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

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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

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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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Lc9. ?CQ On March 17. the High School gave a Saint Patrick’s Card Party, sponsored by the Catholic' Daughters of America ami under the capable direction of bather Fritz, athletic advisor. The party was a tremendous success and the proceeds benefited cite Athletic Association. On April 17. 1930. the second annual Book Day was held in the Assembly Hall. A program consisting of singing and speeches by three Juniors as well as an address by Father Bulfin. was presented in the presence of the faculty, visiting Sisters of Saint Joseph and the student body. By this, decided increase was made in the reading matter for our library. In September, the Juniors had elected as class officers: Charles Reilly, Pres- ident : Carlo Quairoli, Vice President; Donata Cirelli. Secretary; and Dolores Arnade. Treasurer. Regular meetings were held during the year and when, in the early «part of June, the last class meeting for the year was held, officers for the following year were elected as Senior Class Officers. They were Donata Cirelli, President; Carlo Quairoli, Vice President; Veronica Downey. Secretary; and Thomas Dellorifice, Treasurer. The Knights of Columbus again held a banquet for the High School stu- dents. continuing their much appreciated practice. In Septeml er 1930. many responded to the summons to school. The High School consisted of eighteen Seniors, eighteen Juniors, twenty-three Sophomores and thirty-six Freshmen. In order to obtain New Jersey State recognition as ;b complete High School, it was necessary to get Athletic teachers for both lx ys and girls. The school was very lucky in getting for the girls, Miss Evelyn Brooks, of Vineland, and for the boys, Mr. E. T. Rieck, of Millville. Both Miss Brooks and Mr. Rieck have made a decided change in the Sacred Heart High School Athletics. Basketball teams were formed. Kathryn Hillman ! eing Captain for the girls and Charles Reilly for the lx ys. Both teams have been a credit to the school and have added to her glory by having many victories to their honor. This has been an active and interesting school term. On February 21, 1931, the High School students sponsored a Card Party for the l enefit of the Library and Athletic funds. The auditorium in the Church basement was appropriately decorated and tine party proved a success. During this year, the library has been benefiting by contributions of books made by various people. Now nearing, the spring season of athletics, the l oys are planning to have a baseball and track team, while the girl’s schhedule includes baseball, volley ball track, hand ball and tennis. In September then when the Seniors held die first of their regular monthly meetings, die following were elected to the staff for the Year Book: Editor-in- chief, Dolores Arnade; Assistant Editor, Veronica Rafter; Business Manager, Charles Reilly. Assistant Manager. Adelene Cavagnaro; Advertising Manager. Mary Kearney; Reporter, Helen Langley; and Artist. Veronica Downey. In order to raise what is known as the “End of the Year Fund’’ for various needs at that time, a series of Card Parties have been held at the homes of the various Senior girls, until the season of Lent set in. At present, a Senior Class play is being practiced for presentation in April. Nearing the end of dieir High School days, the Seniors feel that the hard- ships they have had to undergo in being the “pioneers” of the high school have been well worth it; for are they not gratified in seeing their pastor and teachers happy to see that their work has not been in vain, while their parents are delight- ed with having the first graduating class of the Sacred Heart Catholic Hieh School? DONATA MARY CIRELLI 14