Cathedral Griffin High School - Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

Page 47 text:

gy Fr. john Beatty Fr. john Tobin t K X E r Radio City Rockettes were threatened. Others who appeared at Cathe- dral in this year and would have lasting influence on the school were: Father Tobin, Brother Per- hamg and Fathers Spiekerman and Leahy. The sports teams had only mediocre seasons in 1951-52, but Brother Drolet added a new club to the scene, the Radio- Electronics group. The Career Conference continued to gain im- portance under the direction of Brother Ryan. Among the speak- ers was the Mayor, Father Brown, returning for a visit, the Director of the FBI, and repre- sentatives of business and the Armed Forces, etc. The chorus lines in the variety show seemed to get better as time passed and the shows more elabo- rate. It also seems to have been the year the photographer for the yearbook decided to picture the seniors on a tilt, making for a very interesting layout. Continu- ing a growing tradition, two members of the class entered the Viatorian communityg one of them, Eugene Bertrand, is now a Commodore in the Navy as a Chaplain. Sixty-seven graduated in this year. 771e Radio-Electronics Club Yesterdays tubes are todays transistors.

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'E' we-'af Father Leahy with Sodality group. MVT' Fr. Gerald J. Leahy Key Club members with Father Leahy. ati. 5 4 Father Gerald Leahy, C.S.V. Exceptfor a period offour years, Father Leahy has spent his entire priestly lie at Cathedral and Grjfn High Schools. Over a period of 30 years Father Leahy has taught business sub- jects, English and religion. He di- rected choral music in his early years at Cathedral and helped with the Variety Shows and mod- erated many other student activi- ties over the years, including the Student Council which he guided in a complete revision of its con- stitution andfunctions. But it is as moderator ofthe Key Club that he is remembered by so many students who have attended the two schools. Father Leahy intro- duced this service organization and guided its growth to the point where it was often the most vis- ible and effective organization in the school. Key Club members became renowned in the City for their willingness to take part in and initiate activities that bene- jited many in the Springheld community. Long a modelfor other Key Clubs, the Grdjin boys have excelled at State and Na- tional Conventions. Fr. Leahy has also at various times directed the religious lyfe of the school. The wehfare ofthe in- dividual was always important to this priest, always one of the most available offaculty members. The 1984 school year ends his many years of service to the Grwfin community. He will be sorely missed.

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