St Hedwige High School - Victorian Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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SAINT IIEDWIGL' HIGH SCHOOL The South Bend Citizens of Polish extraction, have always been greatly admired for their energe- tic progress in this city, in having been able in the last sixty years, not only to build, but also to uphold the standards of four large Parish communitiesg which to this very day are the centers of practice, and encouragement of practice, of their native lan- guage, customs, and traditions. The qualities and characteristics of the ancestors through whose labors great recognition for Polish customs, achievements, and spirit has been given universally today. Like their ancestors, the local Poles were not sa- tisfied with the progress made by the communities. Driven on by their spirit, industry, energy, and de- sire for the finer things in life, culture, and the herit- age which was theirs: but which was set aside while they were busy building their schools, churches and social centers, they have realized that in the hearts of great-minded people loving their native country and fellow-beings, is aroused the fire of feeling from which is born the unbending will, persevering action. and the offering of one's self for the good of man- kind. Such men are greatly needed everywhere. especially in this age of grave catastophe. Leaders are wanted, who would be able to bring forth to the highest peak of glory, everything that the enemies of faith and morality degrade. In our own circles they have felt the need of men, who would be prepared at all times to hold and bear the standard of our Polish forefathers. Having studied this from every angle. the great idealist, Rev. Stanislaus A. Gruza. C.S.C., former pastor of St. Hedwige Parish. sought to realize the object of his plans, which resulted in the opening of a Catholic Polish Institution of higher learning. The aim of this great movement was a higher religious education and the development in our youth in South Bend and vicinity of a feeling of obligation to its country. and pride in its language, and customs. ln the year of 1928, Rev. Gruza received permis- sion from his Excellency, Right Reverend John F. Noll, Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to open the portals of such an institution. Plans immediately were made with the zealous and ever-persevering co- foundress. Rev. Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., to send a call-to-action summons to the graduates of the eighth grade of the Class of 1928. A curriculum of studies was planned with Miss Helen Dernbach, of Page Fourteen the city school administration, so that the students, who were to be pioneers and up-builders of so great an undertaking would be able to pursue the same program of classes as offered in any other High School. Ven. Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., was named the first principal of this institution. Indeed, God had directed His servant unto the right road when He placed her in the position of directress. Under her guardianship comforting and encouraging words, the High Scool was to start its marked history. The teachers assigned to teach were Ven. Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., Sister M. Christella, C.S.C.. Sister M. Francella, C.S.C., and Rev. Casimir Witucki, C.S.C. September 4, 1928, a class of thirty-three boys and girls registered, greeted the pastor, and began the first year of this movement. Some of them were only in their early teens and did not grasp the im- portant part they were to play in the crusade for re- cognition of the Poles. Little they knew what the future had in store for them. Some visioned a mod- ern building, equiped with all luxurious necessities. To their great astonishment, however, their dreams suddenly came to an end when on that morning they returned to the class-room they had left but two months ago. The opening of school and the found- ing of the greatest bulwark of the Polish people of South Bend, was started with a prayer and address by the Rev. Msgr. John W. Osadnik, pastor of St. Adalbert's Parish. A few weeks later the need of another room. in which to teach the commercial subjects was greatly felt. This was remedied, when an adjoining room, previously the sleeping quarters of the janitor. was renovated, so that the students could pursue their typing classes. Six typewriters were purchased and paid for from benefits derived through successful games of bunco and beano, card-parties, raffles and entertainments, arranged by the students of all par- ishes, in attendance at the School. Some Of the leaders in business circles and organizations came to aid the wonderful cause. in buying several other typewriters. Rev. Stanislaus Gruza C.S.C.. St. Hedwige's Grade School Alumni, Dr. B. J. Bolka, Mr. Andrew Wodka, and a great many others, are On the list of the school's benefactors. In the meantime, the old wooden one-story build- ing near St, Hedwige Church, at Scott and Napier THE VICTORIAN

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CLASS OFFICERS, 1937 JOHN BUCZKOWSKI President GERTRUDE WITKOWSKA Secretary CHARLOTTE SUDOL Vice-President STANLEY GORSKI Chairman of Social Activities MARY KIELTON Polish Valedictorian THERESA KAMINSKA Polish Salutatorian LORETTA PILARSKA English Valedictorian STANLEY GORSKI Class Essayist CLASS PCETS Henry Labuzienski CEnglishl - Lottie Dworecka fPolishJ - Raymond Marnocha fEnglishl QSHJ PRESIDENT'S FAREWELL ADDRESS Four years ago we, the Class of 1937, came as the representatives of our respective pariSh6S, eager to acquire a training necessary to lead a Christian and intellectual life. Now, four years later, we are ready to face the enormous problems of this world, and above all we are anxious to master them. Four years ago we came willing and able, now, four years later, we are more willing, more able to combat the temptations of the world. All our success is but the work of someone with the knowledge and wisdom to promote constructive building. To us that someone is Sister Severina, our principal. In and out of class rooms Sister Severina has always proved to be our best counsel. We are especially grateful to her for her guidance and patience during these memorable years. Whenever we found ou1'selves in need of religious support, we turned to Father Luzny and Father Jankowski. Many a discouraging moment was filled with sunshine by following their advice. On paper our last athletic season was not what might be called a startling success, but what we lacked in scores, we had made up in spirit instilled by our Coach, Mr. Janesheske who stood by and encouraged us in de- feat, as well as in victory. Besides those mentioned, there are also Sister Tue VICTORIAN Angelus, Sister Agneta, Sister Christella, and Sister Danielita, whom we have depended upon to show us the way to meet problems and hurdle obstacles. They have given their time and energy and we feel fortu- nate to have worked under such self-sacrificing in- structors. We shall forever remember them as in- spirations in combatting the problems that might confront us in our future lives. Whatever success we enjoyed in our Senior year was the di1'ect result of the efforts of Mr. Kuharich, our sponsor. To us he has been not only a teacher and a friend, but one whom we can honestly call our Pal. The Class of 1937 appreciates and thanks him for the zealous cooperation he has given us. Finally may we express our deepest gratitude to our parents for their loyalty and helping hand. Their unselfish devotion and hard work have made it pos- sible for us to reach this goal. We are very proud of you, and we hope you are equally as proud of your graduate. Mere words are not adequate enough to fully ex- p1'ess our feelings towards those we leave. Therefore, believe us when we extend a sincere and humble Thank you, as we bid you all a heart-felt Farewell. -John Buczkowski, '37. Page Thirteer

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SAINT HEDWIGE HIGH SCHOOL Streets, which had been erected fifty years ago as the first Church of St. Hedwige Parish, and used later as the school for our Polish pioneers, was being remodeled into classrooms to accomodate students, who would attend the High School in the following years. Nearly S400 was donated by the South Bend Society No. 2427, of the National Polish Alliance, for the remodeling of this building. During the Christ- mas holidays of that same year the work was com- pleted, and on January 7, 1929, the students, books, furniture and typewriters were transferred to this school. A severe cold blast had gripped the city at that time, and it was feared that the students, going from one building to the other, were endangering their health. This however, did not discourage them. Instead they remembered that to reach the peak of success, one must begin with hardships. The following year the development of the school was seen when thirty-one Freshmen and twenty-four Sophomores registered. The criticism of some of the supposed friends of the school, the dark stages of depression and the lack of equipment had threaten- ed this progress, but it was soon strengthened when the principal and the student body chose Our Lady of Victory as the School's Patron. During this year they adopted the hymn Nic Opuszczaj Nas , which has since been sung by the entire body after every morning prayer. With such a faith success was as- sured, despite every adversity. St. Hedwige's, already in the first years of its ex- istence, was honored by the visits of great renowned personages, who recognized and greatly marveled at the work undertaken by the Poles. Some of the distin- guished guests were: Rev. Dr. S. F. Lisewski C.S.C., Rev. Eugene Burke, C.S.C., Rev. Father Burns, C.S. C., Rev. Msgr. J. W. Osadnik, Rev. John Dillon, the Diocesan supervisor, Rev. John S. Hosinski of Ham- mond, Indiana, Rev. J. Gosselin of Salt Lake City, Rev. Joseph Moreton of Ogden, Brother Damian, C. S.C., Sister M. Bertyl, C.S.C., the community super- visor, Congressman Samuel B. Pettengill, Joseph Wojciechowski, Prof. Frank W. Kelly, Profesor of Speech at the Notre Dame University, and Mr. Maurice Pettit. In scholastic work, the students have shown great progress when they took part in debates and in Polish and English Essay and Short Story Contests, sponsored by several leading organizations, which tried to inspire and encourage the founders and stu- -'Trw v1c'ron1AN'- dents. Great interest was also taken in the dramatic course, and under the direction of Rev. Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., dramas and moral plays were staged. Training in character and public speaking were the aims of these programs, which were attend- ed to capacity by people of all parishes, loyal support- ers of the School. Some of the most successful pro- ductions were: Dolores , Under the Tutelage of the Blessed Virgin, Surprises, The Sign of the Cross and the Smile , The Priest, The Victory of Love and Father Tim. The opening of the third year found the school enrollment more than doubled, with twenty-six Ju- niors, twenty-six Sophomores and seventy-one Freshmen on the roll. It was during this year that athletics were organized under the direction of our well-known enthusiast and youth-lover, Rev. Casimir J. Witucki, C.S.C., at that time assistant pastor at St. Hedwige's.The first football coach at the school was Mr. Sigmund Sadlowski, who tried to the utmost of his ability to mold a team with the few candidates he had on hand. Football games were scheduled with other High Schools. Practices and all home- games were played at the J. D. Oliver Field, with only about seventy-five people witnessing them. Yes, our supporters at this time were few. Never- theless, the Fighting Poles were not discouraged. They well understood that athletics bring fame to an institution. They vowed to overcome all obstacles to bring the desired recognition of the Poles. The most inspiring of all was the prayer on their lips to Our Lady of Victory before and during every game. When out-of-town games were played interurban cars were chartered and the entire student body ac- companied the boys, in order to inspire them on to victory with their loyalty. At this time the school adopted the name of Lions for its team. As a crowning touch for their stellar achieve- ments and gridiron attempts the St. Hedwige Lions were honored with a dinner, the first in the history of the school. If any banquet was ever appreciated, and its sponsors deserved great praise it was this one, prepared so quietly that it burst forth with the most astonishing surprise not only to the athletes, but to friends, faculty, and the entire student body. This successful fete bespoke courage, loyalty and self-sacrifice of Miss Gertrude Szmanda Know Sister M. Casimiral Miss Cecelia Jez, Know Mrs. Aloysius Wesolowskaj, Misses Mary Budzinska, Irene Jaronik, Betty Frankowska, Mr. Thad. Kurek and Mr. Leo Page Fifteen