West Reading High School - Vaquero Yearbook (West Reading, PA)

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SCHOOL NEWS Our New School Building At the opening of our fall term of school on September fourth, great excitement prevailed among the many pupils who were eager for a first glimpse of the new school building. The tastefully planned study hall with its long rows of movable desks, the spacious gymnasium, the auditorium attractive even in an unhnished state, were the centers of lively interest. We felt that we were entering upon a new phase in our school life with arrang- ements that were nearly ideal. Seventh and Eight Grades Join Athletic Association The Athletic Association was organized on September tenth, and, for the first time in the history of the organ- ization the seventh and eighth grades were admitted. The members were enthused at the thought of playing in their own gymnasium and school spirit rose high. Although it was not until November that the baskets were placed and the gymnasium was quite ready for use, the boys gathered at noon as often as possible for prac- tice in passing. Students Purchase Piano The students of the West Reading High School are very proud of the purchase of the beautiful new piano for the auditorium. The principal appointed a faculty committee to make the selection, which proved to be an exceedingly fortunate one. The school board generous- ly advanced us the money to give us the benefit of the cash price. Before many days passed we were surprised with a Steinway grand, rich and mellow in tone and beautiful in line and finish. Constitution Day In conformity with the suggestion of the American Bar Association, Constitution Day was observed in our school on Friday, September twenty-eighth. Mr. Briden- baugh, a local attorney, gave an impressive talk on the purpose of this movement to re-establish the constitu- tion of the United States and the principles and ideals of our government in the minds and hearts of the people. The speaker emphasized the necessity of inculcating a deep-rooted respect for authority and due reverence for and obedience to the laws. At the close of the address each pupil was presented with a copy of the Constitution which he was urged to take home and read. A short program of patriotic music completed the exercises. Initiation of Freshies Sophomore class special-W'e, the Sophomore class having been duly admitted to this august school assem- blage, thought that the freshmen of this year had been with us long enough to learn what the name Freshman meant. With this in mind we posted shipping rules which required each freshie to be sent with two cents worth of postage on his or her face. The female freshies were compelled to wear old dresses, hair ribbons, and different shoes and stockings on each foot, the opposite sex had to wear long trousers, old straw hats and big red handkerchiefs. Upon arrival they were requested to find seats on the floor and to address members of the upper classes as Madam or Sir. However, before even that admittance was gained, each candidate was closely examined and inspected by our guards. At 7.30 P. M. the grand march began and the freshies were led through the building and introduced to the high school ghosts and terrors. After this they were individually initiated in the gym. The fattest boy in the class had to dance with the thinnest girl. Although it was a hard task, we listened to such solos as Yes, we have no bananas and That Red-head Gall' which were rendered by very operatic singers. The great photoplay entitled The Sheik was reproduced and went off with great success when the sheik Hnally made up his mind to carry off the damsel. A romantic scene from Romeo and Juliet came as a surprise to everybody and was received with many cheers. The freshmen certainly were good sports and took everything in the spirit in which it was given. Dedication The lights shone forth from the schoolhouse windows that night of October the twenty-second to welcome young and old to the dedication of our new school. The ceremonies commenced with a selection by the school orchestra, an opening prayer by the Rev. VV. O. Laub of Bethany Lutheran Church, and America sung by the audience. After, a few opening remarks by the chairman, Mr. Herbert Bryson, the Hon. Albert W. Johnson, formerly of the State Department of Public Instruction, delivered the main address of the evening. The whole assembly sang Swanee River. Then short addresses were given by Supt. E. M. Rapp and Dr. A. C. Rothermel of the Keystone State Normal School. Following these speeches the school chorus presented a number of selections. Additional short talks were given by Mr. Scholl, the architect of the building, Mr. Fessler, representing the community, Mr. Landis Tanger, Superintendent of the Reading Schools, Mr. Eisenhower, Principal of the Reading High School for boys, Mr. Wm. S. Delp, our own Principal, and Mr. Dayton L. Ranck and Mr. Elmer F. Wenrich of the local School Board, who spoke of annexing Reading some day. After music by the Continuation School, and the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, the meeting was closed with prayer and the benediction 1311 thi Rev. G. W. Gerhart of St. james Reformed urc . Senior Social The senior social on Friday, October twenty-sixth was largely attended and everybody seemed to have such a good time. During the grand march in the gymnasium, the prize-winning masqueraders were selected by the judges. Ethel Magners and Fern Kerst received prizes for having the prettiest costumes, the Twins were adjudged the best couple, and Norman Shirk won a prize for being the funniest person present. Page 23

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:uri I nu U U U - I' ,5,,,n - TW V T n r l ERELEUQQ Ji or C Ax JUNIOR HIGH THE SPIRIT OF EIGHTH GRADE By Three of 'em Did you see our picture? What do you think of us? Perhaps you needed a microscope to see our picture but- You don't need one to see us. We weren't Hin it this year but-we're coming, You can hear the tramping of our feet. This year we were like a little kid at his big sister's party. He has to go to bed and miss all the fun. On several occasions we had to stand back and watch the high school people enjoy themselves, but they can't do without us at.the basketball games. Even if we aren't in it , we are in the Athletic Association and we get some fun out of that. We stood by you this year, but next year we'll be with you. Our Class is Most Unusual Because There is only one colored person in it-A Brown boy' Dorothy is Tall but it's Dorothy, Marks the place where Dorothy Seeds the garden. We have two class flowers, Violet and Lillie. The boy's favorite occupations are Smith and Miller. We have invented a new trade-Auto Vlfagtojner. We have a Van in our class but it is very weak be- cause it's Reed. We do not own the Ritz-Carlton but we do own Carl Ritz. Curtis Won-er fl hate to say itj-a kewpie dollie. Clair Betz that Miriam is Ben's son. Mary is light as Chafffel. Leland CCD-lemons is a part of a fruit store by himself. One girl complains that Arthur Peltzfhjer too hard. Eva Nofsj that eckfsj are good for Chjer. Bobbie put a penny in the Schlott, man, and noddings came ondt. The High School in the gym one day Enjoyed a rare Thanksgiving treat, While we poor seventh and eighth graders Could only stand and watch them eat. Class News Editor ..... .... S tella V. Herb Page 22 SEVENTH GRADE The seventh grade is the last and largest class to enter high school. lt is made up of all sorts of members- some are tall and some small, some are lean and some fat, some are bright and some not so bright. When we First came upstairs among all the bigger folks we felt timid and strange, but now we feel very much at home, only a little shy of the Seniors when we meet them in the halls. VVe were proud to become members of the Lincoln and Roosevelt literary societies this year and enjoyed taking part on the programs especially in playlets. VVe are in assembly and, of course in study hall too with the rest of the high school, but we often forget and speak of the good times we will have when we get to High School . But our teachers always tell us that we are a large part of the high school now and that they expect big things from us when we enter Senior High. So make way for the youngest class. VVe are big and strong and growing up fast. Some pupils in the seventh grade Are very, very much afraid To work a little now and then, Or look at either book or pen. Some other ones are very bad It makes Miss Althouse feel so sadq And what Mrs. Barth, too, must go through VVould take a book to tell to you. But there are more who are good at school And very seldom break a rule. So you need not worry, sigh nor fret, The seventh graders will get there yet. When We Become Seniors VVe'll be angels in truth, take no interest in fiction, NVe'll be far from the worst in contradiction, VVe may squirm at a bug, we may scream at a mouse, But we'll tackle a problem as big as a house. Weill be faithful and keen, we'll be simple and kind lfVhen we pick a task up we'll not lag behind. You think we'll be this, but you'll find we'll be that For we'll play like a kitten but work like a cat. ln the morning we'll work, in the evening we won't, Stay in VVest Reading High School and see if we don't. r v ,. U

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The three-act show won great applause. The Old- fashioned Husking Bee with its country dances was amusing. The witch scene from Macbeth with orig- inal additions was thrilling in its weirdness. The ter- rible tragedy in four acts, with its walking scenery and colorful costuming, was cleverly enacted. Between acts, members of the jazz orchestra in clownish regalia ren- dered the latest selections on their up-to-date instru- ments-kettles, box-drums, bottles, a washboard harp, mouth-organ and piano. Strange as it may seem, under the direction of their precise leader, they actually pro- duced harmonies. Madame Ce-Ment was a very popular fortune teller, booths arranged suitably for Hallowe'en were well pat- ronizedg and, financially the seniors made their first stride toward a commencement trip. The Frolic of the Months Our bazaar, held the twenty-third and twenty-fourth of October, was the most talked of event of the season. Lovely booths decorated in vivid shades were erected in the halls. Everything was attractive and original and altogether pleasing to the eye. Each booth, with the exception of April, represented a month, and articles characteristic of that month were sold by attendants in costume. April was the entertainment month of the bazaar. Here Old Mother Goose, with her large and interesting family was presented in lively fashion for the kiddies, and the famous Pyramus and Thisbe scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream were enacted for the older folks by our own Shakespearian players. Although the bazaar had to be prepared in a very limited amount of time, everything was so efficiently organized by our teachers that it worked out smoothly. With the splendid cooperation we met everywhere in the com- munity, it was a huge social and financial success. Home Journal Campaign Will wonders never cease in this school of ours? One fine morning in November, an active salesman from the Curtis Publishing Company offered a wonderful propo- sition. Listening attentively we heard this suggestion-- that we group ourselves into two groups, namely the Spark Plugs and the Sassy Susies Cfamiliar names, are they not?j get as many subscriptions to The Ladies' Home journal as we could within a week, fifty per cent of the proceeds therefrom to go into the school fund. Immediately our enthusiasm was aroused. Slips were drawn to determine sides. Everett Wanner and Mary Fritz were appointed managers for the Sparkies, Bern- ard Leightheiser and Mildred Leinbach led the Sassy Susies, and Ellis Miller became the neutral treasurer, handling the heavy work of returns and records. Thus the two groups became friendly enemies. Need we relate that Sparky held true to his name and won the race? Individual Sparkies, Alfred Small Cfreshmanj and Frances Rahn Csophomorel won the first prizes as the most expert salesmen. Now when the campaign started, the manager of the Sassy Susies sassily challenged the losers to treat the winners to a royal five-cent treat. After their well- fought fight the Spark Plugs came around with the gleeful query, When do we eat? Not daunted in the least, the Sassy Susies promised them a Thanksgiving dinner. More excitement! How could they possibly provide turkey and the customary fixings at five cents per plate? After the Thanksgiving Day program the Page 24 teams were invited to the gym, formally received and ushered to that memorable feast of turkey cookies, candy vegetables, roasted chestnut potatoes and pink drinks. The imitation family turkey was carved, speeches and toasts were made, and thus ended in hilarity, the cam- paign that taught us salesmanship, gave us fun and increased our treasury by 318300. Christmas Party The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there - So runs the old Christmas rhyme and so ran our thoughts as we tripped merrily down the stairs to the auditorium. VVhat gaiety! VVhat a wonderful Christ- mas spirit reigned! We simply could not imagine what surprise was waiting for us down there-and What to our wondering eyes should appear but dear Nick himself fBernard Leightheiserj who made A right jolly old elf . f'Down the chimney he came with a bound , unpacked many presents and scattered them around. He read all his mail to be sure no one was missed, then back up the chimney so sprightly he whisked. Little girls, just out of bed, came upon the stage then to distribute the gifts to their owners. The stockings held many sur- prises in the form of gentle knocks for the recipients. No one cared but all shared in the amusement caused by the clever presentation of the various appropriate gifts. After wishing everybody a Merry Christmas, we went home with a feeling of great joy in our hearts and a prayer of thanks for that dear old school of ours. Literary Societies The literary events of our school this year have been unusually interesting. The school was divided into two groups for literary work. The Roosevelt and the Lin- coln Literary Societies. On the programs of both Societies were features with unusual dramatic and scientific value. The Lincoln Society staged an original drama in very clever fashion. In the parliamentary practice demonstration by the Seniors and juniors of the same Society, in the form of a club business meeting, every rule made for a well conducted meeting was brok- en and corrections came thick and fast. The meeting was unusually instructive and amusing to the entire society. The Musical Debate given by the pupils of the Seventh Grade was out of the ordinary and was spiritedly presented. Different little playlets presented by the seventh and eighth grade pupils and especially the Lincoln playlet presented by the tenth grade people showed them as promising young Bernhardts and Barrymores. The Roosevelt society staged several big impressive features that were delightfully charming in their originality. One was the dramatization, from cover to cover, of the February Number of the Roosevelt Review . Accord- ing to the thunderous applause from both the Roosevelt and the Lincoln Society members, I am sure that every department from the Editorials to the Children's page was very much appreciated. Special mention must be given to the Puritan play on the Thanksgiving Program. One big feature that the Roosevelt Society boasts of was the address of Dr. Rothermel on Armistice Day. This was an address full of meaning and gave the Roosevelt Society a feeling of superiority to have so fine a speaker address them.