Roncalli High School - Lance Yearbook (Aberdeen, SD)

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The past three years have witnessed notable progress in the music department. Our chorus has made several appearances both on television and at the school. The band has also presented a number of concerts besides cheerinq the team at sports events. Keynotes, a special qroun of choristers, have been seen representing the school on several ocas- sions. The highlight of the music department was Roncalli's representa- tion at All State Chorus for the past two years. The formation of clubs has contributed much to the after-school activities this year. Enthusiastic students are becominq active members of Home Ec, Library, Scribe, or Letterman's Club, and the Drill Team. Competition for the first time under the SDHSAA now finds the school the holder of a number of awards in speech and dramatics. Student homemakers gain experience in the Home Ec. laboratory equipped with the most modern appIi ances. Many events at the school are becominq annual affairs. Althouqh it was held for the first time this year. Homecoming is one such event. Some of its special features are a color day, the naming of our Lord and Lady and their coronation, the biq football game, all followed by the dance. One particular basketball qame which seems to cause added interest in fans each season is the Faculty-Varsity game. A traveling trophy is presented to the winners each year. The annual Mardi Gras offers a new theme each year with prizes going to students wearing costumes most original and funniest. A Student Council has been started, which will carry on, direct, and oftentimes be the driving force behind these co-curricuIar activities. Roncalli’s sports world has developed into the major sports of football, basketball, wrestlinq, and track. In the initial stages of the school, students chose the colors green and qold to represent their school. After the better part of a year in deadlock, Cavaliers proved to be the most popular choice for the team name, the insignia beinq a Cavailer on a horse. Contributing to the team's success and the lively spirit of the students at games are the pre-game pep rallies and the cheerleaders. The girls are picked early each fall with the varsity squad of six members including four seniors and two juniors. Sophomores and freshmen have corresponding squads consisting of four members each. 12

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Before its name was offically approved by Bishop Lambert A. Hoch, the school was known to all as Central Catholic. Roncalli is the family name of the late Pope John XXIII, who captured the imagination of the entire world during his brief reign. The students of Roncalli requested his name as one for consideration, and in his letter of approval, Bishoo Hoch wrote, It is singularly significant that the generation of Catholic youth in Aberdeen was so keenly aware of his greatness that they chose his name to be the name of their high school. Faculty and students welcomed over 5,000 visitors to their school when Open House was held. Proud and privi leqed students quided people on well- organized tours, and were on hand to answer questions and direct in the event of anyone losing his way. RoncalIi s Iibrary is boasting many new books. Recently the reference magazines were processed and shelved for the stu- dents use. Teenaqers have a choice between two philosophies of life — beinq that of meeting challenges head on and carrying them out, the other that of shunning responsibility. It is evident that in the past three years students at Roncalli have accepted their challenges and, together with the faculty, have developed both the reliqious and secular branches of thei r education. The most important asset of any Catholic school is the presence of God sharinq His divine life with the students. They have an opportunity for this at daily Mass. Students also receive instruction in the faith on a regular basis throughout the week. Roncalli boys and girls learn in separate classes whenever this is practical. Students are further grouped according to their special needs and abilities, so that they can develope at the proper rate. A wide range of subjects is available to all students. With the help of parents and school counselors, students plan and choose courses, directing them toward their future in college or work in the business world. Students are making strides in the literary field of their education. The began by publishing a newspaper, The Crusader, dedicated to the ad- vancement of the school. The students now publish a newspaper entitled The Cavalcade and a literary magazine called The Scribe. I I

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Spring approaches, and with it, Graduation. While seniors are lookinq ahead to a different future, they are also looking back and re- viewing the many events of the past three years. Graduates cannot help but experience the feeling of an amateur art- ist who, equipped with the necessary provisions, has created a master- piece from within. Havinq been the first class in a new school, they helped shape and mold a spirit that will quide it in years to come. Special acknowledgement and thanks must also go to the many parents, pastors, teachers and donators, who have so willingly given of themselves their time, and talents to make Roncalli the success it has been thus far. The organization of Roncalli High School has been a long ranqe project in both planning and execution. Even now, after three years of operation, there is still an atmosphere of beginning with many promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. MEMBERS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE school board orqanized to administer Roncalli Catholic High School and St. Mary's and Sacred Heart parochial grade schools as an administrative unit are pictured here. In the front row (left to right) are Sister M. Julia, Roncalli; Sister M. Celestine, Sacred Heart; the Rev. Marvin McPhee, Roncalli principal; the Very Rev. James Joyce, Roncalli super- intendent; the Rt. Rev. Msgr. P. C. Conway, chairman and pastor of Sacred Heart parish; the Very Rev. James Wolf, administrator of St. Mary's parish; Sister M. Alicia, Presentation Heights; Sister M. Alma, St. Mary's; lay members, in the back row (left to right) are Joseph Barnett, Robert Stanley, Bernard Hi Isendeger, Roncalli dean of men, John Kirchgasler, Raymond Enqler and Mrs. Robert Artz. George Nikolas, not pictured, also is a lay member. 13