Mount St Joseph Academy - Mount Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

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I 761 Then We were Juniors- F all September days found us once again at the Mount. This year, however, we walked through the familiar halls with a new sense of importance, for at last we were upperclassmen. Soon after we returned to school, we elected to lead our class four capable Mounties: president, Dorothy Pal- shawg vice-president, Barbara Bailey, secretary, Colette Dolin: and treasurer, Rita D'Auria. Class activities began quickly and summer memories faded. One of our first functions as the junior class was the traditional Hallowe'eri Party for our younger sisters, the freshmen. Days passed and then a spirit of quiet peace and holiness pervaded the corridors as we made our yearly re- treat under the guidance of Rev. Richard Walsh. Winter Fall days were followed by brisk wintry weather. On Foundation Day our beloved Bishop, the Most Reverend Henry J. 0,Brien, visited us once again, gladdening our hearts with a promised holiday. Then it was not long until the senior's caroling voices rang out from the loggia and Christmas vacation began. We returned to school with the prospect of mid- year exams in the not too distant future. Then, with the senior class, we celebrated the departure of exams with a dance, The Skaters, Waltz. The Annual Parents' Night was the junior class's next venture. The array of talent presented hy our classmates both delighted and amazed the audience. Then, we, a busy class, began preparations for the Lenten Shadow Play, the presentation of which brought vividly to the minds of parents and class- mates the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. Spring During Easter week we turned out in gala at- tire for our first formal at the Mount. After vacation the end of classes loomed on the horizon and preparation for the closing ac- tivities began. Voices of the Junior Choir could be heard second periods as we practiced for grad- uation. At long last the eagerly anticipated day of our junior year arrived. In an impressive and solemn ceremony we received our senior chapel caps and rings from our senior sisters. None of us will ever forget that proud day. The weeks were filled with various activities. A highly successful Mission Day was followed by field day at which time the juniors demonstrated the art of modern dancing. Final exams behind us, we spent a day pic- nicking at Lake Compounce. Then, prior to com- mencement, we mistily bid an official farewell to the seniors. One by one the class activities had sped by, until the last one remained-Commence ment. Eagerly the members of the Junior Choir raised their voices in tribute to the Class of '53, It was on that same afternoon as we watched the seniors leave the Cathedral we realized that a dream of three years had come true. We were the seniors at lastl!

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lA As Sophomores in 52- Fall Home again to a routine almost welcome after thc months of freedom. After a few weeks of ac- climalion to study. we decided to again invite our parents to witness our accomplishments. On Hal- Iow'e'en we entertained with a play befitting the season. sending shivers of fear and delight through the appreciative audience. Filled with new-found confidence, the Latin II Class wrote and enacted a play for their class- mates dealing with the Mythological Origin of the Seasons . Thanksgiving came and we again went into re- treat-showing our gratitude to Cod and begging new favors under the guidance of Father Cyprian Jones. a Capuchin. Winter In an effort to bring a Merry Christmas to shut-ins. we traveled to the Harriet l. .lones Home with entertainment. gifts. and conversation. de- parting with tears of joy in our eyes to match those of our new-found friends. A surprise awaited us on our return to school -one hour exams which radically revised our study habits. As the Easter Season neared. plans got under way for the Passion Play. ln its series of tableaux. the suffering of Calvary was con- trasted with the triumph of the Resurrection. Our hearts awoke to spring to the tune of Clee Club rehearsals in preparation for the May per- formance. Mission Day arrived with sophomore contri- butions of movies, refreshments. and a fashion show adding to the success of the day. Field Day dawned with sophomore gymnasts displaying evidences of their athletic skills. Our last official act under class officers. Mary Lou McLaughlin. presidentg Muriel Moylan. vice- presidentg Nancy 0,lYeil. secretary: and Betty Hurley. treasurer. was the Senior-Sophomore Party. A song in honor of the Class of '52. composed es- pecially for the occasion. highlighted an afternoon of guessing games. a scavenger hunt and refresh- ments. Afterwards. graduating seniors and po- tentialhjuniors left to begin a new chapter in their lives.

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Seniors at Last! Fall Summer over. we. the Seniors, returned to the Mount and reorganized immediately under the leadership of Joan Metzner. presidentg Barbara Bailey. vice-presidentg Colette Dolin, secretary, and Marjorie Fish, treasurer. As days passed. our talk seemed limited to dis- t-ussion of class pictures and the preparation of our yearbook. Preceding Thanksgiving vacation we had our last Mount retreat with Reverend J. G. Bernier, S.S.S.. officiating. The words of wisdom he im- parted will not soon be forgotten. Follouing retreat, we enjoyed our first dance of the year-The Fall Frolic. Winter On Foundation Day, we were honored to have as our guests His Excellency Henry J. O'Brien, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, and the Most Reverend John F. Hackett, Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford. As December holidays neared, we proudly presented the traditional loggia carol sing. The operetta, Hansel and Cretel, demonstrated weeks of hard work. well worthwhile. We climaxed February with a pre-Lenten dance. Soon Mission Day arrived and, as ever, proved to be a great success. -SELL! Spring In May, on our annual Parents' Night, Mary Louise Hickey entertained us with her presentation of Life With Mother. In quick succession, we joined in our last May crowning, our last Clee Club Concert, our last Field Day, Final exams came and went. Our studies were over! How we enjoyed the Class Will and Prophecy read on Class Night! How proud we were of the long-awaited yearbooks! Finally, clothed in the colors of the rainbow and with hearts light and gay, we were dancing at the best dance of all-the Senior Prom. On Recollection Sunday, just preceding Com- mencement, we reviewed our spiritual gain here at the Mount and resolved to strengthen still fur- ther our spiritual life. Our friend, Father Bernier, again imparted advice for future years. To know our Faith and put it into action, to respect our superiors, and to love neighbor as self for love of Cod-these are the principles with which we have been indoctrinated. The light of the Blessed Sacrament has shone in a special way in our activities for four years. We pray that that same light may illumine our lives, making them worthy tributes to the Catholic education we re- ceived at Mount Saint Joseph Academy.