Clearwater High School - Aqua Clara Yearbook (Clearwater, FL)

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Senior (Hass jp r0 Pb ec r O NE hot day in July as I was traversing a dusty road thinking of my classmates in dear old C. H. S., and wondering what had become of all of them, I heard the quiet ripple of what I believed to be a small brook near the road. Feeling very hot and tired I climbed the rick- ety rail fence which separated me from the fringe of trees bordering the brook. To my surprise, after passing through the fringe of trees, I found a rather wide cool water stream, bordered by a ledge of rock, which Twisted in and out through the woods away into the distance. I then recalled a conversation I had overheard the day before concerning this very same place. It seemed that directly out from and also under this ledge of rock there was a very deep hole, in fact, no swimmer had ever yet found the bottom of it. The general as well as prevailing idea was that a subterranean river ran into the stream at right angles. Being very hot and tired, as well as consumed with curiosity, I decided to take a plunge into the cooling water. Discarding my garments and hanging them on a nearby tree, I took a position on the ledge of rock preparatory to taking my plunge. With a final drawing in of my breath I dove as near as possible into the middle of the inviting pool. When down perhaps fifteen feet I felt a terrible undertow at my feet, I became suddenly dazed, my body became, it seemed, paralyzed, and mv eves suddenly popped open and I saw an immense gate in front of me. toward which some unknown power seemed to be drawing me. On coming closer, the heavy portal opened, giving me a view of one of the most beautiful forests I had ever seen. On a knoll well into the back- ground and higher than the rest of the landscape stood a magnificent throne. On it sat a much-berobed and sparkling personage, who made a motion for me to co me toward him. “I am the Prince of the ' Future,” he spoke in a loud and ringing voice. What would you know?” At first I was dazzled by this great prince and his finely dressed attendants, but finding my voice at last I said: “Good Prince of the Future, T would know what the Seniors of Clearwater High school of nineteen twenty-one will be doing twenty years hence.” “Come,” said the great Prince, “we will go.” It seemed as if a great mist hindered my vision. T heard hoarse commands being given, the mist suddenly cleared and we were on the deck of a great battleship. Men were scurrying here and there in response to orders given from the bridge, but who was that pacing the deck toward us? I should know that familiar long stride and swing of the arms. Why, it was mv old friend and classmate, Eugene Thomas, of course, and to think that his dream had actually come true. He was captain of this immense battleship. However, before I could get a chance to speak to my old school- mate and chum, some unknown power seemed to whisk us off the deck of the ship. I closed my eyes in fear of what might happen this time and wondered whom I would see next. We seemed to sail through the air for quite awhile, when T heard the most beautiful low music Twenty-five

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mum m m rye president, always doing his part of the work and boosting the class. We m ;?W were again represented in athletics and orchestra. We gave the Seniors a memorable reception and when called upon to decorate the court room for Commencement complied by getting the very best deco- rations possible and within reach of our pocketbooks. We all passed from our Junior year and hoped for big things in our last and best year in C. H. S. When we returned for our last and best year in C. H. S. we were sorry to hear of the loss of one of our loyalest members, Elizabeth Hoyt, but we found several new recruits who proved to be very good classmates and loyal members of the class of ’21. They were Stanley Cornwell, Zelwyn Graham, Homer Rigsby, Ruth Jett and Virginia Cox. At the beginning of the year our class had an enrollment of thirty-five, which gradually dwindled down until we graduated twenty-eight strong, the biggest Senior class that ever left Clearwater High. We began to work and plan for the future as soon as we were used to the daily routine. We elected Newton president, with Gene as vice-president, and started things humming. Our president ordered class rings, invitations for graduation, and in November the annual staff were elected, seven of whom came from the Senior class. We gave several parties during the year, the Class Play, the Carnival and were well represented in athletics as usual. After the dust from the play had cleared we started preparations for a Class Day and Commencement program. With pleasant thoughts of the past four years’ work and play and with a hope for as pleasant a future, we, the Seniors of dear old C. H. S., on the eve of our commencement, do present this history to you, hop- ing that it will meet with your approval. m EZRA YOUNG ’ 21 . Twenty-four

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coming nearer and nearer to us all the time. I heard a chuckle at my side and a command to open my eyes. We were seated in an immense opera house. Thousands of people on all sides of us were held spell- bound by the wonderful strains of a famous violinist. When the artist had finished her recital the thousands of hearers who had a moment before been silent suddenly showered the artist with flowers and en- cored her. Not until she bowed and smiled did I recognize Mildred Hayes. I knew she would become a great violinist some time, because when in high school she played well in the orchestra and was faithful in practice. Again the scene shifted and the Prince and I found ourselves seated in an immense assemblage. Tt seemed a great political rally was being held and that the governor of Florida was to be the next speaker on the program. The man now speaking on the stage was evidently the chair- man of the meeting, and he finished his talk by announcing the next speaker as the governor. The hearers broke into cheer after cheer for the latter personage, and in the midst of their demonstration a tall, handsome and dignified-looking personage whom T had not noticed be- fore rose and with a smile started his speech. T thought I was familiar with that statelv bearing, but when he smiled I was sure of it; it was Newton, of course, and to think that he was the head of the entire state of Florida. I heard someone next to me remark: “Isn’t he a handsome man. but bow could lie help but be with such a fine wife.” I felt like agreeing with her on the handsome part, but it was the first I had heard of his being married. When T again shifted my gaze to the stage what was mv surprise to see Dorothy Lee seated next to the chairman as the guest of honor. She indeed looked the part of a governor’s wife, and showed the pride she felt for her famous husband. The next scene was lai d in Iowa, where nestled a very pretty cottage and farm. My guide and I admired the well-kept fence rows, the pretty fields and the home surrounded by immense oaks. On entering the front gate what was my surprise to see Sydney and Mildred sitting on the front steps chatting as they had done in the high school days, but probably about plans for their farm and the edu- cation of their children, who were at that moment playing hide-and-go- seek. rather than of old school days. We next found ourselves in an immense ball park. It was the de- ciding game of the World’s series, plaved between New York and Cleveland. Looking at the score board I discovered it to be the last of the ninth inning with the score a tie. two outs on the New Yorkers, who were then to bat. and with one strike on the batter. From the distance at which we were sitting from home plate I could not get a good look at the batter until he turned to flash his smile at the fans, and then, of all things, it was Goette Fussell. a big-leaguer, and it was up to him Ooette Fussell. the one-time catcher of Clearwater’s PTigh School — to hit that Dill and run. His grin of determination assured the fans of the fact. He fouled the second ball that came over, and then the pitcher, with one ball to throw to keep the score, threw a curve right across the plate. Somewhere a band is playing and somewhere hearts are gay, but Twenty-six