Martin Van Buren High School - Futura Yearbook (Queens Village, NY)

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- Under the guidance of Miss Rizitiello, the Leaders have estab- lished a fine reputation both at Van Buren and on a city-wide level. This year they were selected to participate in a Tennis Dem- onstration sponsored by the N.Y.S. Physical Education Association, sent three delegates to the first City-Wide Leaders' Weekend, participated in a N.Y.C. Health Education Teachers Association conference, attended a Sokol Gymnastic Workshop, and sent representatives to high school playdays throughout the city. Their purpose is to promote the aims of physical education through active participation in sport and dance activities and give service to the Girls' Health Education Department. Among the traditional functions are the Father-Daughter Bowl- ing Party, the Installation Tea when new Leaders are inducted, the Alumni Reunion and Volleyball Challenge, and Sophomore Open House, for those interested in applying to Leaders. ln June, an invitation to all alumni is extended to ioin Leaders in the Mother- Daughter Dinner. For the Seniors this is their last official function together, but memorable and rewarding experiences and close friendships they have acquired will remain with them.

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. lg. sr G i' tl With the introduction of gymnastics as a P.S.A.L. interscholastic sport, Van Buren sent its first gym team into action this year. Twenty-one other New York City high schools were selected to initiate gymnastics competition, and four of these teams faced Van Buren in divisional matches. Gymnastics has always been an integral part of Van Buren's general health education program, and the gym team was a nat- ural outgrowth of the school's interest. Mr. Wallach, coach of the gymnastics team, feels that the sport is capable of developing strength, courage, agility, and self-reliance. No borough or city championship playoffs were held this year, although this innovation is planned for the future. Gymnastics covers a wide variety of events which in itself makes the sport interesting. The events include rope climb, horizontal bar, side horse, parallel bars, tumbling and free exercise. The last cate- gory is a combination of tumbling and body control. Under the leadership of Mr. Wallach and captain Duane Prack- elt, the gymnastics team has engineered a good start in an ever- expanding sport. r f I

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UNSUNG We slept overnight in a graveyard So that when we were fathers we could say, I slept in a graveyard the whole night, And wasn't scared at aIl. Of course, now as we scratch our stubble And flaten out our trousers, We remember the tombstone inscriptions. Sons, we said, do not Cast stones on sinners, Or iudge others by yourselves, Or dance on the Devil's nights. Now sometimes when we Sit on the porch on a summer evening, We hear our sons calling At the outskirts of town, As they sleep in our untold fear. DEENA MILLER A GULL SUFFERS AT DINNER-TIIVIE Gulls catch tish in the sun spark, Dropping through shadows to snatch Wobbling fins from ocean's green salt, And bringing prey to their cliffs near heaven, Where they make the young swallow the Glowing scales. The hunger close their eyes and finish dinner In silence. Only the male squawks. He seems to enioy the sight of animal Nibbling animal, when in the sun he pecks at Tough feathers. Up and into his chest, he Scatters the plumage in the wind's howl. ,Q F-4. ,f ..f. I , -..f LITTLE LEFT There was hardly any snow left on The winter wet ground and the Sun shrugged wearily as it Passed between clouds and Sky and Rainbows. The tallest tree by the Low white fence had a Branch bent deep for little Boys swinging and Sitting and Dreaming. The sun sort of smiled between The skinny arms of that Old oak that stretched out To grasp the wind and Warmth and Rain. lf you can call a tree wise He was wise, with his gnarled trunk And his sagging muscles, and the straight Standing against the heat and Storm and Ugliness. He isn't very pretty to look at now But his summer green was thick and Sweet smelling and leafy and the Shade was cooling and Thoughtful and Sleepy. It's kind of a shame that the new highway'lI Be going through those parts soon and Theyill be making room for cars Instead of trees and Dreams and Little boys. back SHIRLEY RONNER