Kent School - Kent Yearbook (Kent, CT)

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10 2 1 Cfje Class history O one noticed a little pale star flickering in the cold dark vault of the September sky, or if he did, he betrayed no interest in it. The attention of the motley gathering at the Kent station was fixed on the approaching train, not on star-gazing. Soon the engine came roaring around the curve and rattled to a halting stop. A wild shout, discordant with the sound of escaping steam from the panting locomotive, arose. Into the dusk of the fast deepening night piled boy after boy from the lighted cars. Then, with noisy bantering, they started on their way to the school. These boys were followed by a quieter group, who trudged behind the others, preceding with sidling gait, lugging heavy suitcases. The loiterers at the station turned away. Even now they did not look at the heavens. Perhaps, if they had, they wduld not have recognized that pale flickering little star, for it had brightened, become a reality along with the opening of Kent for its eleventh year. It was the natal star of the class of 21 that shone so steadily. When we got to school we looked about in awe and bewilderment. However, Mr. Schiedt, after heated argument, had kindly consented to allow Bergen, Post, Potts, Lord I and II. Palmer, Pringle. Waters, and Williams to remain in the second form as benevolent guides to show us the ropes. Mr. Catlin, with these fellows as assistants, managed to make us feel very much at home in no time at all. We had not been housed by the school for many nights when we were informed that we must elect a President. We puffed out our chests at the idea of such responsibility. At second thought, though, we were perplexed to know whom to elect. Our problem was solved, however, when it was whispered about from various sources of information that Bergen was our man. We dazedly asked how to spell his name, then elected him. Since that time he has always been our President. We have never found an occasion to hold another election, so popular and efficient has proved his administration. This year marked the beginning of the spirit of unity our form has been so famous for. Perhaps the reason for this form of solidarity comes from the fact that many of us made the surprising discovery concerning the truth of the maxim—“There’s safety in numbers.’’ 'Phis creed was instilled so deeply into our hearts that we still treasure it to-day. We thank the class of 1917 for teaching it to us. In the autumn we saw our football team beat Pawling after a touchdown had been made against us on the first kick-off. 'Phis was the first of the many practical lessons in the “Kent Spirit.” It was during this year, also, that Squires was the great terror of the dormitory. Sitting up in his bed in the alcove after lights had 11

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10 2 1 been put out, he was able, by lunging forward his bulk, to force the bed to gain such impetus as to bridge completely the hall-wav. Then, together with Bradford (who was with us in those good old days), he captured and pulled the passer-by into his den. This happened every night until, fortunately for us but unfortunately for him, he mistook Mr. Catlin’s footsteps for a boy’s. Mr. Catlin was surprised and irritated. So was Squires, though, perhaps, differently. Thus was the “Dorm” rid of its Scylla. With spring came the job of digging the cellar of the Field Mouse, which was ready for occupation the following fall. The Charter scholars of our form, who were still surviving at the end of the first year, were Bergen, Armstrong, Aspinwall, Bradford I and 11. Burgess, Clarke II. Conover II, Cozzens, Crane, Downes, Forsythe II, Hall II, Howdcn, Lanier I and II, Littell II, Lord I and II, Mansfield. MacGlashan, Palmer, Parker I and II, Post, Potts, Pringle, Scott, Smith, Squires, Taft, Villaverde, Waterbury, Waters, Watson and Williams. Of these, seventeen have continued in their work at Kent through the Sixth Form. The rest have gone the way of all flesh, either lost or strayed far behind. The Autumn of 11)17 found us hurrying back to school so as to be sure not to miss a single opportunity to shout brutally at every new fellow, “Pretty fresh for a new kid.” The following allied themselves to our number at the beginning of the year: Atwater, Jackson, Lewis, MacWillic, Xoye, Robinson, Stenhouse, and Upjohn. We took special pains to tell these new members of our class the gruesome details of the tragic career of one William Bailey, English pedagogue at Kent the previous year, and of our riotous exploits in the “Dorm” and class. Saturdays we watched “Bill” Nadal run up and down the field scoring touchdowns. This was an extremely pleasant and popular diversion. After the team had concluded an undefeated season by defeating Choate sixty-one to three, we hesitatingly asked Mr. Buck, the Coach, how he accomplished the deed. Mr. Buck was nice, but apt to be rude and not mince his words. On this occasion he retorted “Add up your talk.” We were completely satisfied with this kind reply. When the wild glamor of the Football Season subsided a little, we settled down to hard work at our various studies, or to be more exact, at Mr. Buck’s Algebra. We were leading the school in marks until Mr. Schiedt, partly because he took pity on the floundering sixth and partly because he was needlessly worried that we would become conceited, concocted such a fiendish exam for us and such an easy one for them, that in the long run the Sixth Form captured the scholarship cup. In spite of all opposing efforts we came in a close second. In the spring the time came for us to select four fellows for nominees for the Council Members. The form held a meeting, and under the direction of Samuel 13