Kensington High School - Compass Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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OUR PAST LIFE FLASHES BEFORE US HISTORY or THE CLASS or 1955 September, 1951 . . . You are there! The event: the Class of 1955 starts to carve its story in the annals of Kensington. This was a year of exciting firsts. lt started with the girls' Hallowe'en Party, when Gloria Bund- rock won the highly coveted ring. We cheered enthusiastically at the pep assem- blies and tried diligently never to miss a sport event. Honors went to Bill Otis and Sam Bevilac- qua for their performances on the frosh football team. We viewed the annual Christmas Pageant with awe and were proud to have Roy Mauerman as the Spirit of Christmas and Robert Farrell, Morton Achter, and Robert Getzin as heralds. After the ordeal of our first mid-term exams, some girls, including Nancy Cash, Gloria Bundrock, and Nancy Westphall took to the pool in prepara- tion for the colorful water show. The year soon drew to a close and we waited anxiously to begin as sophomores. September, 1952. . . You are there! The event: the further exploration of a wonderful new world. We started out the new year right with the help of Velma Young and Andre Namenek, our newly appointed cheerleaders. They swiftly ushered in the football season and continued to lead the cheers for our successful sophomore athletes. Our chess team opened their season in October with Bill Rusch and David Fisher really check- mating the other players and teams. Meanwhile, Ron Ryan and Frank Brill were figuring pretty high in cross-country running. The Yuletide Spirit captured us sophomores for the second time. Appearing in the production were Reginald Canfield, John Storms, and Robert Finucane as shepherds, along with many of our sophomore girls who sang as angels. After the football season, some of our own sophomore girls pinned flowers on the basketball and swimming teams. Already outstanding on the swimming team were All-High Bill Kraus, Tim McMullen, and Marty Kahn. Zipping along into spring, many more future stars appeared. John Storms swirled to success in What a Life? our spring production. Not to be outdone, the girls also made a fine showing in their athletic endeavors. Joanne Nanna's volleyball team almost succeeded in de- feating the seniors. Nancy Blumreich and Barbara Wonacott sur- prised us all. Nancy, with her artfullv kept secret about being the Mystery Girl , and Barbara, with her lovely cultured voice, were both delightful. Barbara's rendition of The Psalms for Easter was inspiring. With exams over, and Margaret Pert high on top of the honor roll, our sophomore year came to an end and we eagerly looked forward to our next year at Ken. September, 1953 . . . You are there! The event: we return to add another chapter to our story. The weeks quickly skimmed by with Audrey For- ster, Sandra Kozlowska, and Rosemary Queeno setting the scholastic pace. On the football field we watched the smooth performances of Dave Spaeth, Jerry Hubert, and Crusher Carl Muehlberger. To welcome Saint Nick, our class proudly presented the second after- school dance, Santa's Snowball, in the school ballroom. John Storms and Nancy Westphall acted as Co-Chairmen. When the basketball season started, we watched Rag Shields and Jerry Hesson play like miniature Bevos to help our team dribble its way to a fine 8-3 record. The swimming team, led by Tim Mc- Mullen, splashed their way to their fourth straight undefeated season. The election of the Junior Officers: Timothy Mc- Mullen, Nancy Cash, Jeanne LaRue, Virginia Schenk, and Roger Shields, made us aware of ap- proaching June exams. On the thrilling night of the junior prom Bob Wrona and Audrey Forster reigned as King and Queen. At the gala Ken Carnival Sally Muran and Dave Spaeth preserved our prestige by winning the three- legged race. With the arrival of spring, Hank Dowski, Joe Folts, and Jim Ursel warmed the tennis-minded heart of coach Norm Millard. September, 1954 . . . You are there! The event: we reach the zenith of our High School Career. Everything was bigger and better than ever. Our football team came through with flying colors under the able leadership of Co-Captains Ron Henry and Rog Shields. During this most import- ant season, Miss O'Meara, up in her little hide- away, uncovered two wonderful performers, Bob Peterson and Carol Kruzicki. Their Rosy and Carl skit will live on forever in the minds of Ken- singtonians. We were also treated to poetical se- lections by our Poet Laureate, Gene Ciminelli. Next came the YuIe Season, Ronald Mutton, Carol Zagarino, and Ronald Trank gave perform- ances that made the pageant outstanding. After vacation and exams, we returned to cheer the basketball and swimming teams on to victory. With the day for wearin' ofthe green ap- proaching, the first floor lrishmen decided to sponsor the Blarney Bounce and decorate the cafeteria with little leprechauns. The third floor raceway meanwhile was being traveled by the track squad. Hard-working senior members in- cluded Gerard Gregoire, Tim McMullen, Jerry Hes- son, and Ron Henry. Election day arrived! Officers were: Robert Wro- na, Audrey Forster, Gerald Hesson, Nancy Cash, Virginia Schenk and Tim McMullen. Thus, we reluctantly prepared ta bring to a close our senior year. Our days at Kensington have been rich in fun and learning. May these experiences guide us as we go forth into the world to put into use the knowledge we have acquired.

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The Pride of Kensington-Our Knights and Ladies Gloria Bundrock Ruth Jones Joan Marie Bernhardt Q 4 I John Storms Carl Stewart Roger Shields Dear Knights and Ladies, We of Kensington would like to thank you. We thank you for showing us how to shoulder authority, to use ingenuity and to maintain good sportsmanship. We owea great debt to you, our leaders, who have proven to us that it is possible to be a perfect all- around person. By following your example we have learned that through hard work the top mark can be obtained in scholarship, athletics and personal responsibility. Long after we have left our Alma Mater, we shall try to follow your principles of friendliness, faithfulness and promptness. We wish you well in your future and we hope that we shall carry into adulthood the valuable lessons learned from you. Good luck to you, the alumni of Kensington. Sincerely, The Class of i955 25

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VALEDICTORY Gloria Bundrock Tonight, we have reached the point in our lives when we must bid farewell to our high school days and prepare to take our place in the world. We feel proud that the culmination of our efforts has resulted in the achieving of our goal, graduation. Yet, we feel reluctant to leave behind our carefree youth to face a world filled with conflicts and un- certainty. Graduation may also mean the termi- nation of friendships which began four years ago, for as we go our separate ways, we realize that our paths may never cross again. Although we must now say good-bye to Ken- sington, we shall always cherish the memories of experiences we have had here. No other time of our lives will mean more to us than these past four years which have slipped so quickly away. We shall never forget our exuberant singing of the football songs or the pride we felt when one of our teams brought home the cup. Regardless of how far away we may be, our Alma Mater will always remain dear to our hearts. Our most sincere appreciation is extended to our former principal, Mr. Chassin, whose loyalty and integrity served as an inspiration for all of us. Typical of his school spirit was the memorable penciI cheer which so endeared him to every student. To Mr. Roberts we are deeply indebted. Al- though he has been principal at Kensington only a short time, he has won the respect and admira- tion of the entire student body. We express our gratitude to Mr. Axlerod. His courteous and genial manner has made him a person not only to be esteemed but to be valued as a friend. We are grateful also to our teachers without whose unfailing patience we would not be honored here tonight. They have not only ably instructed us in required subject matter, but have also en- deavored to enable us to think clearly and make our own decisions. Most of all, we wish to thank our parents for the confidence they have had in us. They have constantly given us encouragement and instilled in us the desire for advancement. We, the class of l955, are now confronted with the task of facing the future. Our life on this earth may at times prove to be arduous. ln this atomic age the threat of war is becoming more and more imminent. Throughout the years we will strive to use the knowledge and democratic concepts we have gained at Kensington in becoming responsible citizens and in encouraging worlcl peace, Tonight, we leave those hallowed halls with as- surance and the knowledge that the wide world is all before us. f LX! D-frxrx Wx' ii me ii ll TN fgr li i is-Wim i fs XD 2 S 'T f f 'f Q .sassau ref 'ir' . I' ggeewrifeetffsssfi ii 'l 5 i lilvie-Xrssf1.il if 'tit il' 'T WQ 5 xNllllkXr7l'l I xlxtff lllll If TQA ltr-eillol