Kensington High School - Compass Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

Page 24 text:

T0 THE SENIIDBS Dear Seniors: lt is difficult for parents and teachers to realize the changes wrought by time. It is unbelievable to most parents that the happy, carefree years of the youth of their loved ones have slipped into eternity. But such is now the fact. The priceless lessons taught you at home, in your church and in your school have transformed you from the youth of yesterday to the man or the woman of today. So, now, we look to you with conhdence and trust to assume your responsibilities in the world of tomorrow and so to live as to reflect all the virtues of your priceless training. Since the wealth of the nation does not consist of its natural resources but in the integrity of the family, we ask that you make every effort to preserve the sanctity of the homeg that you be alert to the influences of destruction that are gnawing at its founda- tions. Ideals, Godliness and respect must be brought hack into the homes by you if you are to fulfill your sacred obligations to your country. You must accept the home as the backbone, the life blood and the seed of American life. The preservation of the home must be your most solemn obligation. Your refusal to assume your duties in the dis- charge of this obligation spells disaster-America soon can become a Lost Nation. Faith in your God, your country and in yourself is the weapon of victory for the preservation of the American home. You have been richly endowed with this virtue. We ask that you preserve it in such full measure that it become the propelling force in your every act. Sincerely, THOMAS J. McDoNNELL, Principal. May 16, 19447. 20

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If MELZEQ IIN E SCIDNMW, N for Nations. All pf-oplvs around the globe are working toward a vommon goal-world pvavv. Thv seniors of today will lu' the nation's le-alle-rs of tomorrow. I9

Page 25 text:

Uunscv VALEDICTIIRY The time has come for us to say goodbye to our life at Kensington. This we do with pride and gratitude-pride in our school and gratitude to those who have led us through the realms of goldi'-Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Chassin and our teachers, and gratitude to those who have en- abled us to be led-our parents. Without their faith and encouragement, it would not have been possible for us to be graduated tonight. Looking backward, there seems but a short time between our first day in high school and this night. Now our high school days are over. None of us has finished his education, for human life and education are inseparable. Some of us will continue with teachers and textbooks for a time, the others will gain future knowledge through the medium of experience. To Kensington we have given the many hours which go to make up four school years-hours of study and hours of fun. But 'sthese hours are never spent-Remaining with us, gaining strength with timegn they will in our future mo- ments of reflection be the good of the good old days. Tonight we take a step which can be retraced only in fond memory. Saying farewell is the sadness of graduation. The joy of graduation is our entrance into a new phase of our lives. We are the recipients of new responsibilities as well as new freedom and we accept them eagerly. Our hearts echo the words of Princess Elizabeth spoken on her twenty-first birthday, Now that we are coming to manhood and womanhood, it is surely a great joy to all of us to think we shall be able to take some of the burdens oil' the shoulders of our elders, who have fought, worked and suffered to protect our childhood. ln graduation, we are not unique. Myriads of students have been graduated and will be gradu- ated . . . but . . . this is our moment. Tonight we leave port to test whether our efforts and your efforts have produced seaworthy results. as We do not know beneath what sky, Nor on what seas shall be our fate, We only hope it shall be high- We only trust it shall be greatf' LUCILLE M. LEWANDOWSKI