West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School - Gleam Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 29 text:

As Juniors we became better acquainted with our fellow students because our common interests made co-operation essential. In the first place, we were repre- sented in the varsity sub-team, and consequently, we were more than ever inter- ested in basketball. Secondly, the Seniors requested the aid of the Undergraduates to make their Annual a success, but especially did they desire the interest of the Juniors who would very soon be undertaking a book of their own, and would need the assistance of the other classes. The third endeavor which united us came with our decision to re-establish a former custom in the school in giving a Junior Prom. To our joy we were given permission, and' it was with the prospect of a delightful evening that we made arrangements to hold this gala affair at the Penn Athletic Club. The long anticipated night arrived, and through the laby- rinthine ways of waltz and fox trot danced the evening to a regretful close. During the summer preceding our Senior year, the new West Catholic Girls' Hligh School at 45th and Chestnut Streets was completed. The honor of being the first graduates of the new school seemed small recompense for the sacrifice entailed in forsaking our old Alma Mater. However, time, the great healer, and the novelty of a new and beautiful school helped us to become reconciled to the change. With squared jaws, we set about to make Student Government a success. We placed it in the hands of a capable President and her staff and, as an aid to her, elected a Judge and a court to decide the fate of recalcitrant pupils. The Student Govern- ment Association was thus established on a firm foundation. Social activities next claimed our attention, and we proceeded to inaugurate Freshman Day. Each Freshman was obliged to wear a green bow on her innocent head and to bring the largest of her dolls to school with her, and to courtesy low at the approach of a mighty Senior. The Freshmen rose to the occasion and the results was lots of fun throughout the building. In the afternoon, we gave a Reception at which each first year child was presented with a lolly pop. The program consisted of an address by our class President, a welcoming song, dances, and a short play- all of which the Freshman pronouncedldelightful. The next outstanding feature of our Senior Year was the Christmas play, Eager Heart, whose theme was the spirit of Christmas. While each class in the school was represented in it, the committees were formed from the graduating classes, and as it was a great success, it gave considerable encouragement to all con- cerned. Immediately following the Christmas holidays, the basketball season opened, and our varsity team certainly justified the patient training of their coach. The next important event was the Junior Prom given February 16th, in our gymnasium. Would that there were language expressive enough to keep vivid the memory of that happy eventl It was in June, however, that the crowning event of the year occurred- the graduation of the first class from the West Philadelphia Catholic Girls' High School, which brought to a close the joys and sorrows of school days for the Class of '28, who thus wrote the first page of the school's history. To succeeding classes is hurled the torch, Be yours to hold it high. M.iRY M. MURPHY, '?q. 7'5L'1'lIf'l'-OHV

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UR high school days have sped on 'l'ime's fleet wings, and it is with over- flowing hearts that we now record the epochal days which marked the passing of these four golden years. In June, 1924, we directed our faltering steps to the Catholic Girls' High School where we took our high school entrance examinations with sinking hearts. During the following summer, we learned that we had success- fully leaped the first hurdle, and that in Septemher we would he admitted into an Annex.,' During Freshman year, we were hrought together from various Annexes on a few ne,er-to-he-forgotten days in that goal of our heartls desire: the John VV. Hallahan Catholic Girls, High School. Ifreshman Reception Day first taught us how condescending Seniors could he, when as their guests, we were treated to an exhibition of their ahility to play Hhostessf, How distant seemed V928 on that day, and how unnecessary it felt to he a ul'iI'CSll1HZlIl,l as we smiled our appreciation. VV'e were next entertained with the high school Dramatics at Catholic High when We saw the Senior play Hlhlonsieur l3eaucaire, and with all the assurance that springtime brings we dared to hope one day to he ahle to present just as interesting a play to our admiring relatives and friends. Sophomore year found us estahlished in that hall of learning at Nineteenth and VVood Streets where we joined the girls from all the Annexes, though divided ii' 'ections a id thus unahle to hecome satisfactorily acquainted with one an- Y'Tl.'k'l1f-1'

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Our Senior Year September With the exultation of being Seniors overflowing our hearts and full of the anticipation of being the first graduates of a new school, we assembled in the auditorium last September. After much discussion of our summer fun and the friends we had left behind us at the old school, our Principal arose, and when he had welcomed us to West Catholic, he assigned us to our rooms. When each class had met its own Sister, those of Section 1A became quite audacious and dared to enter ZA to see the Nun in there, or those of ZA found many excuses to go in IA. It was quite the end of the month before we could find our way about the school alone, and we well remember the day, that in our attempt to find the gym, we were led out on the street by an erstwhile S. O. In a little while we learned the Sisters, names, not so soon did they learn ours, and when the girl in the third seatn was called on, seven girls looked guilty and each refused to move. October In a short time we became accustomed to being back at school, much to the dismay of the Sisters, for to us, getting down to work meant breaking all our resolutions to study hard this year. We further settled into school life by arriving at 9.00 A. M., but we were forced to set our alarm clocks ten minutes earlier when we heard that dreaded evil-the Detention Room- was open. We are sure that we could never have lived through the year if we did not hear the suggestive words every Monday morning, The Detention Room this week will be-. Soon afterwards we elected our Mayor and the Class Ollicers, who have indeed proved themselves worthy of our choice. Now we were becoming impressed with our dignity as Seniors. We sought to make our lower classmen, especially those dear little Freshies, realize that we were people to respect, consequently our Fresh- man Day. Although the Freshies were very good sports, we cannot say that they would appreciate such a day often. November The cry of outsiders to see our new school resulted in Inspection Day, which had at least one happy outcome-the windows were washed! As our teachers were beginning to know us pretty well now, they were deprived of the pleasures of meeting our parents for fear of the ensuing conver- sation. We were enjoying ourselves tremendously When, with a sudden jolt, we heard that next week would be EXAMS l Forgotten notebooks