Bridgeport Central High School - Criterion Yearbook (Bridgeport, CT)

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THE CRITERION drawing up a Constitution, we elected Mr. Murray president. He served us well, and is to be commended for pre- siding so ably over the turbulent meet- ings we had,-when there was a quo- rum present. NWC chose as our motto, Labor vincit, CLabor conquersl. During this year the boys in Room io, under the direction of lllrs. Sulli- van, formed a debating club, and held several successful debates, thus arous- ing in the school a decided interest in debating. With the coming of our .lunior year, we became more settled, and acquired the dignity befitting those who were going to be Seniors next year. The res- ignation of Miss XYitt made a change in the Faculty, and put the junior college room under the care of Mrs. Sullivan, who by her constant helpfulness, aided much in making our junior year a suc- cessful and happy one. At our elections we chose Mr. Lucey for our president. lie has served most ably and efficiently during both Junior and Senior years. Our first social ac- tivity was a Halloween dance held for the members of the class. The suc- cess of this affair'caused the revival of class dances in the school. During the year we decided on green and gold as our class colors, and chose our class pins. Since IQI2 marked the one hun- dredth anniversary of the birth of Dickens, we chose his life and works for the subject of our junior Day ex- ercises. The program was well ar- ranged and carried out to the satisfac- tion of both the class and the audience, especially one small member of the audience who insisted on voicing his approval during one of the recitations. After the exercises were Hnished, we adjourned to the lawn where we strolled about enjoying ice cream, cake, and unlimited conversation. ln the evening we gave a delightful dance which marked the close of a most pleasant and successful year. But though our junior year brought us much pleasure, it also brought us pain: for twice during the year the Death Angel bent low and summoned from our midst a classmate. One, Robert Dailey, was beloved for his sunny, uncomplaining disposition 3 while the other, Edward Klcliuire, was respected and admired for his cheerful perseverance in the face of great ob- stacles. The loss of two such young men as these was deeply felt by the class. And then came our last year with all its delightful times. Very early in the year the question of a class play arose. Our hasty decision to give one aroused the Faculty into warning us of the responsibilities attached to the giv- ing of a play, and into asking us to re- consider our decision. VVhile the ques- tion was under discussion among the members of the class, we girls rashly accepted the suggestion that we have a Pigtail Day at this time instead of waiting till late in the year. The boys, not to be outdone, decided to have Buster Brown Day on the same date. Tlhe celebration of Pigtail Day at this time was particularly unfortunate and drew down upon us much deserved criticism. Uur thoughtlessness might have cost us our Senior play, had not Mr. Simonds been lenient with us. With much enthusiasm we chose 'fThe Crisisll for presentation, giving the play on the sixteenth and seven- Twelve

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lU the QRHTERUON U! VOL. lll. BRIDGEPORT HIGH SCHOOL, JUNE, 1913. NO. Q. ACADEMIC CLASS 1913 l l lg HISTORY 'I Hli nineteenth of September, . IQOQ, was not an unusual date for anyone except a group of anxious boys and girls who gathered about the llridgeport lligh School. They stood and chatted, feel- ing very self-conscious and somewhat important, wondering what was in store for them within that strange building, Suddenly the doors were opened, the upper classes came pouring out, and amid cries of I lello Freshie, the waiting crowd filed up the high stone steps. Thus did the Class of ltjlg enter high school life. I suppose we were just as green as any Freshmen class ever was, in spite of our feelings of importance and our efforts to seem at ease. Once inside, however, we breathed more freelyg we had at least escaped from the upper classmen. Nlr. Simonds, in his kindly way, made us feel wel- come. Then we were assigned to various classes, and with strenuous efforts we went from room to room. XX'hen we were finally dismissed, we set off home feeling somewhat be- Eleven wildered, but proud,-at last we were high school pupils. ln the following weeks, we were kept busy adjusting ourselves to new hours and studies, but we soon became accustomed to high school ways, and the time slipped by until Klid-years came, bringing with them woe for some of us. Nevertheless, most of us survived the terrors of examinations and went on our way as before. The one incident of the second se- mester which impressed itself upon our childish minds was the Senior celebra- tion of Pigtail Day, which we remem- bered all too well. XYe, ourselves, did nothing especially noteworthy, and our first year, drawing to its close unevent- fully, left us looking forward to the time when we should be Sophomores. XYhen we came back in September, we felt very wise, and almost as im- portant as the Seniors. Early in the year, Mr. Simonds called us together for organization. The noise and con- fusion of our first class meeting have caused it to become one of the memor- able events of our history. After

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THE CRITERION teenth of January. Our efforts were rewarded with success both artistically and financially. VVe shall not soon for- get the stirring scenes of the play, nor the sweet, Winsome Virginia which Miss Beard made, nor the handsome, dashing Stephen portrayed by Mr. Lucey. Since the play, the time has sped on until now we are nearing the end of our high school life. Soon Commencement night will mark the parting of our waysg and soon our pleasant compan- ionships will be but pleasant memories. Len us, then, go out into the world courageously, firm in the belief that, the aim, if reached or not, makes great the lifef' --Louisa B. Cowuzs. ACADEMIC CLASS POEM, IQI3 There's a dear old school, on a very high hill, VVith great doors north and south: And the sun coming up o'er the east one day Chanced to peep in the window that faced that way For breaking the silence settled there He felt that music filled the air So drawing nearer without delay From his path in the heavens for once did he strait .Xnd wond'rous things he saw and heard For the very walls with joy were stirred As a song of the seniors of 19121 lYith rytlnnic cadence tlooded the scene: .Xnd thus to the listening sun it seemed:- Sing a song of seniors SX platform full you spy For they're so very wise and grave They'd surely catch your eye. Therc's John Comley, now, for instance. A wond'rous judge he'd make Hut for the sorry culprits My heart begins to ache To brighten these sad reflections Thoughts of class-meetings come XYhere Louise Cowles keeps state-affairs And tells the class of its doings ln her very best business air. Hut on these great occasions 'Tis Bill Connelly who excels .Xs he calls long and loud for dues Until the class begins to fear That he his voice will lose Then there's Molly Healy, whose epigrams Much concentrated fun contain Xlfhile Vera Meehan works at art And, all unconscious, causes james Walsh to start Each day, past room 13 To sec if the will o' the wisp of his dreams ls any where near to be seen. liatheryn Vfilson. however, does a novel kind of thing, About her recitations a sort of fog she springs So that you never know whereat she is Or whereat she begins. Thirteen Henry McElroy and Mr. Lonergan are so fond of Greek They study it every day in the week NYhen they ought to be saying their prayers. Mr, Comstock rides his hobby each day 'Tis on a wireless keyboard in future to play. Marion Schine's new method of cooking XYill some day gain her much glory. XVhile Christine Howe, fame has already won For she, of early comers has certainly been one. .Xnd Josephine Conklin. shares this glory inatinal Such very close friends are they. Mr. Miller-a dignified senior he. lVhose life vocation means misery For he'll join the ranks of dentistry Mr. ll'ise is wise indeed Like unto a book is he And Mr, liorff is a chatterbox XYhose equal we've yet to see. For a lady who never giggles For a lady who seldom laughs But who is always smiling .Xnna McNamara would pass. And in this class of wise-folk VYe've a prodigy or two One of them is Pearl Hamilton VVho every recitation knew. With her we class Bruce Simonds .X Virgil shark is he .Xnd no one can surpass him ln plane geometry Marjorie Allen is a dear maiden prim lnseparable from Charlotte Rarske-her soul-twin. .X broad-browed, solemn gentleman is Mr. Stagg But Dot Smith thinks him quite a dear for all of that. Louise Beard is ever dainty and gay Even as Jinny in the Crisis Play 'Tis there, too, we tind XVilliam Andres And innch at his ease seems he Admiring his sword and buttons And being as vain as can be.