Avoca Central School - Avocan Yearbook (Avoca, NY)

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THE AVOCAN 21 First, behind a small counter stood Adair Stannarius, shouting, 'Fish, for sale.' I never thought that of our old time brilliant junior president! Next I beheld Hazel Olmstead as the sole proprietor of a garage which dealt in the 'Chryslers' exclusively. There appeared a large convent and in its interior I recognized Frances Carroll. Having been disappointed in some love affair of her high school days Frances had become a nun! Out in the XVest Lyman Shults was pictured as a cowboy of great and wonderful bravery. XVith Lyman I also noticed Lawrence XVessels. He was engaged in break- ing all specimens of nmle life. - 'lfhere appeared before me a dainty lady of society envied and flattered by all. the queen of every ball-lirnestine Pierce. Milo Sick was a professor of languages in a high school in the middle W'est. XVe know he is grateful for all the knowledge given him in Caesar by the :Xvoca High School. As a private secretary of a broker I found Mildred Bloy. Ifver since her high school days Mildred had shown a strange liking for business men. Next I saw a banker, riding in his aeroplane, counting out his money, wear- ing diamonds. His name? Ah yes, Daniel Cragg. As a ticket seller for the Avoca merry-go-round Laura Smalt had acquired the name of a vamp.', I saw Lydia Hees as a detective employed by the New York police force to discover illegal engagements and marriages. It was revealed that I-Iarriet Milford, after having traveled extensively, had created a new religion in a foreign country. On a sign in one of the largest cities I read A Second Melba-greatest opera singer of the day--Myrtle Towner! I found Francis Loop engaged as a physical training teacher in a large high school. I-Ie was employed especially to give instructions to exercise the muscles of the face. I was now eager to learn my own fate and glanced anxiously at the flames. As soon as my eyes rested on them they suddenly died down and the fire went out and so I was left uncertain of my future. --Velda Ackley. 1'-I tw d, ...wg ,, . ' -aw W 'von - vfk .1 . .1 6' 4-T f Mi r' 5-fs fix ni wr . id' xiii-'il -- .via 1359 it 'Je Wifi: ' I -, l I . - 1-' Q'-1 'fri 42 . if: .... . Q.

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20 THE AVOCAN CLASS PROPI-IECY It was a dark and dreary evening and as I sat before the fire the pouring rain sounded as sheets of iron falling on the wooden structure in which I dwelt. Before me the brightly burning Fire formed a sharp contrast with the uncheerful- ness of the room. Amid this weird atmosphere I felt myself growing old and naturally I began to think of the Class of 1925. Pleasant memories were brought back to' my mind and I wondered if the future would also bring to me the same sort of memories of their lives that I had experienced in the past. In my pondering I raised my head and the flames disclosed to me the interior of a small theater. On the stage stood Rodney O. Newman, President of the Class of 1925, whose hair was grey with worry, orating on 'The Care of Chicksf This scene suddenly changed to a small ranch in Missouri where I found Rodney again living alone-alone! I could not possibly believe that and while I was pondering another scene came to my view. I found Belle Rose Reynolds the proprietor of a Beauty Parlor. On account of her position I hardly recognized her. She was not the Belle Rose of old but rather a modern flapper of 1950. In the chair sat Ruth French. who was being pleasantly entertained by the hair- dresser. Presently her husband, fperhaps you have guessed it alreadyl Vernon E. Wightman, came in surrounded by three children. So this was the effect the play played on their future lives! I next beheld Raymond A. Ackley sitting in a large office as vice-president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. He worked up to this position because he had taken so much interest in the firm ever since he had received such excellent service during his high school days. Then appeared another scene that showed Leah Jones as a movie actress working in a studio. I did not think this of Leah but suddenly I found that she was playing the part of a fussy old maid. Playing as her nephew was Ralph D. French. I knew he always tried to be popular with the girls but I never thought he would advance so far as to head a movie career. The next scene showed that Mildred Barnes, together with her husband CI dare not tell his name but permit me to say that he is a Soph'omore in High School this yearj were sole proprietors of an orphan asylum housing two hundred and fifty children. It was surprising to see with what fondness Mildred oversaw these children-almost as if they were her own, but of course they weren'tl Mary Shults was revealed as a keeper of a great number of floral gardens. She kept these for the purpose of presenting flowers to her many fellow friends. This was hardly in keeping with Mary's Senior days. Quickly this scene faded and I beheld Ruth Sager quietly settled in Atlanta. I-Iowever. every Saturday night she rendered a vocal solo to a small audience gathered in the town hall. With a small salary she lived comfortably. having been deserted by her husband. I suddenly began to grow cold and I realized that the flames had died down. Interested in what I had already discovered I hoped I might learn more about some of my school friends and accordingly I heaped more wood on the coals. The flames that sprung up corresponded with my hopes and'many strange scenes were placed before me.

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22 THE AVOCAN LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT We, the members of the class of 1925, having reached the end of our scholastic career, and though somewhat fatigued by incessant mental toil, but still of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make and publish this, our last VVill and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by us at any time heretofore made. As to our worldly estate, and all the property. real, personal, or mixed, or to which we shall be entitled at the time of our decease, we bequeath. and dis- pose thereof in the manner following, to wit: FIRST-WC direct that our obsequies shall be conducted in such manner as is becoming to our social standing, due mention to be made of our activities in behalf of this school, hoping that our pallbearers will be men of strong muscles and our mourners ready to lament our demise. SECOND-We give and bequeath to our beloved faculty all the amazing knowledge and startling information that we have furnished them from time to time in our examination papers. XVe know that much which we have im- parted to them in this way must have been entirely new to them as well as to all teachers and students everywhere. and would throw much new light on many hitherto familiar lines of thought throughout the world of science and learning, even outside the halls and walls of Avoca High School. THIRD-In order to show good will towards the Sophomores, we bequeath to them a copy of an Old Farn1er's Almanac, which will help them to steer clear of many an approaching storm. It will enable them quickly and surely to read in their instructor's countenance, as he enters the classroom, what will be the nature and conditions of movements during the day. FOURTH-TO the Freshman Class we will any overlooked cuds of gum we may have left adhering to the underside of desks, bannisters, assembly seats, or any likely or unlikely places. XVe have sometimes had to rid ourselves of these in too much haste to be able to pick and choose the most desirable means of disposal. FIFTHLWC give and bequeath to the junior Class, as a student body, our knowledge of economics, philosophy, art, science, and the universe, in whole or in part. VVe trust the class may be able to survive it. The following may seem but trifling bequests, but we hope they may be accepted, not as worthless things lavishly thrown away because we can no longer keep them, but as valuable assets to those who may receive them, and a continual reminder of the generosity of heart displayed in our free will and full bestowal. FIRST-To PRoFEssoR SMITH: a sum of money to be used in buying a pair of rubber shoes for detective work. VVe feel he will be sure to need them in dealing with the classes that are to be our successors. SECOND-To ALL FUTURE CLASS PRESIDENTS : Rodney O. Newman's ability to convince Professor Smith of the said President's unerring judgment.