Bennett High School - Beacon Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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Senior Class Prophecy Winston Morrow Morrow-Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This year, 1942, will see another class graduate from Bennett High School. This class will go on to college, getfrichfquick in a defense plant, or serve our nation in the armed forces. On this day, as in past years, one person has been designated to prophesy the future of his class' mates. But 1942 is no ordinary year in our lives, or in the life of our nation. The future is even more uncertain because our crystal ball was draft' ed by government priorities. At any rate, these unusual times have changed everything around- even the prophecy. This year we have condensed 36Ofodd predictions into eight composite forms wherein each person may well identify himself. To these types or case examples we will add a background, character development as well as prophesy. So now, with things equalized, we can proceed . . . 'Mystery lady flits across stage. . . . . . Yes, we can proceed. 'Footlights go out at this point. . . . . . Now prepare yourselves for the ordeal which is to follow. We take you to a farfoff atmosphere, to some ethereal point beyond the perception of fool's eyes. Hold your seats tightly, look about you, see that you are among friends . . . . . ffadeoutj . . and be quiet. 'Spot goes out. House in total darkness. Back' stage an organ begins playing weird melody which floats over audience via public address system. Orange spot flashes on curtain centered about halffway from top. Spot moves occasion' ally, never clearly identified with any section of centerfcurtain sector. Spot is timed with mystery voice which speaks from behind curtain over backfstage microphone. Mystery Voice-Heh, heh, heh, heh. Perhaps you don't recognize me, but I know everyone of you. Heh, heh, heh, heh. I suppose that you wonder where I am. Well, I'm everywhere. Heh, heh. Observe closely the events which are to follow for therein the naked eve can perceive the pattern of things to come. f 'Clash of cymbalsj . . . . . Heh, heh. I..et's see, who can tell us the future? What is there beyond that first horif zon in the land of tofmorrow? Wouldn't you like to know? Of course you would. Where is the answer to our riddle of the future? Ah, perhaps they who were hrst, they who were second, and the spirits of all those classes that have gone before us, can give us the answer. I shall summon the spirits of yesterday. 'Clash of cymbals. Center spot disappears. House in total darkness. Spot of light blue instantly fixes on stagefright curtain where mystery stands. Mystery Lady-Spiligits of yesterday, we ask of t ee, What upon the morrow is to be. 'Spot disappears, there is a clash of cymbals, spot reappears on stagefleft curtain where skeleton stands. Skeleton-That which was can ne'er be overdone, That which is to be, is now begun. 'Ghosts come in single line, sixteen strong, across center of stage. Mystery lady then strides across stagefleft to stagefright. As lady strides by, ghosts consecutively whistle and tum head in her direc- tion. Mystery Voice-In one respect, they're all the same. 'At this point, Ghosts go into song and dance rouf tine-A dead man's Ballet Russe. joker steps through curtain break and up to microphone. joker-Which one of you guys will let me know, How things in the future are gonna go? 'He points to ghosts who only bow their heads in order. . . . . Now gentlemen, an answer if you please, I beg of you here on bended knees. . . . . Boys, a word from you might very well be, the key to a needed prophecy. 'Ghosts merely gesture helplessly with their hands. . . . . My friends, a little help this time, For I have finished this petty rhyme. 'Ghosts then huddle and come right back this time with heads up high. ....Well? Ghosts In Unison-O.K.! joker-Fine! Now by the light of your experif ence, just what is going to happen to the Glass of 42? What are they going to be doing? Where are they ,going to be? s si s Page II QQ , A I I f

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KEN Salutatory Robert Stroman Pr5 discipulig discessuris ex hae schola hcfc diQ quem iam diu exspectamus, vqs salutamus. Nostrcis parentes, qugs carissimfns tenemus, nostrqs praecept5res, qui n5s duxerunt et per hes quattuor annfns ncbi auxilium dedimus et nostrgs condiscipulqs, quibuscum laboravimus et lusimus, maxime salutare volumus. Primum Magister Spear, quinostram scholam hae difiicilitempore gubernas, ta maxime salutamus. Ad Magistrum Farrar nostras optimas voluntates mittere volumus et eius auxilium et ductum grato animo nos semper recordari conf firmamus. N55 omnes apud armatas copias nostrae patriae eum servire quademus. Deinde omnibus prifmribus discipulis Bennettensis scholae, qui nunc pr5 patria pugnant ob mirabilem labgrem, quem terra marique gerunt, hon5rem dare cupimus. Utinam nos, qui ab Bennettensi schola h5c anno discedimus, nostrae patriae similiter servire possimus. Omnibus discipulE et maxime Junioribus, qui nqs sequentur, nos' tram sententiam, Optima Futura , nostrum studium laudis et gloriam nostrae Almae Matris commendamus. Speramus Bennettensi scholae maiorem honfnrem e5s laturgs esse. Ncgbkcum rnemfiriam felicis praeteriti eiferemus, ut periculqsum et incertum praesentem suscipiamus. Denique ut nostra futura vita salva et secura sit precamur. if 1 Page IO

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Ghosts In Consecutive Order: 1928-Some will be butchers, some will be bakers. 1929-I guess a few will be candlestick makers. 1930-Some will start school and some will stop school. 1931-Some will just wake up and others will go to sleep. 1932-Some will get married and others will remain aloof and wolf. 1933-Some will work and some will play all day. 1934-But most of them will fight in times not far away. 1935-The rest is quite obvious as you will see. Ghosts In Consecutive Order: 1936-They'll be soldiers and sailors, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and cops on the beat. 1937-And silversmiths, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, toolsmiths, coppersmiths ,.... Ioker-Hey, wait a minute. You guys aren't telling me anything. I know that all' ready. Ghost 1938-We tried our best, the rest must be guessed. foker-I see you're not much help to me In the preparation of this prophecy. 'Mystery lady appears and walks stagefright to stagefleft. When she gets half way across: foker-Say could you help me out by any chance? I'l1 pay any price except romance. 'Mystery lady drops white handkerchief and strides skulkily offfleft. joker-fpicking up handkerchiefj It ain't worth it! Ghost 1939-Now there is one who says he can tell What goes on in heaven and in all walks of life. Ghost 1940-His crystal ball with its silver glisten Foretells the future for all who listen. Ghost 1941-And when his tale has been told . . . You'll have to cross his palm with gold. Ioker-Well even if I have to pay, I'd like to see this man you say Can help me with this prophecy And end my troubles now. Ghost of 1928-Gentlemen, there is no limit to his fame, He's known throughout the world they claim. Indeed no one could hope to emulate The deeds of this prophetic potentate! 'FGhosts part in even sevens to each side of curtain break and joker remains off to one side. Prophet makes entrance. Prophet-The crystal cloudiness of this ball now clears, And tells a tale that sees beyond the years .... . . . . Let this little circle gather 'round while I bring from earth and sky the magic of the future. . . . . Individuals may come and individuals may go, but their types and constant counterfparts are with us always. I shall not waste the spirits' time with the many. The crystal ball tells only of the few, for in the few are verily reflected the many .... Prophet-Now I call to all the spirits of yesterf day and today and those of the farfoff land of tomorrow to aid me in my eifort. Are you with me, boys? Mystery Voice-You can count on me. 'Spot of misty blue flashes to stagefleft where mystery lady and the spirits appear. Mystery Lady-We're ready aren't we, boys? Ghosts-funisonj You know it, kid. joker-I'm ready too, my friend-are you? Prophet-I am ready. The magic of this crystal clears, I see the vision of the years. . . Well . . Mm . . So Lew Twersky did become President of the United States after all. Very interesting. joker-Now prophet, isn't it one of your claims That you never mentf on any names? Prophet-So it shall be from this moment hence That I'11 not mention any gents. Now I summon the vision to commence. fSlaps hands., Announcer-Twenty years have passed since this domineering youth left Bennett's portals. In high school he was king of them all. Men were his vassals and women his devoted slaves. He was the original big shot, always the guy to give the orders, to hold his head higher than the rest, he was tops. Bennett was his cas' tle, each classroom was just another thronefroom. By the time he was a senior he held the key to a 921 ', V Page I2