Foreword: We the senior class have completed our four year journey here at John Bapst. We are leaving behind our search for knowledge and the carefree life which we have enjoyed so much. These are behind us, but they will never be forgotten by any member of our class. These years have been four of the most formative of our lives and we realize now as we review them at their completion that they have been four of the happiest years we will ever experience. In these years by the guidance we have received here at Bapst, we have been developing into young adults able to face up to our responsibilities when we leave and enter our new lives in the outside world. We have been well prepared; we look ahead at the path of life which we will travel with God as our guide.

The 1956 Senior Class of John Bapst High School, Bangor, Maine, writes its record of the school year... Dedication: The John Bapst seniors '56 proudly dedicate their BAPSTONIAN to Brother Alphonse, C.F.X., who has given John Bapst High School six years of devoted service. His dedicated efforts, unheralded and known to but a few, serve as an inspiration to those who live with him.

The 1955 Senior Class of John Bapst High School, Bangor, Maine, proudly writes its story in the Bapstonian. We view the past, and we are grateful... A landmark in the history of Catholicism in this area, St. John's Church stands as a tribute to the zeal of its first pastor, the heroic Fr. John Bapst, and to those courageous pioneer Catholics of some one hundred years ago who lived in an era of hostility and persecution. Dedicated in 1856 by Bishop Bacon, it gives eloquent testimony to their faith in the midst of insurmountable obstacles...I

Foreword: A very important topic of discussion among high-schoolers is the relative importance of social functions on the one hand, and academic functions on the other. We the class of 1954, while realizing the necessity of the latter, are convinced that social functions also have a most vital place in our school life. Without them, the publication of our yearbook would be practically an impossibility.

Foreword: In a parochial school such as John Bapst, the ideals and objectives of education are treated in such a way as to impress the pupils that the mere garnering of knowledge is not the sole aim of education--is not even the most important one. From the day that boys and girls first enter the portals of Bapst until that wonderful Sunday in June when they don the purple and white cap and gown, they are constantly reminded that their education is not only important from an academic standpoint, but also from a spiritual one. Along with the usual high school curricula, they are taught to be true CRUSADERS; that is, men and women of faith, of courage, of loyalty, of honesty, of diligence. In other words, they are taught that however important knowledge may be, it is not nearly so important as character.

John Bapst Alma Mater: John Bapst we've learned from thee Many truths that sacred be For watchful care and fealty We give thanks to Our High School Though years may dim our sight We'll be mindful of the light That installed in our young minds Our love for right

The class of 1951 delight in the opportunity of showing their deep regard for the founder of John Bapst High School by dedicating their Year Book to the Right Reverend Thomas J. Nelligan, P. R., who this year celebrated his eightieth birthday and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the laying of the foundation of John Bapst High School.

We, the class of 1950, dedicate this book to Sister Mary Carmel, who during four years as principal of the girls' department, won our lasting regard as an examplar of the finest in Catholic education.

For his kindly and everpresent interest in our welfare, we, the Seniors of John Bapst, respectfully dedicate this 1949 edition of the BAPSTONIAN, with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to BROTHER CANICE, C. F. X. In his twelve years of service at Bapst, he has been known to us as a teacher, revered as a counsellor, renowned as a coach, and endeared as a friend. For the sake of the future students of Bapst, we fervently hope that Brother Canice will spend many happy and fruitful years here in Bangor.

We have completed a four year journey where cherished memories have overshadowed sad interludes. Behind us lies the quest for knowledge, mingled with carefree activity of high school life. Ahead we see the path of life we are to take with the Hand of God to guide our footsteps. As we leave we cast one look in retrospect at four joyous years. We remember happy faces, gay scenes, and we cling to words of wisdom. This is our album, our souvenir, to keep the memory of high school days. You will find recorded here some of the shifting scenes against which we have played many parts. Through all these scenes a striking light glows, shedding its strength upon all. We shall ever remember John Bapst High School as a watchful sentinel upholding the truth and the right.

Foreword: For the journey is ended and the goal attained. Today melts into the yesterday of four years ago. Years that will not come again, but which are captured for us between the covers of this Memory Book classes and comradeship, prayer and play, triumphs and trophies, proms and parties. "Costly joys and radiant sorrows, and between them. Our Lady always calm, always strong" keeping us true to our goodly heritage. To commemorate the magnificent victory which his soldiers won at Elba, Napoleon ordered a medal to be struck with this inscription: "I was there." For the rest of their lives those French soldiers wore that treasured memento with pride. In some similar way our Alma Mater puts her seal of approval upon each one of us, reminding us of our obligation to extend the influence of her splendid traditions, and to maintain the vigor of the moral and intellecual life of John Bapst. Only thus shall we walk the way that leads to, and ends with, Eternal Life. May Our Immaculate Mother be for us the Gate of Heaven. And our password? "I WAS THERE."

Foreword: The first issue of the Bapstonian comes off the press with two main contentions: namely, that a year book should contain a factual record of the year and its activities, and that such a record should be arranged in as pleasing a manner as possible. Concerning these points, the book must be its own witness. We have deliberately been sparing in our words. We did not want a volume that was a victim of verbosity; but, rather, one that would be concise, compact, and worthy of congratulation.

Farewell: The time has come when we, the class of '45, must bid farewell to our Alma Mater, John Bapst High. For four pleasant years we have served her to our utmost, and now we must go forth to put into practice what we have learned. We have been privileged to enjoy a good Catholic educa-tion. Let us show our gratitude for all that we have received, by going forth courageously into the world to live a good, upright life. But first we must finish the strenuous job of defeating our nation's enemies. This will not be an easy task, but, guided by the splendid example of former Bapst men now in the service, and fortified by the principles of right living which we have garnered here, we shall be successful. When the war is over, let us return to civilian life and do our part in bringing peace to a hate-filled world. We, the men of tomorrow, the back-bone of this country, must carry more than our share of the burden of preserving freedom and democracy. Farewell, then, to our school, to the faculty and the students. Let us hope and pray that we shall be worthy representatives of John Bapst High School. --Francis Ryder '45

Outlook for Seniors: This year the outlook for the Senior boys is quite limited. Most of the heretofore "Railbirds" are to be hereafter "GI" Joe's. Some of the radiant personalities who have graced the halls of this institute of secondary learning have already answered the call, and are now serving in Uncle Sam's armed forces. There is a representative of '44 in every branch of the service. There are a few, and only a few, who will go to college. Another group will go to college at the expense of the government, but for the greater majority, there will be training in any number of trades. Everything from cooking a five course meal, to repairing a "Walkie-Talkie", is taught in all branches of the services. To this training most of the seniors look forward, for not only will they be serving their country now, but they will have a trade with which to serve society better in the years to come.

Dedication: We gratefully dedicate this final issue of the “Purple and White" for the scholastic year, 1942-1943, to the John Bapst men and women now serving with the armed forces of their country, to keep then informed on school events as well as to have them know that our thoughts and prayers are always with them. We have chronicled for their interest everything of importance that has transpired at their Alma mater during the scholastic year now coming to a close. We want our boys in the “colors” to know that we are proud of them, and of their devotion and loyalty to school and to country.

Foreword: It is the most earnest desire of the members of the faculty that the graduates of this class of 1931 may be blessed with an abundance of happiness and success in the positions to which God assigns them in life. The passing years will bring cares and difficulties. Life's problems will bring moments of anxiety and concern. But if the lessons of fidelity and industry, taught in the classroom, are carried into life, cares and anxieties will be tempered with the joy of duty fully accomplished and rewarded with the happiness of success.

Years from now as we flip through the pages of this yearbook we will be reminded of all the times that we spent here at Bangor High. Times of struggle and achievement, of change and maturity. While we may not have captured each and every memory of our time here, it is our hope that through these select moments that we have chosen, we have been able to stop the clock for a few brief seconds--to pause--and to remember these times... The Time of Our Lives.

In the past four years the school, the state, the country, and the world have seen many changes. We have all seen the joy, pain, victory, and failure around us. When we entered school we were all very different from one another, but in these last few years we have come together while maintaining our own individuality. We found that our own originality fit nicely together with other unique people we came in contact with, much like the pieces of a puzzle. Each one keeps their original shape and design intact while adding to the wonderful scene which is the combination of all the other pieces. Now we must take a final look at the beautiful image of which we all are a part.

Editor's Message: This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the Oracle. Over the past century the city of Bangor, as well as Bangor High School, has undergone great changes. In this year's Oracle, we have captured memories from the first edition of the Oracle through this year's centennial publication. When the Class of 1993 entered Bangor High in 1989, the world was just beginning to experience some remarkable events. As a class we have witnessed the fall of Communism, the end of the Cold War, free elections in normally censored countries, the first humanitarian mission to Somalia, and the inauguration of a new president. We have also seen such tragedies as the Gulf War, the rapid spread of AIDS, the battle against drug abuse and the recession. Through these good and bad times the members of the Class of 1993 have made lasting friendships and impressions on the high school from which we are about to depart. We hope that this year's Oracle will serve as a final reminder of the past four years.

Behind the Scenes With Your Editors. One of the hardest jobs the editors have is choosing the yearbook's theme. Multitudes of things are needed from only a single theme. It must be something that can reflect the entire student body and all the diverse activities they participate in. It must be something that catches the eye and the mind and it must be something that can easily be incorporated. After a lot of consideration and arguments we came up with the theme for this year; BEHIND THE SCENES. To us this theme incorporated both those in the spotlight and those backstage.

Dedication: The 1991 Oracle is proudly dedicated to Maureen Hodge, a woman who has continued to help and care for students at Bangor High School for over twenty years. In 1970, Maureen Doyle began her career at Bangor High School in the Physical Education department. She married Gerald Hodge by the year 1974 and today Mrs. Hodge works in the Guidance Department. She is very dedicated to her work and has guided many students at Bangor High School to reach their goals. She can often be found in her office long after the school day is over, helping students with their academic as well as personal questions. Her enthusiasm for Bangor High School and her zest for life continue to be an inspiration for all of us. In appreciation for all she has done for us, the students of Bangor High School, we proudly dedicate this year's Oracle to Maureen Hodge.

As we enter into the 1990's we leave behind many events, moments, and experiences which created an impact on our lives and helped to shape a decade. This year's Or-acle will enable you to relive and remember these events with the flip of a page. Captured within this book are memories of the school year as well as reflections of the past ten years. We are living in a time of change, and as the world evolves we must remember the past as we soar into a new decade.

Stop right here for a moment, only a page or two from the beginning of your journey--a journey that, with only the casual flip of a wrist, will help you relive some of your best (and worst) memories. This portion of the yearbook is entitled "Ice Break-ers" and rightfully so. For this section will get you acquainted with the most recent of Bangor High School's yearbooks, the Oracle of the graduating Class of 1989. The Oracle has its roots firmly planted in the nineteenth century, when it was originally produced as several bound, monthly publications. Each eagerly awaited issue highlighted the school's sports, activities, and students. It was only natural that when Bangor High School initiated the tradition of annual volumes dedicated to preserving precious memories, the book took the name of its prestigious predecessor. Thus, what you now hold in your hands is the product of decades of evolution and experimentation. This is your yearbook. Pick it up, read it, and re-read it. For here, within these pages, you will find a solid record of the 1988-1989 academic school year. Welcome.

The 1988 ORACLE is Dedicated to... Mr. Ronald Sands. Mr. Sands has endeared himself to staff and students throughout his years in Bangor. His sincere interest in his students extends beyond the classroom as he supports all school activities with his time and talents. In 1985 he received the Staff Member of the Year Award at Bangor High School. It is with great pleasure that the 1988 ORACLE is dedicated to Mr. Ronald Sands.