New Britain herald., 1928-02-04
BURNS MEMORIAL
 BIGGEST H. HONOR
Spirited Rivalry E AIud Gains
 in Significance Yeariy

Probably there is not high school in the state ef Connecticut which has the customs. old standards, and traditions which have made up the life and history of the New Britain Senior High school. Some of the ear- ly customs have passed into obliv- ion. but the majority have lived through the ages and 1t seems as if they will live as long as tho old Franklin square institution exists.
 Such customs as the annual elec- ton of officers for the classes. the presentation of the school banner by the president of the retiring graduation class to the president Of the class which is to succeed it, the auditorium exercises. the selction of marshals at graduation. the class banquet, promenade, and class night. and the extra curricular orSaniza- tions including the athletic teams have all played an important part in the schools history.
 Burns Memorial Newest
 Probably the latest custom which has been formed is the awarding of an emblem to a graduating athlete who has won high esteem in studies, behavior, and athletics. The winner of this honor is called a william F. Burns Memorial Man" and his name is inscribed on small tablet on a plaque.
 The plaque is wooden slab which contains several tablets ar- ranged in a circular fashion. At the top is the name of the man for which the memorial was started. William F. Burns. who died few months previous to his graduation after four years of brilliant work on athletic fields.
 The man named first on the list is John Bunny who won the honor in 1920: Next are Leonard Appel, 1921: David Mahoney. 1922: James J. Reynolds. 1928; Harold Beagle, 1924: Ernest ,. M. Neipp. 1925: Henry T. Bray. 1926; Frank Me- Grath, 1927, and Fred A. Zehrer, 1928, mid-year.
 This plaque was part of the me morial. The rest of 1t was a trophy case which rests in the reception room of the academic building. The cost was financed through subscrip- ton taken among the pupils in 1920.
 There has always been keen rival " for the Burns honor among ath- letes at the school and there has been disagreement among various faction as to whether the judges. Principal Louis P. Slade and Fhysi- cal Director George NJ. Cassidy made a wise choice The custom has been for Mir. Cassidy to bring in as many names of graduating athletes as he wished. Ha looks upon the boy from the athletic standpoint and MT. Slade sees the boy from scholarship at tainmcnt. Each judges the character of the boy while he is under his care.
 Differences of Opinion
 In 1920. Mir. Casaidys predecessor as physical director. William More- head, was one of the judges. He and M-. Slade picked John Bunny in preference to Carl Brink. Both were very good athletes and each Tad a large following. When Bunny was given the award the opposite faction was disappointed. Bunny is now in California and Brink is an employe of the Rogers Sash & Door Co.
 In 1921. the choice lay between Leonard Appell and Robert Peplaw. Appell was the plugging type of athlete who had been a hard work CT in football, basketball and base tall for the greatest part of his high school career. He played on the team after serving in the United States army. Peplaw was a flashy type of athlete and he had a popu- lar appeal to many of the pupils. Many did not like the choice. but as many were satisfied and Appell was the winner that year. He recently passed the bar md is now a lawyer in this city.
 David Mahoney and Franklin David were slated as candidates for Al IS> L,,A l04~ d..