Gowanda Central School - Valley Bugle Yearbook (Gowanda, NY)

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The Class of 1945 Four years ago this class of 1945 began its career as freshmen in Gowanda High School. Looking back, we find that for our first year in high school we elected the follow- ing officers: president, William Krebs: vice-president, Arthur Luine: treasurer, Genevieve Gelia: secretary, Katherine Gelia: and class adviser, Miss Glaser. Our main events were a get-acquainted barn dance held in the gymnasium and the all day excursion to Sunset Bay, which brought to a close our freshmen year. As sophomores our officers were: president, Walter Peters: vice-president, Arthur Luine: secretary-treasurer, Katherine Gelia: and class adviser, Mr, Hall. That's the year we had a picnic at Mentley's Grove. It rained off and on, but between showers we played baseball, ate and danced. Our junior year brought the Prom with its stardust theme and the crowning of Marion Dubaj as May Queen. On the last day of school, with the seniors as our guests, we cruised over to Crystal Beach. Most of us still thrill when we think of the breath-taking ride on the Cyclone . William Edwards was our presidentg Patricia Webster, secretary: Lottie Ligiecki, treasurer: and Mr. Scura, class adviser. It was during our junior year that we lost one of our fellow classmates, Robert Keller. We will always remember him as the rollicking lad whose irrespressible sense of fun led him into all kinds of mischief, the consequences of which he accepted good-naturedly with that irresistible grin which was so characteristic of Bob. This year, after electing Arthur Luine, president: Richard Rooney, vice-president: Harry Spencer, secretary: Marilyn Hubacher, treasurer: and Miss Glaser and Mr. Scura class ad- visers, we ambitiously started off on our magazine selling campaign which turned out to be quite a success. On December 1 we held a dance in the high school gym in honor of our foot- ball team. Our senior play, Seven Keys to Baldpaten, was presented on March 22 and 23 under the direction of Mrs. Simon. We enjoyed bringing to the public this combination mystery-comedy. With all this behind us, and with only regents and graduation ahead, we, the seniors of 1945, will soon be bidding farewell to our Alma Mater . We shall have a pleasant four years to look back upon. -8,-

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Thomas Jefferson, His Contribution to American Democracy In these dark days of World War II, when so many servicemen and women are fight- ing and dying for the right to live as free Americans, many times we on the homefront stop to think of what the word democracy means. When we think of its connotation, we should also give thought to those staunch men of old who also fought for our way of life, men like Thomas Iefferson, who unlike scores of unknown warriors, did receive the acclaim worthy of his efforts. Although Thomas Iefferson was criticized by many, those who have studied his life and accomplishments can find little at fault. In Iefferson, one may find the earliest budding of what could be called the future American tradition. Had he been merely a writer, a states- man, a plantation owner, or a soldier, it would be easier to evaluate his work, but since he was as well, an educator, architect, mathematician, astronomer, scientific farmer, musician, equestrian, and inventor, one could not go into detail without including every aspect of his abundant life. He was, a man, whose mind was so versatile, that he himself was the most marvelous of wanderersf' Thomas Iefferson, reared in a strong Virginia home, had such a deep and sincere sense of obligation, and had such strong principles, that he had no love of politics and the game that it was, although he was a political figure until the last years of his life. ln the Declar- ation of Independence, his greatest work, he made himself prophet and spokesman for all the true benefactors who have done their utmost to assure their people of life, liberty, and the pursuit of personal happiness: likewise making himself the spiritual champion of the people of our nation. One of Iefferson's greatest accomplishments was the founding of the University of Virginia, which became a model for all Southern colleges. He was called the Father of the highest education of the future South , for he fought desperately for universal education. As President, Iefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory strengthened the pioneer democracy. Hand in hand with his idea of territorial expansion was his belief that armies and navies were dangerous to liberties of a free people, and he kept them reduced at all times. Among other contributions to our government which Iefferson had earlier introduced into the state of Virginia were local self-government: maintenance of Indian reservations: a peace policy: strict construction of the Constitution with freedom of thought and speech: abolition of feudal hangovers, such as primogeniture and entail: and the emancipation of our black brothers. Thomas Iefferson, who did not want to see the mistakes of the Old World repeated here in America, profoundly believed in the intelligence of the people: and this measure of trust in the goodness of men as well as his trust in their ability to govern themselves, resulted in principles of American government. These principles, handed down to our generation, have established American ideals. May our boys win in their struggle to preserve these principles of democracy and to extend them to freedom-loving peoples everywhere. ' Van Loon, Thomas Icfferson, p. 32 PATRICIA WEBSTER F 7 -

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ANDOLSEK. CHARLES- handsome, shy, trapper, Tannery ANDOLSEK, LORRAINE- waitress, friendly. talkative ANDOLSEK, VVILLIAM- drearn-man, euerybody's pal, Hi-Di, well dressed ANDRZEJEWSKI, AGNES- vivacious, Busty, career girl, efficient Class Cificers LUINE ARTHUR, President brain wave. Piper Cub, smooth, witty ROONEY, RICHARD, Vice President Dad , baseball. Shirley, mischievous HUBACHER, MARILYN, Treasurer adorable, seemingly shy, well groomed SPENCER, HARRY, Secretary Boy Scouts, toy maker, Spence mathematician f