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

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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.

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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 Prophecy As we gaze into the embers of a fireplace a queer velvety flame appears, bidding our eyes to pierce through the glow into the future. Little by little, the scene becomes clearer, bringing us into the heart of Boston in the year 1975. As we stood admiring the attractive window displays, whom should we see but our former classmate, Ann Guiden. Miss Guiden is now the owner of “Ann’s Paint Store.” Upon entering the store we learned from Ann, the achievements of some of our former classmates. Mary Alice Holt is now the Superintendent of Nurses at the Leahy Clinic. Joan Mur- phy is a secretary to M. Lurie, owner of Luries Department Stores. Janet Hen- nessey is also a secretary at the Ford Plant. Departing from Ann’s store we sauntered up Main Street; a large crowd is gathered. Can it be that someone is injured? No, it seems that someone is making a speech. Getting still closer to the platform upon which the speaker is standing the face of Tommy O’Malley appears before us. Following in his father’s footsteps, Tommy is now run- ning for Senator. Sitting a short dis- tance from Mr. O’Malley is Lois LaPorte, now star reporter for the Boston Herald. As we talked to Lois, she informed us that Catherine Mahar is now a square dance teacher in Boston, and that Joan Rancourt is a physical instructor at Boston University. Sometime later walking up the street we found ourselves in front of a T. V. store. There appearing on the screen, to our surprise, was Albert De- Luca, vocalist. Albert now has his own orchestra. Last year Al’s orchestra toured the United States with Ann Marie Phillips’ Roller Skate Revue which is ably managed by Kathleen O’Neil. Flashing across the screen came an advertisement for the famous “Slavin Food Markets” now as well known as the Grand Union Markets. Gene is the owner of these. On entering a drug store for some ice cream, whom should we find but Gene Curtis, who has made great prog- ress in the field of pharmacy. From Gene we learned that Jackie Leonard is basketball coach of U. C. L. A., and that Sturmius Braun is the owner of the “Sleeper Trains”, which run all over the world. Jackie Ryan, whom we remember as an expert marksman, is now retired from the National Guard with many citations and awards for merit. John Cullen took up a military career, and is now Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Billy Fleming, we learned, is managing the Brooklyn Dodgers, and his old pal, Tom Davock, is pitcher on the team. The flame is growing dimmer, but we can still see the figure of a girl. It is Rita Shea. Rita informed us that she is the owner of the “Shamrock Inn”, situated on the Lincoln Highway. From Rita we learned that Wade Hayden is earning great fame from his skillful occupation as a surveyor, and that John Griffin is an Admiral in the Navy. As the fire grows dimmer, we are brought back to reality and to the fact that we, the Class of ’50, have still ahead of us a future which, with God’s grace and abiding love, can make us noble in His sight and happy in our own. Ann Marie Phillips and Kathleen O’Neil