Ursuline Academy - Yearbook (Cumberland, MD)

Page 15 text:

DEAR GRADUATES: oun glorious, unforgettable years you have spent here in Ursuline Academy, working hard, playing well, always portraying those pure, genuine spirits of Catholic girlhoodg now your graduation day is here. s you began each school year you encountered new thrills, diiierent fields of art, dramatics and sports opened for your exploration and participation. You entered whole-heartedly into the various extra- curricular activities and blazed new paths of glory for Ursuline Academy. EALIZING your many talents and achievements, we proudly proclaim your unspoiled simplicity and willing cooperation in every enthusia- tic undertaking. We designate your motto: EXCELSIOR. SPECIALLY, we remember your numerous theatrical successes, Crusade and Sodality leadership, splendid literary and journalistic achieve- ments, and finally, the excellent scholastic records you have set up for your beloved Alma Mater. rm a little wonderment and awe, the Freshies bid you good-bye, hop- ing that they may easily follow in your guiding footsteps. Even our newly sophisticated Sophs pause long enough to wish you luck. XALTING your virtues and imitating your dignity, the Iuniors wave adieu, while they tearfully murmur valedictory congratulations, secretly bemoaning the fact that they will soon be in your place. ATER on, you will fondly recall your days in Ursuline Academy, so exuberant with fun, excitement and pleasant occupations. Your hearts will be ever grateful to all who added charm and interest to your high school career. AURELS acclaim your outstanding triumphs as Ursuline Academy re- luctantly relinquishes her claim on the class of '41,

Page 14 text:

Message To The Graduates My dear Graduates: Your Graduation is the forty-ninth stone built into the years of the Ursuline Academy of SS. Peter and Paul's Church. The next to be placed into its building will be the Golden Iubilee stoneg the next page to be added to the history of the Academy will be the Golden page of the fifty years of sacrifice on the part of the Ursuline Sisters and the devoted people of the Parish. Forty-five Graduations, including your own today, are recorded in the Annals of the Ursuline Academy. I love to go back through the past years. At the end of the first year, 1892, ten stu- dents were enrolled in the Academy, a small beginning, but it developed and grew as the mustard seed of the Gospel. In the fourth year the Academy had an enrollment of fifty students. Of the first graduating class in 1896 we still have several Alumnae in our Parish. Their love for their Alma Mater, their loyalty to the Ursuline Academy, their fidelity to her ideals, speak well for the early teachers and the wonderful standard of thoroughness of the education of the school from its very foundation. Like links in a chain the Grade uating Classes have been added, the Golden link the next to be added to round out the first half of a century of its mission. The year 1940-1941 had the record enrollment of students, whilst the number of graduates this year is twenty-four. Twenty-four apostles of the Ursuline Academy going out under the protection of their glorious Patron St. Ursula, pledged to carry on the ideals of their Alma Mater. Forty-five graduating classes have gone through the portals of the Ursuline Academy with the promise to carry on its work, to inspire love for its ideals by word and example. These ideals are brieHy summed up in The Souvenir of the Golden Iubilee of SS. Peter and Paul's Church on page I32. lt is the crowning desire of many that the school fthe Ursuline Academy, will always be attended by a number of aspiring and diligent young ladies striving to gain the noblest ideals of lifeg to gain by means of a thorough knowledge of necessary and useful sciences a Fitting position in life in which purity of morals and religion form the bulwark. This is the form of higher education which will enable the future generation to benefit mankind by their qualifications and true Christian charity. Graduates of 1941, accept the legacy of the past of the Ursuline Academy. Consecrate yourselves to her ideals in your daily life and your daily example to others, fidelity to your religion and Goa' and purity of morals. If ever the world, if ever America needed such women, the world and America need them today. Let your farewell, your parting word to the Ursuline Academy on this Graduation evening before the Blessed Sacrament be Alma Mater, Ursuline Academy, We, the Graduates of 1941, pledge to you loyalty to your ideals. FATHER BONIFACE. O. F. M. CAP.

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Forward Ever, Backward Never We have reached the bay, The ocean lies before us. We, who are graduating, are on the brink of a new awakening. We have come to another milestone. The things that seemed so im- portant a short time ago have lost their significance. Before us lies a World in which we must chart our own course. The path has been pointed out to us, but now, we cannot follow, we must find our own way. We are leaving a happy past to enter upon the threshhold of an unknown future. Each individual knows best the career for which she is adapted. She must apply the lessons she has been taught in the guidance of her course of action. But regardless of the serious thoughts that dominate our feelings these closing days, there is a certain joy accompanying the memories of carefree and happy days of high school life. These we know will inspire us in later years. Thus far we have traveled together. Now, our paths separate. Each one of us goes to her own destiny. It seems to me an opportune time to express our appreciation to our Reverend Fathers and gracious teachers, who have made these hours happy for us and who have, by their edifying example and splendid direction, inspired us to noble deeds and courageous lives. To our kind parents, who have made so many sacrifices for us, we hope to show our gratitude by living up to their guiding principles. And you, classmates, may I remind you that we should keep God forever in our heartsg wc should make the world more God-conscious. It seems to us that the part we play is too small to be of consequence. Let us remember, however, that the strongest fortifications are built brick by brick, and God is our stronghold against worldly temptations and despair. True, we should never set a course without a purpose, but, I say, never set a course without ideals. For high ideals will light the darkest path and uncover even the faintest glimmer of hope. Dear classmates, our Commencement should not be considered the end of an episode in life's drama, but the beginning of a new vista with new encouragement, new opportunities, new experiences. ln all things, loyalty should be our controlling spirit-loyalty to God, to our- selves and our ideals, loyalty to our class and our school, and to our country.