Saint Alphonsus High School - Arrow Yearbook (Dearborn, MI)

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70 school year becomes stepping stone of decade As the new decade is ushered in the experiences of being a frosh. soph, junior or senior ushers in yet another step toward final maturity. The unsteady freshman carefully takes each step on the road through high school. The soph- omore is a little steadier and the free-swinging juniors gal- lop through high school. The sentimental senior hesitates at times because he realizes he is closing the door on one phase of growth and is stepping into a new and freer, yet more complex and demanding world that is not as secure as his high school days. In September, sun-lovers and beach drifters come back to start a unique school year, the first in a new decade. As the newness of books, schedules and teachers wear off, life at St. APs takes up a daily routine. But constant interrup- tions occur. A brand new Student Council becomes “the” organizer of numerous school activities. Seniors begin to feel the weight of responsibility a little more. Instead of being carefree Juniors, they arc the school leaders, em- barking on yet another phase of growing up. 'Moonlight and Roses’ becomes the primary target of meticulous plan- ning and work. The frosh take another leap as they join the decorating crews for Homecoming for the first time. The sophs and juniors are also busy building prize-winning floats. Combining ingenuity and handi-work, creativity reigns supreme. The boys athletically strengthen themselves in football training three times a day. October brings a wet and wild Homecoming weekend. Led by victorious juniors in the float contest, each Arrow dies a little bit as Salesian becomes the football victor. Accepting defeat with pride, the Arrows look toward Ring Day. The high hopes and expectations of the seniors soar as they land to enjoy the Sophomore-Senior Breakfast. Around November 10, grades and averages become the central interest as report cards travel home from school on Parents’ Night. Acceptance and a necessary striving characterize the second quarter. November also brings a step into the land of ‘Aquarius’. Throbbing to the beat of their second dance the frosh join the enthusiastic upper- classmen. Thanksgiving vacation sees seniors tackling term papers, juniors recuperating from hectic planning and sophs and frosh collecting paper for the upcoming paper drive. The ’70 school year is just three months old and al- ready the Arrows have felt the demands of a stimulating world. Combining victory and defeat, work and play, each Arrow surges ahead to the bright, yet sometimes fearful future of the remaining school year. 4

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Arrows find joy, work while in 'thick' of year The Arrow breathes a sigh of relief. Ah! First quarter is over. He begins to clear his head of all the frenzy of the first days: football games, Homecoming, adjusting to new teachers, new classes, and a new year. He takes stock of his surroundings: quarter marks are in, the Junior dance was a success, and Thanksgiving vacation has come and gone. He starts to relax for a moment, but it is a very tiny moment. New adventures are waiting for him — waiting to snatch him up and lead him on a merry chase through high school. Basketball. There’s a thief. It robs the Arrow of time— morning practice, night practice, Tuesday games, Friday games. It robs him of energy — hours of laps and pop and chips dinners. It robs girls, too — hours of cheering, clapping, and watching. But this Thief gives also. It gives a sense of joy, a sense of belonging, a sense of responsibility to team and fellow Arrows. And then comes, not a thief, but the ultimate giver: Christmas! Christmas gives happiness in decorating class- rooms, joy in giving presents, and peace in caroling one winter’s night. At midnight Mass the Arrow finds a hopeful, silent joy: that next Christmas will find him safe and happy, not bogged down and trapped in college studies or not trapped by enemy crossfire in Viet Nam. Ah! Christmas! Tinkling bells, impromptu tobaggon trips, A Visit to My Farm.” The Arrow returns to school rested. Again he relaxes for a moment, a very tiny moment. January. Two weeks of school, then EXAMS: tests in seven subjects crammed into two days — but the Arrow, at the same time rushes to prepare a feastday luncheon for the principal and to preview a movie of this year’s musical. It is a cold January. The Arrow ices over as he runs to the AB, and wears coat and mittens in World History. But the cold soon begins to grow on hint. He becomes “numb” to the cold. But other things happen. He starts to warm up to — Mardi Gras! He starts to warm up to — March of Dimes. He starts to warm up to — “Half A Six- pence.” Auditions. Nights of, “No, Dennis: it’s one, two, three, four: IF I LOVED YOU.” Afternoons spent breathing deeply, crossing T’s. Finally the suspense is over. Lots of happy faces, some sad. The Arrow pulls through and marches on. He marches on to City playoffs. All-city swim teams, engineering awards, scholarships, forensic contests. He marches on to a Lent of denial, but also a Lent of Giving: of self, of time, of money, of heart. And so the Arrow continues his way through his high school year; it is just one of his twelve years in school but it seems like an individual lifetime. A tiny mirror which reflects all the hopes and downfalls in a life. But this year is almost over. He prepares now for the final part.