Keokuk High School - Comment Yearbook (Keokuk, IA)

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22 THE COMMENT THE HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1913 I BY CARITA VOLLILRS History, as we all know, means an account of events and all the important incidents during a certain period of time. All of you, I know, have spent many a delightful hour, listening to someone relate his adventures on certain occasions. In order to become a success and live then to posterity, history must be interesting, and what could be more interesting than the history of the Class of 1913. Yes, I know thirteen is considered unlucky, but since there are exceptions to every rule, just so our class is an exception. The old saying, Quality not quantity, is often quoted, but I think you will agree with me when I say that our class had both. One seeing fifty-eight pupils enter K. H. S. on that memorable day, September 6th, 1909, would probably havebeen impressed by our quantity, which during these four years I can truthfully say has developed into quality also. From the very first we were treated with the greatest distinction, at least we thought so, for by dutifully following the instructions in the lower hall, we repaired to room ten where we were met by ushers who escorted us one by one into the Assembly, which was for a time to be our home. Then followed the usual task of filling out enrollments and adapting ourselves to our new surroundings. I think credit should be given to a certain person in our class for the unique device resorted to in attracting attention towards our class from the start. We had just got settled when we came very near having a tragedy. Being unable to restrain momentary impulses, as freshmen are supposed to, that individual proposed to see just how tight he could draw a strap about his neck without exceeding the limit of choking. But alas! I am afraid to say what would have become of the poor victim if some obliging Senior had not come to the rescue with a knife. And from that day to this we have become famed for our originality, ranging from the social element shown in our artistic taste portrayed in last year's banquet to our literary genius and famous cartoonist, Charles Honce. We were the first class to have a freshman class party, which was held on Hallowe'en at the home of Hugh Corey. VVe were met at the park by two excursion cars, and from there went to the VVhite Elk Vineyard, where all sorts of good things, including ghosts and such Hallowe'en sports, awaited us. One of the features of the

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THE ANCHORING OF THE SHIP BY HAZEL LOUISE ACKLEY ' Twilight steals upon the harbor, Shadows lull the lapping waves, Where our great ship lies at anchor, Calm and steadfast, staunch and brave. To these days she has looked forward, But now her thoughts do backward Hy, To the happy, longing mem'ries Of the sea of Keokuk High. Backward o'er her maiden voyage, Those blissful dreams do fondly glide, Until the emerald-tinted echoes Come surging inward with the tide. Every wave bears back a message From her golden treasury's store, As she drifts upon their bosom, With the learn'd aspect of a Sophomore. Now a proud tho haughty Junior, She first Within the limelight beams, She ranks a queen among her rivals, Her name on honor's ledger gleams. At last a high and lofty Senior, As echoes of her curfew softly ring, With modest grace, she low'rs her head, And begins her sweet swan song to sing. First to one she pays allegiance, A Modern Neptune both in word and deed Though mighty small in stature, His strength is that of any Reid. Unforgetful of her pilots, Whose worth to her will aye be real, For each day to tasks e'er faithful, They have turned her great, old wheel. Now into the land of Alumni, With a pray'r they send us onward, And trust that we in treading there, May take no footsteps backward.

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True COMMENT 23 evening was the dressing of corn cobs. Some of the costumes I am sure had never been seen or thought of before. In January we had a sleighing party, meeting afterwards at the home of lVIiss lVIyna Bonham. That we had a good time goes without question. These with the biology trips formed the social functions of the season. And I must mention that Miss Becker informed us that we were the first class that she had attempted to take on a trip so early in the season. So, well, we must have been different,-above the average. The football team will certainly lose some fine men when we graduate. We are all proud of our team and have always tried to show our appreciation in our mass meetings. The first year Jess Devero won a K in football, and one in basketball, and was elected captain of the team. In basket ball the team tied for Hrst place and the girl's team was fourth. The rest of the year passed by uneventfully, and in September we came back quite refreshed and ready to take the next step in the ladder of education. Our Sophomore year, beginning September 1910, tended to add just a little bit more to our fame, and since we had been in school a whole year we naturally thought ourselves privileged to begin to do as we pleased. But our superiors soon taught us that we still had a year to grow before we would be considered worth noticing. There were two parties, one a hayrack at Coreyls, where our usual good time was enjoyed, and the sleighing party at August Pechstein's, which was a big success, altho the freshmen tried hard to capture some of our boys. They soon found out that they wereup against a tough proposition. Our poor Freshie had to seek refuge under the sink in a strange house, from which he was afterwards rescued and made to face the music like the rest of his companions. In the fall of l9ll we returned to school as Juniors. Our actions from the very first served to show that the class understood and practiced the right class spirit. Notwithstanding the fact that it was the largest class in the school, the meetings were conducted in a very orderly manner. On September 8th the class was organized, the following officers being elected: President, Wilhelm Heineman, Vice President, Gladys Engelhartg Secretary, Charles Honceg Treasurer, August Pechstein. Mr. Heineman has proved himself to be a very dignified and efficient president, and all the other officers should be given credit for their