Blake School - Reflections / Call O Pan Yearbook (Hopkins, MN)

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During its freshman year the class' activities were, of course, confined largely to athletic contests with the lower forms. So this year of preparation was passed most happily and profitably, although some of us were rather impatient for the honors awaiting us in the upper forms. The class was first organized in 1914. when an election of officers appointed Truman Penney, president: James Bennett, vice-president, and Benjamin Woodworth, secretary and treasurer. (Kir members had matured considerably during the summer, many of them having acquired at least temporary dignity through an increased length of trousers, and it was with a deep feeling of importance and usefulness that we entered a broader field of activities as Sophomores. We lost no time getting started. Three of our number, Gardner, Penney and Hart, won their football ‘TPs.’’ while many others gained valuable experience on the third team. A class basket ball team was organized which played successfully several outside games. Our debating team, in spite of its inexperience, gave the Junior trio a hard battle, and forced them to a close decision. Hockey furnished further amusement and exercise during the wintry months until the melting snow left us to our baseball and tennis. These sports terminated all too soon with a final struggle over exams, and we dispersed for the summer. The fall of 1915 saw us back at our old places, but moved up a notch to the enviable position of Juniors. Our new officers were: Woodworth, president; Buffington, vice-president; Crosby, secretary, and Brownlee, treasurer. Athletics were soon in full swing and our presence became felt in all phases of school activity. We contributed Regan, Woodward and Captain-elect Gardner, to a victorious football team, and Crosby to an equally successful tennis team. When these happy days were over we settled down to more intellectual pursuits, and soon exhibited our all-around superiority in the class rooms. Mr. Sanderson’s chart showed that 1917 led the school in scholarship, both individual and average, something it has continued to do ever since. A lively debate was held with our old rivals, the Seniors, and although this was lost by a narrow margin it resulted in the choosing of one of our men. Ben Woodworth, for the school team, and another, McCaull. as its alternate. Basket ball and hockey claimed their usual share of attention during the ensuing months, and helped to pass the long winter very quickly. Then came spring with all its alluring outdoor activities, and our minds and bodies were again diverted towards athletics. Robinson and Penney found employment on the baseball team, while Crosby upheld the school through his skill in tennis. Finally things were broken up again by the inevitable exams., and we left school with the anticipation of our Senior year foremost in our thoughts. After our return to school in the fall of 1916, it took us some time to get accustomed to the exalted position of honor and responsibility which we had now attained. The class officers, whom we elected in the fall and reelected in the spring were: Merrill Buffington, president; John Macnie, vice-president; F.arle Gillette, secretary, and Gordon Brownlee, treasurer. Football proved its popularity in the Senior class by drawing out fourteen of its members to play on the squad. Those who won their “B’s” helping Captain Gardner turn out a winning team were. Gardner, Gillette. Hall. Penney. Regan, Robinson and Woodward. Buffington and Bushnell found places on the tennis team. 15

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C. W. HADDEN The History of the Class of 1917 IX the fall of the year 1913. the class of 1917 entered the Upper School. where as humble but eager Freshmen its members assumed their inherited responsibility of maintaining the honor of the school and supporting her activities. To those who had attended Blake at Ridgewood Avenue, at Hennepin Avenue, or the preceding year in the Lower School, is due much of the spirit and enthusiasm with which the class entered in upon its share in school affairs. 1917 is unusually fortunate in having had its unity disturbed but little by irregularity of membership for of its present number the following entered Blake in 1913 or before: Bovcv, Buffington, Bushnell, Cross. Gardner, Gillette. Macnie. McCaull. Penney, Regan, Robinson. Welch. Woodward and Woodworth. 14

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CALLGPAN Upon the arrival of cold weather, the Blake military company put in an appearance, and 1917 was called upon to furnish many of the officers. This it did, and so thoroughly that only a few corporalships were left vacant for lower classmen. In order to increase the effectiveness of the Senior Council, it was decided that it should contain, besides the president and vice-president of the class, four Seniors, to he elected semi-annually. Under this system the council proved itself to he a most competent and influential body, playing an important part in the life of the school. Woodworth. Gardner, MeCaull and Chapman were chosen for the council the first half-year, and Woodward, Gardner. Chapman and Woodworth the second. When winter came the opportunity was quickly seized to wipe out the class' former defeats in debating. In a contest with the Juniors on the tariff question the Senior team, consisting of Carroll, Bushnell and Woodworth, was given the decision, and also was chosen intact to uphold Blake in her annual debate with St. Paul Academy. In that encounter the team was equally successful. Contrary to custom there were no school or class teams in either basket ball or hockey that winter, so the Brown and White matches had to supply all the excitement in those lines. It was with much enthusiasm that we hailed the arrival of spring after a most severe, tedious winter. Immediately after Paster vacation athletics again took the prominent place in school affairs. Football, an innovation here in spring sports, baseball and tennis, each had its devotees. The baseball team, the success of which it is difficult to predict, obtained from 1917, Gillette, Hall, Penney. Regan, Welch and Captain Robinson. So the history of our class is drawing to a close, and we are about to scatter, each one to his particular station in life. May the recollections of our happy Blake days with their toil and pleasure and vigorous spirit be a constant inspiration to us to live up to those principles acquired so early in all our school activities, so that we may pass on to become all that Blake men should. Pai l P. Bush xkll. 16