St Marys Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hoosick Falls, NY)

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1950 ACADEMY ECHO Marie Bradley, Class of ’49, was crowned Queen of the affair. Next came our an- nual picnic at the lake, and we closed our Junior year by attending a Com- munion Breakfast in the Parish Hall along with the Seniors and the Eighth Grade. When we came back to the Hill for what was to be our final year, we found that there had been many changes made during our absence. We were greeted by Sister Mary Karol, who was to be our new homeroom teacher, replacing Sister Genevieve, who went to Catholic Central in Troy. She was succeeded by Sister Clara Joseph, who was placed in charge of the Sophomores. Our home- room had been changed, too. We now occupied what was formerly the library, giving our old homeroom over to the Sophs and Sister Clara. Initiation being the annual “chore” of the Seniors, we wearily set about planning various means of mass murder for those “innocents”, the Frosh. We were finally avenging that cruel day four long years ago when we had to place our heads on the chopping block. But when the time came, we had to give in to their pleading eyes and let them live to go through the rest of High School at least. But we did give them some little memories to think about when they became Seniors and are plot- ting their destruction of the freshmen. The rest of the High School attended this entertainment, and refreshments and dancing filled out the rest of that day. Again we held our elections which saw Gene Slavin become President for the third time, Albert DeLuca, Vice President for the second time, Joan Rancourt Secretary, and Jack Ryan tak- ing over Treasurer for the second time. The basketball season found our class well represented. Bill Fleming was the manager and John Cullen the assistant manager. On the varsity was Wade Hayden, Gene Slavin, Tom Davock, Albert DeLuca, and Jack Ryan. On the Junior varsity was John Griffin, Tom O’Malley and Jack Leonard. Our class had cheerleaders also, with Ann Marie Phillips and Katy O’Neil on the Junior varsity and Ann Guiden on the varsity. Now, our last year at Saint Mary’s is more than half over. Everything we have looked forward to since fifth and sixth grades is gone by. There is only graduation to think about. We wish to express our sincere thanks to Mother Margaret Joseph and all the faculty for the kindness and guid- ance they have given us in our years at SMA. These have been the happiest days in our lives. Now, that the time for us to leave approaches, we realize that “High above the Hoosick River there is a school of fame!” Ann Guiden ’50

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1950 ACADEMY ECHO Class History Every year, with moments of ear- nest hope and smiles, comes the month of June. This month—the time of grad- uation— remains forever a memory of happiness to those who receive their diplomas, and advance to higher edu- cation. This time is now approaching, and we are earnestly preparing for our graduation day. It all began four years ago when as shy freshmen we entered the halls of S. M. A. It took us a while to get used to High School routine, but with the aid of Sister Saint Jude, we soon became a part of the group called “High School Students.” The year started off with the elec- tion of officers which saw Jack Ryan become President, Albert DeLuca Vice President, John Griffin Secretary and Ann Guiden Treasurer. Next came that dreaded day, INI- TIATION! One by one we were taken aside and dressed up by the dear seniors. We were then taken to the Parish Hall, where each and every one of us was fittingly tortured. This was followed by refreshments and a dance. All the class was glad when it was over, but we all had fun, even if we were the ones who had to suffer. The freshmen were represented on the basketball team, having a few boys on the Junior Varsity. For activities, we sponsored a dance, which proved to be a success. To close this happy year, we at- tended the school picnic held at Lake Lauderdale. We were now ready to be called Sophomores. Before we knew it, September was here again and we could proudly say that we were members of Mother Os- wald’s Sophomore class. Again, we started off with election of officers which resulted in the Presidency being taken over by Gene Slavin, Rita Shea Vice President, Wade Hayden Secretary, and Jack Ryan Treasurer. During the year we were saddened when Mother Oswald became ill and had to be replaced by Sister Rose Agnes. This year it was basketball, the picnic, and members of the Art Class winning honorable mention in a contest that highlighted the school season. We also ordered our class rings. We said good- bye to Father Martin and welcomed a new Pastor, Father Walker, who is still with us. It was about this time that we real- ized time was really flying. Our High School days were half over. All the times we watched the hands of the clock go around at a snail’s pace, suddenly seemed to have been going around very, very fast. All the days that seemed like weeks, all the weeks that seemed like months, all the months that seemed like years, had suddenly passed. Ou Junior year was filled with many activities and pleasant surprises. Mother Margaret Joseph came back to Saint Mary’s and in March, Sister Samuel Joseph also became a member of the faculty. We welcomed a new pupil, John Cullen, who started off school life at Saint Mary’s with a bang, having to come to school on crutches for quite some time, as the result of a fractured ankle. The officers elected for this year were Gene Slavin, President; Albert DeLuca, Vice President; John Griffin, Secretary, and Rita Shea, Treasurer. Many of the class took advantage of an opportunity to join the staff of our school paper, the “Echo”, and gained some valuable experience. Then came an important event, the arrival of our class rings, which we had a wonderful time showing off. In June, we joined with our upper- classmen in sponsoring the “Junior-Sen- ior Ball”, which took place at the State Armory. The Juniors, together with the Seniors, spent much time decorating and preparing for the event, which proved to be a great success. Miss

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1950 ACADEMY ECHO Class Rings The 1950 class rings are rectangular in shape and are made of yellow gold with a small rectangle of rose gold beneath the emblem. In each corner the numbers “1950 appear in gold on a small rectangle of black, and on each side of the ring appears the owner’s initials in black letters. The emblem consists of a large “M” with a Cross above it and the gold letters “SMA” below it on a small field of black. The Cross stands for our Catholic faith, while the “M” stands for the “M” in St. Mary’s. The use of rings is universal and dates back to prehis- toric time. During the 11th century, Edward the Confessor, then King of England, happened to give a ring to an aged pilgrim as alms. The pilgrim turned out to be the Apostle Saint John, who sent the ring back to the king with the in- formation that he had blessed the ring and it now had great creative power. Since that time, up to the reign of Queen Mary, the English kings and queens had blessed and dis- tributed a number of rings on Good Friday.