Donora High School - Dragon Yearbook (Donora, PA)

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ilr. Hiichael Heiii, New Principal DR. MICHAEL J. HERK, B.S., M.Ed., usd. California State Teachers College University of Pittsburgh 75 Market Street Energetic . . . intereited in student activities . . . brings out ti? best in the school . . . received Dactar's degree at beginning o term. MARGARET GODZI K Principai's Secretary 421 Sixth Street Neat and trim . . . lots of fun . . . Sis . . . very considerate . . . Mr. PIavko'l star typist . . . chauf- hured home by Min Woddle. 14

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lllell-Iinnuin to lniunspeople and Students Mr. Andew S. Sukel, as the new superintendent of Donora Schools, is new only to the position. Donora Schools have been a part of his life and he a part of its organization for a number of years. Completing his high school course in i924 at Donora, Mr. Sukel then attended Washington and Jefferson College to earn his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He returned to his Alma Mater to begin his career as an educator, and in i939 received his Masters Degree from Pennsylvania State College. Mr. Sukel taught in the secondary schools from l928 until i937 when he became principal at Senior High School-a position which he successfully filled and from which he was elected tothe superintendency. His has been a busy career in the Donora Schools. While in the second- ary schools he made curriculum adjustments and inaugurated well-balanced extra-curricular activities to expand the opportunities for local high school students, he worked enthusiastically and with satisfactory results to secure accreditation of the high school. This year he has worked to obtain a com- parable understanding of elementary school problems. ' The athletic program has received his whole-hearted support in its organization and its functioning for Superintendent Sukel is an inveterate sports follower who enjoys intramural, interscholastic, or professional com- petition. Mr. Sukel believes in long range planning educationally, civically. He tries to inculcate into the students an evaluation of scholastic achievements in relation to the individual's future and, as a sincere Donora booster, he urges upon them the sense of responsibility all should accept in civic progress. His verbal advice is well exemplified in his own acceptance of civic respons- ibility-his civic record is one of accomplishments. He willingly serves on committees for any worthwhile project, and in his opinion any project which aims at town or school improvement is deserving co-operation from everyone. Along with sports, his personal enthusiasms include liking to drive a car and when it's headed for Canada it's an ideal experience. Perhaps this is because Mr. Sukel is an advocate of hobbies especially if they are hunting or fishing. Miss Flora Chabre, the superintendent's secretary, received her high school education in Donora. She has been in the superintendent's office since the summer of l949. Miss Chabre has a very quiet manner yet a nice friend- liness to go with it. She has the efficiency so necessary in her job and is most cordially helpful to those who have occasion to consult her. The true lady's voice is hers and though somewhat shy she is a pleasant conversationalist and a congenial companion at social affairs. Miss Rita Tedesco is the clerk in the superintendent's office. She at- tended Donora schools graduating in l946. ln the fall of i949 she came to her present position. As a recent graduate Miss Tedesco feels very much at home whether she is busy with the clerical work in her office or checking records in our office. Her pleasantness of disposition is expressed in her ready smile and her cordial greeting. Although she likes social activities Miss Tedesco also finds relaxation in reading worth-while books and in improving her skill as a seam- stress. 13

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,,,, lakes llvei Duties lliliqenilu Dr. Michael J. Herk is completing his first year as principal of Donora Senior High School. A local graduate of l93l he continued his education at California State Teachers College earning his Bachelor of Science Degree from there. ln i939 he completed work on his Masters Degree at the University of Pittsburgh and this past September had his Doctorate conferred upon him from the same institution. Dr. Herk has been in the Donora Secondary Schools since l935. Before he became Senior High School Principal he served on the faculty at Junior High School as a teacher, a guidance counselor and faculty manager of the school's athletic program. From faculty member Dr. Herk became an admin- istrator at Junior High School and in August l95O he was transferred from that post to Senior High School as principal. There are many angles of student life with which Dr. Herk has had actual experience in his association with the present student body in recent years. Since he was head of the testing program while in Junior High School he is acquainted with individual capabilities and can give helpful advice to those in need of it. Having worked with this student body he understands their problems, knows them personally and is sufficiently experienced with their deviations from the routine way of school to deal with them accordingly. Dr. Herk has a friendly, courteous and appreciative manner in working with faculty and students and a totally individual and effective way of clearing the halls. Athletics is a very specific interest of Dr. Herk's. He's for the team, win or lose, and works enthusiastically with the students to arouse and main- tain worth-while school spirit. Dr. Herk is a recent member of Rotary, representing the schools in that organization, since joining he has been elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Rotary Club. He is interested in the town's program and the enthusiasm he displays in all school projects is also evident in his willingness to work on committees for civic improvement. ,,l -.T A Donora alumna, Class of '47, Miss Margaret Godzik returned a year later to her Alma Mater as secretary in the principal's office. Her calmness on all occasions, her quietness in pursuance of her work are both assets, since aside from her secretarial duties she is somewhat in the position of an oracle answering questions of all types from inquiring students and teachers. Miss Godzik has a pleasing personality, enjoys socializing and from her many two-page bulletins of this year is suspected of harboring a secret yearning to be a writer. 15