Saint Benedicts Academy - Benedicta Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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4-.fvhfah-N-Na.-4-0-a I 9 4 2 V::: :::: -::: Vitctl Statistics of '52 Seated comfortably in a large stratoliner en route to San Diego, I leaned back and began to turn over the pages of sweet memories. It has been quite 'sometime since I graduated from St. Benedict Academy, yes, every bit of ten years. Suddenly, my day dreaming was interrupted by a soft, low voice asking me if I cared for a glass of water. Looking up, I was surprised to see none other than my old class- mate, Mary Foerster, my Air Hostess. It was quite a surprise to meet her again after all these years. Through Mary I learned that Mary Heyl, who had superior literary ability in High School, is a well known Journalist and that Helen Old is now a dramatic teacher. Upon arriving in Chicago, a group of newspaper reporters surrounded me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that one of them was Dolly Hahn. She greeted me whole-heartedly and asked me if I would like to accompany her to the opera to see Tannhauser, co-starring Alma Halleran and La Vern Maire. After the opera I was invited to the mayor's home for dinner. I was greeted graciously by the Mayor's wife, Irma Hein. She related to me her visit with Rita Haffner and Ruth Mueller, both professors at the Catholic University. After dinner we strolled down Main Street and Irma pointed out to me a large depart- ment store, displaying the names, Eisenreich 8c Ubinger, Inc. The next day I boarded the plane for San Diego. Upon arriving at my destina- tion I was greeted by my old friend, Mercedes Klier, now a laboratory technician. That evening we discussed old times and old friends. Mercedes, taking me to a window of her guest room, pointed out to me the large, bright lights across the street displaying the names of Mary Grace Bickert now a famous actress. I was very thrilled to see her performance that night. From Mercedes I also learned that Eileen Gallagher owned a large funeral parlor and that Rose Coll fSr. Mary- Hsel. and Vera Rooney QSr. M. Virginiaj were doing missionary work in New CXICO. After enjoying my visit at San Diego, I started my journey homeward. I stopped off at Pittsburgh to see two dear friends of mine, Grace Burkhart, wife of the famous scientist, Mr. Van Dyke, and Margaret O'Hara, wife of Dr. O'I.eay. Upon my arrival in New York, I met Mrs. Van Deusan, the former Margaret Beck. She and her husband, the much esteemed mayor of New York, toured me through their fair city. We visited the well known Bellevue Hospital to surprise our former classmates, Rosemary Schanz and Lydia Agosti, both important mem- bers of the hospital staff. ' That afternoon I had tea with Mary Elizabeth Patterson, the authoress of the month's best seller Rebuilding Our Social Structure. Later in the day Mary Elizabeth and l encountered Mary Catherine Koester whom we discovered to be the owner of an exclusive shop of America's newest styles. We learned through Mary Catherine that Margaret Iloos, Rita Mae Pfarrdresher, and Rosemary Toth were private secretaries of the President of Rockefeller Institute. I

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. . v.,-.1-up , wH mvgf ' '15 iiijjj, :jjj C Q Q21 juN1oR QAUTUMNQ 'Tis true that the trees again begin to bare their leafy branches but early autumn is a beautiful time of the year. The foliage in its deep colors of rich red, orange, and brown, captivates the eye of every nature lover. At this time the seed- lings of spring have been cultivated into full grown stalks and are ready for reaping and havesting. So we also, at this period of our high school career, were preparing ourselves for the gathering of the rich harvest of our Senior year. HISTORY-1940-l 941 Dignified Juniors! My, did we feel important! Two years had already passed under the sheltering protection of B. A. Father I-Ieyl was our retreat master this year. We will never forget how innocent and holy we felt after our aloneness with God for three days. In October, we had a weiner roast at Virginia Mae Vey's home. The girls received their class rings this year. Then for the next few days those rings were the subject of conversation. Mary Elizabeth Patterson was again elected class president for the second consecutive time. Father Wiesmann joined the Faculty. He made it possible for the students to attend Mass and re- ceive Holy Communion weekly at the Academy. According to an established cus- tom, we Juniors presented a Christmas play, WHY THE CHIMES RANG. The Student Council was organized and proved most beneficial to the student body. SENIOR QWINTERD Y D if During the winter months everything outside is cold and icy. Somehow the Senior year is sad like winter. lt lacks the lightheartedness and buoyancy of spirit of the first three years of school life. Is this due to the realization that many cherished ties must be severed by graduation? Since we had been planted and cultivated in the fertile soil of Catholic education we should be ready to fill our places in the sometime bleak, bare atmosphere of the world. HISTORY-1941-1942 Each Senior dreamed for four years the dreams of a cap and gown, of gradu- ation and, of course, of a coveted diploma. And now? These dreams are soon to become hard realities to twenty-eight Seniors. This year was pressed down and overflowing with many important activities. We elected Dolly Hahn class presi- dent to pilot us over the turbulent waves of Scniordom. Our fourth retreat was conducted by Father Walsh, C.P. Dolly Hahn was also voted president of the Stu- dent Council. A debating team was suggested and finally organized by Sr. Per- petua. The Students of the Catholic Federation had a Communion Breakfast in which we Seniors participated. VVe all had a gala time at our Hallowe'cn Mas- querade held at the Academy. Twelve Seniors will never forget their trip to Seton Hill on the occasion of the Catholic Press Conference. A Christmas entertainment was presented, with Vera Rooney acting as Santa Claus. fYou'll never forget, will you, VeraPj Then followed the distribution of gifts to the Faculty and Students. Another memorable event of this year was having our pictures taken for the year book. The Benedicta became a regular bi-weekly newspaper this year issued in true journalistic style. Sr. Louise led us successfully through the trials and ordeals of our Senior activities. Finally we tackled successfully our Senior Play. The end of it all, the much longed for day of days -GRADUATION. '

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9,3102 xx- ffiiniiliii? ............ From New York, .I went to Washington to see Virginia May Vey who is the Librarian-in-Chief in the Congressional Library. My last call in our nation's capitol was to St. Ann's Orphange where an old friend of mine, Ruth Blaney, is superintendent. That evening I boarded a plane for home. Once again I leaned back in the large comfortable chair and, as l gazed out over the heavens in deep thought, I was supremely happy over the success my High School Chums had achieved. I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and again heard the soft, gentle voice saying, Better wake up. It's time to get ready for our landing. Virginia M. Vey Ruth Blaney . Nothing Our Own But the Silent Past g As we girls of the class of '42 stand at the entrance to a new world, a world in which we must now act for ourselves by fulfilling God's Will in the best way'pos- sible, we take one backward glance at the four fruitful years spent at St. Benedict Academy. How truly applicable to each of us are these words of Tennyson: But the tender grace of a day that is dead Will never come back to me. We cannot relive even one moment of those four years. All their joys and plea- sures, all their labors and heart-aches, all their prayers and sacrifices are now only fond memories - memories that will ever be loved and cherished. Before leaving, we bid one last farewell to all that is dear to us, to the beautiful Chapel where our ever-faithful Friend waited to help and encourage usg to the class-rooms in which we started our high school education, which now seem a little more worn after our four years of constant useg and to the Social Hall, the silent corridors, the Assembly Room in which not only many a wearisome hour was spent in rehearsals, but also many a joyous one in presenting and wit- nessing plays and assemblies. All these are dear to the heart of each and every graduate. When we leave the building for the last time and wind our way along the road down the hill, we shall see although only through a mist, the Howers, the woods, the tall stately pine trees, the home of our beloved Fr. Wiesmann. Fur- ther down the hill, we shall pause for a glimpse of the Grotto, and then continue on to the bottom of the hill and-whatever lies ahead. Yea, the past is gone beyond recall. The future lies ahead. However, the most important part of our high school career, our religious training, will always remain a living actuality with us. We shall not only remem- ber the moral lessons inculcated, butwe will put them into practice: we will ever be ready to defend our most precious possession, our Catholic faith. Betty Ubinger y.