Blasdell High School - Champion Yearbook (Blasdell, NY)

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IN MEMORY or ..,,, X 1 1, H U it 1 we -uf -. ,MAJ .Q N 4 . ,'01::v,. L! M 4. iyvdx ' as y a W .f ,f at I Mr. Scott Our school days have been saddened the last months of this school year by the illness and sudden death of our band director, Mr. Will Scott. Mr. Scott conducted classes as usual on Thursday, March lO, but word came Monday that he was in the hospital. He died Thursday, March 17, 1938. From earliest childhood, our Mr. Scott showed the deepest interest and ability in music. Many stories have been told of his efforts to realize his ambitions. When very young, he was given a violin and his older brother was presented with a horn. Becoming discouraged with his violin, he gave it away. But the urge to master it was too great, and he demanded it back again. He never gave it up again. The violin we have seen him play is one of the oldest in ' the country and he valued it highly. A Not satisfied with one instrument, he would steal away to the woods with his brother's horn. One day when company was present, his brother was asked to play a certain piece on the horn. Big brother could not play, but little brother could and did. When he was thirteen he organized a band and orchestra in his home town, practicing in an old barn or in the woods. He began playing for dances when he was sixteen. Soon he was in great demand inall the towns around, being booked up several weeks in advance. Newspaper clippings, now yellow with age, still bear proof of his popularity and sing praises of his entertainments. After leaving Sinclairville, he and his wife lived for some years in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Two sons, Harold and Malcolm were born to them there In 1908, they moved to Akron, New York and in 1916 to Buffalo. Their son, Harold, who was to have been a lawyer was killed in the World War,ten days before the Armistice was signed. Mrs. Scott passed away in 1926, after an illness of two years. Wherever Mr. Scott lived, he organized a WScott Orchestrau which became popular in the surrounding country. At one time he was in an orchestra con ducted by Victor Herbert which traveled with a theatrical company all over the United States. The company disbanded in Texas and Mr. Scott became dir ectcr of a band in Odessa, Texas, where he remained for some months. Later he had bands in Clarence, Williamsville, Corfu. His Corju band was an outstanding feature of the Batavia Fair for many years. In Akron he was also irector of the Methodist and Presbyterian Church Choirs. Hr. Scott came to Blasdell in 1927 and organized our band and orchestra Un er his leadership we won several cups at the Erie County Fair. Last year he was given special recognition there for his splendid work in the musical field. He was the oldest band director in Western New York. Proof of his ability as an instructor is the fact that a member of one of his bands was accepted immediately upon examination by the Boston Con- servatory of Music. Other members of his bands and orchestra in Blasdell have gained recognition in Buffalo. Robert Hall has been accepted also into a band at Indiana. He composes a quantity of music, writing the complete orchest trations himself for many compositions. A prayer service was held at his late residence in Buffalo on Monday morn- ing, March 21, at ten o'clock. The Band and Orchestra were represented by Six delegates chosen to attend. They were William Herrick, Howard Pfalzgraf, Arthur Leyda, Jean Page, Phyllis Hall and Donna Ringer. Members who repre- sented the Facutly were Mr. Buesch, Miss Peck, Mr. Mead and Miss Brewer. At 10:10 o'clock, the student body at school stood silently in his memory. At exactly the same time the Pastor was completing his prayer service. The burial was held at Sinclairville, New York at l:OO PAM. The death of Mr. Scott removes from our midst, one who will never befor- gotten. His cheerful disposition, willingness to help, and his untiring patience with us will never be forgotten and will remain with us forever. ff-ffssnem '- . 'fini w..wss'e fa- ': Q ,i 'A- NA

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To the Senior Class of 1938 Soon silence will reign in these halls, No voices resound from these walls. The spirits of future and past Their mysterious spell will cast. Musing thus, I have surveyed The records my pupils have made. What I now think of your Senior Class, You have been brave enough to ask. Teddy, your President, is a credit to all. And Ann, as a negress, brought down the hall. Michael keeps us so nice and clean, While Irene's typing is everywhere seen. John and Russel both entered into sports And so did Margaret Sturges by all reports. Mabel and Vera are together seen, And Nellie Mcvhirter may be found between. Roswell made a very fine cop. And Gerald works way down in the shop. Mary Jane saws, and Marjorie sings. And George peddles papers until the bell rings. Ethel and Ivy gives us music so fine, And Arthur keeps the band in time. Patricia sews and is hard to beat. While June and Ruby keep house very neat. Mary Pauline sings the blues away, And Lois Jeeps at the end of the day. Helen mends notebooks by the score, And Howard chats outside my door. Dorothy and Margaret are Girl Scouts true, And Agatha giggles the whole day through. Christian and Kathryn together have worked. While Donna and Gertrude no duties have shirked. I have told, in rhyme, what I think of your class. Sincerely, I hope that you all do pass, Then, when you have reached the height of fame, I shall, with pride. read each and every name, Miss Van Dewark Miss Titus 4llllllllBHllEMME5EEL