De La Salle Institute - Torch Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 99 text:

' - ., ..-- 1 l - H Y-4.,. .., tal la-fllll -rmairii- F RESHMAN MA There were twenty-five of us, on that eventful day in September, when school opened at De La Salle Institute. It was the beginning of a new and important period in our lives. NVe lost no time in getting acquainted and under the guidance of Brother Aloysius and Brother Alphonsus, we pro- ceeded on the flowery or thorny path of knowledge. Soon after school had started, class officers were elected, and meetings were held every Friday afternoon. These meetings proved an important stimulus to class spirit. Our athletic achievements were few, having had no class football team but we were well represented by three men on the varsity-Gerald and James Gaegan, and John Downing. At this time seve1'al competitions were held with the First Year B in which we were most successful, winning the Latin contest, and two of the three competitions in Biology. Then came the Auxiliary Drive. Here was an opportunity to bring honor to our newly formed class, and we made the most of it, securing more subscribers, in proportion to our number than any other class. Wfe then settled down to some hard plugging in preparation for the Quarterly Exams-our first in High School. In them most of us were successful, with XV. Dempsey, and J. Curtin in the lead. After the Thanksgiving holidays everyone reappeared at school and again we began our tedious labor of mastering the subjects which day by day became more and ll1Ol'C diinficult. Before we knew it the Christmas holidays were upon us. About the middle of January Brother Cassian received a challenge from La Salle Academy Freshman Basketball team for a game on their court. VVe organized a team on short notice and were defeated 12 to S. In the latter part of this month a Latin competition was held in which our class came out on top. Then came the quarterly examinations. The first big event of the third quarter was the De La Salle Indoor Meet. Our team, composed of VVard, Dempsey, G. Gaegan and Downing, succeeded in taking fourth place, defeating. among others, our particular rivals-First Year B. All the members of our class are active members of the Archconfrater- nity, and the class is also well represented in the second degree-the Knights of the Divine Child. p In the exams held at the end of this quarter Curtin succeeded in at- taining first place and XV. Dempsey, who had led the class during the first half of the year, was a close second. A class baseball team was soon organized and met with fairly good suc- cess. G. Gaegan also represented us on the varsity, and Downing became a member of the mile relay. Another member of our class XV. Dempsey, was elected assistant manager of the baseball team. So passed our first year at De La Salle. And what a year it has been! New friends, new teachers, new subjects, and yet in spite of all the new- ness and strangeness under which it began a truly pleasant and profitable one. Page . 'ninety-five Lirllll 95 el ealcaifl

Page 101 text:

1 A A ' FRESHMEN NB It was on a bright cheerful day, in the early fall that we, the class or B '29, assembled in the auditorium of De La Salle to inaugurate our aca- demic course. Timidity prevailed as We took our places in the class that was to be our intellectual battlefield for the year. A few kind remarks from our instructor, Brother Alphonsus, dispelled all fears and helped much towards cementing the friendship and loyalty that exists among us today. YVhen we had become acquainted, the class society was formed. Only after much campaigning did we succeed in electing the above-named offi- cers. At a later meeting we decided to start a common fund and so selected George Wiatson as Treasurer. Our Society as a Council of the Archcon- fraternity of the Divine Child, is under the patronage of St. joseph. Due to the capable leadership of our officers, the weekly meetings are punctuated with lively discussions and are a source ,of inspiration and encouragement. Our record in athletics and scholastic achievement is interesting. VVhen the call came for football candidates, two of our husky classmates, Mullins and Killeen, made the team. They both gave a good account of themselves on the gridiron and were awarded the school letters. After a few weeks of Labor omnia vincit, et Palma non sine pulvere we ambitioned the palm. Now followed a series of written and oral contests to decide the victor. In the first written test Freshman A carried off the honors. However in the oral competition We had .an invincible team in Da11iel Quinn and James Stavracos. Brother Aloysius, our science instructor arranged a series of competitions in Biology. In these we scored two victoriesand suffered three defeats. In a later Latin test class Freshman A again starred but in the final we crowned the work by administering defeat to them. In The De La Salle Indoor Meet our relay strove to match strides with their superior rivals, and results tell the tale. VVe are anxiously looking forward to the field day when we expect to display better skill. Shortly after the meet came the much dreaded quarterlies. Two of our members could not withstand the shock so they sought their destinies elsewhere. However our intellects were not overtaxed' and we soon began the work of the Second Term. At this time Drawing replaced Civics. Brother Anthony became our instructor in this art. With the coming of spring, our minds turned to baseball. Uur team was soon organized and judging from the work shown on the field we anticipate a very successful season. james Fitzgerald, celebrated among the Elmhurst residents as a renowned pitcher, managed and pitched our first game. VVhile some were striking out on the diamond. others were striking out x's and y's preparatory to the exams. For the third time our scholastic ability was tested and few were found wanting. john Reich who held the honors since September again lead the class. The Easter recess which fol- lowed was greatly welcomed by all. VVith renewed energy and zest we entered the work of the final quarter and are confidently looking forward to the time when we shall be admitted among the honorable Sophomores. Page ninety-seven UE1iii2iEJEaiiie.aAiiiiiililli1i 9 2 blltal wif r5aIiaeJQil!Qfa , ..4.