Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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Alumni While studying at Oxford. John Plnkham (F 30) wrote an exceptionally interesting letter to Golden Rod readers. We regret that space will not permit its being printed entirely, but the following excerpts will give an inkling of the life he experienced there. He is at present studying government and economics at the Hanxird Graduate School. TTiat Oxfjond Qtmo jpkene There are so many little details about college life that are so different from a similar existence at borne that I scarcely know what to write. The colleges them- selves are so different—two or more quadrangles of old gray stone buildings includ- ing chapel. library, dining hall, commons, i.e. social room, gardens—all carefully walled in from the streets so that once one is inside he is in an entirely individual world. I could write a good deal about the college servants or scouts” who are an institution in themselves. A student usually has two rooms to himself on a staircase which includes seven or eight other such suites. Each stairway has a scout to attend it—in my case a little old man with white hair whom I first see in the morning when he wakes me up and solemnly informs me about the state of the weather: Alf past seven. Sir. and a bit on the damp side this mornin .” He serves me breakfast in my study as well as lunch, makes my bed, cleans my rooms, supplies me with coal for the fire. etc. He takes great pride in his work and often tells me of the skill it requires to properly care for eight men and see that things are done on time. The report card does not exist at Oxford. Perhaps you will think this a blessing, but when you learn of the institution which takes its place I’m not so sure. At the end of each term one attends what is familiarly known as a “don rag. At a certain hour one presents himself in academic grown in the large dining hall of the college. At a long table on the raised platform at the far end of the hall sit the head of the college, the sub-head, the chaplain, and numerous other dons— all gravely gowned in black. When one s name is called he treads the solemn length of the hall and seats himself in the vacant chair directly opposite the Head and facing all the dons. His tutor then proceeds to pass judgment on his work for the term before the assembled authorities. The Head responds with fitting remarks —praise where this is due, suggestions for future improvement—all in a kindly man- ner, however, which somewhat relieves the tension of the moment. The ceremony is concluded by the student s shaking hands with each of the dons, and with a sigh of relief he departs to catch the next train for London. You will perhaps get a clearer idea of this affair if you can picture Mr. Collins, Mr. Wilson, Miss Thompson, Miss Howe, Miss Dawes—all in long black gowns seated before a long, narrow table on the stage in the Assembly Hall, and having your teachers’ opinion of you and your work laid before them in your own presence. Perhaps you still prefer report cards. Twenty-eight

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 nom Qun Leitfjpoint This year the problem foremost in the minds of the senior class officers and the Student Advisory Council is a perplexing one. The dance situation at Quincy High School is in very poor condition and needs quite an operation to insure com- plete recovery. It wasn’t very encouraging to note the response of the student body when the Student Council announced they would sponsor a dance if they received sufficient remuneration from advance ticket sales to insure payment of expenses. Conditions were perfect and the dance should have been a sellout. The gym was to be decorated, a competent orchestra was contacted and the fact that it was to be held in the evening was an important point in its favor. However, despite a warning from Mr. Collins that this was to be the last attempt if it failed, despite pleas for student co-operation from the Council, the list of those who signed for tickets did not encourage the Council to give the dance further consideration. We cannot believe that there are no people at Quincy High School interested in dancing so we must take it for granted that nobody is interested in attending dances sponsored by the school or any of the organizations connected with it. In such a case we are sure Mr. Collins can be prevailed upon to cancel any plans for future senior receptions—Oh boy! what a holler there would be then! Well, stu- dents, how about snapping out of it? Show that at least you have some school spirit and buy a ticket to the next dance. Remember that its success is in your hands. Hold closely in mind also that failure cannot be tolerated as such an inci- dent will sound the death-knell of school dances. Cheer leading is a game all its own and although the boys do a good job. it seems that girls are more entitled to that position in high school. It appears that a few students have a lapse of memory when it comes to seats in the cafeteria. The plan is good only if it will show results. Please help. Senioni With the Christmas vacation practically upon us, you seniors should be thinking seriously of having your graduation pictures taken. It is not too early and this vacation would seem a very proper one, before the picture-taking rush is on. Everyone should have at least one pose with a white background to be put in the Golden Rod. The white background makes a better showing in the magazine and if you demand white, we shall have a uniform graduation section. When you order your graduation pictures, be sure to have a glossy four inches wide by six inches tall included. It is free of charge with your order. If requested, the glossy will be sent directly to Quincy High School. Twenty-seven

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One might continue indefinitely with the to-us strange things one sees and does over here but which go to make up the every-day life of Oxford: the sight of a gray-bearded professor on a bicycle, his gown gaily flapping behind him in the breezes: the vice-chancellor in black gown and red hood on his way to a Univer- sity function preceded by three beadles, gowned gentlemen in queer round flat hats each bearing a large silver mace over his shoulder, and all proceeding in stately single file along the sidewalk: the proctors. University officials, in full academic dress moving about the streets of the city at night with eyes open for misbehaviour on the part of over-exuberant students, visiting in particular, the public houses— “pubs’ —which students are not allowed to frequent but where they are not infre- quently found. To prevent the escape of any prey they may come across, the proc- tors are accompanied by a number of strong and sturdy gentlemen—good runners— each wearing a bowler hat, who make escape on the part of the young culprit well nigh impossible. In the proctors and their “bulls” you have the “police force” of the University. Qodden (Rod 1897-1898 (An interview with Mr. Edward Marnoclt.) “The Quincy Senior High School of the 1890’s was far different from the Quincy High School of today,” says Mr. Edward Marnock, prominent Quincy business man who was business manager of the Golden Rod in 1897-98. “Baseball and football, for one thing, were the only sports and the boys sup- plied their own equipment. Every male member of the class had to play or there would not be enough to make up a team. There were no helmets, so that thick hair was necessary. Mr. Marnock assures us that in those days Quincy High won football games. The commercial classes of today might well wish they had been born sooner — in the 90 s the bookkeeping course lasted only two years. The other two courses, classical and general, consumed four years. Debating was compulsory, one hour a week being devoted to it. Examinations were held regularly and to be exempt from them it was necessary to have an average higher than ninety. The school had an orchestra of six, Mr. Marnock being the violinist. The two events of the year were the public speaking contest and the senior prom. There were forty in the senior class at that time. The Golden Rod consisted of fifteen pages, cost the students ten cents per copy, and was issued monthly. If a pupil were suited to any editorship, the teachers saw that he received it, regardless of anything he might have to say to the contrary. Mr. Marnock is now employed as Secretary of the Quincy Granite Manufac- turer’s Association. Twenty-nine