St Columbkille High School - Columb Yearbook (Brighton, MA)

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JUNIOR CLASS September brought us together again, eager to assume our responsibilities as Juniors. We all resolved to work with a spirit of industry and camaraderie in our various courses. From Brighton High Thelma lMCDonald nad iMary Heittman joined the ranks of Juniors. Claire Wil- liams came from Dorchester and con- tributed much to our happiness and en- joyment by her fun-loving spirit. But 4 the joy of greeting these new comers was mixed with a feeling of sadness at the departure of these members of our class who joined the armed forces. Among these were John Robinson, Robert Beggs: John Jones and Joseph Hughes. The Classicals were introduced to the mysteries and wonders of the Chemical world. Many brilliant Madame Curiels and Mendelejefjfls came into prominence during the year. We thought we were quite intelligent because we knew there were ninety-two elements, that sulphur was extracted from the earth and not from ground matches, and every time we had an ice-cream soda we consumed carbon di- oxide gas. Moreover, to make bur Chemis- try class more interesting we. became aHiliated with the Science Clubs of Amer- iea and selected for our club the fitting title lTWhirling Atomsll, although some- times we more nearly resembled Inert Solids. Joseph McMahon, a capable leader, was chosen President. The oHiee 0f Viee-President was given to Helen Burns, and Mary Driscoll was our Treasu- rer with Dorothy Curley, Secretary. Likewise the Commercial students found themselves in the midst of many new studieSeshorthand, typewriting and book- keeping. Diligently they tried to pound away at their Royal or Remington keys and at the same time look up at the chart, but although they found this feat almost impossible at the beginning of the year, by persevering effort they mastered it in the end. While in the Shorthand Class the bud- ding amanuenses wondered if they had been sent to the Greek Class by mistake. As time went on the slogan NPraetiee makes Perfectil proved true. November brought once more a series of debates for the Girls Debating Team, which had opened the season with re- The Events of Time newed vigor, delving into books and maga- zine articles concerning the Sales Tax Question. The team was ably represented by three Juniors;Virginia Cusiek, Mary Littlefield and Anne Donovan. With the exception of one tie, the team entered un- defeated into the Semi-Finals in January against Cheverus High School of Malden. Although they met defeat at this point, the girls gained much in poise and ex- perience. They demonstrated that they could be fine losers as well as humble Vic- tors. . i Twice again, Virginia Cusiek repre- sented our school most ereditably in the John Paul Jones Oratorical Contest and in the Diocesan Oratorieal Contest. The cheerful sound of Basketball prac- tice now echoed through Columbls halls. Many Junior boys and girls showed loyalty and school spirit by participating in bas- ketball activities for the ensuingr season The enthusiastic and untiring players for the girls, team were Jeanne Callahan, Nora Fitzgibbon, Lorraine MeArdle, Kathleen OlNeill, Teresa Spanbauer, and Claire Short,ewhile the boys3 team included such capable players as Joseph Dobbratz, Mar- tin Halleran, Joseph McMahon and VVil- liam O,Leary. Although Enal victory was not achieved by either team, great pro- gress and fine sportsmanship were ex- hibited throughout the season. The morale of the teams was sustained by our peppy and spirited Cheer leaders in the persons of Barbara Calnan, Virginia Cusick, Hel- en Flanagan, Dorothy Gaughan, Mary Littlefield and Dorothy Murray. To our pleasant surprise the Christmas recess began earlier than usual beginning on December fourteenth. However; many of the vacation days were not spent in an idle manner as a majority of the Juniors showed their patriotism by sharing in relieving the drastic man-power shortage in the work-a-day world. The Christmas season with its usual jovial and festive airs, alas, came to a finale and we returned to our classes with renewed vigor and an- ticipation of the Senior Prom. The Juniors had been Cordially invited to this ever popular school activity, which for the first time, was being held in mid-winter. The enjoyment of the evening far ex- ceeded all our expectations, and imbued us with the desire to make our Senior

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H ave Recorded in making daily Visits to the Blessed Sac- rament for the recitation of the Rosary. With October came the tidings that the Sophomores, after a prescribed initiation, would be allowed to join the Kappa Lambda Alpha, the Latin Club. Mary Kenney was elected class quaestor while Mary Driscoll was chosen aedile. At each meeting held monthly, the Sophomores participated and contributed to the happy times had by all. The Sophomores were well represented on the Girlsi Debating Team with Anne D0n0van, Virginia Cusick and Mary Lit- tlefield sharing the honors which the team achieved. We also assisted in the publishing of the school paper, tlThe Ionian? Christmas vacation was now upon us, and we looked forward to the joyous holi- day season. Just as eagerly did we await our return to our respective classrooms with the realization that we were starting the last lap in the journey of another school year. On our return midayear eX- ams were held, after which we began with new vigor to prepare for the completion of the year. Inspired with great zeal, we undertook the task of purchasing a Mass Kit for a Chaplain in the Armed Forces, assisted by the Senior, Junior and Freshmen Classes. The results were most gratifying and a letter of praise was received from the priest who benefited by our gifts. The field of sports now stretched be- fore us, offering opportunities to the Sophs to play a leading part. The basket ball team began its second year as a par- ticipant in the Catholic Youth Organiza- tion League. The boys who tried for the team were Wfilliam OiLeary, Joseph McMahon, and Martin Halleran. A group of girls were then selected to be cheer- leaders. Six of our number were chosene Virginia Cusick, Mary Littlefleld, Bar- bara Calnan, Helen Flanagan, Dorothy Gaughan and Dorothy Murray. With snow white sweaters and bright green skirts as their special uniform, the girls cheered the team through a promising season. On the girls, basketball team, Kathleen OlNeill received honorable men- tion on the All-Catholic Team as a possi- ble threat to future opponents. The Sophomores who made second team were Teresa Spanbauer, Helen F lanagan, Claire Short, Mary Sigsworth, Dorothy Curley and Ellen O,Donnell. With the month of February came the Annual Spelling Bee Contest in which we were represented by Mary Driscoll as Grade Champion at Boston College High School. Red Cross activities next claimed our attention. Claver Darwin, Anne Heiser, Francis Yurt and others who as- sisted these three, received the grateful thanks of children who were bedridden in hospitals throughout the city, for the many booklets that were made to bring sunshine and gladness into their lives. A statue of the Infant of Prague was won by Billy Wright and a War Bond by Johnny Jones in a rafHe sponsored throughout the school. - The ttCall to Arms,, was an inspiring piece of work that decorated our bulletin board for the season of Lent. Everyone participated in the making of it and each by his attendance at Holy Mass watched himself advance from a lowly Buck Pri- vate to a Colonel. Anxious to help the Senior Class, we all attended their Annual Penny Sale. On May 17, the Sophomores and Fresh- man Classes held a social in the school hall-eall in attendance declared it a tre- mendous success. Soon after this the gymnasium exhibition was held. One of the features of the evenings program was an Oratorical Contest in which Virginia Cusick brought honor to her class by winning first prize for the splendid de- livery of her essay on nMary, Queen of Peace? Barbara Calnan attained second prize for her tribute to Our Lady under the title of thorning Star? Toward the end of the month the annual May pro- cession became uppermost in all our thoughts. The Sophomores were well rep- resented and again pledged devotion to their Heavenly Mother. Finally, the great battle with examina- tions loomed on the horizon, but with careful preparation and sharpening of the edges of our swords of memory, we thun- dered on to victory. Great was the re- ward: we were free once more to traverse the peaceful vale of summer. MARY DRISCOLL

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As Did The Monks Prom in 194.5 just as delightful and sue- eessful at the Prom of 194.4. No sooner had we descended from our clouds of dreams of the prom when we tried for championship in the Boston Herald Spelling Bee Contest. Claire Short was the winner of the Grade Champion- ship with Joan Cunningham as runner-up. The Thomas More Book Club was re- organized. Many new and fine books were added to our collection resulting in more and better reading. Our representatives were Joseph McMahon and Mary M. Slattery. As the breath of spring was felt on the air, all eyes were focused on the baseball team of this year with such starring Junior players as Joseph Dobbratz, Martin Halle- ran, Paul Hiatt and William OlLearyf Each player carried out his own assign- ment with hard work and grit. - In quick succession followed the Junior Beano, and the Senior Penny Sale, toward the success of which the Juniors worked with their usual eo-operation. We sym- pathized with our two Classmates Thelma McDonald and Kathleen O,Neill, who were hospitalized during the beautiful spring days, and rejoiced at their recovery. The month of June brought us the desire for a class outing. After much de- bating we chose Nantasket Beach as our destination. The morning of the eventful day finally arrivedeone of those rare days immortalized by the poet. The memory of the outing with its fun, swimming, and amusements is imprinted in our hearts forever. All too quickly came the Final exams, and close of school. Books were once again placed in summer storage, desks cleared of year-worn notebooks, pencils and pens, curtains drawn against the sunls hot rays, and doors locked against intrud- ers. We viewed with interest the Class Night and the Graduation exercises, realiz- ing that at this time next year, we would be participating in like ceremonies. ANNE DONOVAN SENIOR YEAR After what seemed eons of patient wait- ing we finally gained the coveted title Of Stately Seniors. As such we considered ourselves ingenuous and accordingly dis- played an air of sublime wisdom and su- periority which soon subsided upon the realization that glory must be earned. Soon we were immersed in a flood of earnest study. The Classical students plodded along with Aenas in his perilous wanderings on land and sea with the daily grind sometimes lightened by impromptu dramatizations of blood-curdling horror scenes from the epic. The scientists of the Physics Class chatted fluently 0n the themes of matter and motion, while the Commercial group competed for their certificates for speed in Shorthand and proficiency in Bookkeeping. But not all our time was spent in study- ing. At our first class meeting, we chose our capable and successful class ofEcers: Paul Hiatt, President; Francis Yurt, Vice President; Margaret Halleran, Secretary; and Mary M. Slattery, Treasurer. Not long after this election, a second class meeting was called to determine our class motto, Hower and colors. Resulting from this meeting, EsNon sibi, sed omnibusll is our motto; the unanimous choice for col- ors was Maroon and gold, and the talis- man rose was the favored flower, Soon the long list of extra-currieular activities commenced in the field of de- bating and sports. After many verbal battles on the merits of International Po- lice Force, St. Columbkillels Girlsl Debat- ing Team was declared the Diocesan Champion Team after they defeated Misa sion High School of Roxbury at the Eleventh Annual Girlsa Prize Debate, held at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Brighton, un- der the patronage of His Excellency, Most Reverend Richard J. Cushing, D. D. our beloved Archbishop. Mary Littleheld, Mary Driscoll and Anne Donovan repre- sented the Seniors 011 the team which won this honor and gave us possession of the Debate trophyia silver eupifor the en suing year. The thumping 0f basketballs resounded through the auditorium at St. Columb- killels as both the girls and the boys pre- pared for their participation in the Great- er Boston Catholic Basketball League. Team work paved the way to many vic- tories, and true sportsmanship was dis- played in a manner creditable both to the school and the coaches. Joe Dobbratz and William OlLeary were our worthy