South Philadelphia High School for Girls - Portal Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 56 text:

. --ww.. . N---1 .-. - Y V --,--7-wg'-1,-1 -m,,, .E 1 h Y,,,m,,,g,, N qu ,www Each genius in our class KGENIUS . . . GIRL WHO GETS ALL SATIS'S ON HER GRAPHD was recognized at class meetings. During these meetings we had girls holding up-cards requesting silence. The girls were haunted by silence slogans and whispers to 'SI-I-H-H'p knowing our girls and their relish for talking, however, you can surmise whether this campaign was ct success. For those loyal citizens who purchased AA and SA cards, our sponsor gave a party. The hep cats and alligators boogie-woogied, lindy-hopped and suzy-qued during the jitterbug contest. We played a game to get acquainted besides wearing 'Hello' cards. Several girls went away richer by a nickel and all the girls left several ounces heavier . . . yum, yum .... were those refreshments good! Onwardl The spirit of '42 led a procession of delegates to the Con- stitutional Convention. We argued, debated, agreed, disagreed, and emerged with a new revised constitution .... a constitution for the' S. P. H. S. for Girls. Our history trip to Fairmount Park to see Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Grove, and all the other historical sites was another high point for the year. Next . . . llB .... with more distinction. We again rang the bells of pioneering .... this time with rings. Together with the IOA, IOB, and IIA classes the ring committee chose a standard school ring. Waa! Waal Southern was turned into a nursery for one day . . . that is . . . the llB's held their traditional Baby Party. We played childish games, recited childish pieces, guessed whose baby pictures were posted, but it was with grown-up appetites that we ate. It was such a success that we were given a write-up in the Criterion. Here it is: OVER. 200 'BABIES' ATTEND 11B PARTY IN GYM 100 Over 200 girls attended the 11B Baby Party, Tuesday, October, 29, in Gym 100 at 3:30. 'The gym was decorated with brightly colored pictures, a baby's clothes line, a play-pen containing dolls and toys, and over 50 real baby photographs of girls present at the party. While lolly-pops were licked, entertainment was furnished by Nancy and Vera Tipowitz, Marie Pecoraio, Rose Benedetto, and Beatrice Kruger, mistress of ceremonies. 'Miss Wanger, five guest teachers, and officers of other forms acted as judges in awarding prizes to the following: Kathryn Aiello, the prettiest, wore a red checked gingham pinaforeg Josephine Bell, for the cutest and most original, wore a white night- gown and sleeping capg Corinne Schreider, the funniest posed as Nobody's Baby wearing a patched diaper and carrying a bundle and asking for a lift. The door prize was won by Angelina De Stefano. Prizes were given for idenltifying all the baby pictures'. Helen, I thought Baby Parties were new in our school, but I see it's a very old tradition, remarked lane in surprise. Yes, I thought so, too, but lets' go ony this is so interesting, answered Helen eagerly. HI, HO, HI, HO, .... IT'S 'I O THE FAIR WE GO.' It's still flat. No, this isn't a typographical error. We're not repeating something by mistake. We went and whooped things up at the Fair again. More students .... money . . . . train . . . . lunch . . . . sights.. We gave a Xmas program for the P.T.A. bringing to life many Xmas scenes and giving new life to old Xmas carols. 'Skate, skate, skate away.' Yes, that was the assembly program for which we had worked so hard. Those of us who had to eat from the mantel piece for a week after a night at the rink, appreciated the graceful and smooth movements of the six skaters. 50

Page 55 text:

T: !'f 13.5.2 V- ' ' ' . uf. Fu,7--f--I - K :par-w-f'-r --fr- the rest were in Southern. We saw our estranged classmates .only during class meetings, but it seems that they had a good time by themselves. They had a Costume Club where they dressed dolls. They organized a basketball team which played the Bok girls. They had a cake and candy sale, the profits of which went to the P.T.A ..... and there was plenty of profit. Here at Southern we had those Penny Days. Remember? And how many tummy aches were caused by the vast consumption of pretzels and candy which were sold in the home rooms! lt was this year that we were first urged to bank, and We've never stopped being urged. And then our first Fun Frolicl It was held in the yard then, but even in those cramped quarters the spirits of the girls were not hampered. And how about those funny little maroon and white crepe-paper hats we wore that day? Funny that during those green days, maroon and white should turn out to be our favorite colors. lt was no easy job getting accustomed to Southern. Some of us were almost driven to using a compass to find our way around. But thanks to the untiring efforts of our IOA sponsor, Mrs. Marie Giuliano, as we entered 10B we felt like real established Southernites. By the way, if you look carefully in the composite you'll find the reason why she left us. 'Hl HO, HI HO, IT'S TO THE FAIR WE GO' . . . lt's flat . . . but I guess you grasp the idea. New York . . . fair . . . students .... money. . . . train .... lunch .... more money .... my, but that was a wonderful day! Ha, -Ha .... do you remember .... ha, ha .... our .... ha, ha, . . . . .our Bulletin Board? We were the only class that had one and yet there was no rooms to hang it. There was nothing to hang it on. The suction tubes Wouldn't stick to the wall and Whenever anyone opened the door, the wind blew it down. Finally, the Art Dep't got disgusted and gave us a new one. We tackled the P.T.A. for the first time, but our charts and posters did not arouse much interest. Are your cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla stirred by the words 'Xmas Fund'? Remember? And we didn't mind digging into our pocketbooks to help the orphans made homeless by fire. The school was first made aware that we existed when we started our victories by winning the Autumn Antics . . .. . and they haven't heard the last of those victories yet! JANUARY, 1941 Dear Diary: . Time marches backwards! The llth year was even more interesting than our Freshman year. Snubbed by the Seniors, unheeded by the Fresh- men, we felt just like the stuffings of a sandwich. But we'd show them we had distinction. We held a song contest and chose a class song, 'Ianuary '42.' Still not satisfied we asked for and got a class banner and a scholarship banner. ' We opened the closet of projects and out fell a ghost. We took the remains, put meat on its bones, gave it life and presto . . . no . . . not a Frankenstein . . . but a renewed P.T.A. Like traveling salesmen we canvassed in our own and in other classes, giving each girl an envelope in Which to put her money. We put reminders in each room and sent hand-made Mother's Day cards to our one-hundred new members. 49

Page 57 text:

Then there were weeks . . . ahem . . . if you saw an llB girl sitting alone and talking and making motions with her hands, you knew she wasn't off her noodle but merely an aspirant for the position of S. A. Vice-President. And soo-ooooooooo, our childhood days were gone. IANUARY, 1942 Dear Diary: 'Twas the year before graduation, and all through the school no one was working-that is, as hard as the l2A's.. The academic girls were looking for- ward to physics land you know what teacherl, the commercial girls were looking forward to .... well, just everything, and all the girls were anticipating the 25th Anniversary program. We went before our proud papas and mamas and danced the cake walk just like the old timers. And our tarantella was a challenge to all the original Italian folk dancers. You should have seen the modern dance-we had a right to be proud. And hold on-what about our skating skit and our melodious interpretation of the old music classes and the fun we had demonstrating those speech sessions of long ago. Yes, sir, we certainly did celebrate! And then, and then-on to Washington. Beware, Roosevelt, Congress, and especially the mint, those Southern seniors are on their way! Ah, those were the days . . . three perfect days .... never to be forgotten. Back home. There was more fun in store for us. We modeled the new spring and summer outfits at our Fashion Show, a dedication to our dear mothers. l - 2 - 3, UH, l - 2 - 3 - UH! Remember the Arthur Murray Dance Classes and the happy afternoon We spent in the gym at the 'HELLO Dance. Yes, it was there we tested out our newly learned steps on the gentlemen from next door. And the Dance Club dances were another welcome proving ground. Then .... how could we forget our last Fun Frolic. Miss Smith would have frowned at our vocal tones but We were plenty loud. Many a girl went home that day with a sunburned face, a stiff neck, a hoarse voice and a happy heart .... it was our victory . . . IAN. '42 HAD WON AGAIN! It was during that term that we saw the birth of the first Yearbook in Southern. We can chuckle now to think how we ran around getting petitions signed, giving sales talks, and finally getting 200 girls to buy it. But, it was worth the struggle .... we had blazed another trail!! Yes, We had a perfect time during this perfect term. Refreshed, tanned, and energetic we returned from our vacation to meet a 12B term brimful of work and social activities. And I forgot to .... Oh, lane, look! .... The page is torn out .... just at the peak of their school life! Yes, what a pity? But I expected something like that .... the book is so old. You know, Helen, I feel as if I could almost imagine the rest .... Tea ....Prom....ClassDay.... And so they did. That night Iane Carver and Helen Haines retnod the footsteps of their ancestors .... they relived the past .... a glorious past! 51