Batavia High School - Batavian Yearbook (Batavia, NY)

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The History of the Senior Class VVhile the deeds of another year are being written down in the annals of time, T, the scribe of 1916, Clo solelllllly invoke CHO, the muse of Hlstorydxslo COSTS to mv aid in transmitting to posterity the annals of the class of l9l6. .ay e so aid me to frame its history that we can never forget the happy friendship and the memorable occasions which have made our school days so dear to us. Half a hundred strong we entered Qld B. H. S. in the autumn of 1912. Our first task after the details of organization had been completed, was to choose. a' pin. The pin selected was one which bore the seal of the State of New York, the initials lj. H. S., and our numerals, l9l6. Then we decided that we ought to do some- thing along the line of social activities. A sleighride was our first venture. A date was set, and all the details arrangedg but the weather man did not smile on us and the event was postponed. As there had been no class functions during the early part of the term, a picnic was the next thing in order. This was held at Horseshoe Lake in the early part of june and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present, especially the boys-there were three. Truly our Freshman year had not been an eventful one, but we had hopes for the future. The following September saw us as Sophomores with fewer numbers but with greater spirit. Purple and yellow pansies were selected as the class flower. Our next event was a dance which was held after the Hamburg-Batavia basket- ball game. Tt was an enjoyable affair for the few that attended it. A little later we held a sleighride-in carryalls-to Le Roy, on the night of the Le Roy- Batavia game and had a fine time in spite of the cold weather. Wfe must have been overcome with the realization of our importance as Sophomores for the social activities of the class decreased considerably during the latter part of the term. The only gathering was a picnic held at our accustomed place-Horseshoe Lake. Another year saw us back in school as juniors. VVe filled our position as such in no mean way. Qur most conspicious social activities consisted of a Halloween party held at the home of Catherine Ruger at Upton, and the com- mencement festivities in which we gratified our desires for pleasure, but com- pletely wrecked our treasury. Finally the time came when we ourselves could enjgy the diqtiuctiou of being H . 4 - , I ' 5 Seniors. VVe organized in the latter part of October with 3 mQmbe1.qhip of ,lbout f- - . , s 1 U19 UN b0Udl gdtlleflng of the season was a hayride to Fast Bethany. lhis was well patromzed and furnished everyone yvith Z1 Good time yxt Om. 6 . 1lCXt meeting we decided to change our class flower to the vellow rose On Atrbor Day we maintained the traditions of the school and planted gt tree in honor of M1- Gardner Fuller, a former principal of our High Schggl l32l

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li l.i.x C. XvlilSSIiR'I'. 223 Wcsl Main Stu-sl. Xgc 17 years: linglisli Course: Normal Svliool: 'Xlcinlmci' of Class Ll-Z-33 1 l.itci':n'y Socicty. l UNA l2vl,.XNClllC XN'las'i1xm'V1', 26 Tracy .Xvi-nnc. Xgc 19 ycars: Classical Conrscg Nlcnilmci' of .X. ,X. 1-ll: Class 1-ll: lll'L'SS .Xssociation 43-Jfyg I.llL'I'Zll'5' Society L5-43. S'l'.XNl.IiY XYn,i'ox, 15 Hank Stu-ct. .Xgc 19 wars: linglisli Courscg .XQl'lC1llll1I'C1 Cor- nell: Mcinlmcr of .X. .X. 12-3--l-SJ: l,llCl'Zl1'y So cicty 14-57: Class l5p: llaslqctlmall licsuiwcs l-ll Track 13--l-531 Senior Play 4-l-531 'liraclc Cap- tain 453: Scnioi' Class 'lil'CZlSlll'Cl' 151: Suniin' llall Connnittceg Chairman Finance Connnittce of AX. .Lg lloys' Coinnicnccincni Spcalqcr: llnnt- ley Contestant I-l J. XYlI.l.l.XM IT.. XYllic'ox, 133 tlavlason Strcut Business Coursc: Captain llaslwlimall 'll-:nn 1-ll Klcnilmcr of .X. .X. 43-4-531 llasulmall 'licain ll-2-3--ll 1 Football 'licani 1-ll 1 llaskctliall 'licani il-2-3--lj: Class Ll-2-Sly lflcctrival liiigiiicci' Troy Polyteclinic Sclioolq lflnntlcy Conlcstant. lmu. M. XVil.i,1,xxis, Batavia. N. Y l ,Xgc 18 ycarsg Latin-linglisli Conrscg Cliairinan l of Senior lficnic Connnittcug .Xgriciiliiiiu l31l

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Later we gave a Shaltesperian play which was a brilliant success in every way. At another meeting we decided to have a class hoolt and a stall' was elected. Commencement otlicers and committees were elected at the same time. 'l'oward the end of the term we thought we would show our class spirit and purchased some hats and banners. They were made up in the class colors, purple and gold, and were decidedly attractive, especially to the .luniors who were unable to keep their hands oft of them. llle must stop a moment and consider what the class of l9lo stands lor. XfVe have introduced two innovations into the lligh School which have given us a distinguished place in the annals of the school. ln the tirst place the Senior Class believed that the black llaccalaureate cap and gown was a garb belonging to col- leges and universities. lt is primarily their mark of distinction and should not be a part of High School life. XYe have therefore chosen a cap and gown of grey. and are a little proud to set a precedent which we trust will become an honored custom not alone in Batavia High School but throughout the land as well. Secondly, the class of l9l6 agreed to adopt a new idea in regard to its commencement program. lnstead of six speakers being chosen from among the members of the class as heretofore, we have selected two only, and Dr. Rush Rhees. President of the ljniversity of Rochester, has accepted an invitation to deliver the principal address. The class of 1916 has always stood for high ideals-for all that is worth while in student life 1 and we doubt not that, as in our school days, so in the future every member will continue to maintain that high ideal. .Xs .Xmerica has always represented opportunity, so the members of our class will ever Seize the Op- portunity -Carfc Dian:-to maintain the rights and to uphold that which is noblest, just and honorable in life's endeavors. J. Iftlfl'-l' Pozzlfridge, '16. El El Class Essay--- The New B. H. S. The ambition of every good parent should be to give the children a better education than the father or mother was able to secure. livery thoughtful parent must realize that the progress of our country is made possible only by giving each succeeding generation a better education than the one which precedes it. Furthermore, the success of every man or woman at the present time, depends almost entirely upon the education of the boy or girl in early life. Knowledge not only makes young people ambitious, but it gives them better judgment and far greater strength for the Battle of Life. And now the citizens of ltlatavia with the future of their sons and daughters at heart cannot do too much for them along educational lines. The most appreciable thing that could be done at the l33l