Lafayette High School - Oracle Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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Senior Class Officers JOHN REID President MARY SVENSSON Vice President Saluiaiory UR parents, teachers, principal, almost everyone we talked with, as- sured us that this was to be our day. We have had time enough, we agreed, for solemn faces and weighty thoughtsg this day would be dedicat- ed to us . Let there be laughter, quips, and jollity. And so it has come to pass . Because we realize, however, that our life could never be so happy as it is now had it not been for teachers, parents, principal, and friends, we welcome them with all our hearts to share our class day with us . As we think of Lafayette, do we not recall first the echoes of laughter as we met with friends each day in center hall? Can we forget that each year we met new friends who enriched our lives? We recall how we looked forward to being reunited with former classmates at the beginning of each school year. Friends have done much to make our four years happy. Opportunities for rewarding friendships have been open for each of us . Our hearts are filled with thanks for happy companionship . We realize we can not begin to express our gratitude for the care and understanding we found in our teachers . While we enjoyed a carefree life, the school ran smoothly, our course carefully charted. For three of our years at Lafayette Mr. Gott stood behind us . Day by day we saw his friendly face, felt his enthusiasm for sports and extra- curricular activities, and experienced his willingness always to help us in our difficulties . This year we have become increasingly grateful to Mr. Axlerod for his kind thoughtfulness of us . In this brief year, we have come to realize the wonderful school spirit he has aroused. We shall always remember our cheering assemblies and the night dances, the way we played together as well as worked together. Now as we are once again united, our hearts are a little sad because, although this is our day, we realize that the gaiety and happiness of school life are near an end. And so with our good companions and loved ones, we join in Loud sing her praises, knowing that as we leave gaiety be- hind and prepare for more serious duties, we shall praise Lafayette often and cast many a longing lingering look behind. KAY BURKE GORDEN HIPPLE ADELINE CAMPANELLA THOMAS REILLY Secretary Treasurer Marshal Marshal 18

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Valediciory S we, the graduates of 1956, are about to close the doors of Lafayette for the last time, our thoughts turn back to the day when we first walked through these doors of opportunity. How excited we were on that first day. We expected to become learned students as we progressed through four years of struggle with our high school subjects. However, tonight, as we approach graduation, we do so in a spirit of humility, we do not feel the dignity of our stature as seniorsg we realize that we have only begun to acquire knowledge . But we know, too, that the doors of opportunity are still open wide for those who would enter. Learning is ahead, not behind. The opening and -closing of doors are the most significant actions of man's life, says Christopher Morley. Had it not been for the endeavors of our teachers, the doors of opportunity might have remained closed to us . During our first three years, Mr. Gott led us in our widening search for knowledge. No other person could have served as a better example for young people to emulate in their desire for self improvement. Mr. Axlerod, our new principal, believes that the, student body should leam to accept respon- sibility, for with the acceptance of responsibility comes personal growth. We have liked to work with him . Under his guidance and with his encourage- ment, we have profited from the experiences of our last and most difficult year. Even with these four years of training, we shall not realize our potential- ities if our knowledge is not applied in the right direction. just as the power of the atom can be directed toward evilg so can the power of. knowledge stored in the human mind. But if learning is put to good use, we can save the future from misery and war. Now as we, the class of 1956, are about to walk through the halls of La- fayette for the last time, we take with us a part of Lafayette, in return, we leave a vital part of ourselves . We take with us leaming, unique traditions, and an invincible spirit . We leave our loyalty, our respect, our desire to serve our Alma Mater. We hope that the endeavors of our teachers have not been in vain: we are determined to win for ourselves a place in the history of Lafayette . We hid farewell to Lafayette with the knowledge that we will al- ways honor the banner of violet and white and think of her with true devotion . A 65 Senior Class Officers GARY COGDELL Valedictorlan MILDRED ZATORSKI Salutatorian MAUREEN POLLINO RICHARD C. VARA PATRICIA BUTTS EMMIE MAX Higtgrian Histgfian TRIANGLE EdiI01' ORACLE Editor 19