VI reunion sparks memories, comparisons

By PAUL QUIRINI- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

A lot has changed since Louis Choppy attended Vincentian Institute in Albany during the 1940s. He remembers how much school spirit the students felt, cheering for teams at Bleecker Stadium and even following the marching band home afterward.

Today, Mr. Choppy wonders if students still support their schools the way VI's fans did. "There were no multiplexes, shopping malls or TV," he said. "Being with friends was what you did. It seemed as if there was more going on at school then than nowadays."

The school's last class graduated in 1977, but Mr. Choppy and other members of VI's class of 1949 recently spoke with The Evangelist on the occasion of their 50-year reunion to compare life back then with today's society.

Easy street

Sister Rita Carr, RSM, activities director at McAuley Residence in Albany, attended VI from kindergarten to grade 12 and misses life as a VI student.

"It was a lot easier and more fun than it is today [for students]," she said. "We enjoyed going to school and being with one another. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the old days because life was much simpler, and people had more respect for each other."

Her parents influenced her decision to pursue a vocation, one of very few options for a teenage girl in those days. "We didn't have much choice: work for the telephone company, get married or go into the convent," she said. "I think God's hand was in my future, so whatever His will was, I went with it."

Transfer student

Rev. Arthur Hagy was one of VI's more unique students: a Methodist who transferred to VI for its solid academic reputation after eight years in public school.

At VI, young Arthur learned that "God was a part of everyday life. This was not just a Sunday affair. The presence of God made a difference in your life at every level," he said.

As a non-Catholic student, "I was well-treated and was not proselytized or in any way a second-class student. That wasn't the climate in the city of Albany in the 1940s," he said.

Since his VI days, Rev. Hagy has seen some changes for the worse, but one improvement in society has come in ecumenical dialogue. Rev. Hagy giving the homily during VI's 50th reunion Mass is one example of the Catholic and Protestant Churches working together.

"That couldn't have happened 50 years ago, but that whole climate has changed for the better," he said.

Simple wish

Audra Hughes wishes life today were as simple as when she was a VI student. "There were the usual teenage worries about being accepted, but not the hate and violence we have today," she said.

Students had a strong sense of morality, especially in terms of sexual behavior, said the parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville; and they knew how to live their faith. Since her high school days, there have been changes for the better, especially opportunities for women and advanced communication.

Mrs. Hughes advises today's high school students to "savor the experience of their high school years as much as they possibly can. Everybody is so concerned about their jobs, and they can't seem to relax and enjoy the simple things."

Concerns

Blake Duffy has many happy memories of VI, but remembered that World War II caused concern. "The war was hanging over our heads, and we were wondering what we were getting into," said Mr. Duffy, now a resident of Palmyra.

In the past 50 years, Mr. Duffy has seen the growth of television and education as good developments. Sadly, teens today are more torn by drugs and alcohol, and there is more focus on material than spiritual wealth.

"Our focus was our relationship to God, and everything else fell into place accordingly," Mr. Duffy said. "Today, our culture is striving for consumerism and material things, attaining wealth and power. We were all poor, but we didn't know because everybody else was poor."

School and faith

Mr. Choppy remembers his VI days as a time when teens were more responsive to direction from parents and teachers, and academics and faith played a greater role in life.

A parishioner of St. Thomas' Church in Delmar, he is pleased with changes like improved health care, environmental awareness and the establishment of the Peace Corps. There are also more employment opportunities today, but that can create problems for teens, Mr. Choppy said.

"That's one of the pressures kids face nowadays that we didn't: They're pulled in so many different directions. It's certainly a more complicated world they face, and in some respects I don't envy youngsters nowadays."

(09-30-99) [[In-content Ad]]