Batavia High School - Batavian Yearbook (Batavia, NY)

Page 14 text:

nam. :JY , . E' -Q 1:-'V ' L 1' 5 ' A ig :JT , , ' ' V ' :,'n+, f' -fsefrfs.-.' L, ' S 17 --1 , JLH11-K-'. as ' ' Senior Class 1914

Page 13 text:

515314 .V 22357 1,-.1 S1-:N11111 C 1..xss llooii 'l 1. Arbor Day ration B if fl.-,UI HN I1'l1' l','1'J,ll.-l N. N PLANTING this tree, we are in 11. way l'l'0t'i'lllg 1,1 llllllllllllltllt to one of the bravest of the hrave. For what more can a lllilll do than lay down his life in upholding a. p1'i11.1-iple. Gabriel De Fahbio well knew, as we learn fi.-11111 l1is letters the risk l1e was running in facing the Mexicans on the horder. Yet he cheerfully rain that risk at. the cost of his young life, dying happy in the thought that he had gave his last full nieasure of devotion for his countiivis interests. It is with a. iningled feeling of sorrow and- pride that we dedi- eate this tree to his nieniory. We sympathize with and condole the parents of this noble youth in tl1eir hereavenient. Yet we feel proud to think that Batavia in years past has produced her sons to go forth in defense of the gorgeous eiuhleni of the republic. The question presents itself to us. Who is an American? Is he a. New England Puritan? Is he a Virginian Cavalier? ls he a western frontiersnian? The ancestors of so111e of us fought. for in- dependence and handed down a. nation free from tyranny and oppres- sion. They gave us a government of tl1e people, by the people and for the people. They were Aniericans. The fathers and grand- fathers of some of us laid at the altar of their country tl1e sacrifice of their young lives for the preservation of that 11a.tio11. They s-a.ved the Union of States for 11s. Tl1ey were Americans. To-day we plant a meniorial to one, who first saw the light of freedom on a foreign soilg one w11ose ancestors and ideals were for- eign to usg one who appreciated tl1e spirit of American freedom under lawful restraints and made it his. Thus he died preserving the integrity of the Hag. He was an American.

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Sexton t'i,.xss llooii 13 lass History lil' lJ'l'lll'1l, t'UI,I11NH. IGH SCHOOL days are nearly over, and it is only litting that amid the present rush ot closing days we should linger a moment and gaze backward through the mist that is fast closing about us, feasting our eyes upon the glories and honors of the past. Now as we stand upon the thresliold of lite, real lite, it is as if the pictures ot the old years were moving up and down the road. Four years ago, when as verdant Freshmen we entered these well- loved halls, we had no idea of class unity and school loyalty. Hut how dilterently do we now feel, think and even act! To be sure our four years' journey has wrought many changes. The excitement which usually attends an organization of Freslnnen was not lacking or our lirst meeting, where it was finally announced that from hence- forth we were to be called the Class of 1914. This was the first in- stance in the history of Bat-ivia High School of -1 class beinfv' organ L lv c c D D ' 7 ized in its freshman year. Unlike most. classes, we entered at once upon the active life of the school. The chief events of the year were a dance and a picnic. Usually the sophomore classes are so overcome with the realiza- tion of their importance that they have no time for social eventsg but in our case this did not hold true, for in February, 1912, we gave a sleigh-ride which was conceded to he .a huge success by all who attended it while a. picnic held at Horse Shoe Lake in June was greatly enjoyed by all. With our Junior year come new responsibilities, and we realized that the time had arrived when we might do more than merely give our support to student activities. Our athletes showed their strength and won the annual interclass track meet. Then came the necessity of giving the customary Wlunior Prom and picnic. From that time on our success was assured. We were no longer a mere igurehead, but were recognized as a. distinct, organized unit in the school. But while we were growing in strength and influence, Batavia High School was passing through a ceritable transition period, and as upper-classmen we haves done all in our power to bring her through with flying colors. The success which 4