Southwestern High School - Prospector Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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Valedictory by Floyd Compton Salutatory by Eugene Kuthy For a moment as I look about I can sense the air of sadness centered around seniors, my classmates, as you contemplate on the thought of your few remaining days at Southwestern. 1 can also say that 1 too feel as sad as you when I think of that disturbing fact. However, we cannot help this as we think of leav- ing those wonderful boys and girls, our friends, and those equally wonderful teachers. As a member of our faculty has often expressed, “There is no pain so great, as the pain of a new idea ’ Here I wish to pause momentarily and explore this thought and its meaning to us. During our stay at Southwestern we have gained not only in technical but also in practical knowledge. The friendly atmosphere at Southwesem has changed our class from a group of controversial cliques to a uni- fied organization whose teamwork was admirably demon- strated in our recent subscription campaign. Our class is small in numbers only, for we have been blessed with those traits that make a class big — loyalty, integrity, and initiative. Throughout our life, each of us will make many friends, but how can those bonds formed here ever be forgotten? Fof here we have worked together as a team. We have striven to solve our problems and to achieve our common goals. We have completed one phase of life at Southwest- ern, and a very important phase it has been; for here, as teen-agers, our personalities were shaped and many ideals were formed that will remain with us always. As we step into the road of life, let us remember that the path to success is steep and filled with hardships. As time goes on, let us recall the team work displayed by our class, for in a few years we shall be part of a team headed by the President of the United States, a man selected by and answerable to us. Now graduation is upon us and we must leave Southwestern. Surely the hearts of every one of us are filled with sorrow as we realize that the care-free days of high school are over and we must face the serious bus- iness of supporting ourselves. I should like to thank Mr. Clark and the faculty for their co-operation and understanding. Many of our teachers have taken a parent-like attitude toward us, helping us over our mistakes and encouraging us to each small success. To these teachers I extend my utmost gra- titude. They will remain forever dear to me. And so to all you seniors, all the faculty, and to all the traditions, a most fond, “Goodbye, Southwestern!” As a class we find it difficult to leave this school and our established ways, to leave our cherished traditions, our best friends, the memories of fun we have all enjoy- ed and which now seems locked up forever in our hearts never to be forgotten. But let us remember as we leave Southwestern, that we go on a new journey to arrive at a new destination. Our departure marks our way into the land of adult life where it is our job to carve for ourselves a place and to show others the results of four happy years of schooling. Let us keep in mind that however painful the idea of entering into adult life may sound it is our duty, and that the preparation we have received for doing so re- quires that we accomplish it to the best of our means. In my total unawareness as to what the future has in store for each and everyone of us, I can only hope and pray that God gives us the courage and the faith to carry on and do well in everything we undertake. P»fr Twelve

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Congratulations Graduates Grad nates Without Pictures Veterans (G. E. D. T.) Michael Cicchini, Anna Irene Vinczler, Helen Zanon. Veterans (Regular Diplomas) Carmino Guerricro. Harry Angliss, Jr., John Joseph Collins, James M. For- man, Julius Holden, Wilsie S. Lingafelt, Louis J. Nemeth, and James W. Scanlon. cut Class History by Betty Sipos and Frank Sokolitz C 1 he time h :s ceme to hid farewell to our classmates, teachers, and to cur Alma Mater — Southwestern. Even as wc think this, we recall all the memorable occasions of the last four years I he first function of the 12B class was to elect offi- cers. Paul Scafuri was elected to run the class as presi- dent. Betty Ryno was vice-president, w ith Julia Berna as secretary. Bruno Rettig was treasurer. Our first impression of Southwe t rn was that of the endless corridors, miles of homework, and a m'.rathon race to the lunch room. I aking a leave of absence, Eugene Kuthy went to Florida on a record-timing airplane trip through the courtesies of a well-known Detroit publication. We came back that September as half-baked fresh- men. Not only were we happy for that reason, but also because of the fact that the second World War had end- ed. Our great theatrical production, the 12B Concert, featured our following class members: Betty Ryno, Julia Berna, Frank Sokolitz as master of ceremonies, and Betty Sipos. “It is not time that passes; but we that go.” We al- ready found ourselves scphomcrcs. For a chuige, it was not the boys that established themselves in the athletic fields by earning letters, but oddly enough, it was the girls. They were Irene Medzigian and Athena Mirkus, earning letters in fencing and swimming respectively. Our sophomore year also marked the Silver Jubi- lee. Participants from our class in this celebration were Mary Czegledi. Julia Berna, Dawn Bergeron, Elizabeth Forintos, Dolores Farkas, Elizabeth Borbis, and Margaret Dapprich. Hie talented young ladies entertained the crowds with their singing and dancing. Our first big high-school thrill came when we cele- brated 11A Day. Gosh! Did we feel privileged! We all remember the girls walking down the stairs on their an- kles and clutching the bannisters to keep from falling. The reason? There could only be one answer — they were wearing their first pair of high heels. The class members distinguished themselves by wearing white car- nations with blue and white ribbons. We closed this eventful day by holding a dance at the Findlater Hall. Can this be possible!! Our senior year at last? ) Our second class day had arrived and we wore our seeemingly traditional white carnation with blue and white ribbons. We were probably the only class that ever had two class day celebrations. On 12B Day we went to W illow Bench, swimming in the icy waters of Lake Erie. On the following Sunday, we went to another beach party at Walled Lake. After a hearty summer vacation, we came back to school ready to tackle our last semester at Southwestern as full-fledged seniors, with the added honor of being all together in the auditorium for record. After a brilliant campaign, we elected Joe Rizo as head man to lead our class as president. For the first time in the history of Southwestern, a brother-sister team was elected to office. They were Jim Czegledi as treasurer and Mary Czegledi as vice-president. Julia Berna was chosen to run matters of state as our secretary. Holding the reins of the senior class were M. Wix- son and Mrs. Whitmarsh as sponsors. Continued on Page 39 Pair Elnm

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 Presentation of the Spade by Irene Medzigian As a graduating senior I am proud to present to you this cherished emblem of Southwestern High. This tra- ditional spade represents friendliness and good sports- manship. I know that the incoming class will try to uphold all the high standards this spade symbolizes. Acceptance of the Spade by Barbara Yurmanovich I am greatly honored at having the 12B class bestow upon me this great privilege of accepting this cherished spade from you, the senior graduating class. We, the future seniors, extend our congratulations to each and everyone, and we hope that we may carry on the high standards that you and your predecessors have set before us. Thank you. Presentation of the Pick by Manuel Caladino A great honor has been bestowed upon me by my senior class to present this time-worn pick, a symbol of Southwestern’s everlasting friendship and good scholar- ship, to you, the leaders of the future. May you keep its flame of honor burning bright and guard it with all your will, as our class has done in the past year. Good luck to you, the graduating class of tomorrow, and may God guide you through life with success and happiness. Acceptance of the Pick by James Cowden As a representative of the present 12B class, it is my honor and privilege to accept this pick for my fellow classmates, from you, the graduating class of January 1949. One might call both our classes the Forty-Niners; and the forty niners, as we all know, were the first real prospectors in America. May we, the future seniors, keep the high standards that you left behind; and if possible surpass them. Good luck to all of you. Pafe Thirteen