Bennett High School - Beacon Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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SAL TATORY In almost any instance we can cite, the greater the distance or length of time between the subject and the observer, the better is the perspective obtained. Our subject, of course, is our high school education, both planned and incidental. Inas- much as we have not yet been separated from 'it, perhaps we are not now fully quali- fied to evaluate our past four years at Bennett objectively. However, since our com- ing graduation is the Hrst of many occasions which will compel us to do so, I shall attempt to summarize the reflections of my class at this time. Although most of us are only beginning to comprehend the true signincance of their part in our lives, we all wish to extend our most sincere thanks to our principal, Mr. Farrar, to the two assistant principals who have ably and amicably guided us, Mr. Walz and Mr. Miller, and especially to our teachers. A personal thank you, I am sure, is also given from the heart of each individual graduate to his parents. The only thanks that these devoted persons really want, however, is the satisfaction of knowing that they have played a part in the development of a good citizen and a well-adjusted man or woman. This can only be given them by our future lives. The benefits in respect to character, experience, and knowledge obtained here at Bennett are too abundant to enumerate now. Our schoolis excellent academic pro- gram, of course, has given us invaluable information and training. Equally important are the experiences we have had in this cosmopolitan institution, through extra- curricular activities and personal contacts, and the strengthening in us of such traits of character as co-operation, understanding, and the appreciation of the rights and opinions of others. With our graduation in a few weeks, the reality of our high school days ends, leaving only the memories. I offer this advice to all prospective graduates: Absorb as many memories as you possibly can of your life here, especially in these few Hnal weeks, for these recollections must serve you for the rest of your lifetimef' Few graduates will not cherish these memories, longing to recall more of both their serious and amusing experiences here. The stories of many of these experiences will be en- deared to us and embellished by the passage of time, as they are retold and relived. Until now, this class has been regarded chieHy as a unit. In these four years, we have achieved a certain degree of unity through close co-operation, but this unity should not be confused with mere uniformity. Allowing for differences in individuals, most of our lives have been similar up to this point. In a few weeks, however, our paths will separate, with each graduate pursuing his own goal. Although we shall probably keep in contact with the close friends we have made here, other classmates will never be seen again. Many acquaintances who have greatly influenced our lives will abruptly drop out of them. Although they will be replaced by others, we cannot help regretting this inevitable result of graduation. As we turn toward the future, most of us realize that high school is only the beginning. Whether we go directly into the world or first to college, there is much more to be learned, particularly in the school of experience. Although we may wonder about the future, when we shall have only ourselves to rely upon, we have every reason to look forward to what is ahead. Broad new horizons of knowledge and opportunity await us in life. Without a doubt, 'gThe best IS yet to bef' Kenneth Kreinheder 14

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SENIOR CLASS HISTORY Have you ever realized how much your four years at Bennett resemble the four seasons of the year? The Freshman year is like spring. Everything is new and fresh, waiting for discovery. During the Sophomore, or summer year, the excitement wears off, and deep, richly colored memories are developed. Our Junior days are similar to autumn and we gather in knowledge, as the farmer gathers his golden harvest. The Senior year seems, at first, like a bleak, winter day, but soon we can see the approach of another new and exciting season. FRESHMEN 4 1953-1954 How vivid and fresh are our impressions of that first day at Bennett, as vivid and fresh as the colors of spring. After surviving the traditional hazing, we ran into a barrage of registration cards, white ones, yellow ones, all colors. Suddenly we were startled to hear a trumpet sound forth, followed by homeroom notices, and an an- nouncement stating, f'This is BBS, the Bennett Broad- casting Systemf' Of course, classes soon began and we were forced to find our way around the hallowed halls of Bennett. The upperclassmen were most helpful with f ' ln advice such as, Go down those stairs to the ca eteria After the first scrambled days, we had the opportunity to explore the innermost workings of our new home. We discovered the Student Council, and sent Dick Kulick to the Executive Committee, as our Freshman Repre- sentative. Tom Klein and George Strauss were among the first to discover the secret of study, and they arose from the multitude to lead the class in scholastic standing. En masse, we discovered, too, that Bennett has an as- sembly every week. During one of our first programs we were honored by the presence of Pruth McFarlin, an unusually talented tenor and a victim of infantile para- lysis. In November, Mr. John Sloan presented us with an interesting program on the effects of liquid air. To our amazement, by treating a banana with liquid air, he was able to use it as a hammer. He even drove nails into a piece of wood. Later in the year Dr. Harvey Rice, President of Buffalo State Teachers College started everyone thinking by asking, 'fAre you a thermometer or a thermostat? Then, to show our appreciation for all the assemblies we had enjoyed, we presented The Fresh- man Assembly of 1953-54! Many of us created skits, songs, and dances centering on Abe Lincoln. February brought 'fCarnival', time to Bennett fthe Variety Showj. Tom Hendricks, Peter Cormack, Judy Seyse, and Bernie Levine added their talents to this spectacular production. In girls' sports we frosh put up a noteworthy fight. We were runners-up in every sport. Our first year proved to be even more successful in the inter-school sports program. We won several games on the gridiron, and Bennett teams brought home the basketball trophy. We secured second place in the city baseball contest and one of our classmates, Don Dreyfuss, made All-High in tennis. judging by our first year at Bennett, we were well on our way. EU SOPHOMORES - 1954-55 'fSummertime, and the livin' is easy,', - or at least that is the way we pictured our Sophomore year. Our life was painted in the deep, rich colors of mid-summer. Everyone was glowing and sparkling with the thought that we were no longer those little Freshmen. But we finally settled down to a year as dignified, yet fun-loving 'fwise fools. It's magicln we cried as General Electric presented some startling effects with chemistry in Bennett's auditor- ium.' We saw strawberry sodas foaming out of test tubes and an electric train being run by sound. Kelly green was prominent on St. Patrick's Day when we were excited by a visit from the talented Colgate Thir- teen. In addition, we learned that the 'fMagic Carpet,', or the Variety Show, had made a safe landing. It was during this year that two words became known as synonyms for terrific assembly! They were 6'Bob Wells. Everyone developed red hands from applauding Robert Wagner, Russell Armes, Marian Caruso, and the Four Lads when they appeared on our stage. Wfe had a little bad luck in football that year, but when the basketball season arrived, we improved to finish in a tie for second place. The swimming team did even better. Splash! Bennett was off to an almost un- believable season, which ended with our team the winner at the exciting All-High meet. The student body re- ceived a real thrill when the tennis and baseball teams captured the Bapst and Cornell Cups respectively. Of course we went to classes too. Most of us turned green whenever we even thought about geometry home- work. We swore we would never look at another triangle. However, one exception proved the rule 5 he was Roy Levitch. In English we met Will Shakespeare and Julius Caesaru despite our valiant efforts to evade them. Our classmates became active in extra-curricular ac- tivities. Dick Kulick was re-elected to the Executive Committee. Ethel Ward and Linda Fried did a fine job of editing the Sophomore Column of the BEACON. While it did not seem possible, the halfway mark had been reached in our high school career.