Augustinian Academy - Augustinian Yearbook (Staten Island, NY)

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FOUR YEARS In September, 1950, a group of new arrivals was welcomed 1950 at the Academy. Our high school training had begun. We 1951 attacked many new subjects such as Latin, Algebra, and Bi- ology with great eagerness. Before we knew it, the brilliant colors of autumn had faded into ice and snow and we began to feel at home within the walls of Mount Saint Rita, Our Christmas vacation came and wentg soon we were sub- jected to our first real test of mastery in the form of the mid-year examina- tions. The second half of the year proved just as exciting and interesting, as we strove ever onward toward that ultimate goal, our senior year. The months sped quickly by, and just as the world comes alive refreshed and new after the winter, so we returned from our Easter vacation. Suddenly, before our glossy eyes and tired brains, our long-awaited summer vacation appeared and our first year in high school was over. This year helped us to know our classmates better, and to select those who, as class officers, would lead us in our various activities. John Duddy was elected President, Robert Brennan, Vice-president, Arthur Johnson, Secretary, and John Murphy, Treasurer. Moreover, many future stars of the athletic field began to shine, such as Tom Walsh, John Hagemann, Zeph McLean, Al Ziccardi, John Duddy, and George Whitfield. We were confident of many vic- tories in later years. The exalted position was finally reached. The thrill of hold- 1951 ing the reins of authority was evident on our eager faces as 1952 we returned to Mount St. Rita to commence the sophomore year in our scholastic endeavors. Caesar's battles and Geometry with its angles, figures, and theorems, were at first greeted by a confused but determined class. But as the year passed, problems and translations in these subjects became comparatively easy, be- cause of the kindness and patience of our instructors. This year also saw a new addition to our class, Marshall Halphen from Malvern. For class President, we chose Robert Brennan, Vice-president, Bill Faixg the offices of Secretary and Treasurer were filled by Louis Correard and John Murphy, respectively. In the field of sports, several valuable key players were outstanding once more, such as Tom Walsh, Gerald LeMole, John Duddy, Zeph McLean, and Kenneth Saccarog their achievements in base- ball and basketball helped to round out a successful year. Glowing with satisfaction at the completion of our final exams we realized our second year at the Academy had cbme to a close. In the following se- mester, the honors and responsibilities of upper- classmen were to be ours. 10

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Catholic Education points out the way to live in harmony with the Will of God and at peace with one's fellow men. SENHIH

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IN RETROSPECT Entering our junior year in September 1952, we tackled our 1952 subjects with renewed vigor. Time passed swiftly as we 1953 probed into such topics as Cicero's Orations and conquered the forces of gravity with our simples machines of Physics. Suddenly the Christmas season drew on, before we knew it we were back in school start- ing a new year after the mid-term examinations. Time marched on, slowly but surely. Then around Easter, during the Holy Season of Lent, many students in the school began a new course of study. Every afternoon, floodlights blazed and actors practiced under the direction of Rev. Donald L. Williams. The last week of school before the Easter vacation found everything prepared, and two performances of a version of The Passion Play was produced on our stage. Then we retired to our . vacation with the real meaning of Easter and Christ lingering in our minds. When we returned, two new problems awaited us. With the final exams only a few months away, studies became of the utmost importance. Mean- while, the form of the Gaudeamus slowly took shape, as we awaited our turn to bid farewell to our upper- classmen. The exams came and went with many a headache, and at last we staged the farewell, real- izing that upon our return from the welcomed sum- mer vacation, we would face our final year in high school. Well, the goal finally has been reached - Seniors at last. Who 1953 could forget that September ? We had arrived at a year that 1954 was full of privileges and duties. The class officers for the year were: Gerald LeMole, Presidentg Robert Brennan, Vice-president: Alfred Ziccardi, Secretaryg John McLean: Treasurer. The Student Council had Louis Correard for President and Kenneth Saccaro as Vice-president. The same enthusiasm that characterized us in previous years in the field of sports was evident again. Varsity berths on Father Fenton's basketball team were ably filled by our senior athletes. With happiness we approached the day of graduation and another step for- ward in our education: but down deep in our hearts were we really happy? We could say that we were proud to have been graduated, perhaps that word might have expressed our feelings. Yet, in the words of Shakespeare: Parting is such sweet sor- row . We will leave the Academy: many of us will continue on together to the priesthood, while others of our class will enter various professions: still-- we are leaving the Mount and it is-- sweet sor- row . ll , ,W ,mmm