Albany High School - Prisms Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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Life Begins at '40 THIS is an age of hurry, an age of having things done for us or doing them ourselves with greatest speed. In this hurried life, where few people take time in which to reflect, it is well to have someone glance back for us-glance back at our school life, our childhood and youth. In 1927 the majority of our graduating class started school and after having com- pleted a year of what we were told was kindergarten, we were advanced to the first of our twelve grades. This was, perhaps, one of the first instances where the school authorities confused us-putting us in the first grade in our second year of school. Since then we have become used to being fooled by dates, years, and times in school- might I mention Sunday Day and Satur- day Night as examples? Many of the commencement participants did not start their school life in Albany, many who started with us failed to stay. We have among our number not only people foreign to Albany but foreigners to America. Russia, Germany, Turkey, and Scotland are among the countries having representatives in the Class of '4o. Sifting through various grammar schools, getting more assimilated at the junior high schools, parting in the annex and main building for our first high-school life, and finally joining in Albany High School for our eleventh school year! So runs the course of an A. H. S. class. Classes before us went through the process and following classes will run the same gauntlet. Some members fall by the wayside, some leave us for other parts, and some are added, but at last we emerge as a unit in preparation for our sheepskin. The history of the Class of '40, Albany High School, as a class, began on june 5, IQQQ. It was then that organization was begun by the nomination of class officers. After a few days, the actual elections were held and then the class dissolved during the summer vacation of 1939. When in September, 1939, we reported for thc beginning of the end, we had our first glimpse of senior life. For years we had E 5' ini thought of the days when we would be pre- paring for graduation, and now, at long last, they were here. Upon our work in the next ten 1no11tl1s we should rise or fall. In the world of scholastic sports, we have had our share of honors and thrills. Our last year at A. I-I. S. found us with good teams in all sports. Losing two football games was compensated for by again shutting out our traditional rivals, C. B.A. We did our part in keeping tl1e whitewash on the Brothers, and as we leave school they have yet to score on an A. H.S. football team. In basket- ball, we could once more point to the team with pride. VVe won more than our share of games and our last game with V. I. will long be remembered even though we lost it in an overtime period by two points. Track and baseball also brought their thrills and wins. Perhaps the sorest spot in our class anatomy is that place in our hearts reserved for drainatics. During our first year at high school the Dramatics Club had a fine coach. Then he left us and, although there was a coach for a time in our eleventh year, we were without a coach for a good share of our senior year. VVhen we did acquire the services of one, time was too short and only two productions for our benefit were pro- duced by the club. These were comedies, The Lost Elevator and 'fThe Trysting Place, acted out in a Wednesday assembly. Literally the Senior Class is well blessed. The daily Patroon Bulletin has yet to miss a school day. Our GARNET AND GRAY is sure not to bring disgrace to anyone. A few inci- dents in connection with the Patroon that happened during our year were the printing 011 a new multigraph duplicator, a new and standard head, and the appearance of a three-column set-up. Again in our senior year the band and orchestra were among the finest in the State. We have all felt appreciation at some time for tl1e fine playing of these organiza- tions. Much had been put in music at our school and it has been well invested-both time and money. Perhaps one of the features of the year in regard to the band was the appearance of baton twirlers at the football THE GARNET AND GRAY

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games. Although the girls were not seniors, it was something new to us. With more elaborate costumes and greater experience, the twirlers should become one of the finest units in the State, just as our band and orchestra have become such with only a scratch start. A feature of Albany High School is its literary societies. Both the boys' and girls' societies do much toward literary and social life in the school. Those of us who ever attended one of the society dances will long remember it. In our senior year these dances were particularly fine. School history was made in regard to them. Since the begin- nings of the societies, Philodoxia and Theta Alpha had been regarded as brother and sister, with a like relation between Philologia and Theta Sigma. This last year, however, Alpha and 'Logia joined to present their dance, and Sigma co-operated with 'Doxia. A precedent was broken and a new one instituted. Will we ever forget some of the audi- torium programs presented to us on VVednes- day mornings in high school? We took our share of call downs fremeniber the last C. B. A. game?j, we listened to a share of encouragement speeches, and we received our share of warnings. But on the whole the programs were interesting, entertaining, and informative. For the iirst time, the Science Club presented a demonstration in relation to its work. Hope was then expressed that in future years each club or organization could present a program to the student body. Another outstanding chapel program was a talk by the great runner, Glen Cunningham. ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL 1Q4O Perhaps a few of our high-school fads will bear remembering. Our days were the days of the jitterbug, days of slave bracelets and junk jewelry. Sport clothes were in vogue. Saddle and slipper shoes, sport jackets and more sport jackets as well as numerous other sporting ensembles appeared. Con- fucius say was the international password in our last year, and no one without a library of these sayings was socially correct. Some were funny, others not told in the best of company, but everyone used them. And so we have traversed the path of grammar and high-school life. For some this is the end of formal schooling, the greatest scholastic triumph in life. Others of us will continue and supplement our education with a rich college training. For all it is a milestone in life-one successfully passed. From here we continue better equipped than when we started, more eager to accept responsibility. Where do we go? Some to college, some to work, some to fame, some to oblivion. just as we started some years ago, all separated, so we will end, all in different ports and occupations. But no matter how we have fared, no matter what we shall or do achieve, no matter where we go, and no matter what hap- pens, for better or for worse, we will remember our days spent in Albany High School. We have left our mark on the school and the school leaves its mark on us. We have gotten out of the school just what we put in. But again I say, we will not forget our life here no matter how short or long a time we spent in these halls. RALPH FREDERICK lzgl 'fart