Honor Students Advised To Develop Talents Fully-This Day in Norwood History-June 3, 1964

Thirty-seven outstanding Norwood High School students were assured by another outstanding Norwood. High student of 25 years ago. that “opportunities are limitless for those who develop their talents to the fullest.” The occasion was the 9th Annual Honors Dinner at the Lord Fox, Monday night, and the speaker, Dr. Joseph F. Kauffman, N.H.S., Class of 1939.

In Norwood on what he termed a “sentimental journey“, Dr. Kauffman, director of Higher Education Services for the American Personnel and Guidance Association, as Honors Dinner guest speaker, contrasted his graduation in 1939, in a post-depression, pre-war period, with that of today’s class.

Pointing out that basic aims and truths remain unchanged, the former Dean of Students at Brandeis, and Director of Training for the Peace Corps, urged the honor students to make the most of their “God-given” talents, and to “hammer out the true dimensions of your individuality.”

Noting that scholarship must be combed with excellence of character, motive, and conscience, Dr. Kauffman exhorted the honor students to recognize the most important thing in life is to “face ourselves.”

The purpose of the Honors Dinner, which is sponsored by the Senior High School PTA, was exemplified by a quotation from Socrates, which Dr. Kauffman cited, “What is honored is cultivated.”

Also speaking on this theme were Superintendent of Schools Dr. Philip O. Coakley who lauded the students and their accomplishments, while at the same time urging them to “be humble”, and NHS Principal Charles A. Hayden, who termed the accomplishments of the honor students, “excellence in action”. Mr. Hayden thanked the PTA for its support, as evidenced by the Honors Banquet tradition, and also praised the parents of ‘the students for maintaining a “sense of values which makes academic excellence important.

Highlighting the banquet were the brief remarks by each of the students, as they introduced themselves and cited their aims and interests, a portion of the program under the direction of NHS Dean of Girls, Miss Katherine E. Ryan.

PTA President Earl K. Bowen, who served as master of ceremonies, introduced the head table guests, Dr. and Mrs. Coakley, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, Dr. Kauffman, Rabbi David Prince, who offered the Invocation, and Mrs. Prince, Rt. Rev. Robert J. Sennott, who gave the benediction, Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, Miss Ryan, School Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan, Jr., and Mrs. Sheehan. Mr. Sheehan also introduced all members of the School Committee.

Students honored included Seniors: Carol Elias, Beverly Obuchon, Kathleen Gordon, Judith Maroney, Anne Drew, Carol Madsen, Maryjane Parah, Victoria Turinese, Carol Waukhonen, Sheila Kelly, Joanne Gianusso, Martha Black, Frederick Dyer, William Jank, Paul Loughiin, David Miller, William Bazzy, Margaret O’Day and Frances Wisgirda.

Juniors: Margaret Breen, Bernard Cooper, Thomas Chestna, Linda Gendron, Virginia Harvey, Carol Moreau, Judith Lindquist, Catherine Crawford, Monica Reagan, and Elizabeth Orme.

Sophomores: Nancy Alcardi, Margaret Mitchell, and Loftin Elvey.

Freshmen: Joyce David, Noralie Cox, Kathleen Ryan, and Barbara Stitt.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Purnell were Honors Dinner Co-Chairmen and committee members included Mrs. Willliam McGovern, Mrs. Arthur Rodgers, Mrs. Earl Bowen, Mrs. Joseph Palleiko, Mrs. Irving Savor, Miss Katherine Ryan, and Mr. Charles Hayden.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)