SUNY Plattsburgh - Cardinal Yearbook (Plattsburgh, NY)

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£ fetor? Claw ©ap program, June 22, 1916 Eighteen or twenty years ago, if we could have looked into certain homes in the North, South, East or West of New York State, Vermont and New Jersey, we should have seen some hoys and girls in whom, if we could have stayed and watched them at their play, we should have recognized that spirit of good fellow- ship and kindness, which as they grew older made them loved and respected by their friends. These traits grew stronger and more marked as time went on. Gradually, as the parents and teachers watched over them, it was noticed that they were leaders both in work and play and seemed ambitious to learn and to help others ; although sometimes a boy had to be punished for throwing erasers or a girl had to have sticking plaster pasted over her mouth. Nevertheless, in each home it was noticed that a great future lay before these boys and girls. They went through high school still doing good work and making many friends. One night in each home these boys and girls held a conference with their parents, for the time had come when they must decide where they should go to prepare themselves for their future work. They wisely decided to go to the Plattsburgh Normal School. So it was that in September, 1914, one of the largest classes in the history of the Normal School was organized. When first my eyes rested on these spacious halls, it was not hard to tell among the hundred and sixty or more boys and girls which were the Juniors. They were not greeting old friends, but were looking at one another and wonder- ing what to do next. The Seniors glanced at us and with a look as much as to say. We don ' t care to associate with you turned their heads. But it was not long before that look was changed to one of respect and admiration. To me, as I looked at them. I wondered if I ever should know them all well, for from a class of eight to one of eighty-eight it looked like quite a large proposition. We were such a friendly and capable class that it was not long before even the faculty realized that we were an unusual class — not only in size but in ability as well. The Agonians and Clionians helped to make it pleasant for us by giving Teas and parties, and the faculty, by giving a reception. November 4, 1914, the class was called to order by Dr. Hawkins and class officers were elected. Soon Basketball teams were formed, both among the boys and girls. The Junior and Senior boys played a series of five games, the Juniors easily winning three straight games, which showed their ability in that line. At our first Junior meeting the Seniors, knowing that we did not under- stand the customs, hid our coats and hats and then stayed and watched us find them ; but that was the first time, and they did not catch us napping again. On May 14, 1915, at Chapel time, the Juniors quickly showed what a wide- awake class they were by giving their class yells. At first the only response the Seniors could give was a vacant stare until finally the thought came to the minds of about six of the Senior boys to give a yell in return. Being fully unprepared it was not much of a success. [ 13 ]

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emorg M otto — L ab or antes pro est arc. Colors — Brown and Gold. John M. Savage President Esther T. Duncan Vice-President Mildred E. Teachout Secretary H. Prescott Morton Treasurer Edna La Pan Charlotte M. Pearl . . Salutatorian .Valedictorian

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The Seniors, not wishing us to out-do them, challenged us to an oratorical contest one morning. They found that this did not frighten us at all for we accepted their challenge and in return challenged them to a musical contest to he given at the same time — May 24th. Not only did we win the musical contest but the Seniors were startled by hearing us again giving our yells. After a while they answered us but it was hard for them to realize that they were beaten and that their air castles were being slowly shattered. June 18 was the Junior Prom. The gymnasium was prettily decorated and with good music for dancing and gay couples gathered about the punch bowl between dances, the evening proved to be a great success as all other Junior affairs had been. It was not long before we went back to our respective homes a much happier and yes — wiser class, for we were quick to grasp the advice and knowledge given us by our instructors. In September, 1915, after a pleasant summer vacation, we again returned to the Normal School to show the present Junior Class what to do if its members hoped to approach what we had attained. They were a totally different class than ours and it was difficult for them to see that they had many hard hills to climb before they could hope to be anywhere near senior heights. They immediately showed an interest in the method of conducting a class meeting by trying to lock the door on us while we were holding ours so they could listen, undisturbed, through the key-hole. Somehow, they always failed, for they were not quite quick enough for us. Once they even took all the things out of the Seniors ' desks hoping to fun! our secret of success hidden there. But they were disappointed when they found nothing of any value to them and only had helped us that much toward our house-cleaning. One bright morning, as we had surprised the Seniors last year, we surprised the Juniors this year by giving our class yells. They had no yells so only could clasp their hands and twirl their thumbs. .May 24, 1916, the Juniors, thinking that they had been with us nearly a year and had obtained all our worldly knowledge, tried to prove it to us by wearing their colors and also by having the faculty wear them the same as we had done last year. They soon realized they were dealing with people with whom it would take more than a few months to be on an equal basis. For, not only did we succeed in taking away Dr. Kitchell ' s colors and in giving them to the janitor to wear but we also succeeded in singing the Junior class song in a most proper way which spoiled the Juniors ' dispositions, for they have not learned that great lesson — take defeat as you take triumph. The same morning the Juniors marched to class to their own tune, Mighty Lak a Rose. Although once it was such beautiful music in their ears, they then wi shed they had never heard it. We are sorry we cannot remain here in order to help the Juniors along, for after all, they are a promising class, if only properly trained. We have formed many friendships in our two years here. Although it has meant hard work to many, as each one of us goes out into the world to live our, own lives we can look back with pleasure and will never forget the days in dear old P. S. N. S. Mildred E. Teachout, ' 16. [ 14] i