1944 was a special year in the lives of the graduating seniors of McDonogh 35 High School. After an absence of a decade, the school resumed publication of a yearbook, and the seniors (shown below) worked hard to bring it about. Publication did occur from 1928 to 1932 but ceased from 1933 to 1943 due to the Depression and World War II.
It is important to mention that there were two graduation ceremonies that took place that year: January and June of 1944. You may notice a reduction in the male population of the student body which was due to enlistments into World War II.
One unique feature of this yearbook is that each student’s birth date, home address, and elementary school she/he attended is given. Lastly, please disregard the page numbers listed at the end of each page. Just refer to pages 1 to 34 (listed below) for reference.
Click on this link: Class of 1944 Photographs to view the photographs of the student listed below.
Source: Roneagle 1944, yearbook, McDonogh No. 35 High School (New Orleans), City Archives & Special Collections, New Orleans Public Library.
Special thanks to Lionel Khaton for assistance with uploading images.
Lolita Villavasso Cherrie
My mother, Ruth Ashley, was a graduate of the Class of 1941. I was hoping to see if there was a Roneagle for that year, however, this is very nice to see. I would like to submit a photo of her on the day of her graduation. I also have her class ring.
Sharon, you can submit your photo to my email address at Lolitac454@aol.com. If I can use it in any way, I will let you know. (Lolita)
Thanks for sharing. I see my mother’s sister, Jocelyn Blanchet. Can you send me school pics of my mother, Anona Blanchet. She was about 2 grades ahead of her sister. Thanks again
Hi Albert, unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be a yearbook for 1941 as I mentioned in my write-up, so I am unable to send you photos of your mom. (Lolita)
Hi Albert, we do have a picture and brief write-up of your mom, Anona Blanchet on a post entitled “Creole Beauties of the 1940s & 50s“
Hi! I’m looking for any pictures that you may have of Edwin Earl Robert. He was a graduate of McDonough 35. He was called to war in 1943 and never came home. Until this day his body never has been returned. I’m looking for pictures if you have any of him.
Hi Claudia, As you probably know, Edwin Earl Robert died in World War 2 on 24 April 1944 at the young age of 26. He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Place in Manila, Philippines. I do not have any photos of him, but there are several possibilities to explore. When local soldiers died in the war, the Louisiana Weekly may have placed a photo of him in their news
paper. Also, the World War Museum is also a great source. A few years ago, I found pictures of several local soldiers who died in the war placed in a file in the museum. If not, they can tell you if the Army has photos of their enlisted men for World War 2. Also, according to his age, he would have been at McD #35 around 1933-1935. There are no yearbooks for those years, but I will check 1932 which I do have. Let’s hope something turns up.
I graduated in 1970 and there was no yearbook then but there were photos of different events, football games, dances etc. Just wondering if there are pictures of the class of 1970 even though we did not have a yearbook
My Dad Frank Mitchell Jr. went to McDonogh 35. He was born in 1923. Not sure what year he graduated.
Thanks Lolita,
My mother’s cousin, Anna Saizon is in this yearbook. Her son wants to sign up, Alfred Guillaume. He said he was at Xavier with you. Do I just send him the email for Creolegen?
Hi Janet, Yes, Alfred Guillaume was a classmate of mine at Xavier U. I’m so happy that you led him to his mother’s photo. Tell him to just click on Creolgen.org. It is an open site that anyone can go to. Please ask him also to send me his email address to Lolitac454@aol.com.
(Lolita)