Benjamin Franklin High School - Electron Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Page 27 I One of the biggest things this school ever did was that it contributed to the government scrap metal drive. If we were able to bring in enough metal to equal the weight of the planes which Mr. Joe Campbell and Mr. Tom Buck had planned to donate to the scrap drive, we were to receive those planes for our aeronautics course. You never saw such a sight as the way the fellows responded. We greatly exceeded our quota and we were even commended by the government for our fine work. That just goes to show you what the school can do it it has enough incentive. Since Dr. Michener had left us the school found itself without a. principal. After officiating for a term as acting principal, Mr. Williams was officially given the post of principal of the school. If you want my opinion, a better choice could not have been made. Of course, since he has a pretty big job on his hands as principal, Mr. Williams couldn't remain as football coach. Therefore, Mr. Belotf took over the job. INSTALLMENT V - 12A It ieels good being in 12A. It gives you a feeling of being in a special class, a sort of privileged character. When I walk through the halls, I can look down my nose at the freshmen and sophomores and say consolingly, Don't worry, sons, you'll be a senior some day. When it comes to music, I generally prefer something a little swingy , but when Marian Anderson song here in assembly, I couldn't do anything but sit there and listen. That lady can sing. You know, there's nothing I enjoy more than a good dance, and the two we had with William Penn were really all right. The most popular record was Mr. Five by Five and it was really swinqy. Our reputation in fencing is still high, for this year we won the cham- pionship again. After ending the season in a three-way tie, our team beat Central in the play-otfs to take the title. Harry Vaz and Manuel Krachman won the City Championship matches. INSTALLMENT VI e 123 Well, it won't be long now. In just a few days I'll be graduated. I wonder if I'm really glad. Of course, I have the natural desire to leave school and see what I can do on my own, but I think I'm a little afraid of what I may find on the outside. I wonder if in, say, two or three years, all of us Will not wish we were back in school. Of all the terms to be remembered, the 12B term is foremost. Not be- cause of the routine activities and occurences e the inaugural assembly, the very successful S. A. drive, the coming to school at 8:15, the collaboration with William Penn -- not those things. What I treasure most are the friends I have made, friendships which will not be forgotten with the termination of the graduation exercises, the encouragement of the teachers in their efforts to equip us with the armor necessary to ward off life's blows, and the words at advice and the patient guidance of Mr. Williams and Mr. Hamm. Eating lunch at Ches's or G.B.'s , participating in the school sports and school government, hearing the school band, going to football or basket- ball games, rushing to finish homework at the beginning of the period, getting soaked for money, reading the Iunto, ducking Hangman Boerckel are never-to-be-forqotten experiences. 1944

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m. Martin S johndon My clear z'iencld 0X tAe graoluah'ng Cfadd: YOU are about to step forth into a great unknown e a chaotic world whose problems seem insoluble to our poor finite minds. Some of you will undoubtedly be engaged in winning the war; you may even be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. From my knowledge of you I am confident that you will do your duty under all conditions. To those of you tand I hope it will be by far the greater numberl who will contribute to the winning of the world's new peace, I wish to offer the reminder that real peace can be attained only by the exercise of friendliness, brother- hood, unselfishness, and the practical application of the dear old forgotten Golden Rule. Let us really believe firmly that if we do consider the other fellow, it we do realize that our own personal liberties end where our brother man's liberties begin, we shall know what the true meaning of freedom is, and we shall at least have done our best individually toward the prevention of another cataclysm such as this that has cursed our generation. 80 I bid you farewell, and may God go With you into a noble, useful and consecrated life. MARTIN S. lOHNSON.