St Johns Villa Academy - Precursor Yearbook (Staten Island, NY)

Page 65 text:

.xv .s-1+ ' SOPHOMORES-1951 Ambitious and studious, we happily began our second year of high school. It was our turn to do the initiating, and that certain gleam in the eyes of every Sophomore boded no good for the latest additions to the student body. Halloween came, and gently restrained by our mod- erator, Sr. Ermelinda, we descended upon the little sisters. Braids, bows, and odd shoes were the order of the day and the poor things only revived at a party late in the afternoon. The life of a fresh- man! Another treasured memory of 1951 was the assembly to honor the Baptistine Su- perior General, who was visiting here from Rome. How thrilled we were to join the entire school in welcoming Moth- er Benedetta! Grease paint and kimonos took over St. John's soon after our February Cath- olic Book Week exhibit, as the Dramatic Club presented Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado, the first high school operetta. Studies, religious activities, and social affairs made the time go swiftly, that, without our realizing it, an unforgettable year had passed.

Page 64 text:

' j lass hrunitle ' ' FRESHMAN-1950 The gracious portals of St. John's Villa Academy opened wide one sunny September morning to welcome the class of '54. Typical ufreshiesn, we enthusiastic- ally blundered through the first few months under the patient guidance of Sr. Lucy. Even Initiation Day, the night- mare of all ninth grade students, couldn't seriously dampen our spirits, for we were generously provided with shower caps by our amiable torturers. 1950 saw our happy meeting with Wil- liam Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, and the primary encounters were the mysteries of Latin and Algebra. Attired in stately academic gowns we proudly participated in the annual Spring concert, and June brought the Junior Box Social, during which a fortunate class- mate was awarded a portable radio. Final report cards came all too soon, yet they proved our fidelity to the motto chosen early in our Freshman year, Finis coronat opus, the end crowns the work.

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A chapter of history is dramatized in our ju- nior year. We became more familiar with the characters here depicted, under the direction of Sr. Innocence. JUNIORS-1953 A cumbersome publication of the New York Times will always remind the graduates-to-be of their Junior year. Cur- rent events, an important facet of Am- erican History, is the reason for this peculiar association. Diligent students we thoughtfully scanned that newspaper daily. Enchanting waltz strains played by Tommy Capp's Orchestra filled the aud- itorium in a Starlight Serenadef' The occasion was our long-awaited Prom, and the stars in our eyes proved the theme's appropriateness, Directed by Sr. Innocence, class ofli- cial, eleventh grade pupils spent a busy and profitable year. A Junior Jamboree and the traditional Box Social topped our calendar of events, while contests in various subjects, notably History, Latin and Mathematics, tested scholastic ability. Yo-ho-hey! Yo-ho-hey! Through the peaceful halls of the Academy sound- ed rollicking sea-worthy melodies, as the Dramatic Club presented Wagner's tragic operetta The F l y i n g Dutchman. Among our classmates were principal characters and members of the three choruses-No.wegian maidens, Norweg- ian sailors, and the fearful spirits, Dutch sailors, 1953 was truly a year we shall never forget. All eyes were on the ball when as juniors we eagerly participated in gym period with our instructor Mrs. Ferrando. all his trim, thing. in her eyes. When proudfpied April, di-ess'd in Hath put a spirit of youth in every The Prom, big event of the Junior year had everyone dancing with stars