Aquinas Institute - Arete Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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THE ARETE £ruc Spirit The name “Aquinas Institute” represents to its student body more than merely a school. It represents a society of boys intimately associated and united under one common cause, that of obtaining a Catholic education. There exists among its students that mutual friendliness which has proved to be the mortar in the foundation of our success—scholastic, social, athletic. Aquinas accomplishes great things scholastically, but as a division of units it would be doomed to suffer the bitterness of unsuccessful attempts. That which is the common fault of the world today should never penetrate within our hearts. That selfishness and greed which is so prevalent among nations must never enter into our livees. Perhaps we have often meditated on the fact that if unity existed among all men, this world would be a happier planet on which to live. This subject is not merely one for thought, it should be practical not only now but in all the walks of life. Every importance of our school may be given as an example. How much easier would be the lives of teacher and pupil if the pupil would act in unity with his instructor. What has developed Aquinas during the past few years? What has given her basketball teams renown? What has enabled her to erect a new and beautiful housing for her students? The answer is contained in one word, “Cooperation.” Harold Slavin. thirty

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THE ARETE Regent ’ ftfUrtk What is this dirge the students sing? Why their doleful tread? Do they not realize it’s spring When sorrows should be dead? Ah no, indeed, they pay no heed To aught beyond book bindings, For there they seek to gain anew Their pedagogic guidings. No furtive, idle looks are cast As they with problems cope. No matter, though, how black the past, The future still has hope. C. Martin. Jjistorp examination The feelings of a foreigner, landing in this country, unable to speak English and without relative or friends, I should imagine, are very similar to those I experienced during my last history examination. I really didn’t know what it was all about. Of course, I had one advantage over the foreigner who couldn’t speak or understand our language; I at least, know the words before me. But the meaning of the questions, let alone the answers, were so much beyond me as the language, etc., is to the foreigner just arriving here. I think most of the students will agree with me that questions in an examination should be a little clearer and more to the point. The faculty undoubtedly think the answers should be a little clearer and more to the point. But if we give the faculty an idea of an examination to our liking, perhaps they might follow our suggestions. I think the following examination would satisfy a majority of us: 1. What countries participated in the Spanish American war? (15) 2. Who discovered the Hudson river? (15) 3. Whom was the city of Washington named after? (15) 4. In what state is Oklahoma City? . (15) 5. Near what ocean is Atlantic City? (15) 6. Give the date of the War of 1812. (25) twenty-nine Eugene Lester.

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THE ARETE Cl)t Secret of tfje £ree I told the Wind upon the hill To guide my search. It led me up the hallowed rill To the Silver Birch. I heard the tree there whispering A secret old. It nodded to me, beckoning That I behold. The Dryad’s temple thralled me long With sighed refrain Of murmurous melody and song In leafy lane. At the sun-gilt shrine I poured my wine To the fairest flower. The Nymph that made this rapture mine In her woodland bower. Gerald F. Otto. $ 8 $ gforaljam Lincoln anb 3D The main difference between Abraham Lincoln and me is that Lincoln’s works are recognized as brilliant works and duly appreciated while mine for some reason or other are not appreciated. But then, there is some satisfaction for me because it’s a known fact that the works of a great man are never recognized as great until after his death. However, I don’t see why I have to wait so long. I suppose it’ll probably be fifty or seventy-five years before they declare: “Feb. 3, E. F. Lester’s birthday, a national holiday.” A few days ago we were told in class that Lincoln himself thought his Gettysburg address was a poor one and that the people didn’t appreciate it, while the fact was the people were really spellbound by his words and couldn’t applaud him. This encouraged me a lot as that same day I had a paper to hand in that I thought was very poor. On that same basis, my paper will be recognized as a masterpiece. And too, they must still be spellbound by my great work of literature as no one has yet lauded it. But in comparing Lincoln’s works with mine it is only fair to say that in view of the fact that Lincoln accomplished all the great things he did by means of an education obtained under the most arduous circumstances and without any of the advantages that I have had, his works are deserving of the more credit. A great many people won’t agree with me on this point and perhaps they are right, but anyway, even if he isn’t my equal, he certainly was a brilliant man. thirty-one Eugene Lester.