Fort Hamilton High School - Tower Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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T WAS a balmy Autumn day when I first opened my doors ten years ago. To my call for students, many answered. The first term we enrolled stu- dents in the first to fifth terms and my classrooms were comparatively empty. I was a bright new school fully equipped to mold sturdy citizens and to fur- ther learning. On November 12, 1941, after having a troublesome time, the Hrst Pilot was issued and already showed signs of the honor which it would gain among the other high school papers. Soon I got a new electric organ which everybody heard at a special assem- bly. I knew that music would play no small part in the curriculum of my students. I had my first G.O. dance on December 5, 1941 and learned that many of my students were '5hep.U Two days later, to my surprise, Pearl Harbor was attacked and soon I became a school helping to win the war. The second term I saw the opening of the G.O. and the issuing of the Anchor. The Athletic field was finished and a track team was formed. In September 1942, our honor league, Arista, was instituted with the initiation of 38 members. With the cooperation of both students and teachers, we gave a Carnival, a gigantic Victory Show, and a Blusicale. IYtih the money we made on these three displays of my talent, we bought an ambulance and presented it to the Army. I was proud to hear that Allyn lNIcLerie, a Fort Hamilton miss, was dancing in i'One Touch of Venus on Broadway. The Dramatics Club, organizing my histrionic talent, put on c'Seven Keys to Baldpateu and proved that my students had lots of talent. D-Day was an important day in 1942, and we started a drive to reach a new high in the sale of war stamps and bonds. In June 1944, I adopted Herbert joseph lYorwood, a British IYar orphan. I had my second Blusicale in which Blr. Rattner proved his talent and the talents of my students by leading the band. The summer of ,44 passed quickly and when I again opened my doors, the first thing I did was to adopt another orphan. The june '45 senior class marked the first all-Hamilton graduating class. The summer was already tingling with the coming end ot the war and when we returned to school in September 1945. I was sure that it would end soon. Has I proud this year! Four graduates won N. Y. State Scholarships. I got another feather in 1ny Tower when on October 121. 1945 this A1-my awarded us a citation for Army NYar lillort. l also adopted my third war orphan. lYhat a l,il'e. starring Twin Nilson, a boy with great talcnt. was pre- sr-ntctl in NUX'l'll'llH'l' lflli :intl was a huge NIICCVSS. I could not wail for the sunnnvr to pass for l was soon to celebrate my lfifth Anniversary, The Pflol issued 1-iglit-urges In Coniiiieinol-,mx my Juni YVIANXIIY. . I O O O Ol Six! rr' zz

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'Y ff? Norman Kurdel

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I was an expensive baby-ethree and a half million dollars worth. The students and teachers put on a huge Anniversary Show and did me honor. I 112111 come of age and after being in business for hve years, I still felt wonderful. After a big year the summer proved to be a quiet and peaceful aftermath. . In September 1947, my classes were filled with vets eager to further their interrupted 1-dirt-atium. My June graduating class was so large that we had to have dual exercises. I was sure growing fast! I The summer again came and flew by and another hard school year began. This year was a big year for Ilramatics. The Ilramatics Club presented 'lOut of the Frying Panl, which was a hilarious smash! The Curtaintimers, our now established and accepted group of Thespians, produced HYou Can't Take It With You under the capable direction of Miss Tasman. Mrs. We-sterberg, then Miss Scheh, and Mr. Sterne stole the show in their delightful interpretations of their roles. Louis Calhcrn appeared and lectured to the llramaties and Journalism classes. Allyn McLerie, whom you heard about back in 1912, starred in Win-re's Charley?'l this year. Seniors presented their version of the Roaring Twenties in what was con- sidered to be the best Senior Show to date. After a speedy summer, my students loyally returned and l Iioimd out that four graduates again had won State Scholarships. The Curtaintimcrs on December 9 and lfl, 1949 made history when they presented their highly emotional and lovely performance of uUur Town. For weeks after, they received letters of congratulation for their Hne job. Ilelen Lauritzen, Stan Avitabile and Angelo Amato were exceptional. The Class of 1950 was a remarkable class, said many teachers, but wait till next year, said my sixth and seventh termers. This summer H9501 I had my face lifted. I was completely repainted. My rooms and halls are now yellow and green and some of the offices are blue and pink. After ten years, I sure feel invigorated. When the summer was over, the students returned to discover that all extracurricular activities were to be halted. All teams, all plays, all publica- tions were stopped. The situation will stay the same until the teachers receive their often-promised raises. After ten years of being open to students, I feel sad and happy. I am sad because lVIr. Ludwig will be leaving in June 19515 I am sad because many of my students must go into the Service after high schoolg I am sad because there will be no Tenth Anniversary Show and no Tenth Year Issue of the Pilot. But I am also very happy! Happy because I can see the never-ending march of students who have marched and will march through my halls and will continue to lift me up and make me proud to be a school in these United States. C I O 0 O O O 0 ' Sevclztcerz