East New York Vocational High School - Crossroads Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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th ood SSI' FO C N that memorable day, September ll, l942, we walked slowly and tim- idly through the halls of East New York to start our new careers. We had high ideas of becoming machinists until Mr. Hil- gard's talk, and then many of us wondered if we were good enough to become plumb- ers. As we entered the portals of E. N. Y. that day, we marvelled at the beauty and grace of the building. A few days afterwards we tightened our belts as we sought to cone quer the gray, sinister machines, as well as Miss Gillespies War Vocabulary. What a thrill it was to turn in our first jobs -only to return to our benches dismayed by the first encounter with that famous and well-worn handbook, l-iilgards Bible! However, in spite of everything we suc- ceeded in mastering the early stages of thread cutting, tool bit grinding, etc. As our freshman year drew to a close, we worked in the intense heat of Old Sol, for it was against the well-known Code of Ethics to loosen a collar button, or tie. Then came the fifth and sixth terms. We breathed a little easier now, for we could not be looked down on as lowly freshies. We walked about with an air of self-conf? dence, as though the Battle of E. N. Y. were half won. Little did we dream that our greatest trials and tribulations lay before closs history us-tortures such as Mr. Schiffmans Chem- istry, and the Mechanical Laboratory. We were tempted to take a few days off and go on a spree to the Paramount, but thirst for knowledge invariably led us back to the straight and narrow. And so we plodded along, and with the work we had our mo- ments of joy. Can we ever forget the fun we had with the exuberant Mr. Seidler? These days will forever remain with us as a happy memory. Our Day finally arrived. With a rush to the G. O. store, we purchased our senior buttons, which signified our right to be the freshmen's terror. But during that brief and anxious wait for our cherished diplomas, we ourselves were terrorized by Mr. Wards terrible black squares. However, a change came over the class. We no longer delighted in paper aeronautics and other diversions, for trying times had struck. It was with sor- row and pride that we watched our friends leave one by one for the wars. We will long remember our Alma Mater, and its patient teachers who gave us light for the darkness of our ignorance. We will never forget our classmates who will be felf low comrades-in-arms, co-workers in the construction of a free, happy world, and fel- low citizens in its most wonderful country. Y

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S GRADUATION NEARS and we are JAX about to go forth into a world at war, we pause to look back on our pleas- ant school days. Almost three years ago, when we first feasted our eyes upon East New York, we were awed at the sight of the various shops with their complicated ma- chines. Now, sophisticated seniors, with plenty of practical experience behind us, we are ready and eager to take our places in industry or the armed forces. lt seems such a short while ago that we were freshmen just out of junior high school walking through the halls of East New York when the bell rang for a change of periods. Little did we realize that instead of going to the third floor which was our destination, we would end up in the cafeteria. Seniors here, seniors there, seniors all aroundl lt looked as though they were trying to subjugate the poor unfortunate third term- ers, At first we tried to adapt ourselves to the idea that the seniors were lords and mas- ters. But gradually we became adjusted and able to take care of our rights. closs history A year passed quickly and we were in fifth term. Until then we had had rather vague ideas of homework but then things began to happen as though Stukas were diving all around dropping their bombs of destruction-homework in English, math, science, economicsl What had we done to deserve such a fate as this? Many of us, alas, spent part of the seventh term in Mr. Garity's office. Gee, what a won- derful man he is, so straight and tall with a dignified look. We can still feel his friendly hand on our shoulders and hear his llWhat have you done now? in a gruff but friendly tone. The eighth term which was going to be our paradise-in-the-sun now became a synonym for an obstacle course for Marines training for overseas duty. But soon graduation day will be here and the piece of paper for which we worked so hard will be in our possession representing the fulfillment of our dreams and ambitions. And East New York will be but a happy memory. 1 S DOJSSOJO Q.

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N DEEP SILENCE we entered the hallowed H halls of East New York on that first Sep- tember day, happy at last, for our dreams were coming true. These were soon to be shattered by the Safety Test, that devil- ishly ingenious torturel Grueling hours dragged by, and then the bell for lunch, a cloud of dust from flying feet, and the long race down the hall to our final goal, the Cafeterial This set the pattern for weeks to come. Then came weeks filled with the mo- notony of drawing plans, but soon, as if by magic, our boats began to form. At this time we realized the tremendous opportuni- ties offered to us. We had plenty of wood and tools, and before long each boy had his own room pass. ln the fourth term, we prepared to build bigger and better boats. It was during this term that we completed the racing sailboat which for two weeks shared top billing with the auto chassis in the lobby. We also had our first experience at decking, which we did very well. Fifth term found us transferred to the ad- vanced shop where we started drawing plans which we completed just in time for class history I I the shift back to our old shop. Returned to the advanced shop in the sixth term, we laid out the plans for two sixteen-foot canoes which we were lucky enough to pass on to the next class. Some of us worked on the thirty-foot Cabin Cruiserg this gave us a chance to try our skill at cabinet-making. We made panels, hatches, bulkheads and bunks fthe less am- bitious got plenty of practice trying out the bunksll Seniors at lastl The first day at school found us all at the G. O. store. What for? Why, to buy senior buttons, of coursel Being seniors must have done something for us- we had lOOU'2, G. O. for the first time, and in addition, we more than doubled our War Bond quota. Our shop seemed enormous this term because of the absence of the cruiser. Work, work, workl For the first time in ages everyone worked, even the confirmed loafers. The green and orange and white strips on the efficiency chart must have done the trick. That is one of the things we'll never forget, along with Mr. Tritschler's im- mortal words, Who has my keys? and the ready reply, Look in your pocket. .-.ii S DOJSSOJO Q.