Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 29 text:

Social Life Standing Left to Right: Mr. Emil Zarella, Mr. Joseph T. Wilemar. SeJted: Mrs. Emil Zarella, Miss Miriam McGhee, Mrs. Joseph T. Wileman The Girardian, the gentleman” has been a familiar phrase heard often around Girard and even on the outside. Behind this typical Girard cliche, lies a social training which extends back to the first grade, one which is officially taught in our freshman year as Social Guidance with Miss Miriam McGhee. Who among us could forget those first awkward stumbles which were supposed to represent a dancing step in the tenth grade dancing class with Miss McGhee and Mr. Keenan? After this ten-week-boot-camp-type of learning how to manipulate our feet correctly, we were given our first test — the Sophomore Coke Party. Here we fumbled and stumbled through the motions of dancing, had our embarrassing moments, renewed some degree of courage, and left more confidently than we had entered. From the Sophomore Coke Parry, we launched to two other coke parties, three Junior Dances, three Senior Dances, four Cadet Dances, four Canteens, two House Parties, innumerable teas, Carson, and Lan- kenau Dances. All these events were available to those who chose to participate, providing many enjoyable and refreshing hours. For the possession of our savoir-faire, we are greatly indebted to Miss Miriam McGhee for her unflagging efforts to make our life at Girard more enjoyable and proper. We are also indebted to the mem¬ bers of the Girard staff who helped us become aware of the proper way of treating and dealing with others. A 25

Page 28 text:

Swing ltsiml First Row, Left to Right: N. Perry, A. tiuchta, G. Campisi, N. Stephan, D. Merdiuszew Second Ron : R. Davies, W. Murray, R. Fenstermacher, M. Zerbe, R. Hamilton, P. Newton, G. Egler Third Row: G. Anhorn, C. Davies, J. Begosh, R. O’Donnell, G. Guattare When t ' he present Cavaliers began in March of last year, they were faced with the seemingly impossible task of building an entirely new band from only five experienced members. Needed were a complete saxo¬ phone section, another three trombones, additional drummers, and one more trumpet to fully fill all the places left vacant by the preceding class. Needless to say, hard work and continuous practice were required in training the new members, many of whom were forced to learn to play instruments which they had never before attempted. The long hours of constant rehearsing definitely paid off when the Cavaliers played at their first dance in March, 1962, and pleasantly surprised the somewhat skeptical juniors attending the affair. From that time on, the band has developed and improved to such an extent that each new player is now perfectly know¬ ledgeable and skilled in his instrument, and the band works as one harmonious instrument. With the Cavaliers’ theme song, Stormy Weath¬ er, the dances would usually get under way. Other num¬ bers which often continue to highlight the dances include such memorable tunes as Sing, Sing, Sing; Lul- lahye of Birdland; Peter Gunn; the twist version of Basin Street Blues ; theme from M-Squad; Star Dust; the snappy cha-cha-cha, Peanut Vendor; and of course such old favorites as Moonlight in Vermont. When the last strains of the Cavaliers’ theme faded away at the junior dance in the early part of 1963, captain George Egler, and the only other seniors, Phillip Newton and Malcolm Zerbe said their adieux to the band. 24 ] •

Page 30 text:

Seminar Left to Right: A. Cohen, J. McCullough, S. Brandschain, W. Maholick, R. Kirby, D. Perkins, J. Cecoc, B. Buschel, Mr. G. Keller, Mr. B. Rothberg, Mr. H. Holman, T. Keenan, J. Michaluk, M. Zcrbe, J. Kauffman, P. Newton, J. Poncavage, J. Flaherty, B. Sho:kowitz For the past two years, some select members of our class have been exposed to the finer and more essential elements of life at Saturday meetings of the Seminar. They have been exposed to the profound ele- m.nts cf music, art, literature, science, and history. The sessions have been moderaed by such fine men as: Dr. Guy Marriner, Mr. Jack Bookbinder, Dr. Morris Wolf, Mr. Thomas McHugh, and Mr. Benjamin Rothberg. The topics discussed were both varied and interesting. They ranged anywhere from a study of modern art or the great composers to the understanding of human nature from examinations of historical events. The boys who attended these discussions began to take an interest in them merely because they were proud of the erudition they accumulated from listening to the moderators. As time progressed, however, the ideas presented by the moderators began to have more than surface value and raised questions that often transmuted young inexperienced participants into maturing individ¬ uals possessing an awareness which enabled them to strive for an understanding of the essence of their immediate existence, and of their aspirations for eternal existence. This searching has instilled into their lives a fulfillment which elevates them from the superficial, animalistic plane of human life which has tragically enveloped a large portion of our modern world and which is extant because of man’s advancements” of civilization. They have most likely experienced mental distress from attempting to transcend their existence above an animalistic plane, but this distress is ultimately overwhelmed by an obscure, profound consum¬ mation of life, the contentment of comprehensive understanding. The boys of the Seminar would like to convey their deepest thanks to Mr. Benjamin Roth¬ berg for the interest he has taken in them and for the hard work he has devoted to the Seminar meetings and the other extra activities which he has provided. 26 )►