Binghamton Central High School - Panorama Yearbook (Binghamton, NY)

Page 30 text:

thougl1 the Seniors tried l1ard to prevent us from doing so. In football we were unsuccessful in defeating the Seniors, but small wonder considering the size and ability of their team. Our Class Book suffered partial destruction at the hands of the Seniors, but we have kept this scorched and tattered remnants carefully. . We Juniors held a very successful ride with the Seni- ors to Kattellville in January, 1912, our spirit of animosity having been left at home on this occasion. At the Winter election, Marion Wilson was elected President. We defeated the Seniors in basketball and in track, and although we did not win the inter-class meet, we obtained more points than the Seniors. In April we gave our dance at the Monday Afternoon Clubhouse. All dances now set it as a mark to equal in success. On Arbor-day we painted the Seniors' Stone, it is said, before we were supposed to try, much to the chagrin and wrath of that dignified body, as well as some of the Faculty. We were a little hasty in our actions, but as no one had previously attempted such a thing, and conse- quently we had no idea how such an act would be received, it was hardly our fault. Two of our Class were sufficiently humiliated that afternoon, but we in some small measure obtained our revenge that night, for we administered a thorough t'Drubbing to those Seniors. On the next morning their beloved stone was gayly decked in our colors, and one of their members com- plained of the destruction of one head of very curly hair, and another of the loss of two teeth. In June the two classes once more made peace, and went to the Casino on a joint picnic. We defeated the Seniors twice in baseball, making up for the previous defeats in other athlet- ics. Our Junior year closed on Commencement night, and despite our report that many of our personal friends were to leave us in the Graduating Class-I think we could but feel proud of our new title--that of Seniors In the Fall of 1912 we organized as the Senior Class, and chose Arthur Nelson as President. No football game was played with the Juniors, and the first event of any importance between the two classes was the attempt of the Juniors to give their yell and display their colors. Their 28

Page 29 text:

HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN It was in the Fall of Nineteen Hundred and Nine that most of us, now Seniors, first assem- bled in B. C. H. S. We came from various schools in the city, in the surrounding country, and even from schools in distant places. Tl1e period of High School life lay ahead of us-unknown and untried, but we firmly made up our minds to try to succeed if fate, and the regents' board permitted. In the beginning with Miss Osgood on the first floor, under whose eagle eye we trembled in fear, then under Mr. Pierce on the second floor, and at last we arrived on third fioor, the goal of all our ambitions. Here our beloved Professor Knox ruled more by gentleness and his kindly personality, than by strict discipline and harsh rules. Many were the misdeeds we committed, some of which we now regret, but all of which Professor Knox corrected in such a manner as to make us truly resolve to strive for better things-to which our motton testifies - Sequere Optima -Seek the Highest. This motto was adopted in the Fall of 1911, when Mr. Garver assisted us in organizing as the Junior Class. We elected Lynn Howard as President. A constitution was drawn up and committees appointed to see about obtaining a banner, pins and many other things. This lent a businesslike air to our meetings. As for our banner, which you now see over there, I think we are justly proud of it. According to Webster- A black object is one which absorbs every ray of light thrown upon it. Gold signifying that which is very dear and precious. Is this banner, then, not of fitting colors? Representative of us as a body, who during our four years in High School have had intellectual rays of light thrown uponus-to be absorbed? The many things we have learned from books, acquired from other sources, and the memories of past events, all of which we hold precious, are typified by the gold on the black back-ground. On the day appointed we were successful in wearing our Class Colors and giving our Yell, 27

Page 31 text:

futile attempt to give us a vocal demonstration of their class spirit was easily drowned out by the lusty voiced Seniors. They also attempted to adorn our study-hall with their colors, but the Janitor, showing excellent judgment, removed them before our eyes had to be tried by their presence. And Juniors, where are your beloved Class Books? You really should learn to keep a firmer hold of them, and likewise of your banner. The Senior dance given at the Monday Afternoon Club House the night following Thanksgiving, outshone, if it is possible, our attempt as Juniors. Harvest decorations carried out the color scheme, as did the refreshments. In February last, Charles Bartholomew was chosen the class President for the remainder of the term. The Juniors and Seniors again went on a straw-ride to Kattellville, and all re- ported a fine time, and a great sufficiency of beans. We defeated the Juniors, as well as every other class, in basketball this Winter, and very nearly outclassed them in track, being only one and-a-half points behind. However, what might perhaps be considered the greatest triumph of our entire career was on Arbor Day. In the afternoon the regular exercises for the dedication of the Class Stone, were conducted in front of the building. Our President, Charles Bartholomew, presided and gave the opening speech, and our Arbor Day orator, Lynn Howard, as well as Mr. Garver, ad- dressed us. We compelled Bernard Wolcott, ex-President of the Juniors, to shovel the first of the earth into the excavation, in which the ivy and class-book were planted. This was done much to his discomfiture, and not in least to improving the appearance of his new tan shoes. Before next year, Bernard, you had better learn on which end of the ivy the roots are. In the evening the trusty Seniors assembled to defend our class stone, and the annual fight with the Juniors ensued. A large box firmly weighted with rocks protected the stone itself, and a fire hose attached to a nearby hydrant helped to dampen the clothing, and the spirits of the Juni- ors. Later force was resorted to, and the Seniors easily outclassed the Juniors, both in strength and in numbers. The only damage done was the conversion of the front yard into a small lake, the spattering of the front of the building with paint, and the acquisition of several severe 29