Malden High School - Maldonian Yearbook (Malden, MA)

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THE MALDONIAN sentation on the school paper. In “Twelfth Night”, the school play of that year, Maude Orton, a member of the Class of 1926-A, shone as one of the stars. The most startling performance of our semester in Class II was that of Ranald Hobbs. Without any fear whatsoever, he came to class one day wearing his first pair of long trousers, a deed which pointed out distinctly the bravery latent in our class. Mr. Ellis, who tried to teach us algebra at that time, said to Hobbs on that important day, “This is a long day for you isn’t it?” We did not laugh. We sympathized. Then came that magic, mysterious period of time which took us from the baby realm of Freshmen and placed us in the haughty, glittering kingdom of Sophomores with home rooms on the first floor—near the Seniors. Our wavering brilliancy now resolved itself into a steady gleam. Of the names which appeared on the Honor Roll for the third month of the semester, Class III ranked first. The class, therefore, agreed that such an occasion was worthy of due celebration, and so we had our first class party. The usual weather of Class-Party nights prevailed by sending down torrents of drenching rain. However, our party was scheduled for eight o’clock, and the dark ominous clouds witheld their watery ovations until eight-thirty as befitting such a great event. Indoors all was merry ex¬ cept occasional remarks such as these: “Why didn’t I take an umbrella?” “What will happen to the curl in my hair?” But lo! The rain in deference to the Class of 1926-A stopped at ten o’clock whereas our party was not over until eleven. Another summer vacation! We began it the week before school closed and continued it a week after school reopened. Lofty Sophomores of Class IV! That was advancement! Early in the semester we elected class officers. Ralph Hirtle was chosen President, an office which he has held for two and one half years. He is now reaping his just reward by sitting in the middle of the front row and announcing our program. Class IV also gave us our first plunge into musical education. Miss Perkins, with dauntless courage, gathered together Classes IV and V for a Tuesday morning chorus. Our genius was discovered. Reta Davis be¬ came our Prima Donna. Perhaps our harmonies inspired the Class, for again Class IV came out at the head of the Honor Roll. The February week-end between Classes IV and V was interminably long. On Monday, however, we became Juniors, witty and wise. We plunged into the orations of Cicero with zest—for a little while. We fussed in the laboratory with sulphuric acid and hydrogen. We read humorous essays and laughed at the right time. But no member of the Class of 1926-A can forget the great event of the semester. The incident in itself was not important. It did not affect the rest of the school, but upon it depended the future of the, Class of 1926-A. With the departure of Miss Hall, we had been left without an advisor, and the appointment of Mr. Matthews as our faculty mentor added the last touch of brilliancy to our shining history. Summer again! Swimming! Motoring! School again! Class VI! Athletics was claiming our attention now. Holland Pittock of our Class was elected Captain of the football team, Hirtle was on the squad, and Jim Mangan was already training his toe. The girls were attacking football heroes. We became enamoured of sports. New talents were discovered. We went far afield and took a hand in dramatics. For the school play, Ranald Hobbs, Fred Nash, Reta Davis, and Stanley McLellan were chosen from among our stars. Class VI! The hallowed rooms! The dignified demeanor, the soph- Page 42

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EUNICE YOUNG Page 41

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THE MALDONIAN istication! As Seniors of the Malden High School we bent all our efforts to getting used to the idea. Life took on a new meaning with music during the “S” period in Miss Herrick’s room and 100 per cent in every attempt. We proved to Class VIII that we were necessary to their existence. The Senior Reception for the Class of 1925-B was unequalled. Another light for our history. The last summer vacation for our High School career! It sped by, the months like days, and we were, back at school as the highest class, Class VIII of 1926-A. It took a little while to become accustomed to the appellation, “Class VIII”. By that time our light had penetrated even the hidden quantities of Virgil’s Aeneid. We began to get ready for graduation, that is we stopped studying. One by one we visited Whitman’s Studio and had our images immortalized. Now truly we were Seniors to the n’th degree. We initiated a new field of endeavor. Instead of the usual Year Book we, in conjunction with the Blue, and Gold staff, have issued the “Maldonian”, the School Annual, which gives to the entire, school information concern¬ ing our class and, incidentally, the rest of the school. The Faculty reception robbed both the Seniors and the teachers of their dignity. The play, “The Albany Depot,” showed us the possibilities of some of our teachers who have certainly missed their calling in life. With the third ranking period we started to study again! Graduation day approached rapidly. The Senior Reception! Class VII outdid itself in making its farewell party a success. The play “Qui ts” left us in a state of collapse, but the great surprise came afterwards when we went to the gym. Football night again for us! There were goal posts, and a score board, a faculty cheering section lettered “F,” little football favors, and an orchestra dressed to represent the band. Hirtle, Pittock, and Mangan were the heroes of the evening. We discussed plans for our outing. An able committee headed by J. Malcolm MacDonald wrote to the manager of Mr. Henry Ford’s Wayside Inn for information concerning the place. Our plans came to the notice of Mr. Ford and he, deeply interested in scholastic activities, sent a cord¬ ial invitation to the Class of ’26-A to come to the Wayside Inn as his guests. To make our outing a complete success Mr. Ford sent Mr. Lovett to teach us the stately old-fashioned dances. We had our rehearsals at the Gerlach Studio and learned how to bow, chasse, balance, and chain. Last of all, came the outing. Yesterday will never be forgotten by any member of the Class of 1926-A. The hilarious ride to Wayside Inn and the wonders after we arrived delighted us immeasurably. Guides provided by Mr. Ford showed us the priceless antiques, and the dinner that we attended at his kind invitation was a royal welcome to all. The old-fashioned dances which we had practised so long and faithfully proved surprisingly beautiful even to ourselves when danced in their natural setting. “Let joy be unconfined” was our slogan of the day. This morning is very important and exciting to a certain group of M. H. S. students. At one minute of eight (we were due at eight o’clock) we gathered in the Assembly Hall of the Malden High School as Seniors of that dear familiar place. We walked, ambled, and skipped in, the big girls with their short hair and the big boys with their long trousers. Not very quietly we found our seats upon the platform and smiled suavely when Miss Perkins stepped on the stage to give us our final instructions. We have looked forward to this day for four years, but now that it is here we face it with regret. Our History is nearing its end, but history, they say, repeats itself. If ever there is another class which is able to repeat the achievements of the Class of 1926-A, then that Class will be the best in the world—next to the Class of 1926-A. Page 43