The Victor: January 1960

1/ Brooklyn, N.Y.

JANUARY T96(

SENIOR BAND TO RECEIVE
NEW UNIFORMS

For their successful accomplishments the senior band members
are being rewarded with new uniforms, a project which is being
given splendid cooperation from the Mother’s Auxiliary. Last
year’s fine performances of music, parading and twirling have
already prompted letters requesting participation in the St.
Patrick’s as well as Memorial Day Parades. Such comments as,
“We wouldn't desire another group” has enkindled the zest and
enthusiasm of the members,
say:

Sister Cecilia Claire O.P., director of the band, has this to say:
“St. Michael’s Senior Band members are to be publicly commended
for their excellent spirit of attendance, punctuality and enthusiasm
at their bi-weekly practice lessons. Roll calls are wholly unneces¬
sary; absenteeism does not prevail.”

The students were treated to a band recital at the Christmas
Assembly. An enthusiastic response from the audience proved that
the senior band is preparing for future triumphs.

ST. FRANCIS, ST. MICHAEL'S
COMBINE TALENTS

“The prettiest and nicest girls”, was the comment of Mr. B. Ryd-
zeski, stage director for the Saint Francis Preparatory Glee Club,
at an interview given him after the conclusion of the Christmas
Concert.

The concert included Gilbert and Sullivans’ “Trial By Jury”, sev¬
eral selections by the Brass Choir, a collection of Christmas numbers
sung by the Combined Chorus and two renditions by the String
Ensemble.

The program included: Bachs' “In Dulci Julilo; Schubert’s “Ave
Maria”; A. Simeones’ “Twas the Night Before Christmas”; Grubers'
“Silent Night”; “Tannebaum”; and Ringwald Waring’s “The Song
of Christmas.”

The endless hours of hard work and tireless efforts of Sister Mary
Jogues and Mrs. Marie MacDonald made the concert a tremendous
success. The acting and singing talents of Margaret Lesar, Margaret
Farrell, Thomas Gerald, George Ansalone, Pierre Dumaine, Laurence
Laskowske, Richard O’Keefe, Angelo Baldi, Patrick De Felice, Ray¬
mond Gorman, Cecil Lake and Michael Mertens enlivened “Trial
By Jury”. Long and happily remembered will be the 1959 Christmas
Concert.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF NEW YORK
ANNOUNCES CONTEST

This year, students in New York State have been assigned the sub¬
jects “Look All Ways Before Crossing” and “Play Away From Traf¬
fic”. Those who submit a design on either of these themes may also
enter a “School’s Open-Drive Carefully” or a “Saf^DmdngJ!ra

Deadline is the end of February.

"CALLING ALL PARENTS"

The third annual Saint Valentine festivity held under the auspices
of the Mothers' Auxiliary and Fathers’ Club of Saint Michael’s High
School will take place Saturday, February 13 at 8:30 P.M. in the
school hall. This year's chairman and chairlady are Mr. A. Battaglia
and Mrs. C. Ambrosio. Since last year’s event was such a tremendous
success, plans are being made to make this dance an event to be
enjoyed and long remembered. Soda, cheese, potato chips, tap beer
are included in the $2.00 per person admission price. Arrangements
for a table for ten may be made on request.

All parents are urged to attend this affair. It is the social event
of the year for the members and fathers of the students.

LAB LIFE IS FLOURISHING

The Lab has a brain! This is fact not fiction. Made of hard plastic
the brain can be dissected into five sections. Sister Ethel warns that
it is not up for rental during examination week!

Love has come to the aquarium with two kissing fish known as
Gourmai. However, they are very shy and kiss behind the rocks.
There are also forty new additions to the aquarium, and they are
all Goupies. There is an air of tropical mystery as you gaze into the
fish tank containing our Tropical fish.

Some of the girls from one of the General Science classes brought
in pond water and hay, and did a little experimenting on their own.
The water and hay produced Paramecia, which are small microscopic
animals.

Several motors, batteries, and electrical apparatus were donated
to the Lab. There is something in the cabinet that looks like a rocket.
Sister Ethel, what's shooting???

CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLY EVOKES
HAPPY RESPONSE

Jingle bells and Christmas carols echoed through the halls on De¬
cember 23rd as students, dressed in gay holiday colors, celebrated
Christmas two days early. After cards, greetings and presents were
exchanged in the classrooms, a general assembly was held in the
auditorium.

The Senior Band, under the direction of Sister Cecilia Claire, gave
a yuletide serenade. From the mezzanine came the lilting voices of
the Glee Club, accompanied on the organ by Father Capistran O.F.M.
Cap. Miss Czuba was instrumental in the staging of a tableau de¬
picting the scene at Bethlehem.

Our Reverend Principal, Sister James Celeste, was presented with
a unique Christmas tree bearing pine needles of dollar bills, after
which she delivered her Christmas message to the student body.
This was followed by an address from our own Father Godfrey O.F.M.
Cap.

Parties in the cafeteria during lunch periods and early dismissal
completed the most enjoyable day of the school year.

[Rci/late

The Fathers' Club is offering a $5 prize for the poster best
illustrating the annual Fathers' and Daughters' Communion
Breakfast. Contestants' work will be judged on originality,
neatness and suitability of the subject. Deadline date is the
twenty-sixth of February. For further information see Sister
Mary Emmanuel, O.P.

Johanna M. Speiss
Ingersoll Building
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn 38, N.Y.

“PROGRESS IS OUR MOST

IMPORTANT PRODUCT"

From flying machine, to monoplane, to airplane, to jet, to missile,
to moon-bound rocket—this is progress. From the time of our fore¬
fathers, our nation has been buzzing with new ideas. Steady advances
in the field of labor, innumerable improvements for home and office,
and great studies in the worlds of science and medicine prove that
America is always up front, setting the pace.

Generally speaking, Americans are future-minded people, eager
to better the world in which they live. But in our midst exist those
who fight progress and refuse to change with the times. Unwilling
to adjust themselves to anything new, they linger behind the pro¬
gressive masses of their countrymen. They form, as it were, a stag¬
nant pool in the midst of an onrushing stream.

They may be compared with the Tories or Loyalists of the Revo¬
lutionary War. Rather than break the old bonds that united this
country to Mother England, the Tories suffered those ties to prac¬
tically strangle the life of America.

Saint Michael's, too, is marching on with the times. Progress
demands that old practices be cast aside to make for more efficient
ones. Old traditions, deep-rooted in our hearts, have now become
obsolete. Rather than suffer Saint Michael’s to drown in that pool
of stagnacy, out-dated practices have been changed or abolished in
keeping with a new era.

You and I are Young America. Like the Tories of old, we can
trail behind the progressing nation. On the other hand, by experi¬
menting with modern ideas, we can keep pace with our country.
Shall we revolt against change and progress? Or shall we, for the
betterment of our beloved Alma Mater be willing to relinquish ties
with the past and adjust to modern and improved procedure?

What is your choice?

Anne Theresa Hill

WASHINGTON, LINCOLN; THEY
HAVE LEFT THEIR FOOTPRINTS
ON THE SANDS OF TIME

Our country desperately strives for world peace. Instead of stressing
economical development, she must concentrate on her defense as a
scurity for her peace. Rocket launching and nuclear weapons will not
provide an answer. Peace largely depends on able leaders. Abraham
Lincoln and George Washington are the finest examples of good
leadership. When they lived, our country was not advanced militarily
in comparison to our present day prorgess. Lincoln and Washington
realized the importance of military strength, but they did not place
it as their highest ideal for peace. First and foremos was the economic
welfare of their people.

Lincoln’s greatness left an indelible impression on the people
after his death. Typical of his peace loving character are his famous
words, “With malice toward none; with charity for all.” This simple
and kind attitude was employed in all he did. To Lincoln the nation
owes a debt for its preservation, and to him the Negro owes his
sacred freedom.

George Washington was also born great. He was the first President
of our country and probably the greatest there will ever be. We
bow to him as the founder of American independence and as the
guiding spirit of the Revolution.

We want to keep their contributions in our mind so we set aside
February 12 for Abraham Lincoln, and February 22 for George
Washington.

WILL YOU ANSWER HIS PLEA?

“I looked for one who would grieve together with Me, (?ut there
was none.” How deeply sorrowful are these words of our forgotten
Savior! How piercing is the pang of anguish which wounds His
Sacred loving Heart as Lent approaches, and the modern world
turns its back upon the Redemption, the greatest event in the history
of mankind.

Was all Christ’s suffering in vain? Will He Who so loved us receive
no return of love or gratitude? Must He bear His Cross alone? Will,
You, perhaps relieve the aching of His weary Heart by offering your
love and sacrifices to lighten the weight of the Cross? It is little
to ask for Him Who has given us life that we may know an eternity
of joy!

A. T. H.

YOUNG CHRISTIAN STUDENTS
ARE ACTIVE

Two important meetings were sponsored by members of the Young
Christian Students. The first, a seminar meeting, took place at St.
Michael’s High School. The main topic discussed was "Attitude
Toward Learning”. Different aspects were brought in by Father
Felican of St. Francis Preparatory. To stress his views, workshops
were held on the following topics: “View on Education", "Formation
of the Christian Student”, and “Effect of Cultural and Social En¬
vironment upon the Student’s Reports”. The meeting terminated
with questions from the floor which were directed toward Father
Felican.

The second, an Administrator Meeting, took place in Cathedral
High School. All schools in the New York Federation gave a report
on what takes place at their particular school meetings. The meet¬
ing terminated with a brief spiritual talk by a Michaelite repre¬
sentative.

Besides the meetings, members of the Young Christian Students
held a dance at Saint Ignatius Hall. Their friends attended making
the crowd larger than ever. There was one band, “The Cardinals",
and two singing groups.

A Michaelite, Carolyn Wittreich, and her partner, Joseph During,
won a dance contest. This is the second time this year that a Mich¬
aelite has won. The previous winner, Denise Duffy, is now nicknamed
“Dancing Duffy”. The dance turned out to be a huge social success.
Members are looking forward to a promising future.

Josephine Cutrone

FORENSIC LEAGUE STUDIES
DEBATING

The Forensic League is attempting to master the art of debate. On
December ninth, Miss Sinnott and the members watched and listened
to the experienced and excellent debaters of Saint John’s High
School. The boys introduced them to, and explained about the
exciting art of debating. The affirmative and negative teams pro¬
ceeded to attack the Taft-Hartley Act and establish a stronghold
of opinion.

Affirmative—‘‘There are no exceptions in the Taft-Hartley Act.
Even during Probation an exception was given to the Church allowing
the use of wine.”

Negative—“Exceptions warrant a need!

Whims and fancy notions are only large loop holes in a debate.
The League must learn to pin point the pin points, to reason logically
and to gain self-possession. The students have much to learn, but
are enthusiastic enough to get something accomplished.

VARSITY BATTLES TO DEFEAT
AND VICTORY

An action-packed game was played in St. Michael's Court; the
Varsity vs. Fontbonne Hall. Although St. Michael’s carried the lead
most of the playing time, Fontbonne managed to tie the score in
the last quarter. The game reached its climax when Fontbonne
scored a basket shot at the very end bringing the score to 39-37,
and defeat to the Michaelites.

A week later St. Michael’s Varsity faced Our Lady of Wisdom on
the same court. This was another suspense-filled two hours. The
teams were well matched. When the smoke of battle cleared the
score was 32-39 in favor of St. Michael’s.

Miss Walsh, the Varsity’s new coach, is a graduate of Bishop
McDonnell High School. Now in her third year at Hunter College,
she is majoring in physical education and plans to teach it in the
future.

Miss Walsh says, “The girls are ‘tops’, and a game is not mea¬
sured by defeat or victory but how it is played."

Introducing the Varsity:

Captain: Gloria Weigand
Co-Captain: Patricia Walsh
Secretary: Ethel Robertson
Treasurer: Kathleen Nestle

The members include: Barbara Bailey, Carol Bazerwski, Andrea
Calapinto, Geraldine Crawford, Kathleen Daly, Ann Gisando, Ann
Harrington, Elizabeth Langone, Carol Ann Lombardi, Ellen McCarthy,
Patricia Sath and Joanne Schittig. You will find these students prac¬
ticing each Monday and Friday in the gym.

These are our Cheerleaders:

Captain: Mary Ann Klein
Co-Captain: Barbara Smith

Members include: Marry Ellen Bittel, Catherine Courtney, Denise
Duffy, Patricia Galpin, Carol Guaneri, Cheryl Kearney, Alice Kaiser,
Arlene Leone, Joellen Leone, Alice Lenowicz, Jean Lepore, Margaret
McKillop, Diane Quartuccio, Joanne Rogers, and Eleanor Santangelo.
Each Monday and Thursday these students can be seen practicing
on the mezzanine.

FRA ANGELICO ART CLUB

It is becoming a delight to walk through the school halls since the
Art Club was re-established. Cheerful posters greet you at all the
entrances of the school. These colorful posters are as informative
as they are decorative. You will agree that the Christmas decorations
were especially attractive.

Meetings are held on Thursday afternoon under the supervision
of Sister Mary Emmanuel 0. P. Some of the talented members are
Regina Volz, Carol Ann Lombardi, Josephine Jonas, Mary Ellen
Prenderville, Theresa McGrath, Georgette Rinaldi, Dianne Moore and
Catherine Krieg.

TIDBITS

Congratulations to our editor, Anne Hill, who was the highest on
the Principal’s List with an average of 96.7.

The school uniform has undergone some changes, namely, new
green tarns which will replace the present caps. White dacron
blouses are already taking the place of the yellow cotton ones.

The staff wishes to express its appreciation to Marie Grillo who
always gives willing assistance in typing copy for The Victor.

Tick tock; tick tock;

That’s the sound of a new clock—

No more guessing when it’s three,

Thanks to Father Godfrey!

Each classroom has been supplied with an electric clock. Clock
watchers beware!

Sister Joseph Emmanuel, a Maryknoll Sister, and Sister Miriam
Lucille, a Sister of Saint Joseph were former faculty members here
at Saint Michael's. Sister Joseph Emmanuel is at Maryknoll and
Sister Miriam Lucille is stationed at Saint Angela Hall. Three of our
graduates who became Dominican Sisters are now teaching in
grammar school. Former students are at Maryknoll, Amityville,
Brentwood and Blue Point preparing for life as religious. May God
continue to bless us with vocations.

Kathleen Nestle, E72-303, won the contest sponsored by The Victor
several weeks ago. Her guesses were the closest to the correct
amount of food consumed in two weeks by the students at lunch
time.

Four thousand dollars worth of new electric typewriters have been
purchased. They will, we hope, increase the speed and efficiency
of our future secretaries.

Indecent movies are finding their way into the homes of millions
via television. We urge all the students of Saint Michael's to protest
against such films by writing to he neworks that show these movies.
Many letters of complaint will bring results. We hope that our girls
will help The Legion of Decency in its fight against immoral films.

INQUIRING REPORTER

Since 1960 is a Leap Year, girls are permitted many privileges they
did not enjoy in other years. For instance, a young lady may overlook
convention and approach a boy for a date. Would you have the nerve
to do so? If so, would you be afraid he might refuse you? Let’s see
what three of the Seniors from St. Francis Preparatory have to say
about the following question: “What would you do if a girl asked
you ou during Leap Year?”

Kenny is an all round athlete, taking part in football, basketball,
and baseball. He has no special girl, claiming he likes them all. His
comment to the above question was, “I would really be flattered
and in all probability date the girl.”

Frank has been an active member of the Young Christian Students
and was recently chosen president for the New York Federation of
Schools. He is also a member of the Dance Committee and Cafeteria
Squad. When asked his opinion on the question he replied, “If she
looked like Miss America I’d consider it. Otherwise I’ll do the asking.”

Vinny is presently a member of the Cheering Squad, the Young
Christian Students, and Dance Committee. He has this to say if ever
approached on this delicate topic: “Sometimes it’s hard for a fellow
to ask a girl for a date, and I’m sure the same would hold true for
a girl. In that case, it would be against my principles to say no."

Slip Hirtnr

SAINT MICHAEL’S COMMERCIAL HIGH SCHOOL
235 JEROME STREET
BROOKLYN 7, NEW YORK

Editor: Anne T. Hill
Assistant Editors: Rosaling Aversano,
Angela Barone
Art Editor: Theresa McGrath
Feature Editors: Valerie Bartley,
Patrica Tagle

News Editor: Lynne Lisa DeSena
Assistants: Nina Aversano, Antonia
Bentivenga, Marilyn Bereis, Judith
Brand, Patricia Cotter, Josephine
Cutrone, Denise Duffy, Maryanne
Golazewski, Patricia Habich,

Anita E. Maier, Margaret
Owens, Joan Pfau,

Virginia Rickey

N I E RGS I IN (3

De

E

A
l

PE NDABLE

AG>ER

CTIVE

1^1

I

GYAL

MEET MY GREAT-GREAT

GRANDFATHER

By Patricia Cotter, E61-306

Many people are privileged to be a small part of a heritage acquired
for them by a relative. Such is the honor which has been given my
family. Ever since I was a little girl I can remember my father telling
me about a great poet named Alfred Lord Tennyson. Too young to
understand and appreciate fully, I would sit and listen attentively
as he talked about him. I remember my aunt, who is Tennyson’s
granddaughter, reading aloud from his poems. She tried to impress
me with the fact that I was the poet’s great-great granddaughter.

I was several years later that I really became aware of the wonder
of this fact, especially when I began to study his poems in school.

In our family we set Alfred Tennyson as an example of what
can be achieved with little education. Born on August 6, 1809 in
Somersly, Lincolnshire, to the Rev. and Mrs. Ginge Clayton Ten¬
nyson, Alfred was the fourth of twelve children. With twelve mouths
to feed there was little money left to supply the children with a
formal education. Therefore, Alfred had to be satisfied with five
years spent in the nearby grammar school. His father had high hopes
for him, namely, a career as a minister for the clergy. Strange as
it may seem, Alfred was a very shy child, and kept much to himself.
All of his little secrets, things he liked to do and did, he recorded.
When he was twelve years old he wrote a story in blank verse about
himself. His father sent him to Trinity College to complete his
studies for the ministry, instead, it was here that Alfred gained
recognition as a young rising poet for his poem "Timbuctoo”.

As a man, my aunt recalls, Alfred found making friends easy
and treasured them among his most loved possessions. For nine
years he went into retirement because of the death of his closest
friend and war buddy, Arthur Hallam. To this departed friend he
dedicated the poem “In Memoriam”, which is listed among his best
works. The death of this friend helped Alfred to reach maturity,
and to write some of his masterpieces.

Tennyson was a man who loved peace and quiet; such was the
life he lived with his parents. Death came quietly to him on October
6, 1892. His body rests in Westminster Abbey, next to Chaucer and
Robert Browning. To him was given recognition of being the greatest
poet of the Victorian Age, also, one of the world’s rarest bards.

It is with great admiration and pride that my family treasures
the honor Alfred Lord Tennyson has bestowed upon us by the nobility
of his life and works.

MEMO:

fiekcdute o(, Events

FEBRUARY

February 1-Monday: Opening of First Half, Second Term
February 2—Tuesday: Feast of the Purification of Our Lady (Candle¬
mas Day.)

February 3-Wednesday: Feast of Saint Blaise (Blessing of Throats)
February 5—Friday: First Friday (C.Y.A. conducts Holy Hour after
school.)

February 6—Saturday: First Saturday of Our Lady.

Cooperative High School Entrance Test.

February 11-Thursday: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

February 12—Friday: Lincoln’s Birthday-holiday.

February 13—Saturday: Annual Dance of the Fathers’ Club and
Mothers’ Auxiliary.

February 14—Sunday: Saint Valentine's' Day
February 22-Monday: Washington’s Birthday-holiday

HIGH NOON OR A BEDTIME STORY
FOR A MODERN TV FAN

The Sun Danced lazily over Tombstone Territory the morning that
the Wagon Train passed through. The stillness was broken by Perry
Mason, a mysterious young man, who ran through the street waving
Five Fingers in the air. It seems that the Riverboat had just docked
and three Kookie dudes from 77 Sunset Strip got off. They were
going to catch the Welles Fargo stage to Wichita Town where they
were to meet Sheriff Earp. The good sheriff was going to help
Trackdown the Rebel who was last seen in Cheyenne. As you can
see news travels quickly in a small town.

Gunsmoke suddenly filled the air of the peace-loving village,
there hadn’t been a robbery or murder since daybreak, bcause
Paladin decided to have it out with the Maverick boys. The Lawman
and the Deputy looked on helplessly because the Hawaiian Eye was
staring at them from behind a Black Saddle.

In another part of town Bronco Lane and the Rifleman were
walking the Bourbon Street Beat. They met the four Cartwrights who
were escorting young Sugarfoot with a very Raw Hide out of town.

And so we come to the end of our tale of a day in a typical Western
town.

Goodnite fans and remember Bat Masterson is watching you.

Lynne L. De Sena

SHOW ME WHAT YOU READ AND
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE

February is Catholic Press Month, a month set aside to foster the
reading of good literature. It is time to examine your reading habits
carefully and clean up your bookshelf. Remember that sordid writing
excites the reader with the desire to experience what he reads. How
many persons born and reared in a Catholic environment have fallen
prey to the press that seeks to corrupt mind, body and soul?

If you choose, you can disregard your set of Christian moral prin¬
ciples. Do not forget that God holds the original copy and He is
waiting to go over it with you, line by line, on the day of judgment.

IMPROVE YOUR READING
EXPERIENCE

To arouse the interest of history students, new books have been
added to our shelves in the library.

Gunpowder Girl by Josephine Savage describes Susannah Ellis’
efforts to .help the American cause during the Revolutionary War.

Chaplain in Gray written by H. J. Heagney is the life of Abram
Ryan, the poet priest of the Confederacy. He left his teaching post
in Brooklyn to join the Army of the South during the Civil War.

Tire background of his famous poems, “The Conquered Banner"
and “The Sword of Lee” are interestingly described.

The next book should prove attractive to third term students,
"Medieval Days and Ways" by Gertrude Hartman. Pictures, text
and diagrams present a vivid portrayal of this period of history and
the rich heritage it has left us.

Youth Abroad by Joachim Joesten is a discussion of post-war
youth in Europe. It explains the differences between countries by
citing comparisons.

These are but a few of the worthwhile books to be found in Saint
Michael’s Library. Come in and Look around. You will always find
a book to suit your needs.

Kg'

JUS: y“

V

dear Students:

It la difficult to define school spirit but It Is not
difficult to determine Its presence or absence In a student.
School spirit means more than obedience to authority; It means
more than diligent application in class and proper conduct
outside of the class. Just as when you love someone, you
manifest to them some special respect and consideration, you
perform many little acts of thoughtfulness and even tenderness,
so too if you are fond of your school you uphold its honor, you
cherish its traditions, you sacrifice your time and energy to
promote Its welfare.

The uniform you wear manifests to all that you are a Saint
Michael's girl. Perhaps you do not like its color or cut but
you must like what it stands for and you must let the world know
that you are proud to wear it.

There are many activities connected with our school which
are optional and therefore do not demand your participation.

It is activities such as these which require a fine talent and
a good heart. *our enthusiasm for these activities Indicate the
presence of a good school spirit. The Glee Club, Band, Forensic
League, School f'aper, Year Book, Basketball Team, Cheerleaders,

Y. C. S., Sodality and other extracurricular activities are
wonderful opportunities to proclaim your interest in and love for
your school.

Even the student, who, for some legitimate reason cannot
take part in any of these activities, can still show her spirit
by supporting the endeavors of her school mates by her
encouragement and by her presence at school sponsored activities.

Saint Michael’s school is doing a great service to you-a

service which you will more fully appreciate only after the
graduation doors have closed upon you. While you are still with
us, please try to add to the good name of Saint Michael’s by
being a true and loyal supporter of its activities and ideals.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Godfrey, O.F.M. Cap.