Archmere Academy - Patio Yearbook (Claymont, DE)

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aaaam,gmf1a51mDg1944 We are a Class who marked the change in things. W'ith use sometimes silent, watching, sometimes active, loudffArchmere has grown older, passed its childhood, entered its Second Springfl We came in the Fall of '40 sixteen strong to inaugurate the new classrooms in the IVIanor Hall. Everything was so bright and new: the sky held few, if any, clouds. In '41, as Sophomores, we returned almost gleefully, if such a thing is possible! Archmere was larger now: the lower tract of woodland and the houses had been bought, but we were more inf terested in football, and the rest, for it promf ised to be a gala year-Archmere's tenth annif versary. But with December seventh came Pearl Harbor and the warfour Hrst and Archmere's. It didnit mean too much 'cause we were still too young, but, then, brothers and friends who had gone off rather gaily for a year to train came home to say goodfbye and no one knew when they would be home again, There were airfraid drills and Red Cross nhrstfaidn and activities galore. Now we were Juniorsfjust fourteeniand we tried to tighten up and buckle down, but the current was against us: everything was flux. Change was the motif: in the faculty there were four new faces: Fathers Nolan, Hinkes and Hoffman, and Coach Farmer had been changed for Fathers Wagner, Blecha and Demerath and Coach Cicero: we had commando training, and lots more Math.: at home there was rationf ing and shortages and blackouts: in the papers new names gave way to newer names: Eisenf hower, Doolittle, Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Stal' ingrad-and a million more. Is it any wonder we were changelings? When we returned Seniors in September, 1943, we knew that we were the hrst of the new age. Father Vanderheiden was gone and in his place came Father Toonen. At the midfyear Mr. O'Brien left to be replaced by Mr. Stuart Degginger, '39, In June two of the early graduf atcs had been ordained priests -- Fathers Feld' man and McLaughlin, and now another alumf nus had returned to teach. Surely Archmcre had come of age. But each day now saw a short visit of one or two or three Archies in uniform fcome home on leave before going over. Why we were only 10 Seniors: Dick Crace had left us for the Navy, Bob Boyle and Bob Murphy for the Army, Bob Wheeler for the Merchalat IVIarine. And then rapidly in sharp succession came three messages to sadden and to impress us all: three Archies had given their lives: Pfc. Wil' liam IVIcDowell, U.S.M.C., was killed in the Gilbert Islands: Lt. Reed DeRouen, U.S.A., at Salerno: Capt. Dan 0'Donnell, U.S.A,A.C., in Australia. May God grant them refreshment, light and peace! May He preserve all others! We are Seniors now. We have this, our Patio, and our Senior Ball. In ten days Charley Brown will deliver the Salutatory, and jim Phillips, the Valedictory at our graduation and commencef ment. And we will have our memories, But we have something moref-esomething which is hard to tell in words. We know what Archmere means. It is a Faith . . . Trust . . . Love. It is why we fight and what we fight for, and if we persevere in its defense, we must be eternally grateful to Archmere. Left to right: W. Craven, Haley, T. Walsh, R. Shiels, J. Phillips, The Very Rev. D. F. Hurley, O.Praem., Tigani, Filliben, Cassidy, W. Dewson, C. Brown.

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JOSEPH F. TIGANI, JR. 1313 West 9th Street, Wilmington, Delaware aloe!! Activities: President 2, 3, 4, Herman joseph So' ciety 1, 2, 3, 4, Patio Staff, Business Manager 4, Green Arch 3, 4, Choir 1, 2, Civics Club 3, Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Captain 4, Bowling 3. Joe for four years has been an indispensable member of our class. His congenial attitude puts him near the top in popularity. Because of his many redeeming features, it is hard to choose an outstanding mannerism. The proof of our confidence in his leadership is expressed by the many oihces he held while at school. None other had more of a hand in the dispensing of class affairs. His election as captain of the football team was the climax of three years of stellar play. To include all of his achievements would necessitate more space. Let it suffice to say that joe has all the essential qualities and abilities necessary for the attainment of success. THOMAS M. WALSH ' 1412 Huddell Avenue, Linwood, Pennsylvania CCTOm7, Activities: Secretary 3, Herman joseph Society 2, 3, 4, Patio Staff 4, Green Arch 2, 3, 4, Civics Club 3, Tennis 3, Bowling 3, 4, Football 3, 4, Baseball 2, 4. Tom has been a bright spot in our class for the past three years, His easy smile is a big factor in the large number of friends he has made. However, his countenance is not his only asset by far. He is a hard Working and capable student. His cutting wit has enlivened many otherwise dull classes. As for class spirit, his has always been of the highest caliber. This fact is best seen by his active participation in class affairs. With regard to sports he has played plenty of football for the Green and White. With such a great record to leave behind, Tom has plenty to look forward to in the future.

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Seated, left to right: Callahan, R. Kaiser, W. Doherty, R. DeFiore, I. Nolan. Standing: R. Eisler, M. Wendel, Leahy, L. Potts, C. Jones, R. LaPenta, R. Schilly, C. Firebaugh, Dugan. Father Vtfagner this year had the distinction of mod' erating the most active class in the school, the juniors- - though some people were disparaging enough to assert that the class was forced to this activity to keep one step ahead of the sheriff. Knowing Father Wagner we doubt this. Still the class did elect Bill Doherty as President, Dick Kaiser as VicefPresident, Bob DeFiore as Secretary, and John R. Callahan as Treasurer, which is enough to excite anyone's suspicions. Five new members were added to the class in September: Bill Crawford, Connie Jones, Bob Eisler, Bob LaPenta and Charles Firebaugh. With this group the class was able to put over a very successful junior Prom on April 21, 1944, to participate decisively in all athletics, and, most im' portant, to be continuously well represented on the honor roll and in all scholastic activities. Two juniors received medals at graduation for placing second and third in the annual spelling contests: james Dugan and Martin Wendelg at the same time Ralph Schilly took the award for scholasf tic achievement, and the awards for second place in the State Essay Contest on Unity for Peace. I 4 HIRNI V REV. C. L. WAGNER, O.PRAEM