Woodward High School - Treasures Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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CLASS HISTORY r 0 great decisive battle, nor even a business K panic marked the year 1908, but in one way it remains memorable because, on a bright, sunshiny morning in September of that year, the class of 1912 came into existence. We shall not soon forget that morning, when, with anxious eyes, we waited, crowded in the Gym, to see the wonders of high-school life unfold before us. In about a week the novelty of the situation wore off and we settled down to the even tenor of things, which was interrupted only by frequent visits from and tol Mr. J ohnston and such novelties as demerits and examinations. Early in the year President Taft laid the cornerstone of the new Woodward building, and we then began to look forward to the day when we would occupy the handsome structure that was to rise above the stone. By the end of the year we had be- come full-fledged high-school students, entering into the affairs of the school with true Woodward spirit and vim, learning to root at the games and meets, and sub- scribe for the school paper, the Oracle. After the long vacation we became Sophomores. Owing to the crowded condition of the Ninth Street School, the class was divided, some of the members going to Ninth Street and the others remaining at the Third Intermediate. Somehow our importance was not at first recognized, and When our band of valorous and beauteous maidens entered into the life at Ninth Street, our upper classmen, accustomed to treating with chile dren, endeavored to lay upon us their law, and all we could do was to settle back and wish we were Seniors. 18 Many were the eye-openers presented those nrst few weeks, and such encroachments upon our peaceful en- j oylnent of things as were made through the medium of Geometry and Latin, were met and resisted only by stunts in the Gym and lunch room, and because of this, these two departments of the school have not since lost their attractiveness. During the second year we at- tended the Oratorical Contest, and a few were chosen to sing at Commencement. Everyone was impressed with the exercises, and longed for the time when he might walk down the aisle and walk, the observed of all observersi, in the midst of such another glittering throng. On becoming Juniors the full meaning of our privi- lege of attending a school like the new Woodward be- came clear to us. We felt its greatness and were filled with wonder over this grand million-dollar palace of learning whose existence caused what had been our mental picture of its shops, laboratories, gyms and auditorium to sink into insignificance. With the in- crease in facilities presented by the new building nu- merous organizations were instituted, and during our first season there we enjoyed a most prosperous year. because of our participation in things musical and athletic, through the medium of such as the Orchestra. the Choral Club, the Quartet, the Swimming Team and the Tennis Club. On the 24th of October, 1910, uNew Woodward was oflicially dedicated with impressive ceremony. On this occasion the cantata. ttWoodward a Past, Present, Future, by Mrs. Alice Brotherton, Mr. Shockley and

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Mr. Surdo, was rendered by the Choral Club, accom- panied by the Woodward Orchestra. The inspection of the school by the public occurred in January, 1911. All of the departments of the school were thrown open, and thousands of people passed through the building. About the middle of the year the class was or- ganized, James Faran being elected President for the remaining half year. A short time after this J. Harold Shreve was chosen Editor of the Oracle, which was to 63?ij its greatest year under the direction of the Class 0 912. As was customary, our clase entertained the Seniors with a reception and dance in the Gym, and the affair proved to be a decided success. When at last we were Seniors and had reached the final bend in the road, we found that our class was well represented in the various departments of the school. The nucleus of each of the several teams, the football, basket-ball and track teams was composed of members of 1912. ' The organizing of our class resulted in the choice of R. Wadsworth for President; Dorothy Anderson, V ice- President; Alma Sauer, Secretary, and Sam Rogers, Treasurer. Later, E. H. Bergmeier was elected Editor of the ANNUAL. This year the school has been the scene of many activities, among them several teachers conventions thow kind our teachers were thenD, and Founders Day, at which times the building was thrown open to interested visitors and alumni. Talks by prominent men, especially the series of vocational talks, varied the monotony of the school routine. At the Oratorical Con- 19 test budding genius was disclosed, and in the Dramatic Club such lights as Sothern and Marlowe were dimmed by contrast. The Art League has had a prosperous year, and through its activities the school is gradually becoming beautifully adorned with works of art in the form of statues, ferneries, stained-glass windows and pictures. As has become the custom, the boys of the A Grade entertained the girls with a Christmas dance and re- ception, and the latter returned the favor with a very delightful party on Washingtonls Birthday. The B-A dance was given with equal success, and all wished that there might be many more of these social gatherings. The many events that marked our last few weeks can not be described, but mention must be made of the Commencement exercises, without doubt the grandest event of our high-school career. The memory of those weeks of preparation and 0f the night itself, with all that Commencement night means to a Woodward grad- uate, will remain forever fixed in our minds. With truly sad hearts we said good-bye to school and severed relations which have stood for four happy years, during which time we had endeavored still HEsse quam viderili t0 rtStand for justice, progress, right and truthf, Com- mencement seemed to he a fitting climax to the remark able career of the Class of 1912. Let the world judge for itself as Woodwardis latest class leaves her protect- ing care. He? chidven from her door depart, Fm camp and court, for bar and mart, With brain and bmwn, with sword 07' pen, Equipped to play the part of men. aPHILIP E. LYON.