East New York Vocational High School - Crossroads Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

Page 17 text:

S GRADUATION NEARS and we are JAX about to go forth into a world at war, we pause to look back on our pleas- ant school days. Almost three years ago, when we first feasted our eyes upon East New York, we were awed at the sight of the various shops with their complicated ma- chines. Now, sophisticated seniors, with plenty of practical experience behind us, we are ready and eager to take our places in industry or the armed forces. lt seems such a short while ago that we were freshmen just out of junior high school walking through the halls of East New York when the bell rang for a change of periods. Little did we realize that instead of going to the third floor which was our destination, we would end up in the cafeteria. Seniors here, seniors there, seniors all aroundl lt looked as though they were trying to subjugate the poor unfortunate third term- ers, At first we tried to adapt ourselves to the idea that the seniors were lords and mas- ters. But gradually we became adjusted and able to take care of our rights. closs history A year passed quickly and we were in fifth term. Until then we had had rather vague ideas of homework but then things began to happen as though Stukas were diving all around dropping their bombs of destruction-homework in English, math, science, economicsl What had we done to deserve such a fate as this? Many of us, alas, spent part of the seventh term in Mr. Garity's office. Gee, what a won- derful man he is, so straight and tall with a dignified look. We can still feel his friendly hand on our shoulders and hear his llWhat have you done now? in a gruff but friendly tone. The eighth term which was going to be our paradise-in-the-sun now became a synonym for an obstacle course for Marines training for overseas duty. But soon graduation day will be here and the piece of paper for which we worked so hard will be in our possession representing the fulfillment of our dreams and ambitions. And East New York will be but a happy memory. 1 S DOJSSOJO Q.

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ID ood SSI' FO C T LONG LAST our four years of high A school have come to an end. Regret- fully we, the dressmaking graduates of l945, look back upon those four years and wonder where they have fled, for those final years of school life are what we remember most. As we began our freshman year with the black clouds of war hovering overhead, when the tragic blow was dealt on Pearl Harbor, it was only natural for us to become interested in war work. We did our utmost to sell war bonds and stamps. We knitted afghans, did Red Cross work, aided scrap drives, sent packages overseas and even had ot pin-up contest for our favorite servicemen. ln our Power Operating class we made gar- ments for neighboring hospitals and clothing for the poor and war-torn refugees. This training helped us to make professional gar- ments and also taught us to be charitable, helpful and considerate of our fellow men. A glow of pride fills each member of our class whenever we hear references to the fashion show that took place during our sixth class history I term. We worked like busy bees to make it the success it was. Another memorable event was the Christ- mas party of our last year at East New York. Who in 8TD can ever forget it? The spirit that prevailed there was one which has been with us for four years and which we expect to take with us into the business world and into our almunae group. Many of our boys and girls learned to dance and became social successes through our efforts in starting a dancing club. Our requests for this club were granted this term, thanks to the teachers who so willingly gave their time after school. But now all these things are happy recol- lections for us. As we graduate we are proud to have received the finest education pos- sible and to have had the guidance and instruction of the best teachers. We have spent four pleasant years at East New York Vocational High School and our gratitude can be shown only by our living up to the ideals and training we have acquired here, 4

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th ood SSI' FO C N that memorable day, September ll, l942, we walked slowly and tim- idly through the halls of East New York to start our new careers. We had high ideas of becoming machinists until Mr. Hil- gard's talk, and then many of us wondered if we were good enough to become plumb- ers. As we entered the portals of E. N. Y. that day, we marvelled at the beauty and grace of the building. A few days afterwards we tightened our belts as we sought to cone quer the gray, sinister machines, as well as Miss Gillespies War Vocabulary. What a thrill it was to turn in our first jobs -only to return to our benches dismayed by the first encounter with that famous and well-worn handbook, l-iilgards Bible! However, in spite of everything we suc- ceeded in mastering the early stages of thread cutting, tool bit grinding, etc. As our freshman year drew to a close, we worked in the intense heat of Old Sol, for it was against the well-known Code of Ethics to loosen a collar button, or tie. Then came the fifth and sixth terms. We breathed a little easier now, for we could not be looked down on as lowly freshies. We walked about with an air of self-conf? dence, as though the Battle of E. N. Y. were half won. Little did we dream that our greatest trials and tribulations lay before closs history us-tortures such as Mr. Schiffmans Chem- istry, and the Mechanical Laboratory. We were tempted to take a few days off and go on a spree to the Paramount, but thirst for knowledge invariably led us back to the straight and narrow. And so we plodded along, and with the work we had our mo- ments of joy. Can we ever forget the fun we had with the exuberant Mr. Seidler? These days will forever remain with us as a happy memory. Our Day finally arrived. With a rush to the G. O. store, we purchased our senior buttons, which signified our right to be the freshmen's terror. But during that brief and anxious wait for our cherished diplomas, we ourselves were terrorized by Mr. Wards terrible black squares. However, a change came over the class. We no longer delighted in paper aeronautics and other diversions, for trying times had struck. It was with sor- row and pride that we watched our friends leave one by one for the wars. We will long remember our Alma Mater, and its patient teachers who gave us light for the darkness of our ignorance. We will never forget our classmates who will be felf low comrades-in-arms, co-workers in the construction of a free, happy world, and fel- low citizens in its most wonderful country. Y