St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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school course! Our lessons above all! But we braved the Christian Doctrine, Latin, French, algebra, English and ancient history, and with these were kept busy, until before we knew it, June was upon us, with the parting of our dear seniors, and the following vacation. How short those two months seemed to us who were to return in September, not as the mere freshmen of last June, but as the more dignified sophomores ! During the summer, ten of our classmates decided to go elsewhere, so that September found us a happy group of thirty, eager to take upon ourselves Caesar’s plans and stratagems, and one new study of circles and angles. It did not take long for the ten months to pass, and once more we were facing the sad parting of seniors. But this „ year had a double parting (of seniors) for us. For we were losing our loved commercial girls. We fain would have kept them with us. But was not the same sorrow to come to us, too, later ? During this year we had lost four of the girls, but one of their number was made up when Florence, one of our out-of-town girls who has proved one of the merriest amongst us, joined us in April. All during our next vacation we were thinking of the great things we should do when we returned in September as Juniors. Juniors ! how we had envied the position of the former juniors! And did we not make the most of it when it became ours ! Ah, yes! This indeed was our happiest year at dear Saint Xavier’s. ’Tis true our number had been lessened, but with sixteen fun-loving girls what great things can be done ! How proud we felt when we had our first meeting to elect our officers, and choose our motto ! And what a charm those gold and black pins had for us! Then, too, we organized our “Beta Gamma’’ society, through which we have had, and hope to have many pleasant occasions. And then came that ever-important question, whether it is more profitable to follow Cyrus in his marches, or to carry oneself to the land of “Wooden Shoes.’’ Four of the girls surrendered themselves to Alpha and Omega, while others followed their German inclinations. Many pleasure trips were afforded to us during this year and also two sad occasions, when we lost two of our classmates. Thus our happy year slipped quickly by, and when it came time for us to renew for the last time, for we ourselves would be the next, the parting with seniors, it was with deep feelings we gave them a farewell word, by singing the 26

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My beloved classmates, you have been my companions for the four years of my high school course. How well we realize the depth of meaning in, “Years following years, steal something every day,” as now they are stealing “us from ourselves away.” In after years, dear girls, when we have found the path of duty God has ordained for us, may we follow it with all zest. May we press ever onward and upward until, reunited in an eternal school, where love and the purest of joys know no end, know no parting. Katharine Josephine Gilbane. CLASS HISTORY IN looking at our merry band of thirteen one could scarcely believe that there had ever been more belonging to this number. Nevertheless if one were to look at the register of Saint Xavier’s for 1905, he would see there recorded twenty-seven more names, all dear to the memory of our present thirteen. Yes in September of 1905 the present graduating class had reached that point which is the coveted place of a grammar school girl’s heart, the high school. With what a fixed resolve to make a success of our work, did we enter into that loved assembly room on that first morning of school! In the very beginning, the groups of strange girls—strangers to us, but familiar to the school and to each other—gathered together reviewing the past and relating to one another their adventures of the vacation, almost made us give up hope. But not for long, for our kind teacher extended a hearty welcome to us, and with her loving words our courage returned, and before we knew it we were chatting merrily, and making friends we have kept all through high school life. First came the question of what course we were to pursue. The classical seemed to hold sway, for on the next day seventeen of our number began the study of the rudiments of Latin. Fourteen preferred shorthand and typewriting to the Latin declensions, and the remaining nine followed the English course. How different everything was from our grammar

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song one of our members composed. And then came our trip to Newport a few days after school closed. During the year we had been paying class dues, so that at the end we had a goodly sum, and thought this the best way to use it for pleasure. And so we parted that year, each girl looking forward to her next year. And so it came, bringing with it new studies, and oh, such responsibilities! After the first few weeks we lost another member, leaving us thirteen. Was it unlucky, as people will have the number, for us? Ah, no. True, sometimes we can see now as we look over the past, many ways in which we faltered; but only to rise again, and again push unfalteringly on. This was the year in which we were to accomplish so many great deeds. And did we ? We shall let those who have been with us give the judgment. Thanksgiving we gave our first play, and many times since, as you know, we put forth our efforts to entertain our teachers and school-mates. Many are the joys we recall for this year not the least being the periods spent with the ever-patient Miss Dodge on Fridays, our Friday mornings, on the second floor, our “parlez-vous’s” with Mile. Thompeson. And now after all our joys and sorrows, we have come to the last chapter. We fain would look ahead, and see the sequel to our story as clearly as we view the past; but such is not permitted to us; and better so. But whatever our state in life may be, never, no matter in what clime we may chance to stray, can we forget the kind and loving instruction of our teachers, and the friendly encouragement of our school-mates, which have followed us so far, and which we hope will continue as long as we are loyal to that dearest of schools, St. Xavier’s. Catherine McKitchen.