St Francis Preparatory School - San Fran Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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Freedom of Growth As the twig is bent . . the saying goes, and it's very true. Perhaps that's the best way of explaining the reason behind the many and sundry activities at the Prep. Freedom of growth is one of those freedoms that we, as Americans, cherish so dearly, freedom to grow as fast as we like in any direction we choose. Therefore, it's up to St. Francis Prep to nurture the seedling and see that it has the chance to break ground uninhibitedly as it surges up- ward. Of course, we'll guide the young plant but we'll supply it as many avenues as there are activities, to enable it to be a fully rounded plant and later, a strong well-nourished staff. To answer all the needs of the young student at St. Francis presents a great challenge to the school but it is in accepting this challenge that St. Francis Prep has established herself as the rains and soil for young men to grow in. Let us go down the list of activities and l'm sure you'll see what I mean when l say that all the avenues of development have been paved. Firstly, we have the school publications, prize winners in competition, which afford the boys that opportunity to express another freedom, freedom of the press. These provide journal- istic training for the literary minded students book: instruction and enjoyment for all who read them. Secondly, there is our Music De- partment with the Glee Club, Marching Band and Orchestra. Just the spark of musical inter- est is all the boy needs and expert instruction is his, and once again, another avenue is opened to him. Down the list we find numerous clubs and societies, among which the Galvani Science Club is designed to satisfy the curious and analytical members of our student body. l be- lieve this last example best clarifies the free- dom of growth idea of which I speak. Chem- ist, biologist, physicist, engineer, any one of these very well may succeed as a result of inspiration he received when he was a Fresh- man in high school. Yes, freedom of growth is important--important enough that the Fathers of the U. S. Constitution thought to allow the Constitution to grow by amend- ment, interpretation, decision and custom. And it's important to the student if he wishes to achieve that perfect balance, that well-rounded education and that liberal training, all of which are necessary for his growth and success later on. Yes, it's important to him that the ground from which he draws his nourishment be well supplied with the nutrients provided by a well Sll1lM1IlV 96 El5Vd who write for the school paper and the year- planned program of extracurricular activities.

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PAGE 72 S99 THE UNDERCLASSMEN Freedom and Equalit Man is a social being and therefore, at some time early in his life, he must learn how to live in Society. We believe all men are free and created equal. This equality does not mean that we are to live in a classless society for it is not an economic nor a social equality. lt is the natural equality of all men before God and their fellow men. ln the Declaration of Indepen- dence, Jefferson stated, We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are the right to Life, Liberty and the pur- suit of Happiness. Each American has these rights, however, each American, for every right he enjoys, has a corresponding duty. lt is only when these duties are performed can the indi- vidual enjoy his inalienable rights. lt is most important, therefore, that early in life each of us recognize our obligations and practice this respect for our fellow man lest we unwittingly let our rights irretrievably slip through our fingers. This very respect you have been taught in your first term at Saint Francis. You have noticed the equality of treatment that you re- ceived from your teachers-all the students are given equal opportunity to learn. The Senior often appears to the underclassman as a privi- leged person, however, it must be understood that the Senior has assumed additional respon- sibilites. lt is in the execution of these duties that he affords the next Senior a new right. This is true of Juniors and even of Sophomores and should not be misconstrued as a case of partiality or inequality. Thus, the entire four years of training at St. Francis teaches the young man to work for his rights-his work being his duty towards his fellow student. Yes, the point of equality is well evidenced in the classroom and on the field of sports. Yet, the net result is not a classless society. On the contrary, we have Varsity and Junior Varsity clubs just as we have Seniors, Juniors, Sopho- mores and Freshmen. Men who gain coveted positions on the Principal's List or in The Opti- mate Society or who earn their major F in athletics do not receive these awards because they are privileged characters. Nor should they be denied them because their achievement is above that of the average man. But, because of their talent, desire and industry, they have won a niche for themselves and deserve all the credit they receive. Thus, we see that Equal- ity as we speak of it, runs hand in hand with Freedom of Achievement. Four years training in which respect for fellow man is taught can- not but have left a defining mark on the gradu- ate. Along with our normal curriculum, St. Francis Preparatory School seeks to mark with distinction all of her graduates.

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PAGE 122 ATHLETICS I suppose vou've heard about the I932 Olympics in Berlin-when Jesse Owens was barely recognized by the German government for his outstanding achievement? Or the Lon- don games in which certain countries refused to participate fearing that their representatives would not win . . . and were not about to give credit to the performers of other countries? Now, could you ever imagine that happening here? lt could, if it were not for the many free- doms that the people of America enjoy. Free- dom of Achievement, I like to point out. is the backbone of success in the field of Sports. Recognition gladly paid to the victors helps develop keener competition and sounds out a sports program here in the United States that guarantees fraternal, moral and physical bene- fits. This trophy case attests to the success of the athletic programihere at St. Francis. Reco- gnition serves as an incentive and an incentive is the primer that ignites the long fuse of a- chievement. Should this spirit die in a country, the achievement of that country will pass away with it. Perhaps, you never considered it as such before, but all these trophies for football baseball, track, basketball and the other five sports at St. Francis hold the stories of hun- dreds of former Franciscans whose achieve- ments have brought renown to their school and multiple benefits to themselves. Specifically why? it is a freedom is this: the right to try out for a team, when the only prerequisites are ability and good scholastic standing, opens the door to an individual to prove his worth beside his classmates. No impediments stand in his way, his success will give him the confidence necessary for success later in life. When join- ing a team. the boy knows that he is to contri- bute with his teammates to a common cause. This singular purpose that binds boys together is enough to cement relationships and give them an understanding of their fellow students. That he might be successful and gain the lau- rels that are his due by work and spirit alone, fires the boy to industry and ultimately to achievement. You have been close to all the sports at St. Francis and l'm sure that you have seen this. Nowhere and at no time was a boy refused this right to gain the special niches reserved for oustanding achievements in athle- tics. But isn't this commonly taken for granted? Yes, it usually is, but if we stopped to think that many a shy, sensitive boy who does not make the grade later in life may have been held back because he wasn't accepted-or wasn't made to feel that he belonged -then we'd see the possible injustice. This is very true today, in many countries of the world where fear of the individual's prominence as a leader later in life causes the government to curb his activities as a youth and to train in one way-the State's way. But, we'll go on adding trophies to our case and the boys of St. Francis and the United States will go on achieving.