Xavier High School - Xavier Yearbook (New York, NY)

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CIMDG MAJ I 25 :Sits S UR SIENH

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The Class of '56 T was only four years ago that a new group of eager freshmen made their way through the door under the big stone steps into the lower level of Xavier High. There was, however, one distinction that marked these boys. They were the Class of '56. The influence of the Class of '56 was soon felt throughout the Freshman and J. V. sports, particularly basketball. Scholastically, the freshmen led the school both in the number of honors and in the results of the Province Exams. The freshman class also had a large number of its members regularly attending the K. B. S. and Guard of Honor masses. On into second year continued the class as the tradition and training of Xavier became an indelible part of each student. Photographers and writers soon came forth and lent their talents to the paper, the magazine and the yearbook. Swimming, debating, and football, all felt the new surge, both in favorable decisions against their opponents and morale within. ln reaching third year, '56 proved no less ambitious and effective in both sports and studies. The re-commencement of the school year saw a change in the office of the headmaster, Fr. McGrail, S.J., taking the place of Fr. Fagan, S.J. At this stage of progress, '56 was literally chafing at the bit as the names of its members began to become commonplace in the school headlines. Ballplayers, writers, debaters, riflemen and students in general outdid themselves, and eagerly awaited the arrival of Senior Year, their year of rule. Minds impatiently thought of the class rings, the Military Ball, the rank and the recognition which accompanies the success- ful attainment of Senior Year. Towards the end of our Junior year, two of the '56 headliners received command of the next season's football team. It was not, however, the will of God for one part of this duet to continue on in his activities. During the summer, while working at Bear Mountain, Bob Keating was called to his eternal home. Those of us who knew Bob well, or even slightly, realized his potentials. His memory will surely accompany us long after our diplomas have been mounted upon the wall. For the fourth time, '56 enters the threshold of Xavier, only this time to be the Senior class. Years of work and anticipation yielded rewards in buttons, stripes and acknowledgment. Three days of conferences, meditations and spiritual reading marked the Senior Retreat at Gonzaga. Before reaching it, the outlook may have seemed uninteresting. But those days that followed proved to be among the most rewarding and well spent days in our years at Xavier. The months that followed seemed to fly by for the seniors. Thanksgiving Day, the Christmas Review, a new semester, May Day, exams, all swiftly came and went. Then on June l7, we, more than 200 members of the Class of '56, ended our four years as students of Xavier by mounting the stage of the Hotel Astor's Grand Ball- room and rec ' ' our hard-earned diplomas. All in al ur very profitable years, perhaps we are safe in adding, It's been fu , 24