Dunbar High School - Liber Anni Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Memeo aoe eel elolry MMM NNN Neeley ooo oo oo oo ooo NNN NNN ll ooo eee aS Se Reminiscences of 1925 Washington, D. C., May 18, 1925. ci OD: “ieee ae fleet wings of time, we have arrived at our last year as poe coe Dunbar High School. As you doubtless know, my class is to be graduated this ; . We have had such an interesting time at Dunbar, that I have decided to relate the events which passed during our high school career to you, especially since you’ve never been to our school. Naturally, I shall begin by telling you of our first day at Dunbar, and then proceed to tell you of the most important happenings. The first day at Dunbar proved to be a very happy one. It was one of those clear, bright, sunshiny autumn days. To be exact, it was September 19, 1921, when we were ushered into Dunbar’s spacious assembly hall. Once there we became the show for all the school. Curious boys and girls eager to see and know the latest arrivals stared at us from the balcony; and still others passed through the assembly hall smiling and whispering to each other. A number of boys promised to initiate us, but we clung together so that we escaped this torture. At nine o’clock we were assigned to sections, where our names were recorded and where we made out our daily programs. After this had been done the rest of the day was arranged into seven short periods during which we carried out the program just made out in section. My first section teacher was Mr. Milton, who was in charge of Section N-1. Mr. Milton was an ideal section teacher for freshmen, because he was always so amiable, and he was always giving us good and helpful advice. Now, that I had reached high school, I felt great, and my progress the first year was rather encouraging. I had the nicest teachers one could desire, and I just seemed to feel like working. There was Miss Flagg in English, and Miss Parks in algebra, Miss Gibson in Latin, and Mr. Menard in ancient history. Under these teachers my efforts were well rewarded, especially in that dreaded algebra. However, I waded through that. Was I glad when it was all over? I'll say I was. During our first year there were many activities worthy of note, among which were the Freshmen Rhetoricals, in charge of Mr. Menard, who presented “The Funny Paper.” Then came “The May Carnival” produced by Mr. James Cowan, one of Dunbar’s most popular teachers. The freshmen were represented in this by a group of girls who opened the carnival with the “May Pole Dance.” activities which I shall not mention since they are so numerous. I was not so glad to see Dunbar the second year. It seemed that my vacation had fled all too soon, and I wasn’t in the right mood, anyhow, for studying; therefore my second year was not so fruitful as the first. « Notwithstanding this backward feeling. there was much of interest at Dunbar during the sophomore year. : I forgot to tell you that during my first year Walter L. Smith, who succeeded Mr. Wilkinson. new assistant principal, Miss Julia Brooks. who succeeded Miss Kirkland. Mr. W. L. Smith has instituted the frankly, ways and means by which D and the girls hold similar assemblies. Our school has such a large attendance that we're com periods to prevent the lunch room from being so jammed fifth period Seems to he the favorite, Often pupils aes, hb periods off. Again this year we had the “May Carnival” and it was full of excellent talent. There were other » We were given a new principal, Mr. Well, the second year we were given » a former Spanish teacher at Dunbar, boys’ assembly, at which the boys and he discuss unbar may become a better school. Miss Brooks

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Can Pou Jmanine? Edith Williams eating lunch without Pearl Tate. Enid Cook gossiping. Caro Miller on the general roll. Bernice Branham in a deep study. Ruth Pinkett giving up jazz. John Payne talking rapidly. Edward Edwards laughing. Harold Lewis and Otwiner Smith courting. Bobbie Syphax and Annice Gray not fussing. John Hall dancing. C MANION Familiar Savinas of Some of the Faculty Mr. Smith—“What are you here for young man?” Miss Brooks—“All the ladies and gentlemen are quiet.” Mr. Allen—“I’ll flunk your grandma.” Mr. Bassett—Wool gathering.” Mr. Brewer—‘And what not.” Mrs. Brewer—“Go back and get your excuse.” Mr. Carter— ‘“All right; clear the armory.” Mrs. Curtis—“Study something.” Mrs. Daly—“Buenas dias como estan ustedes.” Dr. Dykes—“Don’t use the word, ‘so’.” Miss Daniels—“Not so much talking, girls.” Mr. Douglass—“Our people.” Miss Europe—‘No books incomplete.” Mr. Grant—“Hum, if you don’t know the words.” Mr. Henderson—‘“Join the Athletic Association.” Mr. Jackson—“Why? Prove ten Mr. Pinderhughes—“All boys here for swimming, take a bath.” Miss Mustapha—“Take this assignment for tomorrow.” Miss Queen—“Ay! Santa Maria.” Miss Scott—“This certainly is a rude class.” Mr. Williams—‘“Don’t stand around the door.” D Dy wee eee a eleee eee eleleiel el elie eel felpel fel

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I See eee econ oan tls Mary aL Orr two of our music teachers, have brought a © our school. During a fifteen minute period, spent in the as- eembly hall after each lunch period, we often indulge in singing vaxiGus songs, or lis- oe paws or instrumental solos rendered by students. Mr. Grant and Miss ia aoe ic Ei the Negro spirituals, and they are made a great te eels ee ee SF on eval. Armstrong. Technical High School, Dill MARR SER ID ceaR ance as school year, namely, “The Annual Competitive ong. Armstrong has been Dunbar’s friendly enemy in all interscholastic contests ever since the beginning of the two schools, I suppose. We have fought Armstrong on the Reo ae oe ee oe aes and in aie pool for supremacy in athletics. We have friendly relations t wad : Feats oe a a tat oot reed RS “SUB: Gosek ised a at each other. The bitterest struggle of all is The Annual n £ uring my second year at Dunbar I was a member of Company F, Tae the command of Captain Mitchell. Dunbar had five companes and Armstrong ad five, i The drill was held in June on a bright, sunshiny day, and we boys felt rather warm in the close fitting, woolen uniforms. The park was gay with the colors of Dunbar and of Armstrong floating in the breeze. A cheerful mass of humans about twenty thousand strong crowded the park to see us “do our stuff.” It was a most inspiring sight; and all the fair maidens were there, too, to cheer us on. After all the companies had performed, that heartbreaking adjutant walked to the judges. After we had sweltered in the sun for a time which seemed hours, the adju- tant finally awarded places. Company F lost, and we were certainly sad cadets. But we claimed fourth place, as did every other company that did not place—first, second, or third. To appease our disgust and broken spirit we said; “Oh well, any- how, Dunbar won,” for Company B had brought the flag back to dear old Dunbar. Other good things which made us forget were: a rousing assembly at which Arm- strong congratulated us before the whole school, following the custom of good sportsmanship, and a big dance that afternoon. A few weeks later we were off for our summer vacation. Our third year in Dunbar was not very different from our former years, except that we made new resolutions to work harder than ever. To the general activities of the school was added an Honor Society, a branch of a national organization, which embraces only schools of first class rating. To be eli- gible to membership in this organization one must be a senior and must have received sixteen E’s of the thirty maior marks, and obtained not less than F in the others. The students who are members of this society have gained the highest honor Dunbar has to offer. maviottisr interesting event which has been inaugurated is the National Oratorical Contest. Only subjects from American History are permitted for discussion. This contest is sponsored by a group of newspapers with the view of making American His- tory more generally known by getting ee rie erage tans in es ee oat ee i udy of it. “The Evening Star” o is city sponsore: e contest here, pea cecal na ee, were given as prizes for the winners. Miss Lillian Washington was the first to win among the contestants in our school. She was a graduate of the class of ’24. Robert Weaver won this year for pea we to be an annual i ill have a chance to show their ability as orators. ptt ae aie fourth year at Dunbar, Bob! You don’t realize how jubilant it makes one feel to be a senior, at last. When a fellow becomes a senior he assumes an air of dignity and tries to be a sort of guardian and example for the other BEES! The freshmen and sophs seem so youthful that the school takes on the appearance