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

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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

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.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.

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Three sailors, from the Flying Dutchman, an operetta presented by the Dramatic Club, happily pose for us before they go on. SENIORS-1954 There's no such thing as a vacation for a senior. Not for the class of '54, at least. Even during the summer months we met to plan the Precursor and, with it, the activities of our final year. September brought, as it always has, the inauguration of school clubs. It was a little different. Now we were seniors- respected, happy, and privileged, and a little sad, for these would be the last months at our beloved Alma Mater, The Silver Anniversary of Sr. Veron- ica, our Principal, and Sr. Innocence, Ju- nior class moderator, presented the ini- tial occasion for our singing of Pietro Yon's three part arrangement of Mass of the Angels. Another occurred at St. Joseph's Villa, Peapack, New Jersey, any In the middle of an unusually hot summer s refreshing dip is always welcome. Such seems to be the opinion of these St. John's Sodalists who are spending a day at Gladstone. The close of summer means back to school but Dolores Msstronsrdo seeks to extend her vscstion as long ss possible. .EJY The pause that refreshes. Time out between those horrid June finals. where, under the direction of Father Francis Drolet, SJ., we made the Hrst closed retreat ever participated in by Aca- demy students as a group. Autumn, we discovered, was well taken up with the appointment of marshalls, the innauguration of schoiol clubs, fhigh- lighted, for us, by the election of our classmates as oihcersl, and the first as- sembly, during which the Senior minute- men presented lVlilne's Ugly Duckling. Crowning the memories of those happy days will always be Senior Week-Mass and Communion breakfast, reception of rings, Class Night, and finally, our day as teachers. Enjoyable holidays made the winter months pass quickly, and Spring found the Seniors seriously preparing for grad- uation. Colleges and careers had been carefully chosen, yet we felt that fond recollections of our high school years would remain with us always'-a tribute to St, john's.