Ferndale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

Page 32 text:

CLASS HISTORY I have a very interesting story to tell you. It is a true one, which I hold close to inv heart and one that 1 shall always remember. It begins on a bright autumn day, about four years ago. The exact time was August 31, 1931 at 9:00 A. M. There were one hundred thirty-eight of us in the beginning. We gathered anxiously at Ferndale High to start on our long treasure hunt that held many sur- prises in store for us. On this day it was explained to us, by experienced ones, that our journey would be divided into four distinct sections, much like the seasons of the year. The first lap could hi- compared to autumn in that it was a very colorful, new experience for us. We found it was a better plan to have three groups within the one big group, hach of the groups was led by a so-called president: these were Jack Hess. Dorothy Koontz and Bill Todhunter. We started on our hike with all confidence in ourselves, even though those who had traveled the road before, made fun of us and said we were only in the way. However, we met few hazards on the first or autumn lap of our treasure hunt. After hiking steadily for nine months we felt the necessity of an inter- mission, so we stopped at a very inviting looking Inn called “Happiness Ahead which was run by Mr. Summers. After resting for three months, which seemed to go like greased lightning, we started on the winter and most trying round. Evidently there were two members who found they couldn’t take “it , since when we started on the winter lap, there were only one hundred thirty-six dressed in hiking togs. Perhaps they realized this division was to be our hardest, and there would be many times that we would be snow bound by the extreme winter weather. Now we were divided into only two groups with James Boyd and Tony Venzon in the leadership positions. We found in this lap the proposed bridges covered with ice that would have been difficult for the average class to cross, but, since there was so much ability in the group, we crossed them with a great amount of ease. When we stopped this time, we found that times weren’t as good as they had been in “32”, so w just stayed at a tourist camp for another relaxation period. When we started again we found that ten of our treasure seekers had remained behind, leaving only one hundred twenty- six strong enough to carry on with the Junior or spring lap. Camping life must have appealed to the class for when we began the third quarter of our hike, everyone was full of pep, a spirit that carried us through the remainder of the year. With this enthusiasm, things began to bloom much like the trees and the flowers bloom in the spring of the year. This time there were four divisions with James Boyd, Ruth Llewellyn, Jean Mit- chell, and Althea Trexel as captains. This inning had numerous steep hills to climb but our many good times made them seem mole hills. When we had gone only a short way we saw a beautiful picnic grove where we stopped to hold a corn roast. As we ate we discussed many problems that faced us at that time and some that would face us later, such as class officers, rings, dances, and the reception. We even went as far as to build a dream that we might be the first class of Ferndale High to take the Junior-S-nior Reception away from the school. The fire was put out and we started again very much refreshed from the pause and full of enthusiasm and ideas. Soon our ideas began to ma- terialize. We elected our class officers, with James Boyd as president, and our ring committee, which was to choose vari-

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Louise H. Wissixgf.r “Wiss” Dec. 26 102 Glenn wood Avenue Volleyball—I-2-3-4, Athletic Club—1-2, Good Manners Club—1, Girl Reserxes —I-2-3-4, Track—1, Mixed Chorus—1, Glee Club— 1. Charuhtb Rose Wright “Toddy” July 10 718 Summit Avenue Track—1, Dramatic Club—1-3, Ath- letic Club—2, Glee Club—4, Volley- ball Cap:—1-2-3-4, Candy Club-— , Cheerleader—3-4, Girl Reserves—2-3-4, Basketball Squad—1-2-3-4, Student Council Com.—3, “Daddy Long Legs”—L Paui. Yoder Feb. 22 Holsopple, Pa. Aviation Science Club—1-2, Athletic Club—3. Victorine E. Zeii.er “Vickie” Nov. IS 194 Fisher Avenue Dramatic Club—1-2-3, Girl Reserves— 1-2-3-4, Pres.—t, Glee Club—1-2-3-4, Mixed Chorus—1-2-3-4, ‘‘Sailor Maids,” “Miss Cherrx blossom,” “Lelawala,” “Oh Doctor,” Forensic League—1, Civic Com.—1-2-3, Student Council Com., Courier Staff—1-2-3, Volleyball— 1-2-3-4, Kitchen Club—1, Library Club —1-2, “Daddy Long Legs”—V. Sara Katherine Zimmer “Sally” Sept. 5 R. D. No. 4, Johnstown, Pa. Jr. Dramatic Club—1, Sr. Dramatic Club—2, Knitting Club— 3, Mixed Chorus—1-2, Reflector Staff—1. Louise Wlssinger Charlotte Wright Paul Yoder Victorine Zeller Sara Zimmer

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ous rings from which the class could make a selection. After a process of elimina- tion, the committee set before the class two beautiful rings. An almost unani- mous vote was made. Of course all of us were not able to get our rings but two healthy orders were sent into the com- pany during this season. Our dream con- cerning the reception began to turn into plans, for we had persuaded those who were on the last lap to let us sponsor a dance to help build up the needed funds. Everyone worked whole-heartedly on this project, resulting in the biggest and best affair in the dance history of Ferndale. The assistance of our fellow treasure s-ckcrs and teachers, along with the dance proceeds, made our dream grow into a reality. On May 11. 1934. we found ourselves as hosts at the Fort Stanwix Hotel, entertaining the Seniors by dancing to the music furnished by a well-known orchestra. It was a very picturesque event which will linger in the memories of all who attended. With these pleas- ant thoughts we stopped again. Since we had played the part of a well-to-do group for the Seniors we decided to stop at an exclusive summer resort. Relaxed but with the same enthusiasm, we began our last round, one hundred nine strong. Now we were entering into the most beautiful season of the year, sum- mer. Here we would be spurred on to our treasure by the singing of the birds, the freshness of the air and all the vigor that comes at the beginning of that sea- son. The lap was started in full fashion with a magazine campaign, a kitchen club, and a candy club. 'I hesc were to help with the expenses that come in the sum- mer season and start a fund to be used for a Washington trip. To further aid this fund the class sponsored a Hallowe’en dance that was presented in true “35” style. At mid-term James Boyd turned the supreme position over to Jack Hess who was to lead us to our destiny. It was about this time that we began to get restless, for we realize! that our treasure lie just over the hill. Since we knew it was soon time for the Juniors to enter- tain us, we agreed to let them sponsor two dances. At last on Saturday. May 18 we found ourselves at the Junior-Senior Recep- tion, this time not as hosts, but as guests. Dancing to the music of a popular Johns- town orchestra was the main activity of the evening. Indeed it was a very memorable event and the Seniors appreciate greatly the Juniors’ hospitality. Closely follow- ing the Reception, a group of dramatically inclined treasure seekers presented the Senior Play, “Daddy Long Legs.” Now our hike had reached its climax. The Baccalaureate Sermon on the 19th of May began a week devoted to Senior activities. On May 22 the annual Class Day program where everyone learns about everyone else, was held, and finally we reached our destination on the evening of May 23. Tired and weary from our long hike through the seasons we took our last few steps and—behold—our long sought treasure, the diploma, lay before us. Now we were to seek more treasures but this time not as a spirited group but as one hundred nine individuis. —Mareva Branthoover.