Bennett High School - Beacon Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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THE IOURNEY In the beginning, there was chaos, The tempo was fast and uncertain, But a few were wise and guided us. They created a semi-conforming mass, And thus we embarked. At the start we were frightened and shy, For much lay ahead. We knew not How Fate, with her caprices, would greet us. Yet we were willing to try ourselves, Yea, even eager. Our confusion soon subsided. So, as the naivete wore off, We found among our fellow itinerants Souls to be explored, welcomed as friends, Ideals to be aired. The months continued their endless cycle. We knew that one-fourth of our journey was through, And sensed that as we must assimilate, We must also grasp all possible. They did not let us tarry. Onward we went, and became almost Too secure. Idlers called us wise foolsj' And perhaps we were. There was much nonsense, But we were young then and knew no better. Still the wise ones led us higher. And we followed them and lo! It was good, for they strengthened us And gave us much we can never lose. The wise ones surely guarded us from many pitfalls, And we are grateful. Before we knew it, our wanderings were half done, And, as before we had been too confident, now Again we were unsteady, as at the first, For although much was behind us, we knew Even more lay ahead. On we trudged and our toil was heavy. Our bodies grew and our minds matured, And we chose new leaders, for, though The wise ones had been kind to us, we desired Men from our own ranks. It was nearly over and our goal loomed bright. The last trail was hard, we underwent much. We were examined and found Ht to complete Our pilgrimage. Yea, the finale, we thought, Certainly was unavoidable. And hail! We finally arrived at journeyis end, And - strange - it was not really the terminus, For, though our circuit through your hallowed halls of learning, Oh Bennett, is no more, we must continue still, Our travels now to be on the Road of Life. 18 jane Ann Vogel

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,rumours as 1955-56 Wfe enrolled in what might be considered the autumnal season of our years at Bennett. First carrie the football games. How proud we were to have representatives on the cheerleaders squad--.Iudy Seyse and jim Guilford! In this world of burnished orange and yellow pomporns. Ray Skaine was given Honorable Mc-ntirrn on the All- High team. It was during our Junior year that Bennett presented Arsenic and Old Lace, the first play to be produced in five years. The Class of 1957 was represented by George Strauss, Phyllis Mack. and David Frey, who car- ried leading roles. In March we had the opportunity to elect our class officers. To these positions of honor and trust, we named Larry Edelman, President, Gail Chinell, Vice-President, Sheila Rush, Secretary, and Tom Klein, Treasurer. YVhen our ofjficers had been elected, we looked forward to Junior Day. It was on this day that we were formally introduced to the student body. Jayne Truckenport and George Strauss were the winners of the annual Mercer Speaking Contest. Ken Kreinheder told of his trip to New York which had been conducted by the Rotary Club of Buffalo. Assemblies always constituted an important part of 4-1? our life at Bennett. The Fisher Body Guild presented an interesting program on automotive design. Gail lVIesne- koff relived her trip to Israel with the school by showing colored slides. The true meaning of brotherhood was understood when a letter of appreciation from Bennetl's newly adopted Korean brother was read. Bob X'N'ells was back with such stars as -Iackie -Iocko and the Four Voices. Under the direction of Mr. Kub- litx, Bennett presented its own celebrities in the film Nc Go To Bennett. The annual Variety Show was also an important part of our junior life. We were very happy to capture the gaiety of the lX4ardi Gras on our own stage. Spring ofhcially arrived and so did baseball. lYith our boys in top shape, we won first place and tl1e coveted Cornell Cup. The tennis team set a city record by secur- ing every berth on the All-High team. We eagerly looked forward to the Junior Prom. XYith the committees in full swing and the ticket sales mount- ing, our anticipation increased. The big night camel How delighted we were with our brightly decorated ball- room and the dreamy music of jack Barshter's Band! Some of the golden Moon Glo sifted off onto us, and we Juniors went home radiant with the knowledge that memory had painted this perfect night in colors that would never fade. Then carrie those final exams in which we were sure that Tom Klein would make good. for he had main- tained the highest average for the academic year. As we left Bennett in June. we looked forward to our Senior year, and hoped it would be as successful as those in the past. W SENIORS --f 1956-57 Seniors at lastl It just did not seem possible, but here we were at the opening of a new school year. It was not long before we began to want our class rings and cries of 'WN'here is the jeweler?' resounded from the walls. The fall sports program was off with a bang when three new Senior cheerleaders were selected. For the second time in our years at Bennett the basket- ball team won the Yale Cup. The swimming team did fairly well also, finishing fourth in the All-High meet. Class Day and the Senior Prom finally arrived and what an exciting weekend they formed! Afterwards we settled down to some good hard studying in preparation for exams and Graduation. And so, we came to the close of our last and winter season of high school life. It really was not so long and cold as we thought it might be. Rays of sunshine crept in everywhere, bringing the black and white world of the classroom to life. We wish to thank all those who made our stay so pleasant, and those who created so many fond memories for us. Thank you. and goodby.

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ALEDICTORY Our high school days are over. This ceremony marks the end of a formative, decisive period in our lives. We are about to leave the scene of some of the happiest, richest moments we shall ever experience. Though our motto states, The best is yet to ben, never again shall we face life with the same carefree, jubilant outlook we have today. In a very short time, some of us shall be sharing a major portion of our families' economic and other burdens. A number will continue their educations, but not in the same spirit that has imbued us at Bennett. In short, we go forth now to accept adult responsibilities. This is a step we take not without reluctance. Conflicting emotions surge through us. We are hopeful, but a little fearful, we are nostalgic, but yet prepared to accept the challenge of the future. Above all, we are grateful. Some of us are about to enter an impatient, demanding, and fickle society with only the capital that we have gained here. We realize now that we have been lovingly guided, by our parents at home, and by our teachers at school, over the tortuous road to maturity and adulthood. It is our duty to demonstrate that our parents, and teachers' dedication and faith have not been unwarranted. To accom- plish this, we need only to utilize the spiritual and material education afforded us during the past years. Let us be a credit to those who have nurtured us and believed in us. We, the class of 1957, are often thought and spoken of as a uniform group. In a sense, this is true. But it is equally true that as an individual, each of us is unique. We have formed friendships here that will endure throughout our lives, no matter where our destinies may lead us, we shall retain these ties of affection, and through them, the memory of our Alma Mater. Thus, we shall not be alone on our joumey. The benefits we have reaped will be with us always., We can embark with confidence, for we know that, with the indefeasible asset of our four years at Bennett, we are well fortified. Thomax Klein 19