Batavia High School - Batavian Yearbook (Batavia, NY)

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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

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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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present time would be the erection of a new high school in place of the present one which has done its duty for forty-two years. In the fall of 1872 work was begun on our present high school, which .at that time was not needed as badly 35 one is needed today. The citizens of Bagavla, nevertheless, did not hesitate to spend sixty-six thousand dollars for a etter means of educating their sons and daughters. The new building was opened on September lst, l874. The dedicatory services lasted the entire afternoon and were of unusual interest. Several noted speakers were present including .the Secretary of Regents of the University of the State of New York. The exercises of the day were closed by the President of the Board of Education, who handed the key of the building to Professor Gardner Fuller, the first principal of the school. Witli the completion of the commodious building on Ross street, it was the prevalent belief in Batavia that the school accommodations were not only greater than necessary, but also that many years would elapse before any increase would be necessary. But within fifteen years, although it may sound doubtful, the num- ber of public schools in Batavia had been increased from one to seven. For many years only the third fioor of the high school was used for acedemic work. The rest of the building was occupied by the grades and library. The first three grades and library occupied the first fioor, while the next four grades used the second. It may be news to many students in B. H. S. that for many'years the front part of the basement, known now as the 'fbook room, was the home of the janitor and his family. No doubt, the home of the janitor in the basement, twenty-five years ago, is as deep as any of us care to go into antiquityg so let us look into the future. T think that if the people of Batavia could again be controlled by a little of the spirit of 72 and also realize the value of education, we should have in our city within a year or two, a high school that would be second to none in a citv of Batavia's size. J Now let us imagine that our good citizens were about to build a school that could fulfill its motto: N1rlIi Scczrizdzf' They would surely build a high school that would be a model for others to copy, and one that would be up-to-date for many years to come, and one in which the taxpayers could feel justified and repaid for the school taxes which they pay. Such a building should be large enough to accommodate two or three times the present number of pupils The design of the new school T will leave to the architect but I will try to bring ' 5 to mind a few things which would go to make the New B. H S up-t0-date jexn auditorium which is a necessity fel- leetm-es, eommeueememq qchool plug 'md . . . ' C - C many other school activities, should not be forgotten In order fe 'lccolllllqodate ' c crowds it should be situated near the center of the buildino- eu tlje fleet Hom. .md 23 - , c should afford seating capacity fgf at lgggt tyvelve OI- fifteen h i341 undred. Two gym- S