Paul Dennis Sporer / Documents & Photographs 4

Paul Dennis Sporer / Background / A wide range of carefully selected biographical information, assembled from various authentic sources, for researchers and genealogists

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	DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS - PAGE 4
	By the time I was in the seventh grade, age 11, I was already enrolled in a special programme that allowed me to skip 8th grade. I had mixed feelings about this programme. On the one hand, I was very happy to skip one year of school, but on the other hand, I believe it left me entering college at too young an age (I was barely 17). I was able to handle the advanced courses in both seventh and ninth grade without great difficulty, but I realised later on, that these courses were far from being a preparation for college, as I had been led to believe.

	This ornately decorated certificate was referred to as a a citizenship award, that I received at age 12. It states that I have 'displayed outstanding qualities of citizenship'. It was signed by two officials (principal and vice-principal). I am not sure what were the 'qualities of citizenship' that I displayed, as I was never mindful of a responsibility to be a 'patriotic citizen'. I believe this award had more to do with displaying a cooperative, helpful nature, than with politics.

	I was confirmed into the Catholic Church at the usual age, which is 13. This is a picture that was taken with my uncle, at this confirmation service. Although my uncle was Seventh Day Adventist (Protestant), like my mother, he took an interest in Roman Catholic matters, and actually sponsored me. My uncle was active in his church, and was one of the 'elders'. I think that, being raised in Croatia, he had a long-standing attraction to Roman Catholic matters, but he found it difficult to openly express such an interest.

	When I was 14 I entered a Science Fair, with an 'ultrasonically controlled car'. My aunt and uncle assisted me in this project, and the competition was difficult. This certificate, from the American Institute of the City of New York, certified that my 'Ultrasonically Controlled Car' has been awarded honourable mention, in the Classification N - General Science category. It was perhaps not surprising that I choose a car since it, and airplanes, have been my fascination from early childhood..

	This picture was taken at the Science Fair, with my project seen on the table in front of me. I remember being quite crestfallen when I did not win a prize at this competition, since I had put a lot of work into my project and my hopes were up. In retrospect, getting an honourable mention was probably appropriate, since the students who had won prizes had more sophisticated projects.

	This was yet another certificate I received, this time for merit, when I was nearly 14. It was in recognition in the participation in the District 30 Festival of the Performing Arts Showcase. I was a tenor in the choir, and we had trained for weeks for this performance which took place at another school.

	In New York City, diplomas were issued at all major points in one's educational career. A diploma was even issued for finishing Junior High School, which would have been 9th grade. The Board of Education issues these certificates, and it is signed by the Community Superintendent, The Chairman of Community School Board, and the Principal of the school. This diploma here I received when I was 14.

	The 'landscape' of the city is usually conceived of as cold and uninviting. Yet some elements of the country do occur. I am seen here sitting in front of my house in Jackson Heights. Whenever I see that type of tree, with its broad clusters of yellow flowers, and large oval leaves, it reminds me of this house, and the numerous bees that would congregate on that tree in late summer.

	An honour certificate for attaining a an average of 89, when I was age 15. It was signed by the Principal and my home room teacher. The 'home room' was where we students were assembled in the morning for roll call. Many of the kids in my home room class took the same classes, so we were able to become acquainted, especially as we all moved together through the system over the years.

	This photograph was my first 'journalist' type picture, at age 15. It showed an abandoned car not far from our house, near a highway underpass, and east of a warehouse district. Although most of the streets in my neighbourhood were kept in reasonably good shape, this stretch of road as used as place for ditching stolen cars. I developed the film myself and did the printing as well.

	I took this unusual picture in a class in my final year in high school. At this time I was getting into photography, and I actually developed my own film and prints. This photo is grainy because I used high speed film, as I could not take pictures inside the school with a flash. The students here are typically dressed for the time, in casual style, with the teacher the second one from the left.