Divine Redeemer Academy - Pinetum Yearbook (Elizabeth, PA)

Page 104 text:

Valedictorian The complex and often frustrating responsi- bilities of today's society entreat her youth to assume and maintain firm convictions and lofty ideals. We live in a society abounding with ani- mosity, materialism, and war and we are obli- gated both morally and socially to take upon our- selves, as the products and members of a pow- erful and freedom-loving nation, the duties and privileges of that office of guidance, direction, and influence designated leadership. We, as the leaders of tomorrow, must learn to accept the challenges we encounter in our daily lives and we must learn to accept them with de- termination, fortitude, and willingness. ln order to grow and mature through these daily encounters r and add to our rich storehouse of experience new treasures enabling us to build a better to- lvlelinda Fazekas morrow, we must continue to build upon that firm and unwavering foundation based on four innate attributes which have been greatly enhanced and expanded in the past four years. We have been instilled with a desire to take the first step and to express openly and honestly our opinions and beliefs. To display the enthusiasm necessary for developing and maintaining this quality called initiative, wemust be respectful of and receptive to the essence of personhood. For only through sincere response to others can we feel justified in our ability and readiness to initiate action. We have been shown that we must be courageous and daring enough to accept our God-given legacy of independence. To be free and independent beings is, in all its essence, to be open and aware of the uniqueness of our fellow man so that we may obtain a deeper and fuller understanding of our own personhood. To give spontaneously without reserve and to live candidly without fear of rebut- tal are essential for the mutual growth and improvement of others. It is through the act of inspiration that we can influence and guide one another to self-realization. The most important and encompassing fact that we can and have discovered here at DRA is that each one of us is a distinct and indivisible entity of society. We apprehend with clarity and certainty that by exercisingour initiative,independence, and inspiring qualities thoroughly and unfalteringly, we are capable, both mentally and emotionally, of meeting face-to-face challenges confronting us and of compre- hending fully the significance of each human life. Thus we have dedicated the lofty ideas and simple thoughts abounding in this book to the youth of today. l.et us consecrate ourselves to the task of leadership and be leaders in the forefront for understanding, compassion, and love. What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for others?

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l-laving completed the required course of study Joyce Pastore seems to display a touch of melancholy as she ap- proaches the final moments of her high school years. Graduation 1967 The Class of 1967-Seated: Karen Bohach, Sharon Stipkovits, Janet Mclntyre Martha Nagy Mary Ann Boppel, Karen Kocis, Linda Rendulic, Joyce Goldsvvorthy, Linda Aquilante, Rita Mae Tyszklevvicz Stand ing: Elaine Massung, Elizabeth Peluso, Pauline Douglas, Kathleen Peluso, Mary Jo Reed Donna Bartolini Linda Volpe, Carol Gaydos, Patricia Maher, Patricia Boyer, Joyce Pastore Arlene Simko Clare Sopko Frances Magaro, Frances Romanosky, Carol Pavlik. i 101

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Salutatorian Perhaps it was four years or four days or four centuries ago when twenty-seven fresh- men stumbled through a door and became Di- vine Redeemer Academy. At any rate, there immediately followed periods of violence, apa- thy, love, confusion, concern, conflict and boredom. We laughed and cried and rebelled and yawned as a class in apprehension of the day when we would graduate-the class of 1968. Strangely enough as graduation grew near we began to realize that the greatest day in the life of our class was going to mark its death. Graduation-a major goal-marks Susan Memaut only the beginning of the individual and twelve years of education becomes a foundation upon which the individual is built. Most of us see something glimmering very bright and real in the distance. We are stupid enough to believe that we might be able to transform the world overnight. We are silly enough to question authority-oftentimes biting the hand that feeds us. We aren't realistic enough to realize that the person who goes through life smiling is going to get hurt again and again and again. We are youth-idealistic individuals who dream of beautiful tomorrows and without these dreams our tomorrows would not be as beautiful as they are. The idealism felt by millions of youth for millions of years is very aptly expressed by Yevgeny Yevtushenko in a very few words: Suppose someone with illusions in his eyes flashes past pursuing some distant gleam, then it doesn't seem to us that he is blind- it seems to us that we ourselves are blind. We graduate-the youth of today-blinded by our own idealism and striving to affect the vision of those around us.