FASD — 1946 Alumni Archives

On December 7, 1941, an event occurred that was to be of grave importance in our lives. It was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. America was at war! We were eighth graders at that time. By the time we were beginning our freshman year, the war had come closer and closer. War Bonds and salvage drives became familiar events to us. Brothers, sisters, and friends were leaving for war. We knew that the war was to have great significance in the shaping of our futures. Despite the problems of war, we had fun in our freshman year. We still remember the Victory Dance, radio station JRHS, and the Freshman Prom. Upon graduation, we became the last class to graduate from junior high school in the ninth grade.

Under the shadow of war, we entered the senior high school as be-wildered and confused sophomores. There were new courses, new teachers, and new regulations, but we soon were in the swing of things. Going to pep meetings was an exciting new experience. An important event of the year was the Mid-Western District Chorus, held at Farrell High School, with Noble Cain as guest conductor. Under the direction of Mr. Lewis Sarcinella, class advisor, we elected the following officers: Gerald Pratt, president; Raymond Bechtold, vice-president; and Virginia Monteson, secretary.

Our junior year was a successful one. With Miss Julia Wallace as class advisor, we elected Anthony LaCamera, president; Raymond Bechtold, vice president; and Lois Davis, secretary. Our social events included the Harvest Dance, the gym exhibition, and the dances after basketball games. Near the end of the year, we worked hard to make the Junior-Senior Prom an event that the seniors would remember a long time. It was in May, 1945, in our junior year, that we received the news of the surrender of Germany. Although overjoyed at this, we were mindful of the boys still fighting in the Pacific and of another war yet to be won.

At last, our senior year arrived. The signing of the unconditional surrender by Japan in August, 1945, had made our dreams of peace come true. As Seniors, we were rushed into a whirlpool of activities. Under the guidance of Miss Esther Zentz, our class advisor, we had photographs taken, selected invitations and calling cards, sold Reflectors, and held a number of social events, one of which was the Junior-Senior Harvest Dance at which Edith Mercurio reigned as Queen. We reelected the officers who had done such a good job in our junior year.

All too soon, our Senior year was coming to a close. The Junior-Senior Prom and Class Day activities will be remembered for a long time. At our Farewell Assembly, we felt deeply the realization that we were leaving our school. In traditional Caps and Gowns, we attended Vesper services on May 19, 1946, and Commencement exercises on May 21, 1946. We graduated in the first peacetime spring in four years. The world was still unsteady from the terrible years of war. With the knowledge that the youth of America would be needed to help steady it, the Class of 1946 went forth to serve their country in any and all ways they could for the ideal of peace on earth, good will to men.