South Park High School - Dial Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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This year was no exception and the traditional performance was produced with all its brilliant color and tuneful music providing a setting that lingers long in the memory of all students. The decking of the corridors and the auditorium with evergreens and holly for many has become a labor of love effectively contributing to the fitting celebration of Christmas. The kings, shepherds, heralds and angels performed impressively and the musical selec- tions were beautifully rendered in the best South Park tradition. With presentations for the students on Thursday and Friday afternoons and for the general public on Thursday evening, the Christmas season was fittingly ushered in at South Park. Many members of the alumni returned to their Alma Mater to re-live for the moment the happiness of Christmas Hat home. The Alumni Association held its annual re-union at the Buffalo Trap and Field Club, December 26. About five hundred were in attendance and the dining and dancing in the elaborately decorated ballroom was thoroughly enjoyed. The committees in charge deserve commendation for the success of this delightful affair and the same friendly atmosphere, so traditionally prevalent at such gatherings, again prevailed. The retiring president, Dr. Edward J. Eagan, presided at the dinner. The officers elected for the coming year were: Edward L. Guthrie ,,...,.......... ...,,......... P resident Dr. Raymond J. McCarthy ....... ..,..,.. V ice-President Marcella P. Godfrey .,...,.,...... ....,....,,... S ecretary Mrs. Charles Regan ...........,.......,.....,....,,....... Treasurer In all interscholastic contests in declamation, oratory, essay writing and debating, South Park was represented and made a creditable showing. Preliminary contests held at the school in these activities aroused much interest among the students and the experience and training gained by con- testants was well worth the effort expended. Eleanor Szumilo, who repre- sented South Park in the Interscholastic Girls' Declamation Contest, won second place with her selection '4The Renegade Zouavef' Shortly after the opening of school in September, the call was issued for candidates for the golf, cross country and football teams. A large number of enthusiastic boys responded and as the season advanced the teams in all three sports made splendid progress. At the end of the season South Park was second in golf and third in cross country, but owing to an unfortunate incident, was obliged to forfeit three games in football, closing the season in that sport in tenth position. Interest ran high in the winter sportsg basket- 7

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History A description of the Commencement exercises in J une, 1940, serves as an introduction to the history for the present school year, owing to the fact that the Dial goes to press each year before the exercises are held. The theme of the exercises was The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of South Park High Schoolf, An oration entitled 4'South Park High School-Twenty five years was given by Charles E. Wiles, vice-president of the class and Paul R. Fauth, class president, delivered the valedictory. The class num- bered 612, of whom 95 received diplomas With Honor, indicating that nine of the required sixteen units were earned with a Regents mark of 90 W or above, and 274 received diplomas 'GWith Credit,', having averaged 75W or above in the same number of required units. The Senior Gold Medal awarded for the highest scholastic standing during the Senior year was presented to Nancy E. Ryther and the Jesse Ketchum Medal for the highest scholastic standing for the entire four years of high school was won by Charles E. Wiles. Each year the University of the State of New York awards forty scholar- ships to the students in Erie County who have the highest average based on marks attained in regular Regents examinations. These scholarships entitle the holder to one hundred dollars a year for four years, while attending any New York State college or normal school. The following six graduates of the class of 1940 won such scholarships and deserve congratulations for their success: Ellen M. Neylon Josephine A. Zdon Nancy E. Ryther Patricia A. Sullivan Thelma L. Davies Margaret M. Mockler School opened for the new scholastic year 1940-41 on September 4 with a second week registration of 3244. 335 freshmen were assigned to the South Park High School Annex at School No. 7 and 397 freshmen were provided for at the annex at School No. 67. ln consequence, the over- crowding of the past few years in the main building was somewhat relieved. The general decline in school enrollment throughout the country had reached the high schools for the first time and was reflected in the decrease of approxi- mately one hundred fifty pupils. With eager anticipation, the students each year look forward to the Christ- mas pageant as the culmination of long preparation for the holiday season. 6

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ball and swimming. ln the early season many of the basketball games were decided by close margins and three games required extra period play before the final result was known. The swimming team, although largely composed of boys inexperienced in interscholastic competition when the season opened, made a remarkable record, losing only one interscholastic meet and finishing second in the All-High contest. South Park teams showed strength in the three Spring sports, baseball, track and tennis, winning the Scalp and Blade trophy in track for the first time since the opening of the school. The tennis team won the trophy by taking first place in this sport and this also marked the initial award of this cup to South Park. Records and scores of the various contests appear in the Athletic section. Senior Day was celebrated May 29 and we were again favored with beautiful spring weather. The auditorium exercises with the mothers of seniors present, the parade of the entire student body, and the reception for the seniors in the evening provided a happy and joyous occasion which will be long remembered by the boys and girls of the class of 1941. Thus does the historian record the happenings and events of the year and another page is added to the lengthy narrative of glorious achievement of Old South Park. With a hail and farewell to the graduates, and an au revoir to those who will return in September, the story of this school year is brought to a close. 8