West High School - Westward Ho Yearbook (Madison, WI)

Page 21 text:

Class History-June The 203 members of the first class go through all six grades in West High write a letter to themselves recalling diverse impres- sions ancl memories. O By Isabel Graves and Bob Kier Same Old Place Any Qld Time Somebody Anywhere Dear You : VV e heard that you wanted to hear about us through the pages of this queer book, so here goes. Of co-urse, like all inquisitive peo- ple, you want to know how old we are. VVe a1'e the oldest in the school and the first to endure a six year term within the walls of this famed institution. At the time of this writing the ex- act number of inmates to receive their official pardons in june is not known, but is approximately 200, the ma- jority of these representing the re- form schools, Randall, Dudgeon, Longfellow, and Draper. Our num- ber was increased in the third year of our sentence by transfers from various other schools. The Hrst two years being spent in acquainting ourselves with our sur- roundings and instructors, we had very little time for other things. Xve really began to take our social func- tions seriously when in ninth grade we became the sponsors of the Fresh- man Frolic, which, with the exception of the Flip or the Sophomore party- remember ?-was the most successful of all the parties of our high school career. Our inspiration for this came from the gym class dancing lessons we had had the previous year. The proceeds from the frolic and the flip went toward the A Lunch banquet, an event always looked forward to by junior high students. Another an- Page Thirteen nual event important to the parents- and the teachers-was go-to-school night. Upon recalling the lectures the morning after, we wonder just what our parents learned those nights. If you had visited us during a cer- tain week of April, 1935, you would probably have seen little red tags hanging from our coat lapels. The tags were not issued because of mis- behavior, but signified the inaugura- tion of Hello XVeek. This was a sys- tem by which the more timid in our midst could become acquainted. It was tried again in 1936. During three years of senior high, three Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, The Pirates of Penzance, H, M. S. Pinafore, and The Mikado were presented. These, however were not the first attempts musicallyg in ninth grade we gave Hiawatha's Child- hood. And while we are on the sub- ject of music, the band, orchestra, and a cappella choir have always done exceedingly well in tournaments. In the last year of our term, teach- ers and pupils who weren't under quarantine enjoyed a vaction as a re- sult of the scarlet fever epidemic. A few more days of freedom were had when schools were again closed be- cause of a fuel shortage. Fritz Reichardt was twice our presi- dent-he had that honor in the sec- ond and fourth years of our term. He was an able and much liked lead- er. Vito Paratore was the only other member to gain recognition in this way when he was chosen for the po- sition in eleventh grade. CContinued on page 555