Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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THE ORACLE. 10 At length amid a glow of rosy sunset light, The traveler sees the summit near at hand. Amazed, he gazes; all about him now is bright; ’Tis but a step into the Perfect Land. LILLIAN SNODGRASS. History OST class historians make names for themselves by narrating things which might have happened in such a way that they will read as if they had really happened. But in the case of our class, the simple truth would sound like a reckless exaggeration, Ax, and so we must confine ourselves to describing the more com- x mon-place achievements of our class. In the first place, the class of 1905, during its High School career, has made a record in athletics which cannot be duplicat- ed by any other class in the school. For three years in succes- sion our class has won the athletic championship, and one of its members has held the individual championship. In our Senior year espec- ially did we prove our superiority by defeating the next best class by twenty- nine points. In tennis also the class of 1905 stood far above all competitors. For the last three years the tennis championship in singles has been won by one of our members. In doubles we were also very successful, since for the last two years our class has also carried off this honor. In our Senior year, however, more honor was heaped upon the class when our crack tennis play- er, Chester Briggs, won the Columbia University Interscholastic champion- ship. The last two seasons in baseball, basketball, and hockey, also speak for the ability of Thompson and Craig as captains. One might continue indefinitely in this strain, telling how all the officers of the Athletic Associa- tion are ’05 fellows, and how our class team easily defeated the mighty class of 1903 in a baseball game in our Sophomore year; but this is entirely un- necessary. Records speak for themselves, and the banners and cups which adorn our school testify to the athletic prowess of the class of 1905. Our dramatic ability is also exceptional, and the Athletic Association is indebted to it for liberal financial aid. In our Freshma n year we gave a Kinder Symphony to an enthusiastic audience, and as a result of this several handsome pictures were added to the school’s collection. In our Junior year our dramatic stars again delighted a large audience with their pre- sentation of “The House-boat on the Styx.” But our final and crowning

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18 TRE ONACTE: Class Day Poem IIE sun peers o’er the Eastern mountains, and espies Te A traveler far beneath him, staff in hand. With eager steps the steep ascent he tries, And gazes ‘round him on the fruitful land. At first the way is easy, fresh his zeal and strength; But soon the underbrush ensnares his feet. The path grows rocky then, and seems of endless length; The traveler longs for rest amid the heat. The Sun hath climbed the arch of heaven; down doth send His parching beams upon the traveler’s head. He groans and cries aloud, “Ah, will this never end? ’T were easier far,” he thinks, “if I] were dead.” But now, amid the noonday’s burning sun, He comes upon a cool and sheltered nook. Neath friendly crags he rests, and hopes his journey done, And drinks reviving draughts of a clear mountain brook. Reluctant, but with strength renewed, he leaves the spot, His eyes turned toward yon distant shining peak. The uphi!l road is rocky still, the sun beats hot ; Yet keenly strives he on, the top to seek. Traveler, the way leads upward to the very end. You look ahead, and hope ere set of sun, To gain the top. A few more steps, another bend— And now you see your journey’s just begun. Thus on and on, as strength allows, you climb and rest, Oftimes too weary to enjoy the view. But lose not courage, care-worn traveler, all is best. Climb while the daylight lasts; soon comes the evening dew.

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20 ILE DSOWA GIVE. success in dramatics came this spring, when we presented “The Rivals” in a truly artistic manner, and, according to the highest authorities, fully main- taining the high reputation of our school. The Girls’ Athletic Association, THE OrAcLE Board, the Instrumental and Glee Clubs, the Battalion and all the other organizations of the school, are proud to number members of our class among their best officers and most loyal members. THE ORACLE was never more successful than when run by an Editor-in-chief and a Business Manager from the class of 1905. The Battalion, though small in numbers, has seldom done better drilling than under the instruction of our class President, and the Instrumental and Glee Clubs have this year surpassed their previous achievements. To tell the truth, some of our members are seriously considering taking post-graduate courses, so that these various organizations will not be completely wrecked by our departure from the school. These are some of the minor achievements of the class of 1905, for our history is far from being completed. In a few more days we shall launch our barques on an unknown sea, but with hearts full of love for the old Plain- field High School, we will press bravely on toward the distant port, breast- ing every storm and continually increasing the honor of the class of 1905. WALTER H. RUGEN. Prophecy EORGE BEentLey—You will be the leading lady at Proctor’s Theatre G because you blush so prettily and because you are so stunning when you're made up. Carro Brrp—You will write a translation of Aeneid which will surpass Pope’s Haid, but you have so little confidence in your own powers, and such a retiring nature, that you will not consider it good enough to publish. Cuester Briccs—You especially pride yourself on the use of your “oracular” tongue. When you have attained to years of discretion, you will be a distinguished teacher of elocution and a recognized authority on pro- nunciation. Percy BrowN—You will achieve great renown,—not my son, in the field of Greek literature,—but upon the wild and lonely prairie, as a cowboy, you will find your appropriate destiny. After excelling in the art of riding bucking broncos and lassoing prairie chickens, you will return to your-native town, and, as a distinguished alumnus, you will discourse to the student body of the Plainfield High School upon the best methods of forgetting all you have learned within its granite walls.