Abington High School - Oracle Yearbook (Abington, PA)

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THE ORACLE 23 Tedious as they seemed, we toiled at our studies heroically and accustomed ourselves to high-school life. We were divided into three sections, two general and a commercial, yet we kept up our class spirit and organized for the jear. Theodore Woll was elected president; Myrtle Peirson, vice-president; Raymond Bullman, secretary, and George Mebus, treasurer. With studies, mid-term exams, sports and finals, the year passed all too quickly. We finished with flying colors. The following September found us ready to try anything. The discovery that many of our old friends failed to report dampened our enthusiasm. Yet our grief was somewhat assuaged as we welcomed Edith Wilson, Marian Bracker, Martha Armstrong, Sophia Zogorski and Savere Madonna to fill the vacant places. Early that year we held election. Bill Phipps was just the fellow we wanted to fill the bill for president. Harvey Groshens was elected vice-president; Louise Lock-wood, treasurer, and “B” Griffith, secretary. We settled ourselves to work immediately. Although the school was hampered by lack of room, we found, much to our encouragement, that our studies were easier than they had been the previous year. Our class manifested a strong liking for sports, and several of our boys made positions on the teams. The girls also upheld the honor of the class. Myrtle Peir-son, Ella Koons and Martha Armstrong played on the Girls’ Basketball Team. During this year we selected our pin and ring design and also our colors—green and white. When our class grew low in funds we decided to give a moving picture benefit. The Jenkintown Auditorium was secured and an excellent picture was shown. The benefit strengthened our treasury considerably. The following vacation was an unusually long one, for the “Flu” epidemic caused the schools to be quarantined. We did not come back until late in October. This year we returned to find that only a few were missing—Katherine Spayd, Beatrice Mathers and Mabel Neuber deserted to begin the newly instituted Domestic Science course. Early in the year we reorganized. “Bucks County Joe” Penrose seemed to be the man for the job of president. Margaret Leusch was elected vice-president; Beatrice Griffith, secretary, and “Moleskin” Ambler, treasurer. The memories of our Junior year are clouded by the deaths of Theodore Woll, Helen Heckman and Francis Lynam. Near the end of the year a variety program and dance was given. The money made was used to defray the expenses of a Senior reception. This sealed forever cur friendship with the Seniors. Time rolled by. With it went sports, studies, exams. On came vacation. We could not let the summer pass without having a picnic. In the middle of August the

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22 CLASS RECORD T IS my purpose as historian to bring back to the members of the illustrious class of nineteen hundred twenty a permanent record of all the memories, forgotten and un forgotten, of its activities and achievements. We hope our followers may wisely use this account to guide them along the narrow paths of trials and tribulations that confront all high school classes. I shall not dwell on any of the mistakes that may have been made by our class, for no one ever profits by mistakes. In June, 1916, we officially became members of the Abington High School in the class of 1920. At the Commencement Exercises of that year we were graduated from our respective grammar schools to enter high school in a body of sixty-four. We were immediately initiated into those horrors that only Freshmen know. Hazing, now extinct, was then in vogue, and the upper classmen, especially the Sophs, took advantage of the fact. Every one remembers incidents like the one when “Spohnny” was rid of his monstrous shoes, later found at the top of the flagpole. -wr s. br- other fears beset us—the horrors of the new studies. We found abruptly that the high school was a place for work rather than for a good time. We gradually adapted ourselves to the situation and showed our earnestness of purpose. The faculty soon discovered that ours was no ordinary class, in any way. In athletics we showed the school that with men like Yates, Hallowell, Mathers and Jarrett we would excel in the sports. Although we were rather shy, even slightly tinged with the hue that generally indicates Freshmen, we recovered and soon settled down to hard work and study. With Ancient History, Latin, Algebra and all the others we found our hands full.

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24 CLASS RECORD classes went to Neshaminy Falls Park. We took our lunches, rowed boats and had a good time in general. We came back with vigor and spirit sufficient to meet the fates of the oncoming year. We were surprised as well as overjoyed to find that only one or two did not return. Several new members reported for roll call. They were Charles Britt, from U. S. N. A. Preparatory School; Carl Owens, from Baltimore City College; Frank Houpt and Edwin Robinson, from Willow Grove High, and Charles Ely, from Huntingdon Valley High School. These proved welcome additions to our class. We finally “spotted” “Bill” Hallowed as our best bet for president. He has proven the wisdom of our selection. Merrill Ambler was elected vice-president; Sophia Zogorski, secretary, and Mildred Yates, treasurer. We had expected this year to be an easy one, but our expectations were disappointed. With Trig, Chemistry, English and its multitudinous book reports, we have felt ourselves the busiest people on earth. On the twenty-first of November we gave a dance, the first of the year, which was well attended. The presentation of a play is the impo tant event of the Senior year. After much discussion we finally selected a farce—“Professor Pepp.” Under the skillful direction and coaching of Mrs. Wyatt we were able to give the very best play ever produced at Abington High School. Near the end of the term we learned of the illness of one of our classmates, Margaret Leusch, who was always with us in every undertaking, always willing to do whatever was asked of her, and always ahead in her studies. A few days later the news of her death reached us. Words cannot express the depth of our sorrow. Time tied. With it went studies, track events, tennis, baseball, an enjoyable reception given to us by the Juniors and numerous other events. The state scholarship examination was held in Abington, and fourteen of us braved it. All too soon we found ourselves at the end of the term and of our high school career. You see before you the illustrious as well as the distinguished class of 1920, the product of four years of careful training under the guidance of those most efficient teachers, who have guided us along the lines of scholarly achievement. Time does not permit me to go further into detail and to sketch more fully the accomplishments of our class. We are facing the future, the world of mystery, eager to try our fortunes in the halls of fame. Some will seek higher institutions of learning, others the commercial world. Wherever we may go, let us remember the class of nineteen hundred twenty, the tie that binds our friendships. My ambition has been fulfilled if I have succeeded in making a record that will help to commemorate the achievements of the class of 1920 of Abington High School. Frank Powers.