St Vincents Academy - Vincentian Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

Page 32 text:

A SENIOR’S PRAYER O God, please grant that when I leave These walls that sheltered me And set out with a life to weave — And start my quest for Thee — That I may wield the gift of truth And firm on my convictions stand, And not forget the deams of youth, Shaped by St. Vincent’s guiding hand.

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SENIOR CLASS HISTORY In 1942, the Seniors as first graders, full of eagerness and awe, entered the door of St. Vincent’s Academy to begin their school careers. Their love of the school in all its facets deepened with the joy that each new season brought. The Halloween Bazaar, the Pageantry of Christmas, Valentine parties, Easter-egg hunts. Spring festivals, and May-pole Fetes - all these events shaped the lives of the Class of 54. The formation of Brownie and Girl Scout troops taught them organization and leadership, and the importance of cooperation, thus preparing them to meet the greater obstacles and triumphs of high school. Climbing that extra flight of stairs was a mile stone in their lives. The thought of the process they were about to experience filled them with wonderment. For, in six short years, they were to be molded into lovely ladies, well-equiped to carry the standards of St. Vincent’s. They watched their prede- cessors - determined to develop in themselves the qualities that keep the St. Vincent’s girl on a pedestal. Their abilities and potentialities were evident in their early dramatic productions: among them Hie Witch's Curse’, ‘Faust’, and ‘Romeo and Juliet’. They were initiated into the delights of senior high school, and in the same year were received into the Sodality of Our Lady. The acquisition of the motto to which they nave clung throughout high school made the Freshman year an epochal one. ‘Love Conquers All’ has bound stronger the ties among classmates and between the class and the school. They enjoyed their first Prom after months of anticipation. Then, climaxing the Junior year, was the reception of the rings. The class initiated the beautiful chapel ceremony of blessing the rings, which Drought about a realization of the full spiritual significance of being a Senior. In September, the Seniors took the reins, and drew up plans for the year ahead. They successfully initiated their Freshmen by pointing out the ideals St. Vincent’s expected of them. Determined to cap their Senior year with a Vincentian, they sponsored an ad campaign that won the support of the whole student body. Led by this class, the whole school worked together for the success of the Bazaar and pageant. They won the privilege of presenting a skit in honor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Vigorous participation has always been a hallmark of this class. This enthusiasm has produced debate, oratorical, and declamation winner. For outstanding service in the field of journalism, ten were awarded memberships in Quill and Scroll. Seniors have fostered the organization of a form of student participation which has brought back the Vincentian State ratings. With the help of the four Senior members, the National Honor Society is now an active factor in the school. The school has felt the hand of this class guiding them into channels of spirited cooperation. But back of every accomplishment are those who have held this hand through the years - their sponsors. Now these girls must leave St. Vincent’s; they must face the world, act on their convictions, and stand by their ideals. Throughout their lives, in success and in failure, they will remember their years at St. Vincent’s; years that taught them of God, of mankind, of themselves. The Seniors hope that when future students pass the plaque in the hall, they will pause and feel just a little vacuum along with memories of the Class of 1954.

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I SPEAK FOR DEMOCRACY At the door of democracy, the forces of evil batter - but the door yields not, for it is strong. This barrier has held its own against these forces on countless occasions. As long as the American people desire its protection and reinforce it with their support, democracy will not fail them. For as the citizen is dependent upon democracy so also is democracy dependent upon the citizens. The keystone in the arched doorway of democracy is faith - the faith of a people in its leaders, in its government, and its God. On such faith was democracy founded and on such faith has it thrived. Without a flawless keystone an archway will crumble; without faith a democracy will falter and fail. Equal opportunity forms the framework for democracy’s door. In America, every citizen is important. The farmer, the manufacturer, the business man, the professional - all are dependent upon one another to support the giant framework of democracy, every man, woman, and child fits; the failure of one to fulfill his duties may very easily weaken the entire structure. Democracy hinges on freedom of speech and freedom of the preas. As a door cannot swing without hinges, democracy cannot function without those freedoms, for the tongue and the pen are the people s instruments of expression. Democracy encourages every citizen to make use of these of truth, to present his ideas by means of books, newspapers, radio, television. No citizen of a democracy is afraid to speak or publish his opinion, for the laws of his country guarantee him this right. Initiative is the knocker on this strong gateway. Anyone may wield his influence and knock on democracy’s door. Citizens of a democracy are urged to develop qualities of leadership, to exercise their God-given rights, for their advantage and that of all the people. American education provides a peek through the keyhole of democracy a look into the workings of our own government, a look into the affairs of other nations of the world, a look to be taken.at face value and used to advantage. A democratic education broadens the citizen’s outlook and directs his mind to channels of tolerance and understanding. His educariorr illustrates to him that there is always room for improvement. A citizen of a democracy steps over the threshold of political freedom each time thai he exercises his right to vote, in city, state, or national elections. Religious freedom is the foundation upon which the entire structure rests, the base of a well-rounded democracy. Upon belief in God, and freedom to worship Him according to the dictates of conscience, depends the basic strength of any nation. Freedom from fear is the key to democracy for no democracy can exist where there is fear. Opened by confidence, democracy’s door swings ajar smoothly, because all the rage and panic of fear are lost against the strength of this mighty portal. This door, labeled democracy, leads to a better life, to a brighter future, to a broader and more last- ing influence than any other path the world of today can offer. For those who walk through that door and carry with them the principles of true freedom, the door of democracy offers a ray of hope, a promise of a finer, better ordered world. America as a nation cannot walk through that door. Each American must take the vital step for him- self, to discover within those portals the full rich significance of being an American. Bloodshed, strife, weakness, treachery, hate, slink out as tht door of democracy closes with a ring- ing finality. There is no room within a well-ordered democracy for these forces--they must give way to harmony, co-operation, strength, loyalty and love. Accompanied by these virtues, lasting peace will enter in triumph through democracy’s door. Yes, the forces of evil batter at the door of democracy, but the door yields not, for it is strong. This barrier has held, and will hold its own against those forces. As long as the American people desire its protection and reinforce it with their support, democracy will not fail them. MARILYN QUINN School Winner of Voice of Democracy 1953