La Salle Academy - Maroon and White Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 90 text:

,- or 2 . 'fA, sa is c OON and WHITE g QB1:rtpzatra There sal a group of friends, enclianlecl With the delicious melodies. HETHER playing a haunting melody of olden days or the lilting strains of a modern melody, the La Salle orchestra has enchanted its listeners with its perfection of tone. By dint of hard and continued practice the orchestra has attained a standard seldom reached in high school circles. Following the completion of a highly successful season in l927-28, many va- cancies were to be found as a result of graduation. Prospects for equalling former records of La Salle orchestras were not particularly bright. But four former players retained their positions: Donald King, George Brennan, Lawrence Batastini and William Ellis. But the new registration provided ample talent to replace the vacancies, The new material gradually reached its present peak under the tutelage of Brother Jerome and Prof. Joseph Piacitelli. se .y The performances of the La Salle orchestra have taken in a wide scope. In the two big social events of the La Salle calendar, namely, the an- nual dramatic presentation, April 25 and 26, and the commencement exercises, June l4, the line en- tertainment provided by the orchestra evoked words of praise and encouragement from all. Every Friday afternoon the orchestra has fur- nished musical performances for school and class assemblies. However, the work of the La Salle orchestra does not rest solely in school activities. On November 24 the orchestra played at the Immaculate Conception parish. At other parochial entertainments in the city the school orchestra has proudly displayed its wares, with great benefit to themselves and to the school. It is a source of satisfaction and delight to know that most of the members of the orchestra are underclassmen. Graduation will in no wise injure its personnel. Next year they can pursue their course, confident of extended success.

Page 89 text:

U , Y 2 O Q 2 L . 5 Q 00N and 'VVIMIITE 5 First Row: J. Clair, J. Sutton, J. Puclien, J. Hzwkett, J. Hanley. Seeond Row: A. lteisvrt, .I. O'Conuor, .l. Buvklin. A. Sherry, D. Major, lil. Sullivan, A. Burke. 'I'hlrd ltow: A. Kelly, G. Garvey, A. Bartlett, 'l'. Kelly, J, Lamb. ' reahmen ' lnrutiun Qlnnteat ITH the inauguration of the new school year, all activities were given a generous impetus by an enthusiastic student body. As the days rolled on the gratifying results were obvious to everybody. Taking advantage of the earnest spirit that prevailed among the Freshmen, the faculty decided to revive interest in the time-honored old standby -elocution. This activity made its particular ap- peal to the Freshmen. The mere announcement of the proposed Freshman elocution contest threw the frisky new-comers into an excited state that bordered on hysteria. They went scurrying to all quarters in their attempts to resurrect the golden-tongued efforts of our immortal orators. They memorized and spoke, gesticulated and emoted for weeks previous to the contest. It was to he no childish affair. The first of these contests was held in the school auditorium, February 8, l929. Each Freshman class had its well-groomed representa- tive, while the rest of the respective ensemble gathered to see that due justice was given him. Six members of the faculty served as judges. After a long and interesting contest the winners were announced as follows: George Garvey, Eu- gene Sullivan, Ambrose Russit, Joseph Padien, James Lamb, Arthur Sherry, John Sutton, Alfred Bartlett, Ed. Gorman, John O'Connor, Joseph Jackett, Joseph Clair, Thomas Kelly and David Major. 85

Page 91 text:

PES 2 OON and WHITE i . N . . . - Senior Svmnkvr HIS year marked a revival of an old Senior institution at l..a Salle-the smoker. Due to a complexity of causes the old reliable get- to a complexity of causes the old reliable get-to- gether and pep revival event, seemed doomed to pass into the realm of precious memories. But there are souls ever watchful over the traditions of Alma Mater and to this group, the abandon- ment of the old custom bordered on the sac- rilegious With the zeal of reformers, they set to work to arouse a little enthusiasm among the leather-lunged Seniors and, due to their efforts, a date was set for the big event. Weeks of hectic preparation, all pointed to the evening of January l6th. A real, live com- mittee had prepared an elaborate programg tickets were disposed of and all things were ready. Accordingly, the Seniors, with a small gather- ing of invited guests, gathered in the school gym- nasium to pay heavy homage to the God of sport. Provided with the accessories that go with the smoker the boys set to work with much zest. Old timers and timid tyros were soon inhaling the smoke of the weeds with a variety of results. Some initial attempts were cut short by vio- lent fits of coughing, while others who had never been seasick, protested to their neighbors that somebody was rocking the gym. In the throes of his affliction one youth was heard to gasp, It's a bad habit, anyway: Mother always told me so. Scattered among us that night were many who had fallen to the seduction of a popular adg they got by, by smoking Murads. But as one black crow to another, Who cares. There were other big things going on. Kasparian's Kroning Kroniesf' led by their in- imitable leader, sent the rest of the program off with a bang. Into the squared arena came the gladiators who furnished the major part of the evening's program. The bouts were fast and furious. Like everything else, we thought the boys were only friendly rivals, but how they tuk and guve. Aiding the leather-pushers was Ken Quirk, whose stentorian voice announced the results. Then there was I-lec Allen, our popular coach, who told the boys when to be nice people. The high spot of the evening was a comedy bout between Tomboy Barrie and Kipper Kearns. It was a wow! With the heavy part of the program dispensed of, we turned to listen to a quartet, consisting of Dolan, Dillon, Connelly and McArdle. It was everything, including a quartet., A report from the kitchen announced that the victuals were ready. When the inner man was well satisfied, we were treated to a few remarks from Brother Paul and John Going, President of the Alumni. Both speakers commended the boys on their efforts, and well they might. May the underclassmen continue our efforts. It was a won- derful night. 87