Mount Saint Marys College - Eagle Yearbook (Orchard Lake, MI)

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l. - Duns sented on the football squad as well as on the Honor Roll. Another Mission Rally, a Halloween Party and the long awaited Student Government Day swiftly came and went, but l dare say will long be remembered by those who took part in them. I would like it to be known that although never leaving my elevated position of responsibility atop the class building, I observed many things about this class . . . few were the experiences and the aspects of the class that escaped my attention. The students had captured, unconsciously perhaps, a spirit of understanding and appreciation for their rich Polish cultural heritage and their priceless Catholic Faith. They lived, at Orchard Lake, a life in which academic en- deavors, opportunities for good companionship, recrea- tional activities and participation in the liturgical life of thc Church were combined and integrated into a har- monious whole. Winter again found basketball the king of sports at St. Mary's and this season his reign was an excep- tionally glorious one. The Reserve Team defeated one opponent after another and came up with the City Cham- pionship, an unprecedented feat in the annals of St. Mary's. During these long winter months, those who were not on the various hardwood teams, kept them- selves occupied with other extracurricular activities in intramurals, the Clee Club, the Band and many profita- ble hours over a good book. Checkers, Chess, Ping-Pong and Pool tournaments always found enthusiastic partici- pants. Talcnt in another field was discovered when the Sophomorcs had a winner in both the English and Polish Oratorical Contests. It was during their Sophomore year that the Class of '56 established the first student publi- cation of their residence building, the Ark Log. F. I I 6,1 ...V w -Ji-5'-l qi 6- LLWALLYH' Tan The day of the Ring Ceremony was one of the most memorable during the stay of the High Grads of 1956 at Orchard Lake. 4sGUTsv1 Toward the Spring, studies were necessarily more diff ficult, but it was soon discovered that the more effort one put in something, the more one received in return, The Spring Concert and Family Night were huge sue- cesscs. The track and baseball seasons, having been completed, and final examinations held, the Sophomores left St. Mary's once again to enjoy a well deserved summer vacation. Three months later my boys were back at -St. Maryis' again, this time as Juniors with a new class master, Father John Rakoczy. They now took up residence the College building, popularly known as 'iThe Barracks with Father Joseph Kubik as disciplinariari. Severaf members of the class held 'gkey positions oriithe Ifootf. ball squad and it was they who were largely lresponsiblei for the profitable season which ensued. St. Miiry's-'took second place in the Suburban Parochial Leagjle. those not engaged on the varsity, there were ititlfiilillgiiillj' 'g football, tennis, swimming and volleyball. H,- -- ' wi.-.-n Nl ix .- , ,,-E44 '- .. , nl-an , . . , i,,. 1 -rv w -n . . .1 i . Mil wr K..- -,..1 ,M l EJ -1 X 1 ,J Proj If , M., . .r e 1 i , mi: - A--I . .ic M1 ,, .-, 'Lzu .1 ' -' i. ,- - ,,-, 1 rL-f,.il-1, ij w i' 'fu'-f .1 1-fn., - I . .dr lf lu . In cf J. 1- WT Hx' ll , i. .,'r. , lm L, I , 1 -iraq .',, It 'Ili :gym -1-: 1,I -lp . M I ,il tl-al ' 1 i ly . , ,. ,tu 11 I r H W HT' '-v 'ttyl ,J , ,. I 1 iiKLI7NX,' 1' . ...LIC .N I ,. . .r C. .f. n.. n - l-. l, . . - -'. V , . N I.: Q . . -t ' ' --tif - 1, ' juif if-. - 1, .-.,'E:'11'.- gr-gl, if Ulf Q L gl NL' Fld - flqilf L3 lb , 'gr

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MIIME TS TU REMEMBER LASKIPN I am the Clock on the Class Building . . . and I have a story to tell. My tale is one which concerns a group of young lads, men now, a group that has come to be especially dear to my heart. Perhaps my weather-beaten face may give no indication that I have a heart, but I do, and through all the years that I have marked the passage of time from my sentry post never have there been four years that have been more pleasant than those I ticked away through the hours, days, weeks and months for the Class of 1956. These boys caught my interest- and stole my affection. And I was so happy to be able to record for them so many Moments to Remember. The story begins on September 4-, 1952, when another, ordinary, inexperienced group of young fellows arrived as Freshmen on my campus. They checked into Noah's Ark where Father John Gabalski was disciplinarian. On the next day, as I looked down from my position atop the class building, it seemed to me that this was just another group of Freshies, or so I thought, as they came to the class building for the first time. That was why I was rather surprised when, by the time of the usual Get Acquainted Partyf' a week later, they were getting along exceptionally well. But ssKR0vv what really opened my eyes were the many positions which they filled on the football team and the successful season which then followed. Football prevailed, all through those autumnal months, not only on the varsity gridiron, but also on the intramural field. Father Francis Orlik was appointed class master for the Freshmen class. And, as time went on, I came to realize that this class of Freshmen was no ordinary class. These were my boys! At the time of the Halloween Party, which turned out a big success, they were all well acquainted with campus life. Hikes around Orchard Lake and the colorful countryside took up many hours during the beautiful autumn months. With the coming of winter, basketball, the king of sports at Orchard Lake, found the Freshmen eager and waiting to do their part. That season saw many successful, well-played games. Not only did my boys do well with regard to points, but even more important, they came to know the value of. sportsmanship and fair play. Throughout those win- ter months they took an active part in many different aspects of life at Orchard Lake. Among these were the competitive English Oratorical Con- test and the festive Christmas Mu- sicale. Walks to Apple Island over the crunching snow, brisk skating, and snappy games of hockey on the LLJIMQQ Lake became frequent. Though they were unaware of it, they had come to be imbued with a new and co-operative spirit, one of fellowship and joviality, a spirit that is hard to express . . . I call it the Spirit of St. Mary's. The coming of spring brought baseball and track, two sports in which the Freshmen were as well repre- sented as they were in the others. The annual Spring Concert, Family Night, and Open House gave the Frosh class an opportunity to take part in a large number of exceptionally memorable events. The achievements of members of the Little Theatre and the Craft Club were recognized with the presentation of awards at the Family Night program. After the final exams in June, as I watched them jubilantly leave the class building, I real- ized how anxious they were for the summer vacation and how sorely I would miss them during the summer months. The next September found 'tmy boys returning as Sophomores and Father Henry Waraksa as their new class master. They were veterans now . . . old hands at the gamel' who knew what to expect in the months ahead. After several subtractions and additions, the Sophomores num- bered thirty-five students, all ripp'n and rarin to go.', And go they did . . . the class was again well repre- Norm

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Mn NTS 'ru BEM BER uLESI'li' l the keyword these days. Day after day, as I watched my boys Q walk about the campus, l could see that there was a change coming over them. Because of the efforts of our distinguished faculty members, they were coming to realize more and more the necessity of education and earnest study as a preparation for a bright and success- ful future. They were unaware of my presence, con- tinually looking down upon the campus quadrangle. At Halloween ,and Christmas, the Juniors sponsored parties for their upper-classmen. The festivities of the holiday season went as quickly as they had come and the gym- nasium began to vibrate again with the sound of healthy boys and their beloved sport. Of course, the season was a victorious one. The winter days were filled with work and play, always enjoyed in the companionship of jovial and happy companions. ln March, the long-awaited day of the class ring presentation ceremony came and will long be remembered by members of the class and their families. With the advent of Spring, the baseball and track equipment were brought out of storage. This year, the Juniors began to take the forefront in both sports. That explains, in large measure, the profitable season in track and the Suburban Catholic Championship won in base- ball. The yearly track and field day was eagerly an- STICK ticipated by one and all. Then came final examinations, a Caudeamus Party for the Seniors, Commencement Exercises and summer recess once again. The early days of September saw the arrival of the members of the class of '56 for another scholastic year . . . their most important too. Now the Seniors numbered twenty-seven fellows with Father John Rakoczy again serving the class as their moderator. Almost immedi- ately, the student body was plunged into the spirit of the football season. And for a good reason . . . the Eaglets won the Suburban Parochial League Champion- ship in football, something unheard-of in the history of St. Maryis. From my place atop the class building, l looked with pride upon my hoysf' the class of '56 who were the first ones to lead the Red and White through an undefeated season on the gridiron. The many and varied duties of the Seniors, as soliciting advertisements for the Orchard Lake yearbook, The Eagle, taking class pictures, and selecting invitations occupied much of the time. One of the numerous achievements for which the Class of '56 will always be remembered was its intro- duction, on the gracious suggestion and paternal guid- ance of the Reverend Principal, of the Student Offi- cer's Council and the Student Assembly program. This High School Graduates of 1956 y .It ' x mm NMAQ, 1 . tl, .ri1wiV,,.: U X ,Y-Q: -:gl v Hg,f'B':tl. - . - . fa f qlf'i?'5t 1e?fl'1?5iEf? ,,aEf5Q ailE'gi l 22351 .' -L :lflffllf l-1?'5?f'i5?aZ'?5E -ff-aff f I I ' r a ' is Ella. llila ,U ft? C g u t nl-