Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary - Nytana Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Uur Sen limental fourne Postcards seldom seem signihcant. The ones we re- ceived in the spring of 1950, however, notifying us of our success in the Academys entrance exam, were of tremendous import, To us they were railroad reser- vations for the SHM Express bound for distant realms of higher learning. To fill out registration forms took but a few minutesg we were ready for a four-year journey. By a strange cofincidence, it took but a few minutes, too, to receive our diploma. But what a vast expanse of discovery and adventure lay between. Let's take a sentimental journey to renew the memories of those treasured years. All aboard! First stopvlsreshman Year! Drumming hearts set a musical pattern and oui supposedly green pallor clashed with the fiery au- tumnal scenery as we entered the Academy. NX'e were soon subjected to a gradual indoctrination and experi- ienced the inevitable breath-taking climb to the heights of Park Terrace and the moments of abysmal inferiority in the presence of upperclassmen. After two days of Initiation brightened by bows, balloons and reversed garments and by the delightful Senior-Freshman party, we found ourselves quite adapted to the Academy-scene as we bribed the juke box with our nickles . . . joined in the activities of the Riding, Camera, and Crlee Clubs . . . cheered lustily at basketball games . . . laughed self-consciously at our revealing entries in the Baby Contest . . . frowned over the mysteries of Algebra and Latin . . . and la- bored to make our first Bazaar a resounding success. Our debut on the Academy stage was made in the Windmills of Holland' '.,. our social success at the Freshman Valentine Dance . . . followed by our super- lative marching on St. Patricks Day . . . our first retreat with Rev. sl. Gorry. C.S.P .... our amusing endeavors in the first Sing as SI-lM's baby-freshmen . . . our painful yet laughable appearances after Field Day '... and finally the doleful farewells at the departure of our Senior Sisters. Next stop-Sophomore Year!

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Summer renewed our jocular spirits and September found us freed from the galling yoke of Freshman lowliness. We learned our schedules included that notoriously unpopular pair, Caesar and Geometry . . . we had our Hrst bout with a modern language. Grad- ually we discovered that Latin was not as dead as they said, triangles were as much geometric as orches- tral and Si was not the answer to Parlez-vous fran- cais? October breezes swept us up Fifth Avenue in the Columbus Day Parade . . . we displayed the stance we had acquired through Miss Bisconti's Udiaphragmatic breathing. The following months found us laughing hilariously at Charley's Aunt . . . admiring the Senior models in the Fashion Show . . . pleasantly surprised at the introduction of new uni- form shoes and Eton caps . . . busy as bees as the Sing deadline drew near. The opening night we graced the stage as the people who stroll along the sidewalks of New York-the elite of Fifth Avenue, hoboes, sightseers, teenagers and even Miss Liberty, alive! because we tied with the Seniors, we felt gloriously triumphant and eternally grateful to Miss Castan. Skyscraper scenery was soon replaced by a Spanish background for Pan-American Day and later by an impressive pagoda for The Mikado. Between a safari to Wtishington on tour and to Sag Harbor on retreat, we fought foreign poverty with needles and threads in our mission sewing. Spring fever in no way stifled our mischievous in- clinations as we incarcerated a faculty member in the cafeteria closet faccidentallyj and introduced a half- period bell, surprisingly like an alarm clock! The pros- pect of Regents discouraged further capers . . . the worst was soon over . . . report cards displayed par- ticularly good religion marks . . . summer came and for some so did summer school! All aboard for junior Year! In September our newly-acquired airs left no doubt that we had attained the superior rank of upperclass- men in Academic society . . . Mother Gonzague was welcomed back as the new principal . . , the Columbia blue Etons for the juniors merited admiration from all . . . no more late room but . . . habitual violators of rules despaired with the introduction of the Stu- dent Council Court. The dread of intermediate algebra spread like a plague throughout the junior year . . . we pledged faithful attendance at the CYA Holy Hour each month . . . enjoyed the enlightening UN Forum with the Hon. Robert XVagner jr. presiding.