Banning High School - San Gorgonian Yearbook (Banning, CA)

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fancy my surprise when I recognized him as my old schoolmate, William Mackey. I was very glad to learn that he was successful as a doctor in one of our largest cities. That evening I met him again and our conversa- tion drifted back to our old school days and particularly to our classmates of 1915. Through him I learned that Cora Cusick was then happy in her little home near Banning. Yes, she had gone to Santa Barbara, where she studied domestic sci- ence and had taught five years. But she decided to re- turn to Banning, the scene of many of her happy tri- umphs, and settle down. To my great sorrow he could tell me nothing concern- ing the other two members of our class. But the next morning I left for Los Angeles and while there I heard a great deal about Beulah Eli, who was to sing at the Orpheum that night. All agreed that she was the star of American opera. After completing my business I had a few days left and I decided to visit one of my old chums who was then living at Riverside. One evening after my arrival she ask- ed me to accompany her on a drive to a friend’s home, where she was invited to spend the evening. I consented, and was very glad afterwards that I had done so. Reach- ing her home after an hour’s drive, we were greeted by a young woman whom my friend addressed as Esther. I at once recognized her as Esther Franklin, who had graduated with me. We went into the house where I met her husband, a dark, handsome looking man. They owned a large ranch and were very happy. This was the last one of my classmates and I departed for home the next day, glad that I found out about all of our class, and that the old gypsy’s prophecy had come true. do de, “alos |

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Esther Franklin was next to step out from among her classmates. She stood trembling before the gypsy, but was quite happy when she heard the following ‘‘You will go to college and after completing your course you will teach young people, but for a short time only. Somebody you have already met will take you away from your work. Yes, take you away. Then your time will be spent on a ranch with your faithful companion. You will always be happy.”’ To Cora Cusick came these words: ‘‘You will continue school—yes, I see a school in Santa Barbara. You will learn domestic science and then teach. You will be a very good teacher. But you will want a change. Yes, you will buy a nice little home, where you will live, with a garden, chickens, cat and parrot. You'll be very kind and watchful over your pets and will live a very happy life, always doing all you can to help others. No, you will not marry.”’ Last to come forward was Beulah Eli. The gypsy hesi- tated thoughtfully for a moment and then said, ‘‘You will be a great singer. Your hand is adapted for playing. You will study in France and be a great opera singer. I see large stages and many theaters.’’ As the last stepped back into the merry group of school- mates, the gypsy rose, made some motions which no one understood and saying, ‘‘Farewell,’’ vanished. fe eo Ten years had passed. In the fall of 1925 I was in Cali- fornia, where my large business interests had called me. [t was my first visit to the state in eight years as previ- cusly my annual business trips had taken me to other sections. I decided to look up some of my old friends, especially the graduates of the Banning High School in 1915. But this was not necessary as I heard from all of them without much trouble. One day as I was leaving my hotel a large auto drove cp and a portly looking gentleman stepped out. You can gh

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Class History HE class of 1915, whom the whole school loves and Al: will mourn for after its departure out into the wide world of trials and pleasures, has a complex but in- teresting history. When we first entered high school we were a noble class of eleven capable students. Being rather shy youngsters we gained the favor of the faculty for the first few months on account of our good behavior. Very interesting indeed were we to the upper classmen for we were the ‘‘green’’ Freshies. We endured much and took the blame for mischief done by Juniors and Seniors. Becoming members of the Student Body by initiation into that august order was a great feast of laughter and tears, scorn and contempt. We were asked to do the most embarrassing stunts to the ridicule of the upper classmen, who looked upon it as one source of amusement. Some were treated more civilly than others, but as a rule the medicine administered was equally bitter for all. We waded through all of it and rallied by the assurance that we would sometime get our revenge on other poor Freshies. We used to think that carrying four subjects in high school was a small burden, but our minds have heen slightly changed through experience, our most reliable teacher. Algebra was a subject which set our wheels to working. How funny it was to us to take nothing and make some- thing out of it; nevertheless we did, and sometimes we had a lot of something, which proved to be nothing. William had a warm heart for Latin and often mastered the dear old subject with great tact. Cora, who was es- pecially proud of physical geography, could fairly quote passages from the book, when called upon to recite. On we struggled through the first year and looked for- ward to the time when we could call ourselves Sopho- mores. It was great to be a Freshman but greater still —10—