Mount Penn Lower Alsace Joint High School - Penn Alma Yearbook (Reading, PA)

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Class History Classmates, Ladies and Gentlemen: Four years ago, after the graduation of the class of 1918, the faculty of the Mt. Penn High School was undecided how to fill the vacancy. Finally after considerable deliberation, it was decided to admit twenty-five boys and girls then at school in various eighth grades in Lower Alsace and Exeter townships. This body of pupils later was to form one of the classiest classes that ever was to be graduated from within these walls, and was henceforth known as the class of 1922. Like every other class, we had one enemy, the Sophomores. As a result, many of us were sent to the basement under false pretenses. Here we received rather rough treatment in the form of paddlings, paint and axle grease. But we gradually overcame these obstacles and rapidly assumed the aspect of a well organized class. After we had become used to the rules of the school and more accustomed to the studies, we felt more at home. Soon after our entrance, we were tendered a reception by the Seniors, which we enjoyed very much, because it was our introduction to the social functions of the High School. Every red-blooded American youth is greatly interested in athletics, and our class is no exception. Athletics train the man for any field he wishes to enter. They train the mind by teaching thought, accuracy and self-control. And the benefits derived by the physical body from the outdoor and indoor life are invaluable. Therefore, the boys were very anxious to obtain a place on any of the athletic teams, but were unable because of their lack of weight and experience. The first class election for officers held soon after the beginning of the school year resulted as follows: President, Sheldon Tice ; Secretary, Margaret Kerr ; Treasurer, Margaret Ellis. In our second year, the nineteen members of the class who had returned, gave a Halloween party to the entire High School. The whole auditorium was decorated in a very spooky manner. Many games, which were well suited to the occasion, were played, and it was voted a success by the entire student body. All the members of the class now realized their superiority as sophomores and began to avenge themselves for the treatment received when they were freshies. When the freshies were admitted they were very well cared for most of the time, but some were unfortunate enough to go from the straight and narrow path of right and thus fell into the avenging grip of a group of sophomores, and as a result were often found at noon near a washbowl trying by means of soap and water to erase the stains of burnt cork and axle grease. This year Newkirk, Eshelman and Huyett were able to gain positions as regulars on the reserve and substitutes on the varsity basketball teams. This was the beginning of the famous trio who later helped form a championship team. Baseball also claimed Newkirk, Eshelman, Huyett, Machette and Ebright. and we began to feel proud that we could render our services in athletics. The officers for our sophomore year were: President, Elmer Huyett; Secretary, Esther Adams; Treasurer, Margaret Kerr. Illlllllllllllillllllllil Twelve

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IKinilllHi!iilllllini!lilltliIlll!l liSI!lllllllll«li£lli« RUSSEL N. NEWKIRK “RUSTY”—“RUSS.” Presentation of Gifts to Presenter; Center of Boys Basketball Team ( 3) (4). If only wisdom were measured by the size of the feet. Russel’s middle name is Noble, and take it from us, he sure lives up to it. Because of his handsomeness and nobleness, he is a favorite with the ladies, or, in other words, a typical “Ladies’ Man.” But they say “handsome is as handsome does,” and Russel does handsomely in basketball. He takes 1 fe as a rule very calmly, but beware lest you irritate him, for he clings steadfastly to his own ideas and lights fiercely to win his point. lie is thinking very seriously of becoming a detective. Go to it, Russ. S. ARWILDA RUPP BILL — WILLI F.”—“RUPPIE.' Prophecy of Prophet; Girl Reserve. “I Am a Stranger Here; Heaven Is My Home.' “Slow and easy,” that’s Bill. Slow in motion, somewhat faster in speech, but very fast in work. Arwilda believes in taking the world as it is. because it is too much trouble to change it. She is not happy unless she is reciting Latin. She would have finished the whole Latin course only she did not want to get in the bad habit of studying. If the saying, “slow, but sure.” is true, then Bill will be a howling success. IlflliiiiilllUilllflllllillliilliillH Eleven

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iiniihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiN Class History—Continued The third year only fourteen of the nineteen returned to continue their studies. All the members of the class now realized that their school days were nearly ended, and that their chances to learn were slowly passing by. With this serious thought in mind and the future staring at them in the foreground enshrouded in darkness, they put forth a great amount of effort to gain all the knowledge possible. Although the class had their minds mostly on their studies, they still had a small amount of time for social activities. A reception was given to the “freshies.” All the interior of the spacious auditorium was decorated with the class colors, “Brown and Gold.” The shadings over the lights were trimmed very tastefully with brown-eyed susies. Nearly all the pupils attended this reception, and because of the splendid entertaining power of the committee, everyone enjoyed himself. Basketball was also to a small degree in the minds of both boys and girls, though not enough to sidetrack them from the road to success. It was decided to form a girls’ basketball team, and because most of our girls were athletically inclined, they responded most valiantly to the call. They went into each game with the same amount of spirit and pep as they went to many a hard problem in one of their studies. If they did not come out every time, they had the satisfaction of knowing that they gave their best. While the first attempt was enough of a success in itself it led up to greater successes in the years to follow. All the games up to. this time had to be played on the outdoor court, but the school directors now saw that athletics combined with school studies developed better thinking power on the part of the pupils, and decided to have a basketball cage built in our school auditorium. This was a big boost for athletics, especially basketball. The time for the election of class officers was drawing nigh, and the interest in the outcome very keen. The result of the election was as follows: President, Franklin Kbright; Secretary, Margaret Ellis; Treasurer. Ethel Noll. The fourth year one more pupil was missing from our ranks, leaving thirteen, who ever afterwards will be known as the “Lucky Thirteen.” Thirteen is many people’s unlucky number, but throughout our entire year it was the opposite for us. As all the pupils of the school had a sweet tooth, it was decided to purchase from the last year’s graduating class a glass case for the purpose of selling candy to all the pupils of the school, only out of school hours. A plan for a trip to Washington by the senior class was abandoned, and it was decided to publish a year book entitled, “The Brown and Gold,” the first of its kind to be published in the history of the school or county. The staff elected were: Editor-in-chief, Elmer Huyett; Associate Editors, Alice Ibach and Franklin Ebright; Business Manager, Paul Eshelman; Assistant Business Manager, Esther Adams. It was decided by the class to dedicate the book to our principal, Mr. Yeich. The commencement program was prepared, having J. Elmer Huyett as the valedictorian and Margaret Ellis as salutatorian. The class chose as its flower the “Yellow Daisy,” and for its motto “Sunrise, Not Sunset.” As all plans for class day and commencement have been reviewed, our minds may turn to the social activities and athletics in our last year. As was customary, we gave a party to the Freshmen class. The decorations and games were all very odd. After Thirl cen