Nardin Academy - Rosarium Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

Page 52 text:

In November, four juniors, Marie Genco, Carolyn Linkner, Teresa Schwab and Christine Szelest, had the happy privilege of taking part in the senior play. They were thrilled and grate- ful for that opportunity. In the spring, the Junior Class was put in charge of the annual candy sale. With Wilma Ruane as chairman, it was a grand success. Elizabeth Anne Tatu established herself as top saleswoman in the drive. This year, Geraldine de Ledn and Nina Kulick were chosen to represent Nardin as the country of Turkey at the Model United Nations General Assembly held at Buffalo State Teachers College. With May,c ame the Junior-Senior Prom, our first formal, held in the Crystal Room of the Hotel La- fayette. Later, on May 13, we royally feted the deserving seniors with the Junior-Senior Banquet, at Leonardo' s Restaurant. Elaine Salvo welcomed the seniors and the faculty to the gala evening. Carol Vertalino, our class president, complimented the seniors on their successful four years. On Class Day in 1953, we moved up to senior places and received the legacy left by the Class of '53. We were now the SENIORS of Nardin Academy. September l953 That happy September day when school reopened, a group of us confidently entered the Academy. We were the seniors, experienced, calm and collected. Recalling our own timidity and sense of in- security in commencing high school, we realized that the new freshmen needed help. As a result, we continued the big sister movement to aid the latest arrivals in the Nardin family. The following week, we elected officers. Nina Kulick and Kathleen Macaluso became our sen- ior president and vice-president. Soon after, our Student Council began its second successful year with Marie Genco at the wheel, ably assisted by Vice-President Christine Szelest. Our represen- tatives this year were Olivia Endres and Florence Starzynski. In the Sodality, Twila Doucet be- came this year's prefect and Ruth Winter vice-prefect. On October 7, Nardin Toyland was filled with story-book and comic strip characters and a host of toys. Now, we were initiating the freshmen with the competent assistance of lovable Blood- rietta, the witch of the ginger-bread house. When our class rings arrived, we swelled with pride because they were the insignia of our sen- iority. Eagerly we thrust our gems before the admiring eyes of the underclassmen. We were again excited when the girls voted to repeat the publication of a yearbook. We vigor- ously undertook to make ours even better than that of our predecessors. On December 9, when the Trapp Family Singers gave a benefit concert for our school, we sen- iors together with the juniors, felt honored to be ushers at Kleinhans Music Hall. In its second year as a printed newspaper, the Cor Mariae, under the editorship of Christine Szelest, again won an award in the scholastic Tuberculosis Contest. Christine's essay brought this honor to Na rdin. Also around this time, the Annual Oratorical Contest was heldg Marie Genco, Nina Kulick and Wilma Ruane competed with essays on the Constitution. With her warm and poignant oration, Wilma won the school finals and went on to compete in higher fields. With Nina's announcement that the seniors were invited to the highlight of the holiday season, the annual Alumnae Dance held at the Hotel Statler, there began a flurry over gowns, dates, tickets and general party talk. The awaited evening arrived and will long linger in our memories. Then, the seniors anticipated the presentation of The Song of Bernadette. A double cast al- ternated performances on February 26 and 28. We were thrilled to offer this tribute to Our Lady during the Marian year. When the closed retreat began, we were seriously bent on becoming closer to God. It was awon- derful opportunity to prime our souls for what lies ahead. The last social whirl of high school days caught the seniors and spun them around with happiness. The Junior-Senior Prom, the Junior-Senior Banquet, and the Mother-Daughter Luncheon---all are happy memories now. We have shared with you the golden glow from our candle of happy memories. May its mellow light cast its radiance down through the years. 46

Page 51 text:

Hilary Many wonderful things happened that first year, but much more still awaited us in the years that followed. September 1951 When we returned after a wonderful summer, we greeted our old friends and took our places again on the third floor. fThat was our only disappointment that year--the repeated trudge up three flights of stairs., Miss Mary Donahue and Miss Mary Hagerty were our homeroom teachers Under their guidance we gained in wisdom and grace. Two new members joined us, Geraldine de Ledn and Rose Marie Caputy. The latter had just arrived from Denver. They quickly made their way into our hearts. Geometry proved to be a delightful toyg the typewriters became worn with our enthusiasm. Latin was continued and we discovered that Caesar was not only a television star, but a famous Roman general, emperor and statesman as well. Thanks to Miss Shell, all the Sophomores who took the Nationwide Latin Competitive Exam rated above average. With Miss Ballard as our his- tory teacher, we became old hands at taking part in panel discussions. When June came, we took our first high school Regents. In spring, a candy sale drive was under way and the sophomores gave it their fullest support. Every girl helped to make the project really profitable. Near the end of that year, the Student Council was formed. Loretta Hubert and Elaine Salvo were our first homeroom representatives. Our second social venture in high school was the Freshman-Sophomore Hop of 1951. We were well versed in the art of decorating by then. Hardly had we recovered from the whirls and twirls when it was again exam time. We waited apprehensively for the mailman. When, at last, he delivered our report cards, our faces were wreathed in smiles. We were juniors at last ---- real upperclassmenl September 1952. Our junior year started on a rainy day in September. Half our class were overjoyed at the prospect of a homeroom on the first floor with Miss Danmeyer as our teacher. Although the other half had to tramp up to the second floor, they were compensated by again having Miss Mary Hagerty as their homeroom teacher. As upperclassmen, we assumed our responsibilities with great enthusiasm. Intermediate al- gebra and Cicero's Orations were no cinch, but Miss Doll and Miss Fleming pulled us through. Our business students mastered shorthand and business law with efficiency. Something new had been added. Once a week we were to have speech lessons, given by Mrs. Mary Barrett Healy, whom we soon took to our hearts. We received two additions to our class that year, Theresa Palermo and Elaine Fisher, both of whom were warmly welcomed. We were very disappointed to see Miss Lanou leave us temporarily for France, but Miss Shell capably took over her office. An extensive activity 'program was inaugurated and the response from our class was over- whelming. Several of our girls held office in the various clubs. Twila Doucet became treasurer of the Sodality while Nina Kulick handled the office of secretary. Marie Genco was president of the French Club and Elaine Salvo secretary of Student Councilg Barbara Swan and Florence Star- zynski represented the junior homerooms. Y 45

Page 53 text:

, UST as the side chapels, with their masterpieces of art and sculpture I enhance the beauty of Mary's basilica, so do the extra-curricular activities at Nardin en- . rich our character. Participation in the various clubs is voluntary for us. The program is diverse enough to satisfy the multiplicity of talents and the budding interests of teen-agers. The spiritual yearning for the Christ life is satisfied by the Sodality with its emphasis on personal holiness leading to Catholic Action. The opportunity of developing our personality along intellectual, artistic and social lines is afforded by the various clubs and student organizations. Thus interest is broadened over a wide area. We have found the club program an excellent medium by which we become better acquainted with our classmates. Informal atmospheres bring out factors that are not seen in the classroom. Working as a team strengthens the bond of fellowship among us, thereby awakening school spirit and a feeling' of unity. Planning our projects and sharing in the responsibility of seeing them through to a successful finish develops not only a leader with initiative, but also a good follower. Truly, our activities form an integral part of our character building. As the altars in the side chapels contribute to God's glory, so, we hope, our activities give greater honor to our Heavenly Father. Aclzwizkf