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

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JAN. 1951 F RESHMAN YEAR After months of anticipation and high expectancy, we finally found ourselves approach- ing a new milestone in life. We were actually entering a High School for the first time. We had been told many times by our parents and teachers that this was the place that really prepared us for our future vocations. As we sat in the auditorium of our new school many of us made a solemn pledge that we would try hard to overcome the dimculties that stood in the way of a high school education and eventual graduation. No doubt there were others of us who were too concerned about our new environment at the moment, and thoughts of graduation seemed remote, indeed. Our new principal, Mr. Williams, greeted us very cordially and made us feel at home immediately. This helped to make our first impressions very favorable. We had been told that in high school llthey treat you like men-not like kids?' We realized this soon after we heard several of the teachers and councillors speak. They informed us of the duties, respon- sibilities and privileges that high school students have . . . and they sounded pretty reasonable. A few weeks after the term started we learned of the many school activities. These in- cluded the Student Government groups tStudent Association, Student Patrol and Student Courtl; school newspaper, school band, student dances and many others. Sports, we found out, played a big part in Ben Franklin,s program. While a few of the holder freshmen joined in some of these activities, most of us were content to bide our time until we were more acclimated. For the time being, we settled down to our studies and took life seriously. Un- fortunately, some of the boys felt they could slide through easily. These were the lads who dropped out of the picture in a year or two. SOPHOMORE YEAR We returned to school for our sophomore year with much more confidence. Those of us who had survived the first yearis test, were prepared to take in stride anything that might face us in our second year. In fact, so confident were we that we looked down on the incom- ing Freshman. Our circle of friends expanded and we began to participate in the schoolis activities with enthusiasm and understanding. Many in our class joined the various athletic teams and some of them made city-wide reputations as fine athletes. By joining student groups we saw Democracy in action. We realized that it takes the help, cooperation and participation of all concerned to make demo- cratic government work. We were learning it through real life incidents right here in Franklin High. Our assemblies, just as in our Freshman year, continued on a high cultural plane. Some of the finest artists performed for us. We were being exposed to the finer things in life and we enjoyed them. Celebrities in all fields came to our school to entertain us. Definitely a feeling of pride for Ben Franklin was creeping into us. We took our subject marks more seriously than during our previous year. By this time some of us had our sights set on college and we knew that our scholastic achievements were a determining factor on whether we would or would not go to college. J UNIOR YEAR The time had come for us to consider the eRect school would have on our future voca- tions. We were no longer anxious about the outcome of our stay at Franklin. Instead, we were inspired by the nearness of graduation to put forth our greatest etforts. We began to think in term of careers and in some cases, institutions of higher learning. Some of the boys had become prominent members of the school newspaper, the iiJunto, sponsored by the ever-popular and well-liked Mr. Rosenberg. Others were on our great basket- ball team-the first in the history of Franklin High School to reach the Public High Cham- pionship Play-olfs. Under the able leadership of Coach Sam Browne. our team gained an impressive record of fifteen wins and three losses. Especially noteworthy was its outstand- ing sportsmnnship.

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CLASS PULL Most popular .......................................... JAMES JENKINS Most active in school afairs ............................. WILLIAM CODY Best dancer ....................................... RICHARD HAWKINS Shows best school spirit ............................. ALVIN HONIGMAN Quietest .................................................. RANSOM LEE Loudest ............................................ EDWARD DRESNIN Sleepiest ............................................. WARDLAW HALL Best loafer ........................................ CLINTON MITCHELL Most probable bachelor .............................. HARVEY MORTON Most likely to succeed .................................. WILLIAM CODY Best athlete ........ .. . .' .................................. JAMES JENKINS Most talkative . . .. .................................... HARVEY THOMAS Most studious ........................................... PETER KOTOS Best dressed ......................................... CHARLES TAYLOR Best politician ....................................... , . .WILLIAM CODY Most handsome ...................................... CHARLES TAYLOR Who thinks he is most handsome ........................ CHARLES SMITH Wittiest ....... ..... ..................................... DUDLEY VICK Best lover ............................................. JAMES JENKINS Best cutter ........................... ................. CARL SHELDON Who is out to lick the world ........................ NATHAN SPELLMAN F avorite school study ............................. ............. ENGLISH Most disliked study ................................ HUMAN RELATIONS F avorite teacherLd ........ MR. BLUM, MR. ELIASSON, MR. ROSENBERG Most desirable companion on a desert isle ...................... MY GIRL

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Leon Hymovitz proved to be an eHicient president of the Student Association. In November of 1950 Mr. Williams, our principal until this time, was replaced by our present principal, Dr. I. L. Horowitz. We were indeed fortunate in having two such fine men as the head of our school. To Mr. Williams we wish lots of success on his new post as principal of the Lincoln High School. To Dr. Horowitz, who has shown time and again that he has the best interests of Franklinis students at heart, we also wish the best of fortune and that he enjoys his stay at Franklin. We also regretted the departure of kindly Mr. Jones, former head of the English Department. He, too, went to Lincoln in the same capacity. To Mr. Jones and other members of our faculty who left with him we wish lots of good luck. As the Senior Year approached we became more and more concerned with our scholastic achievement. We determined to make our last lap the best one. SENIOR YEAR Anxieties and fears concerning graduation were gradually replaced by enthusiastic hopes for the future. To this end we were more determined than ever to complete our high school career in a blaze of success. Dr. Horowitz proved worthy of the respect, admiration and friendship of every boy in the school. He inspired us to accept the duties and responsibilities that go hand in hand with the last year men. During our summer vacation we were all saddened to learn the terrible news of the outbreak of war on the little known island of Korea. Little did we realize how this would aEect our destinies. Some of our students volunteered to offer their services to Uncle Sam immediately. Others deemed it wise to return and complete their high school education. Quite a few of our former students have already made the supreme sacrifice. Others are in the army and we are sure they will give a good account of themselves. We are indeed proud of these boys from Franklin-of their courageous deeds in the field of battle. We were honored to have as our guest in assembly a former Franklinite who had seen action in Korea and had been awarded a medal for bravery under fire. Despite having been wounded five times his morale was still high. On the brighter side we witnessed our football team coming into its own. The team fought its way up to the top of the standings by playing superb football. Not until the last game of the season with Bok were we eliminated from the championship. James Jenkins and Herb Fisher were signally honored by being named on the All-Public High Team. School spirit was especially high during the football season. For the first time in its history 'the boys of Franklin put on a gala show. Under the fine direction of Mr. Fox and Mr. Brown we astonished many people of Philadelphia with a wonderful performance in a musical called iiAmerica Sings? The cast was almost entirely students from our school with the seniors playing a prominent part. The show played for three nights with people from all walks of life attending. They all gave generous praise. It was really a finished performance. Many of us really didn't realize our capabilities until this time. For this opportunity pf both performing and watching we are grateful to all those who had anything to do with the show. Bill Cody, our Student Association president, added further laurels to our school when he was chosen best of representatives from all the high schools in Philadelphia in an oratorical and original essay contest. In addition to winning a four-year scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, through his winning of this contest, our school was given a fine television set. Our basketball team looks even hotter than last year. At the present writing it has a fine record. Even after we go we will be rooting for it to win the championship. Already some of the boys have made up their minds to enter the various branches of the armed services. The fine spirit that was engendered during our stay at Franklin will serve us well as fighting men. A number will continue their education in college while still another group will enter the field of industry. Wherever our paths may lead, we will always remember our teachers, our fellow class- mates and the line friendships that were formed here at Franklin. We can honestly say we have grown educationally, spiritually and socially.