St Helena High School - Helenian Yearbook (Bronx, NY)

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SHORT STORY OF GROWTH For nearly a quarter-century, New York's Major Seminary at Dunwoodie boasted of a certain erudite professor on its staff, one whose name became legend to all future priests who came under his dynamic influence. This professor was unlike the average tutor in many ways, especially because of the fact that he wasn't shackled to the cold terms of any textbook, but rather, freely formulated theories of his own concerning such an important item as the proper administration of a parish. There were many who scoffed at his theories because they de- parted radically from traditional methods. Today, however, when this man, Msgr. Arthur J. Scanlan, has proven his theories in practical application here at St. Helena's, these same scoffers have no choice but to join the thousands through- out the city who view with awe the remarkable progress that has been made in 12 years, and Whose outstanding sentiment is one of deep-seated admiration for this man of conviction. Let us follow this progress through the years, from the erection of a church to the establishment of a grammar school, and finally, of a high school. The church, Monsignot's Hrst concern, was begun in a tavern and dance hall in early summer of l940. A permanent edifice, already under construction on the corner of Westchester and Olmstead Avenues, was completed and dedicated in April, l942. The rest of his plan called for the education of the children of the parish from kindergarten to college, thus preparing them for life. The inaugural step in this undertaking was accomplished by the institution of a grammar school, intended to accommodate 600 pupils, in September, 1941, by the Do- minican Sisters of Sparkill. The first classes were held in the halls of Loeflier's Picnic Park and the adjacent radio shop. In late October of the same year, the school moved to perma- nent quarters in the same building as the church. Each year saw the school's rapid growth, so rapid, that in 1946 Bro. Conan Vincent, Bro. Edmund Jude, and Bro. Paul Octavius were sent by the Marist Brothers to teach the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Still the school grew, and it became evident that it would soon outgrow its quarters. ln l947, however, showing the resourcefulness of the true pioneer, Monsignor rented two floors in a building of St. Josephs School for the Deaf to accommodate the Brothers and their pupils. Around graduation time of 1949, he saw an opportune time to accomplish another step in his plan, namely, the estab- lishment of a high school. This occasion seemed particularly fitting, since the graduates of '49 were the first class to go through the eight years of St. Helena's grammar school. Initia- ting the high school in September of 1949, with an enrollment of 46 boys and 90 girls, its promoter encouraged its develop- ment till its buildings now cover fourteen acres, and its student body comprises 500 boys and 600 girls. Like an artist who steps back to appraise his work, Mon- signor Scanlan can now view the happy fulfillment of his efforts, the idea he originated twelve years ago. This idea gave rise to a scheme that has hnally materialized into a model educational structure, whose keystone is the very foundation of true education ,... the Church.

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