Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

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THE DART All of these traits were noticeable very early in their career. As Freshmen they exhibited great spirit and devotion to their school. Their literary societies excelled those of the older classes in the earnestness and enthusiasm displayed by their members. They chose Paul Callendar, president, for a leader in their struggle for existence among the older classes of A. H. S. They soon established themselves. As Sophomores they astonished and puzzled their instructors, who little realized at the time what potential genuises the members of that class were. Their ranks were somewhat thinned by examinations and withdrawals, but their spirit was unchanged. Lyman Boynton served as class president that year. When their Junior year came around they elected Robert Burwell, president and proceeded to set a mark for coming classes. The class was a very efficient unit in the make-up of the school. It supplied a large number of athletes. If it had not been for them the glory of A. II. S. might have been dragged in the dust. They gave the Seniors a reception which, in pure satisfaction rendered, exceeded any other. Then their last year came around. Lyman Boynton was elected president and the class fittingly rounded off its career. They were a band of young men and women properly trained for the world. They lacked not in energy, cleverness, and initiative. In athletics and debate a higher standard was reached than before. Early in May they displayed their capability in another light, viz., the six)t-light. A play, “Bluff” was finely given before a full house. In fact, they had an entirely satisfactory year and filled out every corner of their place in school. And now, gentlemen, we come to the part that interests you. On Commencement night near the close of the exercises a comet crossed the sky and stopped squarely above the building where the exercises were being held. This event attracted eager attention from the astronomers. Other jiersons who saw it. regarded it as a very happy omen, and prophesied a great future for the members of the class. I will confess, young men, that I joined in that rather super-stitious feeling, and I think you will see that it has in many ways been justified, as a study of the subsequent history of those Seniors will show. They have made good in every walk of life and are making their lives an inspiration for others. I cannot wish you more than that you should equal them.” 30

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THE DART Now for four long years we’ve labored ’Midst scenes we love so well, And truly we’ve been favored While in High School we did dwell; And no matter where we wander We never will deny That we love our Alma Mater, Dear old Ashtabula High. □ □a Senior Class History KENNETH PECK ' 2 T was the year nineteen hundrd and fifty. '1'hc scene was a recitation room in the magnificent edifice which housed the Ashtabula High School. The aged professor of astronomy paused in his lecture. In the sultry stillness of the room, the paper rustled dryly as he turned back the pages of the large book of sky-charts which stood upright on the desk. At length he reached the one which he sought, for he examined it closely and, straightening, faced the class. “Gentlemen,” he said, “we have now come to the discussion of a certain one of the heavenly Ixxlics which is very interesting, to me at least, fts origin is surrounded in mystery, and. I might say. partakes of the supernatural. At any rate, it was under very peculiar circumstances that it was discovered. I speak in this rather unscientific way because I myself witnessed the advent of the star, and was deeply impressed at the time. It was away back in 1912. I was then a young teacher in the Ashtabula High School. The year that I mention. there was a fine graduating class. 'I bis class in all its four year’s course in the school had been favorably known for all the things that arc the desirable attributes of such a body. They exceeded their predecessor in spirit, in learning, in the brawn of their young men, and in the winsomeness of their women. 29

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THE DART The Influence of a Vision RUTH SWEDENBORG 12 First Pri « Story XCITEMENT ran riot on the camps of the Royal School of Music. The girls stood about in little excited groups, discussing the great event. They had been assembled in the auditorium of the school for the morning exercises, when the Dean had taken the opportunity of announcing that one of the school’s wealthy friends would present a scholarship of two years' study in a leading European conservatory to the girl who gave the best evidence of her musical talent at a concert to be given in three month’s time. Do you wonder that the girls could talk of nothing else? “Am 1 going to try? Yes, but I know 1 11 not win. The chance lies between Stella Manning and Amy Reed, and I’ve no doubt but in the end you’ll win. Stella, one of the girls said, turning to a tall, slight girl standing beside her. “You’ll try of course?” “Oh, yes. I’ll try. I intend to go anyway, but if I should win it would please mother and father, and perhaps I can persuade them to take me out of this place another year,” and the dissatisfied look on her face made her seem strangely out of place among the eager group. “Stella Manning! How can you! Talking that way about this dear old school!” “Well, I never wanted to come, in the first place, and now that I’m here, I don’t see much to be crazy about. No chance to wear pretty clothes, a bell to get up by, eat by, study by. go to bed by. and—well you just live bv bells! Stella Manning was the wealthiest girl in the school. Her mother was one of the social leaders in her home city, and her father, a leading lawyer of the state. She was the only child and her parents, seeing her growing up into a vain, spoiled girl, had placed her in this school, hoping that she would find better influences among a set of happy school girls than the girls gave her in her home city. •Tin sorry you feel that way. Stella. I have had such a lovely time here. I want to cry every time I think of leaving our dear school. Rut. O girls, wasn’t it lovely of whoever offered that scholarship? I mean to try so hard for it. It would mean so much to me. Amy Reed finished speaking with a sigh. Never again would she have such a chance, ami she must make the most of it. Her mother had died before Amy was five, and her father, a poor musician, left her an orphan when she was ten, with an old violin and a few compositions as her only heritage. Her uncle had cared for her and placed her in the school, but the following year she must leave it and make her own way in the world. Do you wonder that she was so anxious about the scholarship? The girls began to discuss the kind of pieces they would play. Everyone seemed to have an idea but Amy. “What shall I play? she wondered. “Some- 31