The Torch, January 1942. East Side Commercial and Technical High School, Newark, NJ. Graduation photo of Helen M. Motyka, pg 25 (yearbook held by Crystal Gormley)
Some of the comments written in Helen's yearbook gives the impression she was a good artist.
Vinnie D'Amore wrote "Success to a grand artist, pg 14
Josephine Grote wrote "Success to one who is good in art" pg 17
Jeannett M, Niemos wrote: "I hope we can get together sometime and go skating" pg 25
Note: Helen loved to skate. This is where Helen and Wilbur Condit met, roller skating.
Class History by Rose Ambulario (printed in The Torch , January 1942 yearbook)
Freshman Year - February - Our dreams had come true -- we were Freshman at East Side. Of course, the fist day we arrived we were told of the excellent elevator service East Side had. (We spent all week looking for the elevators, but finally decided they were "pulling our leg." Remember?
Sophomore Year - February - The girls began coming to school wearing high heels, and the boy,s long pants. What was the big idea? Oh! yes I forgot. We're Sophomores now. How we teased the Freshman! They ran every time they saw one of us coming. What a thrill that gave us.
Junior Year - February - Class was organized under the leadership of those two grand people Miss May and Mr. Hecht. We started campaigning for officers.
Senior Year - February - Unbelievable though it seemed, we were seniors at last. We immediately proceeded to hold our heads higher then ever and we didn't even look at the underclassmen any more.
Of course you all remember February 12. This was the day of our "Senior Rec." How lovely all the girls looked and how handsome the boys were! After school we had a grand time dancing up in the boys gym. Cake and ice cream were passed out by the "rec-ing" Senior A's. They really did "Rec" us too. Who can ever forget that roaring snow-storm we had that day and how full of snow we all were when we got home. Who Cared?.....Nobody.
December - On December 7, Japan declared was against the United States. Soon after Germany and Italy followed suit, and the Second World War started. These events sobered our elation at the thoughts of graduating and we began thinking seriously of what we could do to help our country. When Christmas came around we conceded that our part was to show a cheerful attitude and to help keep up the morale of old and young alike.
January - Came the last month and graduation night. Yes, we were actually leaving East Side. Our four happy years had ended. With sad heart, but with determination to make East Side proud of us, we left our dear "Alma Mater" and stepped into the world.
There were 144 graduates in the class of January 1942. Helen was 17 years of age. She would be turning 18 in February. Sometime in 1941 they moved from Ann St., Newark, NJ to 574 Grove St., Irvington, NJ 6.6 miles away. Helen would have had to have a ride to school each morning.
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