Mount St John Academy - Veritas Yearbook (Gladstone, NJ)

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meeting a conspiracy against the tnlsuspcarting freshies. The costumes were un- believable, the formulated dialogue to be recited at the foot of each noble Sophomore, nonsense, and our hilarity, a mixture of humor and nostalgia. Winter came swiftly and soon the Mount became a wonderland of ice and snow. With the Christmas Season came the usual round of parties. gifts and good wishes, filled with the joy or comraderie. The vacation commenced, and cries of Merry Christmas, and See you next year, rang through the halls. When classes were resumed, we returned to a different sort of world--a world of ice, encasing our school in a crystal wonder. Still the snow came a11d one cold day, we awoke to a most surprising fact . . . we were snowbound! No School Today! was the joyous shout and rusty sleds were pulled out and mittens pulled on. Soon the slopes of Mount St. John were dotted with figures sledding, making snow- men, tossing snowballs, 'til faces were ruddy and eyes bright. Ever so slowly the cold, snowy winter evolved i11to spring and quite suddenly, hirds were chirping, buds peeking and the scent of springtime brought a lethargy, a spring fever into the classrooms and halls. We soon tired of books and vaca- tion was upon us. We said Ngoodhyesi' in the wondrous anticipation of our future year as Juniors In September we returned as npperclassmen and were 5'Big Sisters to the new freshmen. Immediately we plunged into the seasonal spirit with a dance, 'gSpook Session, a ghostly affair. with witches, goblins, owls, cobwebs and, it has been re- ported, a bat who enjoyed the dance so much that he is yet perched on a rafter awaiting the return of spooky festivities. The Christmas season brought more than the usual surprises. As wc tore away the paper from a tiny box we had received, the room echoed with squeals and squeaks of joy and the longed-for blue and gold school rings were on our fingers. The high school was invaded by the juniors who were flashing rings and demanding admiration. Time passed quickly and one day in late winter, we were delighted to hear of a proposed trip to Washington, D. C. We immediately O.K.'ed it and from that time until we stood, bag and baggage in front of the U. S. Capitol building, we spoke of nothing else. The three days spent in the Nation's Capitol were among the most memorable of our lives. Together with the Seniors, we travelled over the city, inspected the most famous signs and several of lesser fame, toured the city by night, were thrilled by the simple magnificence of the Lincoln lVlemorial and inspired by the words of the greatpman in whose honor it was erected. We al- most met the President and had a lot of fun and excitement trying lo engineer that allair. We left our mark at the Willa rd llotel. formerly known as the home of Presidents. We took loads of snapshots, and wore out at least three cameras tak- ing unusual snaps of classmates unaware! We piled into the bus. wishing we could remain a bit long- er, while our more practical school- mates Hled memories and discussed with animation various nondescript materia.',

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Klaugfwmq Dear Underclassmen: This is the time of the year when we are asking, Do you remember? - and as the memories roll hack, we become misty-eyed and reminiscent .... A whole new life began for us on that clear, September day, 1951, when we entered the building which was to be home for the next four years. The school seemed so enormous that we were afraid to get lost, even before school had officially started! After the first few days, we gained enough self- assurance to begin to worry about the event which is the highlight of every freshman year-Initiation!-and did we look ridiculous!-cold-creamed and hath-robed, as though' we had just risen from a not-too-sound sleep! We were frightened at first, but became determined to go through with this first ordeal-and soon it was but a memory tucked away in our beloved Senior Album. School soon began in earnest and each day brought new surprises, and friendships were formed which became the strong bond hold- ing our class together. ' The retreat stands out as the most beautiful of all memories. The peace that descended on us, as the Papal Blessing was bestowed, remained to guide our yet feeble steps along the path of higher education. Then came the Christmas Season, complete with gifts, parties, fond goodbyes and lVlidnight Mass, a glorious vacation, our return to school, and the Days of Judgment: Exams. The ordeal over, we again turned to thoughts of joy, which became more and more plentiful, as spring was ushered in and the smell of newly-mowed grass brought light- ness to feet and to hearts-a light- nessnot defeated by the threat of the Finals.,' The exams passed even more quickly than before, and secret smiles on our faces betrayed our success. As we said Good- bye, to our teachers, we breathed sighs of relief and we promised each other never to forget this first yearf' - As 4'Sophs,', our shyness gone, we returned to the large stone build- ing, with a new confidence, for now we felt as though we were a part of that beautiful edifice. The initia- tion of newly-met freshmen was our assignment and our first class

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