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

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VICTORY!-NOT DEFEAT There is a myth told by the Assyrians of a bird called the Phoenix which, after living a period of five hundred years, builds a nest in some tree-top for its sepulchre. The old bird sets fire to the nest, and as it slowly dies by its own act, a young bird, stronger and more beauti- ful, springs forth from the ashes. VVest Reading High may also be said to have gone thru the fire. Many times have we entered both lit- erary and athletic contests which were earnestly and hotly fought, only to emerge scorched by the flames of disappointment. A desire to bring honors to our school and to ourselves has encouraged many of us to enter such contests. Two years ago a picked chorus went to Field Day to participate in the singing contest. After being highly complimented by musicians and by the audience for our work, the judges declared we possessed good qual- ities but not sufficiently good to carry off first honors. That defeat, however bitter to us, did not destroy our spirit. This last year has been marked especially by the sudden turn of seeming victories into defeats. A number of students have written masterly essays, surely deserving recognition, but still they did not receive the prizes and had to be content with honorable mention. The Debating Team took up the call for honors and again, after heroic efforts and a real mastery of the subject, went down to defeat at the hands of Shillington, after having won, in the first round, an interesting struggle with Wlyomissing. An account of our hardships in Basketball would be a long tale of woe. For two consecutive years, with good championship prospects in the hearts of all, we were nosed out of the honors. But however numerous the defeats, however stinging and heart-rending the effects, NVest Reading High has been a game and plucky fighter. We have proved to the people that we are ardent advocates for the develop- ment of the boys and girls of to-morrow, both physi- cally and mentally. We did no deed that needs to be unnamed, XVe fought-and lost-and we are not ashamed. We have, at least, made a noble attempt and this has given us some satisfaction. 'LTO fail is not a disgrace, the disgrace lies in not trying . But now our battles are o'erg the desired victories have been defeats. However, thru all the gruelling and hectic struggles, the boys and girls of West Reading High deserve hearty congratulations upon their true sportsman-like behavior at all times and in all places. They have borne defeat in a proud and noble manner, thereby scoring a big victory in the minds of appreci- ative opponents. And now West Reading High has been playing second fiddle long enough. The time has come to march forward with all the strength that her trials have given her. So, as the Phoenix sprang anew from its ashes, we shall spring forth with a renewed vigor and spirit that shall carry us to the top. Victory shall be born again. Defeat shall die in the smoulder- ing ashes. The Editor. SPRING IS BEST Of all the seasons of the year, NVhich one seems best to you? Does not spring seem most dear, With its joys and pleasures true? Some seem to think summer the best, 'Tis warmer and brighter, they say: But isn't it true, if you stop to think, That Spring is blithe and more gay? Some choose for theirs the fall, It has beautiful colors, they say. But stop and think once more- Are there not many days that are gray? VVinter, too, is a beautiful season, With its glittering white crown of snowy But winter is cold, bare, and lonesome, With its days seeming shorter to grow. But if in the least you disagree, just think of the month of May. Does not spring then hold more than the rest, Of life's joys and new thrills each day? Sylvia Miller CEighth Gradel IF I WERE PRINCIPAL One night as I was doing my lessons, and was very cross because I couldn't go to the circus, I said to my father, If I could be the principal of the school I would tell the teachers not to assign any lessons on circus day . Then my father put down his newspaper and said, If you were the principal just what would you do? At any rate I'd not have school at all on circus day . I answered, and then I began to think out this very nice plan which I told to my father. The first thing I'd do would be to make a rule that school should not begin till ten o'clock and should leave out at eleven. That would be one hour for the morning session, having on half hour for morning exercises. One quarter hour for lessons and the remaining quarter as a study period. School would begin in the afternoon at half past' one, and leave out at three o'clock. That would be an hour and a half. The first half hour should be a study period, the next half hour lessons, and the remaing half for outdoor exercises. On all days such as circus days, holidays and so forth, we would not have any school. Qn every lfVednesday and Friday afternoon we would be excused to go to the movies. We would have school for only six months, as long as I held my office as principal. VVhen I had finished my story my father said, I don't think you'd hold your office for a week. By Elaine Boone and Wimfred Smith CSeventh Gradel ' The staff wishes to thank Alfred Small, Epaminondas Contos, Margaret Adams, Martha NVelker and Mr. Edwin B. Yeich for their art contributions. Page 28 Art Eclitor-Mildred A. Lienbach

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ffi f e IEEE LQ ilir 'iz s ,I --QQ Xli wta. l'-HEI E Dil TORI ff I .X ,X J, '!STi as if x --iiii 'id kmli-'UZ i - E H Eu , Si 13' 3-7: 6 ii' 5 -M!! . Def-I ,ii XFZBSW ',f .- lf? Q if t I ' i I I I I Editor-in-Chief Bernard E. Leightheiser C0-OPERATION f'VVe must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately ,Benjamin Franklin is reported to have said at the signing of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Co-operation has indeed been a powerful factor not only in the formative period of our country but in all its succeeding years of prosperity and success. ' welfare of our If it IS a quality that is essential to the country, then it must be a quality that should exist in our schools as well, for are not the schools today recognized as the training places for the future citizens and leaders of our government? Perhaps the meaning of co-operation in the school will be clearer if we think of it as a working-together spirit. There is no phase of school work where the need for co-operation is not manifest. We have had interesting morning assemblies this year, but imagine the resulting bedlam if each person had followed his or her own whim instead of contributing to the good of the whole group by giving his attention to what was said and done, by joining in the singing, or by sympathizing with a fellow pupil trying out his powers. There is something vital in the very feeling that you are a part of a big group and partaking of its spirit-your spirit, but intensified so that you realize its strength. In literary activities nothing worth while is accom- plished without co-operation. Wle need the help of our teachers if our work is to improve each time and be a real benefit to us. VVe need unified work from com- mittee members if we wish to put on creditable prog- rams, and above all we must have the hearty co- operation of every individual performer. A play, for instance, or a debate is ruined if only one participant fails to prepare his part. The various projects that such a school as ours un- dertakes require a great deal of co-operative business activity. One person alone, in a few hours of time can earn very little extra money for the schoolg but all of us, working together in our campaign and bazaar, earned hundreds of dollars with which to purchase a piano and other useful equipment. You would not be reading this Beacon if the staff had not worked together as a team, each member contributing a definite portion of the book and each working hard to finance it by secur- ing subscriptions and advertisements. Another prominent activity of all schools at present is athletics. In this field a true appreciation of co- operation will undoubtedly reap success, individual effort alone will mean failure. The teams must be organized and coached in some systematic manner, and all the participants must have but one goal in mind, the success of the team. Then and then only will the school rank with the best. In classroom work, the real work of the school after all, teamwork is quite as necessary. When everyone contributes brain and effort to a knotty problem it is soon solved, and itls more fun, too. When a whole class is prepared on the work of the clay, the recitation proceeds much faster and more interestingly for all. Co-operation then often means self-control and sacrifice of personal ambition to shine. You may know the answer ever so well, but you cannot display your know- ledge because the next fellow was called upon. You know it would not do for everyone to shout the answer aloud simultaneously, so you co-operate in silence until your turn comes. Practicing co-operation always means a certain amount of personal sacrifice. Subordination of self to efficient leaders is essential, whether in school, in tha community, or in the nation. To achieve the goal, to win the day, as Rudyard Kipling says It ain't the individual, Nor the army as a whole, But the everlasting team-work Of every bloomin' soul . Page 27

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ONE TOO MANY ..l- If- you had been in Poplar Crest on the evening of April twentieth, you could have seen at about eleven 0'clock, a tall, upright and well-dressed gentleman groping his way along High Street. His manner of walking was very peculiar. He would advance a few paces, halt, glance back and then continue his rapid march. He kept up this style of walk until he reached the most beautiful home on that street. He gazed at the house a moment, quickly transferred his walking stick to his arm, opened the large entrance gate and boldly ascended the flight of steps. After some delay he finally succeeded in opening the door and entered an lmmlense living room, which contained valuable fur- nishings, tasteful pictures and precious antiques. Removing his hat, he seated himself before a large fire- place, lighted a cigar and began reading a paper. Suddenly he seemed to think there came from the second floor a queer noise, but dismissed it from his mind as imagination. Again the noise sounded. He was startled. Can there be anyone in the house? he murmured. He arose and went towards the stairs, hesitated, then, throwing back his shoulders said to himself, Who is there that I should fear? Upon reaching the second fioor he stopped a moment to see if it could be determined where the noise came from. Soon it was again heard and seemed to proceed from a room at the extreme end of the hall. He tried very hard to sneak, but at every step the boards squeaked louder, he thought. He reached the room safely, threw open the door and pressed the electric button. To his amazement he found standing before the open drawer of a dresser a peculiar-looking man. He was a chubby sort of fellow with a small homely face, exceedingly small eyes and a short stubby nose, and he was wearing a dressing gown and night cap. Taking a step forward, the gentleman demanded, What are you doing in my house? Startled, the man dropped the wallet he held in his handg but after regaining his confidence he exclaimed in a rather rough voice and uncouth manner, Say, I guess I have a perfect right in me own home. HNo alibis , replied the gentleman in a sarcastic manner, and the sooner you leave this place the better for you, old chap, because I happen to be the owner. The man's peculiar little face reddened with anger. Well, bigbug, whoever you pretend to be I don't care aboutg all I want to tell you is that I own this here joint, so beat it. As you can see I am ready for bed and I don't want to be bothered any longer especially by anyone like you. How'd you'se get in, anyhow? jimmied the lock, I s'poseg it weren't none too tight, anyway. The gentleman straightened, seemed to be preparing to meet a very serious situation, and then added in his dignified way, I am very, very sorry to be inconvenien- cing you, but if you resist me any longer I shall deem it necessary to summon the police. The chubby fellow, almost overcome by rage, clenched his fists and went towards the gentleman. No, Mister Aristocrat, I don't 'spect to leave me house at sech an hour for any bum like you, and if you'se don't git out 0' here I'll have the whole troop jumpin' on you'se. The gentleman, ignoring him, walked over to the dresser, the open drawer of which contained some very fine jewelry and a number of greenbacks, and seemed to give a slight involuntary start. So , he ejaculated mockingly as he turned, you are trying to steal my wife's jewelry under the pretense of being the owner, and youlse intend to call the gang if 'I don't git . This was too much for the other fellow. His eyes glared with anger when he began to realize that this gentleman was making fun of him. If you want to know what's good for you, you'll not wait around here much longer. Them jewels belong to me wife and I was goin' to put them in a safe spot for the night. In the altercation that followed their voices grew louder than they really knew, for they attracted the attention of a nieghbor who was passing by with his two sons. Dick, isn't that a noise coming from the Moyer home?l' asked Mr. Reed. I don't know that I heard a noise, exactly , replied Dick- but look! Do you see that faint light shining throtsgh the shutters in the back room on the second floor. Yes I do see itl', said Mr. Reed. Something must be the matter, because when the Moyers left for Florida they told me they would not return until June. Perhaps Mrs. Moyer had a relapse and they had to come back. Let's investigate. The Reeds went to the front door and, to their sur- prise, found it open. They entered the living room. Perhaps, father, we'd better not light the lampg there might be some crooked work going on here , said Fred. You are right, son, I'll use the flashlight. They went up the stairs and Mr. Reed entered the room from whence the light streamed into the hall, wl.ile the boys remained in the corridor. He found two men grappling fiercely, but they halted rather quickly when they saw the newcomer. VVhat on earth are you two men doing in Mr. Moyer's home at this hour? asked Reed. The gentleman let go his strangle hold upon his op- ponent who bounced heavily to the floor, and with his former bold manner went to meet the intruder. I must inform you he answered angrily, that you are over- stepping the bounds of neighborly interest, for I am Mr. Moyer's brother. I was given orders to take charge of the place while my brother is away, and upon arriving I found this scoundrel ransacking the house. Very sorry , exclaimed Reed, but you have come in contact with the wrong party, for I am an old acquain- tance of Mr. Moyer's and he has never mentioned the fact of having a brother. Then, attracted by the ridiculous appearance of the shorter man, who was getting to his feet in dazed surprise, he added, Your friend is making himself quite comfortable, isn't he? For a second the erstwhile combatants glared at each other. Then, as if tacitly agreeing to uphold each other against the third intruder, they charged upon him. But at that moment the boys rushed into the room. The well-dressed gentleman, who had pulled a revolver from his pocket, was overpowered by Dick who managed to get the weapon with which he forced both men to surrender. One week later, cell number 15 of the State Prison was the scene of arrival for a strange pair. The one was short, extremely untidy and amazingly profane, while the other was tall, immaculate, and even condescending in the quiet dignity with which he bowed the warder off as the door clanked shut upon them. Stella Herb '24. Page 29