Elmira Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

Page 16 text:

CLASS HISTORY Freshmen N a bright morning in September of the year of 1934, a group of boys and girls scrubbed Within an inch of their lives and, eager to begin their high school careers, climbed three flights of stairs to what seemed to them 'fseventh heavenf, These boys and girls, just green from grammar school, were destined to be the most radical class ever to enter the Elmira Catholic High School. At our first class meeting we tried to act grown upf, Therefore we accomplished something, for we elected our class officersg William Reed, president, Charles Fonhy, vice-president, Catherine Dartt, secretary, and Ioseph Short- sleeve, treasurer. Although our class had no particular activity of its own in our Hrst year, still we were kept busy with the activities of the Sodality and the other classes. We were the first class to study Economic Citizenship, which dashed our hopes of another study period after Ianuary. We walked into Latin with our heads held high determined to master it if it took our last ounce of strength. We planned a class picnic to climax our first year, but due to numerous difficulties it never materialized. Sophomores As has been said before, our class was destined to be radical and we certainly proved it in our second year. For the Hrst time in the history of the school a girl was elected president of the class. Mary Wipfler had the honor of presiding over the class in our sophomore year. Iohn Tormey was vice-president, Ellen Moxley, secretary, and Charles Fouhy, treasurer. Of course, as sophomores, we regarded the incoming freshmen with the proper amount of disdain as was befitting our superior position. Again we joined the Sodality and supported the activities of the other classes. But this year, being more organized, we had many K'doin's of our own. At Christmas we all worked hard for and enjoyed a party. Witli a borrowed radio, cornmeal on the floor, and a lighted Christmas tree, fun was had by all. We were the first sophomore class to express our talents in an assembly. We even dared to sponsor such an enterprise as a carnival, which was highly successful, socially and financially. While we battled with Caesar, waded into French, we strove to conquer goemetry. When our second year was over we had the memories of two happy years behind us and many hopes for two more ahead of us. Iuniors Time passes swiftly, doesn't it? Almost before we knew when, how, or why it happened we were Iuniors. And we had a new principal, tool After due consideration, with strict regard for the rules of parliamentary law, we elected class officers. Those honored were Ol 1410

Page 15 text:

SENIORS .... President . , Arthur Smith Vice-President Firmina Sweeney Secretary Shirley Gilroy Treasurer . Iohn Mack Dear Classmates, VVe are about to complete four successful years at Elmira Catholic High. As we leave, l am sure that we all carry with us a tender remembrance of our Alma hlater. Under the guidance of the good Sisters, Father Reilly and Father Burns, we have steadily progressed in mind and body. These days can never be recalled. If we have used them to good advantage, we are completely prepared to enter the world. After graduation each of us will launch his ship upon lifels diverse whirlpools. However, no matter in which direction we set our course, let us always remember our goal-Heaven. l am sure that we are fully aware of it. Our activities have been marked with success largely through the active cooperation of every member of the class. To paraphrase an old expression, possibly it was due to the fact that we are 'ljust one big happy family. VVhen we leave, we must not drop the many friendships which we have cultivated in these secondary years. Life is too short to disregard any companionship that we may make. Some of us will go to college, others to business school. The same roof will no longer hold us together. VVe shall be on our own. Difficult problems will no doubt find their way into all of our lives. No one of them, however large, will be too great to conquer if we remember that big things come slowly. l am certain that l can speak for the entire class iii thanking the facultv for their active interest in our social and intellectual welfare. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you during our senior year. Yours sincerely, Arthur D. Smith Ol 13 IO

Page 17 text:

Ivlichael Rohde, Mary Wipfler, Margaret lvlary Shannon and Charles Fouhy. We then delved into the mysteries of Chemistry, Cicero, etc. Being so engrossed in those interesting subjects we found little time for outside activities. However, a goodly number of Iuniors joined the newly organized Atomic Circlefl The second term found us up and doing. Abundant pep was manifested in our Iamboree Qjust another name for a carnivalj, which was rather a huge success and all that sort of thing. Then came April twenty-seventh---Iunior Day-sweet memories. The assembly presented was greeted joyously as was befitting an affair with guest speakers, skits, trumpet solos, and plays. ln the evening, according to time-honored custom, we feted the Seniors with the annual Iunior-Senior banquet at the Mark Twain Hotel. There we ate, drank and were merry-but did we die? No, because a good many lived to top the mighty summits of the Enna Iettick Park roller coaster at the class picnic in Iune. Several eminent members of the class brought that grand year to a close by setting a record in marathon walking. Seniors Seniors arise! Gird on thy swords and go valiantly forth to battle! Like old veterans we proceeded with the ritual of election. Arthur Smith, Firmina Sweeney, Shirley Gilroy, and Iohn Mack-left to right in the usual order of president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer-were invested. VVith a smash, bang and a good time for all we started the year with a carnival. During the course of the evening the lights became so tired of jumping and dancing that they went to sleep. But a new fuse soon awakened them, and the merry- making proceeded unhindered. December found us Hlled with gay holiday spirit. So we imparted our good cheer to the school by presenting an assembly. We raised our voices in song-aheml and the school raised its hands to its ears-oops! we mean to applaud. 'Everybody Got just What He Wanted when Santa Claus appeared with presents and candy canes. It was successful ---welre glad it was-and we like to remember it. In the evening we joined hands with the Iuniors in giving a Christmas party. Fun and frolic and a gay holiday season were ours. On February twenty-eighth, the Senior play, 'KGlass Dishes, was presented at the Dunn Memorial Building. The cast gave public and perfect evidence of their ability. The senior class is proud of those talented members. For as has been said so often-- Glass Dishes was a smash hit.', Our days at Catholic High are numbered. True, several joyful events are yet to come fthe Senior Prom-and then that night of victory-graduation. But still we shall soon leave this loving shelter. Some day in the distant future when this history of the class of 1938 of the Catholic High shall be completed upon the books in Heaven, may it be a record of lives lived in strict accordance with the teachings of our beloved Alma Mater. of 15 10