St James Catholic High School - Blue and Gray Yearbook (Chester, PA)

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E have named our book The Herald in keeping with our selection of heraldry as its theme. The difficulty we were to encounter in carrying out such a theme we little realized when our work began, but now that our task is completed we feel that the many long and tiresome hours spent in research have been amply rewarded. An erroneous idea is entertained by some, that heraldic symbols denote an aristocratic or exclusive class, and is undemocratic in its origin and permanency. On the contrary, these badges of distinction were the reward of personal merit, and could be secured by the humblest as well as the highest. They are today the testimonials and warrants of bravery, heroism, and meritorious deeds of our ances- tors, and they appeal to the pride of the descendants of these distinguished families today, as the valiant deeds and self-sacrificing acts of contemporary persons would to their posterity. We are proud, then, to display our individual ancestral coat of arms, cherished by our forebearers of ages past, and handed down from generation to generation as a sacred emblem of family honor. Heraldry is the art or science of describing in appropriate technical terms coats of arms and other heraldric and armorial insignia. The origin of heraldry may be traced back to the dawn of history. Primitive peoples painted or tattooed tribal badges on their bodies, the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians and Chinese used symbols comparable with the insignia of heraldry, the Aztecs of Mexico carried shields and banners bearing personal or tribal devicesg and the heroes of ancient Greece and Rome inscribed hereditary ensigns on their shields. Opposite page: Upper left: Sophomores at prayer. Lower left: Seniors give it the last once-over Upper right: 3 P. M. for the Juniors. Lower right: Interested Freshmen. 10

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JOHN JOSEPH OATES St. Joseph Collingdale, Pa. NCE again we see a senior who has inf herited from his ancestors a more than difficult assignment. The theme of the Oates coatfoffarms is the cross from start to finish. The bands are the St. Andrew's cross, and the interstices of the crest, point, and both Hanks are crusaders' crosses. John will, no doubt, carry on his ancestral crusade for all that is better in life, and our best wishes are with him. ACTIVITIES: Student Council '41, Clee Club '41, Bark Staff '42, '43, Dramatics '43g Dance Committee '42, '43, Class Vice Presif dent. MARTIN JAMES FAGAN St. Gabriel Norwood, Pa. ERE is a fellow who is marked Scotch by the array of colors that ornament thc left band of his shield. He is generous, and always ready to go out of his way to help his -classmates. Martin dislikes any kind of publicity, although he deserves much praise for his many contributions to the enrichment of our school. He is widely known as the president of the senior class and for his excellent work as editor of the Bark and of the Herald ACTIVITIES: Bark Staff '43, Herald Staif 43g French Club '43, Class President '43g Clee Club '43, Air Raid Warden, Bowling '42, '43.