Farrell High School - Reflector Yearbook (Farrell, PA)

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To the Class of 1952 At the Senior Farewell Assembly, May 19, 1952 Seniors, I did not intend to talk much-but in my recollections of conversations with many of you during the year about your work, your fu- ture, I detected a note of uncertainty and pessi- mism, wholly out of place on this threshold of your new life. This age of challenge should be met with tools and weapons manned and fired by the optimism and the enthusiasm of your youth. You should shove aside those who would advise extreme caution against any hope for progress or success in these so called uncertain, perilous times. But are these perilous times? This age, you are told, is filled with perplexity, uncertainty, in- stability. The timid and the pessimistic speak of impending doom. They look backward and long for the good old days . If only they could get back to the simplicities and virtues of the past-the Golden Age! But was there ever such an age? Probably not. For in every age, beset with its problems, there have been those who have looked longingly backward, hoping to re- capture the past. If you'll recall on a recent bul- letin I quoted a saying: These trying times are the good old days, you'lI be longing for a few years from now. Consider our own history. From the begin- ning we have fought foreign powers from with- out, and Indians, the wilderness, and economic depressions from within. We have survived thir- teen depressions, five of them major ones. But we came through them all. The prophets of doom have ever been with us. An Assyrian inscription dated 2,800 years before Christ carries a modern note, Our earth is degenerate in these latter days. Bribery and corruption are common. Children no longer obey their parents. Every man wants to write a book, and the end of all things is evidently ap- proaching. In 1774, Sir Horace Walpole said, For my part, I take Europe to be worn out. When Vol- taire dies, we may say goodnight. And in 1790, William Wilberfores gloomily observed: I dare not marry, the future is so dark and unsettled. Half a century later, Disraeli said, In indus- try, commerce, and agriculture, there is no hope. And Wellington in 1851 said, I thank God that I am spared the ruin that is gathering around us. When the transatlantic cable marked a new era in communications, the New Monthly fMarch, 18571 declared: The world is too big and too fast, too many wars, crimes, casualties, excite- ments, and marvels, so many shouting at the world with all their might, everything is high pressure, human nature cannot endure so much. St. Francis was asked as he cultivated his garden: If you knew that death awaited you at sundown, what would you do? He replied, Why, l'd go on hoeing my garden. And so it is that the people of every age have answered the prophets of doom. In spite of dire predictions, these are good times. If we can wage peace as effectively as we wage war, our age may prove of great promise. In the words of Thomas Wolfe, who said it in, You Can't Go Home Again : I think the true discovery of America is before us. I think the true fulfillment of our spirit, of our people, of our mighty and immortal land is yet to come. Our time is a good time to live. It chal- lenges the best in us. And, like St. Francis, why should we not go on hoeing our garden? This is a good time to seek a iob, to acquire an education, to take a trip, to start a savings account, to invent something, to get married, to let the dead past bury the dead and to plan for the future. It is a good time to pledge anew, Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor . As Emer- son well said, This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it. Opportunity will always be with you. People do not disappear. Only politics die. Em- pires, statesmen, wars wind their tiresome way through history, but the soil remains, and the people remain. Opportunity will always be around, wait- ing for you. I hope I have iniected an area of hope and optimism into your outlook into your future. And now, seniors, we the administration and the teachers extend to each of you our con- gratulations and friendly wishes for future suc- cess. As you leave today we wish you God- speed, and may God bless you all and keep you, until we meet again-goodbye. A. J. Pintar

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LUCILLE ANN AGRESTI April 29, Sharon, Pennsylvania. Commercial Course. Tri-Hi-Y, The Re- fiector Staff, Cap and Gown Commit- tee, Prom Committee, Office Assistant, Gym Exhibition, Commercial Club. HESSINA ALLI May 'l7, Farrell, Pennsylvania. Gen- eral Course. The Reflector Stott, Glee Club, Gym Exhibition, Photography Club, Future Nurses Club, Homemak- ers Club, Prom Committee, Basketball Team, The Night Rider Staff, Projec- tionist, Cap and Gown Committee. JOANNE APA September 27, Farrell, Pennsylvania. Vocational Beauty Culture Course. Homemakers Club, B. T. Y., The Re- flector Stafll. ROSE MARIE C. BALLUCH August 5, Farrell, Pennsylvania. Academic Course. Homemakers Club, Tri-Hi-Y, Future Nurses Club, Latin Club, The Reflector Staff, Prom Com- mittee, Gym Exhibition, Cap and Gown Committee. MARGARET ANN BELCIK March 7, Farrell, Pennsylvania. Commercial Course. The Reflector Staff, Gym Exhibition, Cap and Gown Com- mittee, Attendance Staff. Class of 1953 24 WILLIAM ALLEN August 2, McComb, Mississippi, Gen. eral Course. West Middlesex Higl' School. Proiectionist, Varsity Footbal Team, Track Team, Photography Club WILLIAM I. AMOS, JR. February 25, Farrell, Pennsylvania Academic Course. Latin Club, Band Chorus, Senior Octet, Junior Varsit' Basketball Team, District Band, Stat- Band. NANA BALACH August 15, Farrell, Pennsylvanie Commercial Course. The Reflects Staff, Attendance Staff, Library Stal Tri-Hi-Y, Basketball Team, Cap an Gown Committee, Prom Committe Gym Exhibition, Homecoming Queen Attendant. DONALD W. BECHTOLD June 14, Farrell, Pennsylvania. Ac demic Course. Hi-Y Club, Latin Clu Band, Concert Choir, Freshman Cla Treasurer, Junior Class President, Se ior Class Vice-President, Honor St dent, Reserve Basketball Manag: Canteen Committee, District Ban State Band, Music Council, Prom Col mittee, A Cappella Choir, Varsity Bc ketball Manager, Intramural Basketb- Team, Homecoming Dance Cammittr RAYMOND BENCIVENGO February 22, Farrell, Pennsylvan General Course. Homemakers Cl: The Reflector Staff, Gym Exhibitin Intramural Basketball Team, Vars Wrestling Squad, Prom Committee.