Kensington High School - Compass Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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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

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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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Three years and some months ago our fathers sent us forth to Kensington with the precon- ceived idea that we would secure an education and with the firm conviction that the teachers would have a difficult time. From '6Mairzy Doatsw to Open the Door, Richard, from the rubbery chocolate coated ice cream suckers to skippy cups, from the days, of war and air raid drills to days of peace and running to shelter from the mad rush of girls plowing to sixth lunch, we have survived! We began our first year at Kensington in glorious anticipation of future events and, yes, of our studies as well. Even the seemingly end- less climb to the fourth floor could not entirely dampen the spirit of exuberance which per- vaded our class. After only a short time, we learned from our sisters at Kensington that lockers were of great importance, not only for empty pop bottles. but also for an array of other seldom used belongings. The first event on the Freshman calendar each year is the Freshman Hallowe'en party. After we had been ably entertained by an array of talent, prizes for originality in costumes were awarded to Beatrice Butch, who typified pistol packin' mama, and Gloria Hoffman, in a Waac costume. ln October and November, the football assem- blies were met with rousing enthusiasm from the Freshman class. On Armistice Day the oratorical talents of the boys of 300 shone forth. Among those who expounded were David Sweet, Louis Davies, and Donald Brown. News of the inspirational Christmas pageant had long since reached our ears and, upon seeing it for the first time. the overwhelming beauty of this spectacle was immediately tucked away in our memories. never to be forgotten, A memorable occasion occurred in June, 1944, when the girls of 406 presented a plaque to the school as a tribute to the Kensington boys who gave their lives in the service of their country. SENIIIR CLASS Through the efficiency of able War Savings Stamp salesmen, Richard Guyette and David Snyder, the boys of 306 ranked among the five highest rooms in the sale of War Bonds. Until bitter World War ll was over, the motto of each Kensington student was f'Keep 'em Flying by Keeping on Buyingf, Who among us will ever forget the pictur- esque water carnival of 1944! Under the capable direction of Miss Felser, the aquabelles gave such a realistic performance that it was hard to realize we had not actually been in Hawaii. Among those who displayed splendid aquatic talent were ,loan Mayer, Barbara De- lano, ,lean Danitz, and Louise Crohman. However, as all good things must end, so did our first year at Kensington. With Regents week upon us, we met our exams with the hopeful prayer that we would soon become mighty Sophomores. Lucille Lewandowski's fine scholastic ability was rewarded by the presen- tation of the Freshmen Attainment Medal. With fond farewells, we left our classrooms, keenly anticipating another delightful year at Kensing- ton. Eager to embark upon our second year, the newly inaugurated Sophs were, of course, disap- pointed the following September when announce- ment was received that school would not re-open until October because of the polio epidemic. Though a month late, cross country got un- derway with Les Zielinski the first major letter man of our class that year. Inauguration of the Seventh War Loan found many stamp sales- men and high results from the Sophomores. In Mr. Larrabeeis Slide Rule Club ffor math gen- iuses onlyl, the '47ers were in majority as well as in Miss Westermarfs faithful German Club with Ed Sverdrup as the capable presi- dent. The impressive December seventh assembly, honoring the mothers of sixteen Kensingtonians who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom, cannot easily be forgotten. Later that year the superb performance of Victor D'Anna helped us celebrate the victory of, our swimming team over South Park. Lenny Zielinski majored and was All-High on our Syracuse cup team that year. Ay, 'twas a fine day for the lrish when Alice McQuade sang HA Little Bit of Heaven at the