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

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Class llistory-January Jack Sylvester and Bob Tottingham interview a mythical character named Mr. Post Grad, who relates- the January class history. XVhat do I remember about my class ? exclaimed the gaunt, gray fig- ure who had been lurking in the rear of the typing room as I openly ap- proached him. All the glowing ra- diance of his former youth flooded his contenance with these words, and the living ghost of the February class of 1936, readily assented to relate to me this glorious history of the group with which he had been so closely as- sociated. First of all, I distinctly recall the awe and respect for West that we hcld when, as 7a's, we entered school in September of 1930. Miss Teasdale was our First advisor in room 10, and it was she who gave us our start in 'an entirely new curriculum. How could one forget Mr. Luberg's geog- raphy class, the large map with tiny locating lights which we cared for so fondly, and the gala celebration held in his room with pop and popcorn balls furnishing plenty of excitement? It would be needless to mention the good times we had at various- junior high parties and get-togethers. The picnics held at Sunset Point have be- come a lasting tradition, prevailing over both sleigh ride parties and the once-eventful kissing games held at Vilas Park. Then there were those agonizing dancing lessons held in gym class, the eraser and chalk fights when teachers left the room, printed slips on which mathematical love problems were set down much to the disgust of several sets of pupils, and water pistol fights. How I remember their denunciation by Miss Dodge, whose authority we still hold in reverence. Yes, we were a naturally mischievous lot! Our freshman graduating party some- how blotted out the chance for any more night parties for junior high groups. At last came our Hrst day in senior high accompanied by long, tough assignments, bewilderment, and terrible nightmares. I shall never forget the one who directly became our class leader but who was unable to graduate with the class which elected him as their first president, because his family moved to Muskegon, Michigan. Jack New- man was a fine and capable student as well as a constructive leader and true friend. Soon after our entrance came the strike against the English teacher who piled too much work on our shoulders. Our difficulties, however, were soon settled. Outstanding in group work was the class production given in the auditorium, the sensa- tion of a group of talent programs, featuring the story of Silas Marner in burlesque. Cf course, the entire school was envious of our never-once- perfect tardy record hung up by a few competent individuals. We deeply appreciated Miss Sell's constant and vigilant worrying over us as a class, as well as Miss Met- calf's warm spot in her heartg too warm for some, however. Accomp- lishments, you ask? Our class had leaders in all fields, scholastic achieve- ment, athletics, dramatics, clubs, and High-Times, not to mention our strong spirit and pep as a small unit. I sincerely believe our closing days at school, including class night and graduation, evidenced all these merits, making our career a completely en- joyable and successful one in NVest High. Page Fourteen

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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

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Graduation Reports of the last important convocations in a senior's life, class night and commencement, and the special all-city baccalaureate service held this June for the first time. It is the night of January 30, 1936, and we await the start of class night, formally titled Looking Back into the Future. The band opens the program with Glory of the Gridiron. The march is started but never finished, for Di- rector Howland is pounced upon by a mysterious gentleman in black, the house lights go- out, and into the spot- light steps Class President Earl Mit- chell to give the traditional address of welcome. He, too, is removed by the mysterious gentleman. Then follows the first scene of the Nightmare, laid in the school-room of Professor Henry Allen. A unique program of recitations, skits, dances, and musical numbers is presented. The second scene is in a slave mar- ket. Pomarnke entertains, Roebuck does a bit of magic, and Thelma Al- len prophesies. Betty Cockrell ap- pears with the Camel Caravan, load- ed with the Class VVill made up of the usual ingredients and a few too obvious slams. The cave man scene contains some sort of a game, a few taps on the head with a club, the presentation by Betty Cockrell to John Clark of the traditionalsshovel Ca snow shovel this yearj and then-the mysterious gen- tleman in black appears, reveals him- self as Jack Sylvester, and gives the senior farewell, strangely free from tears and sentimentality fthey'll be back as post-gradsj. Commencement-Uanuary 311 . . As the orchestra swings slowly into the strains of Pomp and Circum- stance, 55 gray-gowned seniors, the eleventh graduating class of West High, march slowly down the aisles. After the invocation by Reverend Ermil Frye and music by the a cap- pella choir, the salutatory address, The Pioneer in Wisconsin, the class oration, An American Prob- lem, and the valedictory address, Youth and Leadership, are pre- Page Fifteen sented by john Rundell, Robert Tot- fingham, and Carol VVard respective- y. Mr. Glenn Stephens, school board member, presents the diplomas as the orchestra plays Rubenstein's Ro- mance. After the benediction by Reverend Frye, the 55 gray-gowned seniors march out, as the orchestra plays the inspiring Stars and Stripes For- ever. Baccalaureate, June 7- Late twilight on the Sunday after- noon preceding graduation week finds seniors of East, Central, and lfVest high schools taking part in a bacca- laureate service at Camp Randall sta- dium. The ceremony is ia somber and ef- fective pageant of educational accomp- lishment. After talks by various city and state dignitaries, each of the high school principals presents the gradu- ating class of his school to the super- intendent of schools, Mr. R. W. Bard- well, who, in turn, presents the 800 young people to the community in a gesture indicative of modern educa- tion. The bands and a cappella choirs of each of the three schools also take part in the service, altogether a mem- orable one for the seniors. Class night is held on Thursday night, June ll, after the senior ban- quet. All plans are secretg not even yearbook editors are informed of what the performance will bring. Commencement, June 12 Mr. Volney Barnes, distinguished- looking white-haired principal, comes onto the fern-laden platform and sits down with Rev. Ermil Frye and Dr. R. NV. Huegel. His ruddy face wrink- les with pleasure as he scans the audi- ence. The orchestra begins their open- ing musical number, and West High's fContinued on page 55D