Power Memorial Academy - Power Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Rev. Brother Alphonsus L. Pakenham PRINCIPAL Rev. Brother Alphonsus L. Pakenham the guilding light and tower of strength upon whom rests the laborious and trying tasks of maintaining both the official and the academic status of the Academy, has in his past few years as principal set the hallmark of Power's quality high on the rosters of educa- tional achievement. Celebrating his Golden jubilee, last year, Brother Pakenham has had a greatly varied teaching career which has literally taken him to the ttfour corners of the worldf, Traveling from Cork, Ireland, which was the scene of his initiation into the ranks of the Christian Brothers, to the rock bound shores of that citadel of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, where he spent seventeen years of his life, filled With both accomplishment and pride at the advance made in that country by the Congregation of which he is a member. Distinctive in a lifetime of distinction is the well deserved honor of being founder of the Cardinal Newman College in Buenos Aires, Argentina. More than a few institutions are able to claim Brother Pakenham, as being their administrator over the past years. Most prominent among these are the Cardinal Newman College of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Iona Prep and of course our own Power Memorial. Not onlv has the fame of this man spread throughout the circles of the Brothers, but also amid the centers of learning out side that little world . Numbering among these accomplishments is membership in the Association of Modern Language Teachers and the National Catholic Education Association. Brother Pakenham's affable personality, intellectual and adult ap- proach to student-teacher relations is effective and inspiring.

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PROGRESS THROUGH 25 YEARS Many tin1e previously it has been said, and many more times henceforth it will be stated that the faculty is the backbone of any school system. How true these words are! The administration and the faculty of Power Memorial Academy has engineered, constructed and fashioned its principles and ideas, so as to make it the successful influence it is today. Let us wander back through the years to the incep- tion of the Academy and bear witness to the efforts, struggles and tribulations of its fostering administrators and watch Power flourish and expand into the educa- tional colossus it is presently. ln 1931, in order to comply with the demands of an ever increasing high school enrollment, Reverend Brother H. F. Hyall sought and gained permission from the Superior-General of the Christian Brothers to or- ganize a new institution. After receiving permission, he placed his new school under the guidance and inspira- tion of Christ the King- Pro Christo Begewfand dedi- cated it in memory of their great friend and benefactor, Msgr. Power. Brother Ryall assumed the office of the first principal of Power Memorial Academy at 124-th Street. During his tenure Brother Ryall cared for his hfoundling like a proud yet extremely prudent father, and instilled in it ideals which have thus far endured. Brother G. F. Lawless next accepted the responsi- bilities of administrator, in l937. Under his watchful guidance both the faculty and the student roster con- tinued to flourish and expand by leaps and bounds. It is to Brother Lawless that we are indebted for having the necessary foresight to procure the property upon which our Academy now is located. It is to the design, genius. and the brawn of Brother Vaughan that we Power students of today owe the con- dition of the magnificent building in which our school now resides. Brother Hennessy was appointed principal in 1947. He immediately adopted a policy of centralization, making the office and surrounding territory the hub'7 of activity throughout the school. The school was en- tirely redeeorated, the chapel renovated, the Fathersi Club initiated and other existing organizations elabo- rated upon. Commenced at the beginning of Brother's term of office and terminated at the end was the Cold Star Cy mnasium Fund, reaching in l952 enough finances to complete the building. Through his undying faith in the students and their capabilities, Brother Hen- nessey established for all time the irreproachable char- acter and quality of the Academy. Four short years ago the present administration took office. Each year under the able and inspired direction of Brother Pakenham, the Academy flourishes and at- tains new aspects of ability on both the parts of the students and the faculty. Each year P. M. A. becomes a better and more eHi- ciently coordinated school, with the bright promise of many more laurcls to be added to the garland already encircling its reputation since its beginning in 1931.

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Rev. Bro. Gerard J. Power Vice Principal With the arrival of Brother Gerard Power at the Academy, the school has had the privilege of the many years of expert teaching techniques and leadership qualities, akin to this most inspiring Brother. Having taught at many of the foremost school in the States and abroad, Brother Power has a wide and varied outlook into our modern society. Accredited to his scholastic achieve- ments are Masters degrees in Education and the Spanish lan- guage, both from the University of Washington. Due to his many varied talents, Brother Power now operates in the capacity of Vice Principal, a position he cheerfully and sincerely performs. x 1 . fluff! Rev. Edward J. McDonald, C. S. P. Chaplain The wisdom, patience and profound concern for the spiritual needs of Powermen has already endeared Rev. Edward J. Mc- Donald, C.S.P. to all the students who find Father is indispensi- ble in solving their spiritual dilemmas. After studying in Wash- ington at Saint Paul's College, Father was ordained to the Paul- ist Society as a priest on June 7, 1947. Having served as as- sistant in Utah, Texas, Illinois and Canada, and as a chaplain for the U.S.A.F. in Korea, Japan, and the Philippine Islands, Father McDonald came to the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle as a curate and now leads Powerls cohorts in spiritual unity.