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

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J. M. Essay Contest Winners Recently the literary talents of our students were brought express it in the best way possible. The judges finally se to light in an essay contest. Many entries expressed ideas lected seven of the outstanding entries which are certai on a variety of subjects ranging from the art of reading to provide interesting reading for our students. We presen to Sputnik. For a few days there was a scurrying of pens the winning essays below for your enjoyment. and papers as each girl tried to hunt up a good idea and BABYSITTING by Sheila Vandercar The girl who says that babysitting is an easy way to earn money either needs her head examined, babysits for ra children, or has the ability to cast a spell on them. I am one of the many victims of the unfortunate task of babysittii as a source of income. Proof of my bad fortune is my experience with the Nelson children who are very well acquainted with me, and w. find pleasure in torturing me. I don't mind when two year old Billy bites my legs till they are raw, or when five yei old Kathy, who loves to play hairdresser, nearly scratches me bald. But when the nine year old boy, who is almost big as I am, decides to use me as a punching bag, the only consolation is the seemingly small fee of two dollars az fifty cents at the end of the evening. Although I must admit some children are good, they are truly an exception to the rule. One such exception is t, child across the street who never is seen or heard all night, but wl1o presents another problem instead--his parents. Th' stay out until the wee hours of the morning and expect to see you up and jumping around instead of being prostrate 1 the couch futilely fighting sleep. It may seem that I have stated only the misfortlmes of this occupation, but the merits and rewards are few, exce for the generosity of the proud parents. Other topics I have avoided are rules and helpful hints. We are all acquaint. with the rules of proper babysitting and my helpful hints prove useless in most cases. ' This evening I have been babysitting for such sweet children. Bless their souls! They asked me to play prison so innocently became the criminal and am paying my debt to society by spending three hours in the pantry. Oh! Here is the locksmith now! THE IMPORTANCE OF READING by Carolyn Suarez Man is educated in some way by every person with whom he comes in contact, every picture he sees, every wo he reads. The result of this education may not be immediately evident. Some thoughts or impressions, formed wht conversing with others, watching a motion picture, or reading a novel may lie dormant in the subconscious mind for long period of time. The important fact is that, even though it is not obvious, we, as social human beings, are affected by other peoplf ideas and are educated by them. But, since it is impossible for most of us to increase our knowledge in all fields 1 direct contact with those fields, it is important to read material on divers subjects in order to broaden the intellect an become a useful member of society. Books put us in touch with all types of people, places and situations. Good books are keys to unlimited learning a: he who has acquired good reading habits has access to almost infinite knowledge. THE CASE OF: SPUTNIK VERSUS FREEDOM by Kathryn Estill Today the United States is engaged in a desperate struggle for what may determine the future of the Free Wor On Friday, October 9, 1957, the Soviet Union threw into an orbit, to circle the earth, the first man-made satelli This sounds very dull and unimportant in print to those who do not realize the great effect it had on foreign relation A weekafter Sputnikwas launched, the Syrian crisis burst into full bloom, and Syria was soon an ally in good stan! ing of Soviet Russia. Though it is true that the launching of Sputnik by Russia was a great blow to our prestige, I not believe that this was the only blow. There were many other reasons, the main one of which was our handling the Israeli--Egyptian Crisis of last year. This is the reason l believe the launching of the satellite only added anottl log to the fire which made it burn more brightly. Ibelieve that in a sense it is good that the Russians sent up Sputnik when they did. That little ball made of alum num and instruments, without a mind or a soul, accomplished what hundreds of men have been trying to do ever sin the end of World War II, that is to make the American people aware of the danger threatened by Russia. From the e of the second world war until 1950 we sat back supremely content in the thought -that we were the best and most a vanced nation in the world. We constantly ignored, or branded as warmongers, the people who tried to warn us of t. inherent danger offered by Russia. We tried to ignore them when they told us that to be truly advanced you must ke on advancing. There is no reason why we cannot and should not keep trying not only to send up our own satellite, b to reach the moon as well. Americans have never given up and this is no time to start. Our European allies do not doubt our capabilities succeed in advanced scientific ventures. So why don't we create another Manhattan Project and show the Russi Bear he hasn't licked us yet. 20

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x V Bishop Scully Blesses SchooI's Main Crucifix May ablessing be upon this place, and may the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit descend upon its teachers and upi1s. This was the prayer of the Church read by Bishop illiam Scully as he blessed and hung the schoo1's main crucifix during the dedication ceremonies. The corpus of the crucifix, a representation of Christ he Priest, seemed to signify that the Bishop 's prayers would e answered. A solitary gesture, the placing of the cruci- fix on the wall of our ultra-modern lounge, was the ful- illment of the hopes and prayers of hundreds of people. t meant that the new Academy of the Holy Names, one of the most beautiful and best equipped high schools in estate, was now ready to undertake its tremendous task f educating future citizens of our country. To the Sisters and the parents of the students who have orked so hard and sacrificed so much for its completion, the school means more than an architect's dream come true. In their eyes, it is an instrument in the Hands of God which He will use to mold the minds and bodies of . is children. It is with this thought in mind that we, the students of today and the women of tomorrow, thank God for His lessings and pray . . .Lord, inspire and guide our works. 19

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BABY SITTING by Lois Prouiy Picture ablonde curly head, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks. What do you have ? It's hard to explain. To his mother is an angel. To you, the sitter, he is a bar to concentration on the stroll, and a laughing hyena when homework essential. Really though, when you see the little darling in bed, all is explained for you. He is an angel--only human with human child's faults--who will someday grow up to be a Casanova in his own right. , You, as his temporary parent, think of what he 'll be like in future years. If you do this, you will not be tempted to ell Mommie on him, but will see him as a priest, a business man, or an entertainer, or perhaps a teen like your- lf, to go through fads and parental disgust, and maybe even babysitting. Mr. MORDUE PLAYS SANTA by Mary Keaveney Mr. Mordue 's lip twitched as he spoke to the sea of faces before him. The boys must be realistic, down to earth. I will not tolerate sentimentality. There is no Santa Claus, no Easter nny, and no good elf to bring a dime when they lose one of their cavity ridden teeth. Truth is essential. Truth and ld facts. No one contradicted him and no one dared. He was the headmaster and great grandmother Mordue was paying the lls for the orphanage. Mordue rose heavily, quite satisfied with himself, and left the cold room which typified him. As he walked down e hall a small lame figure approached him. It was Timmy Delaney. His father was of no account, his mother, too sy to be bothered with the crippled boy who was her son. The boy spoke, Sir, Mister Mordue, I found a present under the tree. lt had my name on it, my own name. Sir, ister Mordue, did Mommy or Daddy sent it? I know they did. They love me and it's Christmas. All mommys and ddys who love their children send them presents. They did send it, didn 't they? It was more of a plea than a question. Mordue looked into the tear stained face. Boy, I will not tolerate senti- entality. Stop that infernal crying. His mind could grasp only one word, 'truth.' He glanced around. No one was sight. No one would know if he told a lie. His voice faltered. He couldn't do it. Well, boy, if you must know, e present was from the local fire department. As he sat in his office later, he could not help seeing the boy as he sobbed and tried to run down the hall. Mordue ned on the intercom. I-le spoke sharply, Grace, call Macy's. Have them send up a cowboy hat and guns, some oks and candy to the Delaney boy. Have them sign the card, 'With love, Mommy and Daddy.' Oh! Grace, if you y one word to anyone, you are fired. AIMS OF AHNers by Mary Lib Chelius ear Students, An aimor a goal in life is thought about by everyone at one time or another. When we were young, we were quite re we would be nothing less than movie stars or famous heroines. But our bubble burst just as soon as we began look- g at things with a truer vision. Then we tried to discover what we really wanted to be. Most of us soon found out here our talents would lead us. Then we sat back and expected miracles to happen just by blinking our eyes. This l took place in our freshman or sophomore year when our dream seemed so far away. Why start so early to prepare r the future ? After all, we argued, we have loads of time, so why get seribus now? The two remaining years spedby so fast that graduation was upon us before we realized it. We smiled as we received diplomas, but we were weeping inside because now it was too late to realize that each and every day's work and mework counted a million times more than we had anticipated. Take it from me students, each day spent doing small daily tasks, fulfilling each assignment faithfully will build r you a solid foundation which will make a stepping stone for your future aspirations. Yours truly, A 1945 Graduate REVIVAL AFTER THE STORM by Susan Maron Have you ever watched a street come to life immediately after a storm? Silent and deserted a few minutes before, 'is suddenly reoccupied by all who have been forced to take hurried shelter. First come a few stray cats. Where they ve been during the downpour nobody seems to know, but they now parade disdainfully into the open, skirting puddles dsniffingthe air in a suspicious manner. An earsplitting scream announces the arrival of a dozen children who race t of their homes like prisoners released from temporary confinement. They tumble into the nearest puddles where ey splash contentedly until warning threats from various upstairs windows force them to dry land. By this time a few usewives have ventured out on a postponed shopping tour. They squint suspiciously at the sky and argue with them- lves about taking umbrellas. Finally the birds swoop cautiously down and drink greedily from their private reservoirs, lthe while keeping a wary eye cocked for their feline enemies. Gradually the street assumes its usual busy appear- ce as if no storm had ever interfered with its familiar routine. 21