East Rockaway High School - Rock Yearbook (East Rockaway, NY)

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J U N I O R S President................................... ROBERT PASTOR Vice-President ...........................HELEN LANGDON Secretary ALICE VAN WlCKLEN Treasurer HELEN O'BRIEN Sponsor ................................MISS BARRON Always foremost among the organizers of social events, the juniors have sponsored a tea dance, a sport dance, a Prom , and a scavenger hunt. Students who attended the last event mentioned, especially John Glucksman and George Beeck, the winners, know what fun everyone had racing about town looking for a White Castle hamburger box and a tintype. SOPHOMORES President................................ JOHN McNAMARA Vice-President .......................................ELAINE GRIFFEN Secretary.................................. ELAINE WOOD Treasurer..............................................FRANK MATZKE Sponsor ...........................................MRS. JOY In December, 1936, the hustling class of 39ers took to sea with the entire class acting as crew, and piloted their ship to third place in Rock Rivalry. The fight and ability the class showed then will stand it in good stead when 1939 travels the Senior Trail. FRESHMEN President RICHARD PASTOR Vice-President RUTH O'BRIEN Secretary VIRGINIA KRULL Treasurer.....................................THEODORE KOPP Sponsor MR. LANGWORTHY This Ninth Grade will be the first class to spend its full four years in the new high school. The class is a very active one, and even now is making rap d strides towards its senior year. If you are in any doubt about the identity of the students of this class, we will remind you that they were the southern darky cotton pickers at Rock Rivalry. EIGHTH GRADE Greetings to the eighth graders! These students have entered into sports and clubs with so much enthusiasm that we can easily see them as leaders four years from now. Although not very old yet, they show promise! SEVENTH GRADE Already the seventh graders, the first students to enter East Rockaway High School with the opportunity to have their full six years here, have shown their eagerness and interest in school affairs. They have not minded being teased by the high school high-and-mighties and have quite faithfully supported all activities. 24

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ACTIVITIES a Writinq this yearbook in 1937 we look back at the amusements of the past with interest and hope these we are about to discuss show as much enthusiasm, for although early East Rockaway did not have the advantages of our present day recreational facilities, the residents enjoyed themselves, nevertheless. The summer was too warm for the strenuous game of baseball so that it was played in the winter and often the snowfall was so thick the red ball that was used could not be seen. No mitts were used and both sides generally averaged twenty runs a game. Ice skating and sleighing were also important methods of passing winter time. A two horse sleigh carpeted with straw, people, and buffalo robes, in that order, would go whisking o’er the snow, generally stopping at someone's home for a surprise party. The sleighers brought their own music, a fiddler, and refreshments. The square dance, the lancer, and the Virginia Reel were the popular terpsichorean fantasies. Walking was the main means of getting together or goinq any place. Barnyard gatherings generally saw horseshoe pitching contests, croquet matches, and ice cream feasts. Swimming was popular, but the circuses and carnivals that came every few years attracted little interest. There were no plays or dramatics in the old days. Elections were such important events that huge tents were set up and speakers from party headquarters in New York gave orations. Drinks, food, and favors were passed out at night and a torch parade was held. In 1888 there was a great parade with over 1500 marchers. Old East Rockaway showed individuality in diversions for about 1882 there was a test of endurance. East Rockawayites journeyed to the Lynbrook depot where there was held a ten hour walk around a half mile course. Contestants could run or walk, but they had to keep going for ten hours. The one who covered the most miles was the winner. History, alas, does not tell us the name of the victor. 26