Sacred Heart High School - Vine Leaves Yearbook (Vineland, NJ)

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Leases been perceived, was cleared on September 10, 1927. when the doors of Sacred Heart High School were thrown open for the first time to receive students. The nucleus, composed of 25 members, took the first step toward learning the unfor- gettable lessons of heart and mind, in a section of the prospective school, still containing pews that had been used in the church. After having been introduced to their new teacher, they started work. For a short time, with books on their knees, they continued their work, forgetting the disadvantage of their position in the unutterable joy of l eing students in their own Catholic High School and in the confident assurance that, through the combined efforts of Priests, Sisters stu- dents and parents, their Alma Mater would soon attain a high rank. The second week of school saw the pupils entering the completed High School (one room). Two weeks more and the regular school seats were installed. Each morning prayers were said, a hymn sung and the flag saluted in the Assembly Hall. Due to disadvantages which always accompany the beginning of a school, all students were required to limit their courses to a schedule including Religion. Latin, Algebra, Ancient History, American Literature, Community Civics, Eng- lish and Art. Father Bulfin taught Religion and Latin. The other subjects were taught by a member of the faculty. After the room itself was fully in order and the schedule established, Fath- er Bulfin was invited to attend the election of class officers. The following were those elected: President, Donata Cirelli; Vice presi- dent. John Moriarty; Secretary. Mary McHugh; Treasurer. Eugene Ronchetti. At a meeting of the class the name of the school was decided as Vineland Catholic High Schcxd and the monogram cVh adopted. The school colors chos- en were navy blue and scarlet. Regular monthly meetings were held and des- pite hardships, High School seemed to be very interesting. Although few were attending the High School, an orchestra was formed under the direction of Sister Cecilia Francis. The orchestra consisted of four pianists, two cornetists, two violinists, and a drummer. Several good numbers were mastered and, although Sister Cecilia Francis had to work hard, we don’t think ie regretted it, for her class was an attentive one. Sister also taught an appropriate school song. Nearing the close of the scholastic year, it was decided to have an entertain- ment in the form of a musical, which was to l e held on Friday afternoon, late in May. The Assembly Hall was made spotlessly clean, the stage v as beauti- fully decorated with palms, fenis and school colors, and everything was in read- iness for the “big day”. Wirh Rev. Father Bulfin. Father Fritz and Father Fucci as honorary guests and the Assembly Hall filled with a large audience, a pleasing program was presented. During the course of the year. Father Fritz showed an interested spirit in Athletics. He instructed the class of girls in the first rudiments of basketball, since the school could not afford a coach. In this way the girls, although not very much experienced, got a very good idea of the game. In January, they learned that a game had been scheduled for them with St. Nicholas High Team of Atlantic City. Imagine their feelings on learning that they were to play one of the strongest teams in the East. Accordingly, they went to Atlantic City. The score? It’s letter untold. The Boy’s only Athletic movement during the first year was the forming of a baseball team, although they scheduled no games. To the surprise and joy of the class, the Knights of Gdumbus announced that we were to be their guests at a banquet given in June. Preparations were me 12

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Leones History of the Sacred Heart High School Success had marked the desired goal of the parish and its progressive pastor, Rev. James A. Bulfin. and the highest rung in the ladder of accomplish- ment was reached, when, after the erection of the beautiful new Church, our Alma Mater opened its doors to the children of High School age. W hat had seemed so far from accomplishment was now most successfully made true. When the new church was nearing completion work was begun on remod- eling the first floor of the combination building (Church and School). One room was built in the northeast corner of this floor, enabling our first class to l c housed in the High School department. Long strides were being taken and eight days after the dedication of the Church on September 2. 1927. the High School was started. With the beginning of the first high school class, on September 10, many of the usual comments were made; some praised and encouraged its beginning, others of a more pessimistic turn, doubted the success of such a project. But those who had worked for and sponsored the move, together with those whose children attended the school, were determined to help make a success of it. As a preliminary we must certainly stop for a few words concerning those chiefly interested in this great move. First and foremost, then, comes Rev. bather Bulfin, our pastor, who worked and worried so incessantly, yet successfully over this problem. To him the credit is unbounded. Were it not for him. our Catholic boys and girls of High School age would not l e blessed with the local Catholic education they are receiving. It was he who imprinted on the heart of his parishioners the necessity of the Catho- lic High School education which had, until then, been made possible for very few graduates of the Sacred Heart Grammar School. In Reverend Father Fritz the assistant priest, the parish has been Messed. I he fact that bather Fritz’s work is more obscure no reason for l elieving that he sat back and watched while others were working. Father has taken a very active and interested part in the beginning and management of our High School, especially the sports. He urged the project on, he helped it when it had been accomplished and has always been ready to render his much appreciated services. Enough cannot ! e said for the first Sisters of Saint Joseph, who, with Mother Albertine in charge, came here and lal ored so strenuously and under so many disadvantages. Success was heralded for the school and pupils when it was guided by such a learned and experienced principal as Mother Albertine. The Sisters’ wonderful work will never permit that they l e forgotten; for to them we owe progress of the school in its early stages. To Mother Davidica, new to pupils and parish, belongs the credit of start- ing the first High School Class and doing her utmost to make them learned schol- ars, good Catholics and excellent citizens. Last, but not least . many of the lay persons in our parish have been per- severing and generous in their offerings, without which the school could never have been started. And these, knowing that their help has been gratefully re- ceived and seeing the rapid progress of the still young High School, are still doing their best in all respects to make it a grand success and a pride for Vineland as well as for the Sacred Heart parish. The hazy glass through which the prospect of a Catholic High School had 11

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made and tables were artistically arranged in the Assembly Hall. To this day. the class feels greatly indebted to the K. of C. for affording them so enjoyable an evening. When, in September 1928, the school session began, two classes comprised the High School. The Sophomores had a class of twenty of their former class- mates and one new pupil, while the Freshmen class consisted of thirty-five. Dur- ing the year, three pupils left the second year and a class 6f eighteen remained. With another sister added to the faculty, the late Sister Genoveffa, it was niade possible for the schedule to include two courses. Commercial and General. In the beginning of the term, the two classes assembled and elected School Officers. The following were elected: President, Charles Reilly; Vice President. Donata Cirelli; Treasurer, Adelene Cavagnaro. Several meetings were held during the course of the year at one of which it was decided to have Book Day”. It was understood that upon this day each student, having drawn the name of the lxx k for which he was to pay, would give it to the school. The books were ordered and on April 10. 1929, the affair took place. A pleasing program was presented, Rev. Father Bulfin being guest speaker, and Father Fritz, Father Fucci and all the Sisters being guests. As a souvenir of the first Book Day, guests and pupils were given a blue and red lxx)k shaped piece of paper containing tWe program and having a piece of blue and red riblxm attached. During the year a girls’ basketball team, of which Jeannett Fiori. was elected captain, was formed. Although few games were scheduled, their sport’s ability was improving. In March the boys formed a baseball team and made a success of their first season. At the close of the school term in June the Knights of Columbus were again our hosts at a banquet. As these two years passed, the worth of the Catholic High School and the desire to see it continue its rapid progress, spread through the parish. During the summer of 1929 an addition of gray stone (to match the Church material) was made in front of the Grammar School. It consisted of two spacious rooms on each floor, with three floors, besides an office and dinning room for the Sisters. The entrance to the school was beauti fully planned and erected with the name Sacred Heart Catholic High School over the doorway. Since the addition was not entirely completed when the third consecutive session of the High Sch x l started, classes were resumed in the okl part. An- other was added to the faculty and courses were made more complete. The High School now consisted of Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen. On a Sunday in ( 'tol er, 1929, the High School was dedicated by Rigiff Reverend Bishop McMahon with very impressive ceremonies, including singing by the entire body. Proudly, on Monday morning, the various classes entered their new class- rooms. The name of the High School was then changed from Vineland Cath- olic High to Sacred Heart Catholic High School on account of the inscription in front of the school. During this year. lx th boys and girls formed basketball teams. The girls were coached by Miss Mary Modelle and the lx ys by Mr. Michael Hennessey. Many games were scheduled by l oth teams and they jx rtrayed good sportsman- ship. besides a decided improvement in their game . Jeannett Fiori was again elected captain for the girls and Edward McDonald was thus honored by his teammates. 13