Academy of the Holy Names - JM Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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Stars Light, Stars Bright, Bring Success To Us One Night by Mary Lib Chelius Just as our thoughts turned to Christmas and gifts, the Mothers Aux- iliary had in our school gumnasium the once never heard of, but now fa- mous, Star Shoppe . Within two days our everyday gym was transformed in- to a festive, glamourous display of everything one could desire for a dif- ferent or unusual Christmas gift. A- side from the gift displays our thought- ful mothers arranged a fun and frolic shop for the small fry. They also had the foresight to prepare a booth called Under the Christmas tree . This, too,was very popular with the younger members of our group who were able to purchase pretty and practical gifts with their hoarded nickles and dimes. The gaily wrapped packages were priced within their Christmas budget and there was fun for all in opening these surprises. One of our prettiest booths was apt ly named Christmas Glamor . This table had an eye-catching display of Christmas greens beautifully ar- ranged by our mothers. I'm quite sure all our homes were never more gaily decorated, judging by the line ofgirls waiting to purchase those lovely greens. There was also a display of ador- able Christmas dolls and toys to de- light the heart of any believer in Santa Claus. Thatjolly gent would have been verymuch surprised to see this booth of toys, behind which stood the moth- erly-looking elves who handled the booth. The Star Shoppe also featured many examples of the fine needle work and artwork which, we know, must have taken weeks of careful preparation. Our students were amazed to discover the hidden talent possessed by our ii be ..,,, - - ,

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Welcome To The King by Mary Anne Britt Retreat closed at a very appro- priate time this year, the beginning of Advent. This was the perfect time to put the many resolutions made at Retreat into practice. The true spirit of Christmas be- came a living part of each girl's life, both spiritually and materially. This new zeal which the Retreat had im- parted helped everyone to realize that Christmas is Christ's Birthday. lt is not merely the giving and the receiving of gifts but truly the giving and receiv- ing of the tiny Babe in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. It was up to each girl to prepare her heart for the Prince of Peace. From the very first day of Advent a change could be seen in the school. The classrooms and the altar of Our Lady in Chapel were graced with Ad- vent wreaths to remind each one of the blessedness of this season. Every girl began to live these weeks with Mary, eagerly awaiting the birth of her Di- vine Son. The tasks which were un- dertaken at this time were done for the love of the Infant King Who would soon reign in the hearts of men. The joy in the hearts of AHN'ers must have found its echo in the lives of many of Christ's poor whom they helped during this season. Gifts, food, and clothing were collected and dis- tributed to institutions and needy fam- ilies. Their Christmas preparations took on new meaning when they thought of the happiness their efforts would bring into the lives of those less for- tunate than they. On December sixteenth, as school closed, each Academy girl promised that she would spend the remaining time- before Christmas in union with Christ. Finally, at Christmas Mass, Christ was welcomed into joyful and grateful hearts as the long awaited Guest for Whom all these preparations had been lovingly made. Because of their gen- erosity Christ in turn gave Himself to His children, on this the Birthday of a King.

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their teachers . ma's for, making beautiful aprons and creating original ideas in fabric. A clever piece of work was the cute AHN change purses in the s.chool colors. Even prospective high school students purchased these to show their friends that someday they too would be at Holy Names. We are proud to say that some of the students were able to contribute some of their handiwork and we were delighted to learn that our efforts lwhich, b y t he way, were lav- ishly decorated match boxesi were in great demand by the public. The religious booth had a beau- tiful assortment of very attractive merchandise. We know for sure that it was appreciated because it was noticed that a great number of girls had new rosaries and shiny new medals and chains that spoke for themselves. We must not forget to mention the mouth watering cake and candy booth which was certainly popular with us ev e r - hung ry school girls. I just couldn't resist it , was the cry when we walked into our homes with the de- licious cakes we brought for dessert. To add to all this, there was a cof- fee shop which seemed to have a pop- ular appeal to both the weary workers and the eager people who came to ad- mire and purchase goods in the shop. Yes, the Star Shoppe was cer- tainlyamost successful adventure and a very substantial profit was made. We all enjoyed the Star Shoppe but most of all we were proud of our ta- lented mothers who worked so hard and tirelessly to help us and our school. , Something New Has Been Added Thanks Are Due by Margaret Chrisioff Good morning,girls. The voice of Sister Su- perior came from the smallbox mounted on the wall. At last our new public address system was in opera- tion. Preparation for this event had been going on for some time. For quite a few days ladders and stools of various kinds were seen around the school. The noise of the electric drill even interrupted several classes,to the delight of the girls and the dismay of by Mrs. William A. Glavln For the first time in ten years we, The Moth- ers' Auxiliary of the A- c ad emy of the Holy Names , took our courage in our hands and decided to have a Christmas Fair, to be called the Star Shoppe. It worked. It w a s a n overwhelming This public address sy s tem , donated by the Mothers' Auxiliary, was immediately put to good use. .lust before Christ- mas the Senior Class pre- s e n t e d a Nativity play, No R oom at the Inn . The whole school was able to listen to this entertain- ment without the incon- venience of an assembly. Shortly after the beginning of the New Year, Sister Anna of Mary presented a tape recording of the life ofMother Mary Rose, the foundress and first super- ior of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Right up to the- pre- senttime the public add- ress system has saved time and eliminated the inc onvenience of sending pupils to various classes to check such things as the First Saturday at- tendance. v We have also re- ceived a gift of a press camera. This camera has already been used to take pictures of various events and moments to be remembered for the yearly paper as well as for distribution among the girls. It has already proved its worth, as you can see by glancing through these pages. So watch out, Times -Union, for some up and coming competition. 24 success. Everyone co- operated - from the Mothers who worked so hard to make it outstand- ing and original - to the students and friends who bought our wares -and to the Sisters who as- sisted us in a hundred different ways. So to all who helped so graciously we owe our sincere thanks for making our project so w onderful and so profitable. From noon 'tilnine on Decem- ber the ninth we made over three thousand dol- lars. Nice going every- body! Let's do it again.