and very nice. My speech, which I did not forget, was about four minutes long. I was awarded the Alumni Trophy for scholarship. I am able to keep it. After the ceremonies the teachers congratulated me and said they liked my speech. The best complement came from Jim Cera, who said mine was the first speech he’s ever listened to.
After the graduation, all the relatives except Uncle Bill and Aunt Ada came to our place. Then I saw the rest of my gifts. Aunt Vi gave me a suitcase; Aunt Sophia – five dollars; Uncle Bill – shirt and links; Isadore – ten dollars and Camerino’s – fifty dollars.
Then Billig, George, and Gus Spetios came after me. My relatives went up-the-hill and I went with the gang to a round of parties. George mixed beer with high balls, the other two had one high ball, but me – I stuck to ginger ale – I don’t like alcohol. I think I saw more juniors tonight than seniors. We had seven girls and we four boys in Billig’s club coupe. I got in at two AM with a load of happy memories for one evening.