Holy Cross High School - The Cross Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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MR. MICHAEL VINCIGUERRA Chairman of Mathematics Department BS., St. Francis College Graduate Work, St. john's University Calculus IV Modern Math IV Intermediate Algebra III, IV BROTHER CHARLES VARNAK Director of Athletics B.S., Waynsburg College M.A., Notre Dame Mathematics 10, 11 Football Moderator Baseball Moderator When God wrote the universe, He mer! the language of mezllaemaziicd' Galileo Galilei Today, in our modern society, it is the rare individual who does not come into daily contact with some application of mathematics. While modern science triumphs by virtue of mathematics, technology has by no means been the sole concern of mathematicians. When formal mathematics received its introduction by way of Euclid's writ- ings, the realm of logic and philosophy in general, it was the beneficiary of an exact system of deductive reasoning, This influence of mathematics as a refined method of thought caused Galileo to remark: . . and believe me, if I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematicsf' Along with this power of mathematics is the impressive majesty of mathe- matics. It has been said many times that to reduce mathematics to a system of reasoning applied to the natural universe, is to reduce a great work of art to paint and canvas. The field of pure fas distinguished from appliedj mathe- matics transcends the limitations of logical forms and structures, and employs a high degree of imagination and intuition. It is this spirit of mathematics, a pursuit of beauty derived from reasoning, of which Bertrand Russel spoke when he said: Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses . . . supreme beauty-a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture, without appeal to any part of our weaker nature . . . yet sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show. The true spirit of delight, the exaltation, the sense of being more than man, which is the touchstone of the highest ex- cellence, is to be found in mathematics as surely as in poetry. Y. .i

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From the earliest of times there has been a most pressing need for the cultivation in the human mind of other tongues. Today, there is an even greater need. With the advancement in travel and communication, the world has grown smaller, hence the greater need for language fluency and variation. Language is the expressive agent of emotion, love, hatred, courage, sorrow, and en- couragement. Often the words spoken by some long deceased man spring to life in our contemporary language. The two modern languages taught at Holy Cross are French and Spanish.,These classes enjoy the erudite instruction of Brother Richard McDonald, C.S.C., and Brother Laurian La Forest, C.S.C., as well as that of Mr. Alberto Benavides and Brother Hugh McCabe, C.S.C. The students must have at least two years learning of the Latin tongue before entering these fields, hence they are fairly well supported in language by the time of graduation. BROTHER HUGH MCCABE, CSC. B.A., St. Edwards University R ' , Religion II ' -fl French I , , ' C.S.M.C. Moderator g g, t Lance, Ass't Moderator , ff, ' VL, - K Dramatics, Ass't Moderator , ll l- : 4 Sacristan ,l Q7 '. QfQy n I S, - i f tr A gi lf li it i I ff V : 5, ,fi mil mi 1 ss? a N 1 - ,L ,--ina- -- ' V - r ---- f- 'H A f-5,3 A L ,A 5' 'o' STi.Lf3V,,,,-,f2o :F Vaci ' ' L 31- .l.' , fiiiem f f .i-I-- T' :SLM --1' 5 'ff , f-' - 7-L i - ff' , if ' l I f fir' it flea , 2 if . lf' m ll Q 1 'I , 255555: i f ii 1' 7 ,FI V if . ,, fi, , ' 1 il . V Q gig, ' ' J, ' i - 'F f , l fr T 5. Y 3 wtf ,in YT - M ii f 1 , !1 y,gi,f .. , , f U ,4ir,'g.e1t,, -K-: Tir 44 . 'f.Hr--''i,,-:aw-tgrffe , ., .,.. ' 1 ' e fY'sf2'1?-1'?!,0+. f' r 3 T , 7 ' -, ji .. fl 1' fi -1 Pa, I , L A Y 52' ,ggi J .., I f 31 .2 135 fly 71 ' Q f ,,e , ' PN. V 1 'r . if'- ,Vila -K 7 7'l,?, z' .1 ' ,ls-,f15 . fs snag f safe ' T The primary purpose in the teaching of a language is the disciplining of a youthful mind and in this way enabling him to reason in any situation. The language itself, with all its many advantages, also serves a secondary purpose. The student is taught how to speak and write the language so as to prepare him for any possible future use of this tongue. Conversation is an art. By being able to converse with people in foreign languages, we increase this art within us. These languages are also taught in high school in order to increase the understanding of customs and of the history of the country which is being studied. The only true method in which this can be completely accomplished is by the intensive study of the country. MR. ALBERTO BENAVIDES MS., St. Andrew- La Paz, Bolivia Spanish I, Il

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a+a.:3ff4 il A X141 U A V BROTHER DAVID MURRAY, C.S.C. -t 2 B.S., University of Notre Dame Q, Athletic Director S I 'Q Basketball Moderator 2 Geometry 'fr7Z'l'2 From this rich heritage is derived the philosophy of the Holy Cross High School Department of Mathematics. The Algebra courses are designed to famil- iarize the students with mathematical techniques together with a geometry course and centered around the process of deductive reasoning. For the quali- fied students of senior year, a course in Elementary Calculus is offered, along with a Modern Mathematics course. Here the emphasis is placed on some of the advanced principles of mathematics. 1 It is the aim of the Mathematics Department to bring our students nearer , the day when they may rejoice with the poet Lucretius: l Happy if fhe mmz who, Sludyizzg 7Z6ZlZl7'9jJ' lfzzw, Tlarozzgb kfzowzz effeclr can trace the ferret mme, l The Holy Cross Mathematics Department under the direction of Mr. Michael Vinciguerra strives to instruct the student in these ideas. There are various courses offered in mathematics, starting with algebra in the Freshman year and ending with Calculus or Math twelve in the Senior year. BROTHER MARVIN SAXWNER, C.S.C. M.S., Syracuse University Physics Applied Physics III Algebra I Photography Moderator Graduation MR. HENRY WOELING B.A,, St. Peter's College Algebra I, III Geometry