Aquinas Institute - Arete Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

Page 18 text:

Rochester Catholic High School CLASS OFFICERS President, Thomas Sercu Vice President, Felix Clossey Secretary, Laurine Redmond Treasurer, Helen Daly The Class Prophecy S .T had been a beautiful day, and in southern France, unusually y warm, even for February, and it was now drawing to a close. k° The sun, a ball of scarlet flame, had just dropped into the sea, v as it were, and had left it a mass of liquid gold. From my room in the hotel, I looked on for a long time enraptured and loath to leave such a beautiful scene, but finally forced myself away to do a little reading. A New York newspaper lay on a table near-at-hand, and I picked it up and unconcernedly looked it over. I came across an article in which my old home city—Rochester—was mentioned. It stirred up memories fourteen

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Senior Annual, Nineteen Fourteen Reminiscences Senior Commercial Department—1914. S HE utterance of the word “Farewell” is the birth of memories. It has always been so; thus it is now. We are swiftly passing a milestone as this significant word falls from our lips and, though there may be a tear in our eye and a doleful plaint on our lips, Time rushes us on, inconsiderately, and Today’s occur¬ rences are Tomorrow ' s reminiscences. It is inevitable. One can scarcely believe that two years have passed—two years of perseverance—two years of the cultivation of love of labor, the harvest of which we now are reaping. We are a Success. That magic word was spelled out in our brain as we toiled, despaired and grew confident in our efforts to attain a higher rate in shorthand. Or was it the type¬ written paper beautiful, or again rapidity of finger operation in the book¬ keeping processes that made success a certainty? We entered the High School, unsophisticated though not ignorant, with a certain indefinite homage for the Seniors and awe of their accom¬ plishments. With wonder in our eyes and confidence in our hearts, we strove to achieve what they have achieved; in other words to limber clumsy fingers to the degree of accuracy necessary to the use of Stenog¬ rapher’s weapons, known as “Stems.” How very ridiculous they seemed at first, formed with much laughter (suppressed). But it is one thing to write and another thing to read what is written. There are few who have not experienced in a lesser or greater degree the glow of victory, and who shall say that our elation, when conquering a difficult transcript, was riot equal in proportion to that enjoyed by the Americans in their victory over Mr. Lind. Adaptability and diligence are handmaidens to Success, but, com¬ bined, they are not equivalent to the mightier force. Religion. We are told that our chief characteristic is piety. Taken collectively we have always endeavored to do as much in that line as could be expected; but individually, there is a marked tendency in a few, more beautiful because of its very intensity. We have all felt the potent influence of Rose’s religious placidity, of Esther’s generous willingness to help another, of Irene’s studiousness; and, what is more, we understand that these qual¬ ities are the children of religious natures. In that short instruction in the morning, that half hour at noon, was taught the Greater Lesson, unforgetable, which will linger always in our memories as no other will. Age will banish from the mind the methods of stenography and bookkeeping but those instructions in Religion are more vital to us and they will endure. thirteen

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Senior Annual, Nineteen Fourteen within me; I wondered how the dear old city looked; how all my friends and classmates, of whom I had not heard in years, were. How time had flown! I could scarcely realize that so many years had passed since I last trod upon my native soil. I confess I had often felt a little homesick and longed for a sight of dear old America. The sound of someone’s calling my name roused me from my reverie, I turned and one of the attendants at the hotel gave me a letter. I studied the handwriting. Where had I seen it before? Surely, it was Gertrude Fleming’s! I has¬ tily broke the seal and read this very interesting letter: Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1925. Dear Frances: No doubt you have often wondered why I have never written you. I lost your address, and now have only come upon it accidentally; so please pardon my seeming neglect. Now, I am going to be a little egotistical, and talk about myself first, as I am sure you wish to know with what success I have met. After graduating from New Rochelle in the class of ' 18, I secured a position in one of the high schools near Rochester. But it did not suit me, so, when a year later, 1 was offered a better position as teacher of German, in the Central High School in New York City, I gladly accepted it and have been there ever since. This is my first visit to Rochester since I secured the position in New York, as our family moved there soon after. The purpose of this visit to Rochester was to attend the Alumni ban¬ quet of the Rochester Catholic High School, which was held last Thurs¬ day, January 28. It was a great success. But I will begin at the begin¬ ning. The association was greatly honored by the presence of Rt. Rev. Bishop Hickey, Rev. Father O’Hern, the Governor of New York State, Jack O’Hara, and the Mayor of Rochester, Karl Staud. After the sump¬ tuous feast was over, the toastmaster, who, bv the way, was Gregory Fur¬ long, now one of Rochester’s leading manufacturers, introduced the speakers of the evening, and among them were some of the members of our class. Thomas Sercu gave an address on “The Success of the Cath¬ olic Business Man,” but as he himself is an example of the successful business man and an ardent church worker, I need say no more. One of Rochester ' s prominent citizens, Chief of Police, Gerald Quigley, who has succeeded his father upon his retiring from office, entertained the company with remarks on the moral standard of the city. I assure you his wit of former days has not left him. After this part of the program was over, Adeline Farrell rendered a violin selection from Mozart. She has won quite a reputation for herself both at home and abroad. Did you not meet her while she was studying music in Berlin? (Yes, I did, and confess I was indeed charmed with her exquisite playing.) Then the Rochester Quartette, which is composed of Albert Beikirch, Charles Napier, John Keenan and Raymond Buckley, sang some very beautiful ballads. These four boys are in the automobile business together. I understand they have a perfect monopoly in the country. Both Bishop Hickey and Father O’Hern addressed the guests, and then all adjourned to the reception room to renew old acquaintances. ftflee