St Thomas High School - Retrospect Thomasonian Yearbook (Braddock, PA)

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W. ’(( aL Wa$ rent cm her. . . With light hearts and awkward feet, the class of ’55 entered Saint Thomas on September 9, 1951. We wandered to our home rooms 101 and 201 where we were greeted by Sister Laurentia and Sister Jeanette, respectively. The Sophomores ledustothe Initiation Dance like lambs to the slaughter. We survived for only one reason, our Thanksgiving Dance. This was highlighted by a square dance led by the Freshmen. Next came the Christmas Dance which was a very grown affair indeed. We were proud to be a part of it, to say the least. Exams came and went, and before we realized it spring was upon us, bringing with it the event which all Saint Thomas had told us about - namely, the South Park picnic, which measured up to all expectations. Less awkward, a little more confident, and armed with a vast knowledge of Latin and algebra, we decided to rest our minds during July and August and to contemplate the wonder of our new status, for we were Sophomores! A year older and a little wiser now, we gracefully stepped a-cross the threshold of Saint Thomas in 1952. With the authority vested in us as Sophomores we duly humbled the Freshmen at our Initiation Dance. Geometry was a foe to conquer and most of us slaughtered it. Pasteur and Madam Curie had nothing on us now, for we examined such articles as fly wings and frog blood under our new microscopes. At one point we even dissected a lima bean. By June we were all mathematicians, linguists, and scientists. Flanked by these accomplishments, we marched forward into our junior year. Upperclassmen at last! Typing, advanced algebra, shorthand and physics held us spellbound-all very mature subjects for very mature young men and women. We were most business-like in respect to the Prom which was our responsibility this year. First we held the Winter Fantasy to raise money and spirits. Always striving for the unusual, we sponsored a contest for Winter Fantasy Queen. Instead of casting votes the students cast pennies to express their choice. Being very industrious,we didn’t stop at this but went on to hold a skating party which proved very successful in attaining our goal.. .money! Because we worked so diligently, our prom was indeed the highlight of the whole year. In addition to our annual South Park Picnic the seniors invited us to join them in the very exclusive North Park Picnic. Full of knowledge and Sister Ignatia Marie’s famous candy, we anticipated our senior year. Serenely, confidently, we took the reins of the school in our hands, for we were seniors now. Major projects loomed ahead, the first of which was the 1955 Thomasonian. Ads, patrons, subscriptions, and pictures filled our nights and days. October found us posing for our Senior pictures. Friday night dances proved the nucleus of our social life . We visited Duquesne University, Carnegie Tech, and other schools, and each time we realized a little more clearly that the time was growing near when we would no longer belong to Saint Thomas. Others were ready to fill our shoes as soon as we discarded them. As Easter approached, we began to make plans for our graduation. Class night must be something that would never be forgotten, something that would show our love and gratitude to all the people who had made our days at Saint Thomas so pleasant. And on June 5 we walked into Saint Thomas Church as a class for the last time. We realized that when we walked out of church after Mass we were no longer seniors but alumni. Fortified by the living Christ in Holy Communion, our class walked bravely into a new life. 20

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EDWARD VAVREK- “Ed . . . “What do you say there? ...possesses the quality of friendliness... successor of Charlie Bratton... flashing smile for all... his favorite pastime is enjoying food GENEVIEVE YASOFSKY -“Mickey . . . “Definitely ... ready smile and cheerful word... well-liked for her quiet, sincere manner and friendly attitude... a good student and a faithful friend URSULA UDERMAN -“Urs ... “Hi there, kid ... typing ability ... continually gay and smiling... expressive brown eyes... a bundle of energy and a barrel of fun IP w WE ADORE THEE, O LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND WE BLESS THEE, BECAUSE BY THY HOLY CROSS THOU HAST REDEEMED THE WORLD. The sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge... Why, then, do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom? In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of spirit, in the cross is highest virtue, in the cross is perfect holiness. There is no salvation of soul or hope of everlasting life but in the cross. Take up your cross, therefore, and follow Jesus and you shall enter eternal life ... and merit an eternal crown. 19 Thomas a Kempis

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Esther DeSaia and James Hohman, the Ideal Thomasonians of 1955, were chosen by faculty and student vote as spiritual, scholastic, and social leaders at St. Thomas. Fortified by the living Christ in Holy Communion, they have made their daily lives an inspiration to their school and classmates. May they always walk the Thomasonian Way!