Van Wert High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Van Wert, OH)

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Class History '20 N the course of human events, the year 1915 brought to Van Wert High School a rather disorganized, strange crowd of so-called Freshmen. Naturally the upper classmen of that year could hardly be expected to ap- preciate the value of this as yet unnoticed class. The girls were clad in ging- hams, wearing long or short pigtails as the case might be. The boys, few of whom had attained long trousers, cast shy glances in most directions and were considered bashful. Altogether we were an awkward looking but extremely promising set. The class organized during the month of October and decided to be directed by Ralph Lampe in all social and other affairs which Freshmen might hold. The first social affair altho a trifle amateurish was most certainly a success. YNe all arrived at the gymnasium on October 31 dressed in most fantastic costumes. VVhen we left for our homes we all pronounced the party perfect. This was our one and only social event of the year but the class took part in the chapel exercises and the Eisteddfod toward the latter part of the school year. After a pleasant summer vacation we again started to the home of learning. We were Sophomores and my gracious, look at that ungainly crowd cast of fl. We soon organized and gave the presidency to George Purmort. The Sophomore year of any class is probably the most uneventful year in the Whole process of imbibing knowledge. Ours proved not to be the famed excep- tion, That year there was probably more real school spirit in old V. W. H. S. than at any other time for a period of several years. lt was the chance we had to prove we were all loyal, true hearted Americans. Qld Father VVinter did not seem to consider the fact that there was a war going on, that we had no coal to run our factory, but only made the winter colder. Of course we couldn't have a vacation so we attended our classes at the Library, Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. We were all glad when that was over. Soon after we returned to normal conditions, the Sophomores put on a chapel exercise. This was a great success and for perhaps the first time we came into prominence. The Faculty sat up and took notice. It was during this year that our class first took any noticeable part in athletics. Perhaps there were not so many of our boys out but those who were, distinguished themselves and we were proud of them. ' 15

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Your High School iD you ever stop to think that the United States is your nation, that Ohio is your state, Van VVert your city and that this High School is your High School? Our nation. state and city are what the citizens make them and our High School is what you make it. The success of the school and of every individual in it, depends upon your support. Have you done your part this year to better the ,High School? Have you tried to build up the spirit of the school? What constitutes real school spirit? This, the support of every individual in every school activity and the taking of an active part in at least one of them. Have you lived up to the real meaning of the phrase School Spirit ? Were you on the foot ball Field or the basket ball floor, during the past season. or if you could not play, were you present at the games to cheer those who did play, as a reward for their faithful service? Did you support them by buying a season ticket? Our athletic tickets have always been reasonable in price, and every loyal student should buy one that the team may have better equipment. Did you attend the oratorical contest, and would time as the contestants did to represent Yan plain that the big factor in building up high necessary in any business venture and equally of a large High School. you have spent as many hours of Vtlert among other schools? It is school spirit is co-operation. lt is necessary in the successful conduct llut we must not let school activities overshadow the real purpose for which the High School was founded, The real purpose of the school is to spread learn- ing. ln carrying out this purpose the high school teaches the students many useful things. VVe should make use of these opportunities, for we are preparing for business and life. Along with the educational value received in the High School there is another line of development even more important and that is the building of character. The High School trains each one for citizenship and by the responsibility placed in him he is trained to know his own abilities and to depend upon himself. The High School is so important and so valuable that it should be the finest possible. There are three ways in which you may strive toward this ideal-by supporting all school activities, by co-operating with the school officials, and by upholding scholarship. These three requirements are all contained in school spirit' liet us become so imbued with real school spirit that the coming year will be one of the best in the history of the Van VVert High School. 14 I

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Toward the latter part ofthe year we had a party, the only one of the year, but it was greatbecause it gave expression to all our peut up society spirit. Then came May. We were not far enough advanced to take much interest in the graduating exercises so the end of the year came peacefully and the summer just as peacefully passed away. As Juniors we took up our school life with a little more serious thought. 'itluniorsl work off your requireds and conditionsfl VVC heard that every day. Finally, when things were started and moving smoothly we organized. After a pretty close contest and much deliberation Harold Brandt was chosen president. He proved to be very able and the Vice President, Mary Young, also deserves honorable mention. The first social event of the year was a Junior-Senior affair held at the old Clark residence. lt was a rather tight squeeze for so large a crowd but that was overlooked by all. The classes proved to be very congenial and it was decided to repeat the experiment sometime soon. Do you remember the day the report came of the Armistice being signed? VV e all do. VVe had a wonderfully good time that afternoon but a still better one four days later when we were sure the war was over. VVhen nearly every pupil had left the school house, the faculty very kindly consented to give us a holiday. After this glorious celebration we came down to every day life with a thud and traveled on low speed for some time with only occasional stops for athletic events. Our second junior-Senior party was even a greater success and much better attended especially by the Juniors who had found by experience that the Seniors of '19 were not to be dreaded. - VVe had one other party, a rather small affair and then came the Prom. We are very happy to say that the Seniors and the Faculty pronounced it the best ever if all reports were true. It was held in the gymnasium on May 27 and as we tried to make it so, feel it was an expression of our happiness and good will toward the Seniors. ' Then we took their place and were called Seniors. Coming back to school in the fall of ,IQ we were quite a different looking crowd than we had been just four short years before. At last we have attained our ambition. Seniors! As Seniors it was our duty to organize first. We always have performed our duties readily, so on Wednesday of the first week a meeting was called and Harold llrandt was almost unanimously re-elected to guide the Ship of State. The social life started early in the year with a party. This one like all those of - 16 -