Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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6 The Corinthian Anthony Caruso Maurice White Stanley Rimdzius William Liberty James Slover Gregg Hodgson Stanley Rimdzius Philip Blankenstein Stanley Rimdzius George Simonof Class Officers Junior Year . President Vice-President . Secretary-Treasurer Senior Year President . Vice-President . Secretary . Treasurer National Honor Society President Vice-President Secretary-T reasurer Student Government Philip Blankenstein President of the Student Body

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Class of June, 1955 5 Stephen Girard was a man who lived and loved and worked and dreamed, just as you and 1 do. But he gathered, through hard work and shrewd financing, a fortune in excess of that accumulated by any other millionaire then alive. The result of this was, as it is with every wealthy man who holds a firm belief in the sanctity of labor, that people who believed that no man should acquire more than another took malicious swipes at his stature. But he, as a truly great man, allowed no untruths to interfere with the attaining of his goal in life. Today we of Girard College are enjoying the benefits of that ultimate achievement. In effect, Mr. Girard himself is among us, distributing—from his own plenteous but hard- earned means — food, clothing, shelter, and one of the finest, fullest elementary and secondary educations in this country. We address to our founder and foster-father, Stephen Girard, an appreciation deeper and stronger than mere thanks—an emotion that finds inadequate expression in words; we must manifest it in actions. Paraphrasing our founder’s own words, we now say, Our deeds must be our thanks.” We have been instructed in such a way that each one of us will fit smoothly into a desirable place in the outside world, despite eight years of relative seclusion. Our achievements hereafter must serve to demonstrate our gratitude for the education and experience that made them possible. Words are insufficient. We realize, Mr. Girard, that you have made us neither what we are nor what we shall be, but rather you have given us the tools with which to forge and shape ourselves. We can do no more, and must do no less, than try to become the men that you hoped to make of your boys through this school. Today we leave your house with a full mind and a suddenly filled heart. Like a fine painting, Girard College cannot be appreciated for all it means to us until after we leave. The greater the distance, the clearer the view.” Then only can we realize how much of us we have left behind in the halls, on the playgrounds, and on the campus of your school. Good-by and thanks again! dCcis .i of ig55

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Class of June, 1955 7 Mt We looked forward to our new building eagerly. Even the name Seniors , implied the zenith of character, society, and knowledge. And gradually, as we moved toward June 16, 1955, the pro¬ cess of maturity did take place in Allen Hall. The building itself was renovated for our comfort and accommodation; the staff was also changed. Therefore, at the beginning of our Senior year we found new housemasters, as well as new paint, new furniture, and new rooms. The new men were Mr. Mayes, from our Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Zdanowicz, from the State of Maine. Mr. Lander— Pop to everyone—also moved with the class from Bordeaux Hall to Allen. This was the new Allen Hall. Then there were the fine men who have been with the Senior classes for years. These housemasters, Drs. Zeil and White, had to take upon their shoulders the business of showing the ropes not only to the new class (which was, initially, almost one hundred boys) but also to the new housemasters. And a com¬ plete job they did of both endeavors. Soon we were well-acquainted with Dr. Zeil ' s vests, Dr. Whit e ' s businesslike manner, Mr. Lander ' s multi-lingual check-up reminders, Mr. Zdanowicz and his tall tales and sports knowledge, and Mr. Mayes ' brotherly friendliness and temperamental automobile. Also in residence in Allen Hall were Mr. Cunningham (so helpful to many college-minded fellows) and his charming wife. As a result of this balance on the staff of varied ages and equally varied experience, our class became aware of many of the interesting facets of the life into which we soon would be plunged, and we are now prepared to go forth from Allen Hall to the world of today as eager citizens. Bock Row: Dr. White, Mr. Lander, Dr. Zeil Front Row: Mr. Zdanowicz, Mrs. Zdanowicz, Mr. Mayes