Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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THE WIT A N 23 ’17 This project of an alumni issue about which you have written is an interesting one—interesting to all C. H. S. Alumni at least. Prom the class of ’17 I wish to send greetings to the faculty, to the other Alumni and to the under-graduates. I am proud to see a school maga- zine from our high school. May I congratulate the staff upon the effective work which they have done? The issues of the magazine which I have seen speak well of the spirit of the present student body. LOIS A. JUSTICE 17. I am very glad of the opportunity to send just a word of greeting, as a member of the class of Charlotte High School, 1917. 1 do not keep in as close touch with the school as I would like, hut am always interested in any of its activities. “There were seventeen members of our class—the largest class ever graduated from the school up to that time. During the five years that have passed since we said “good-bye, we have gradually drifted apart. Five of the members of the class are married, one or two are teaching, some are still studying and others have their time taken up in various ways. “While different interests have come along to take up our time, and we seldom get together, we all have something in common—our memories of the good old days at C. H. S. A. M. CLARKE T7. •12 “Back in the days before the income tax and Eskimo pies had become American Institutions, the class of 1912 fought a good fight: for future classes and is deserving of the highest honor. A statue on the “campus might help some. A stem edict was sent forth by the school board that no dancing would I » allowed in the assembly hall at noon time. Try to imagine such a condition. (You can’t? We thought so.) However, the class of 1912 rose gloriously to the occasion. The dance was the thing. Those who could not dance made earnest resolves to learn. But it became clear that some definite protest was necessary. Some of the more violent discussed gleefully a plan to hang the entire school board—but no one had a strong enough rope. Then, happy thought came, “If we canft have the assembly we dance in the downstairs hall. And what could be noisier or easier than a Virginia Red ? Anil so it was done. And under the eye of a member of the faculty it was staged. To be sure many a heart quailed, but the dance went bravely on to a gmnd finish and with a fine air of nonchalance the dancers dispersed.

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22 THE VVIT A N Alumni Notes In planning this, the Alumni Number of the Witan, we have tried to get into personal touch with as many of our graduates as was possible, and we wish to thank most sincerely all those whose prompt responses and hearty cooperation have made possible the carrying out of our project. Wo have devoted special space to those classes which mark the five-year divisions of our history, figuring back from the present year. The following are extracts taken from letters received in answer to our requests for person- al messages from representatives of the five-year classes. Note that in 1907 there was no graduating class. ALUMNI EDITOR. To the Editor of the Witan:— Dear Sir:— It is with pleasure that 1 accept your invitation to send to the readers of your paper an expression of greeting on behalf of the Alumni Association. The entire personnel of Charlotte High School should be congratulated for developing the school to a point whore it is able to support a paper with such a high standard as the “Witan.” In 1918 the students conceived the idea of a medium for the expression of student opinion. Indeed a staff was chosen and work actually begun, but later because no means of establishing the paper firmly were apparent, the vision never became a fact. It was left for others to unite those interested in Charlotte High School by means of a school paper. The “Witan” gives to the students not only a place to express their thoughts but furnishes them experience in various ways as well. 1 under- stand that the “Witan” is a student product entirely. The Alumni Association of Charlotte High School has been greatly strengthened in numbers during the last few years. This means that wc should progress more rapidly, that wo should do more to help the High School on to greater achievements by giving them our whole-hearted support in every activity. Charlotte High School has outgrown its village connections by becoming a part of Rochester. New opportunities are ahead and no person has a greater responsibility than members of the Alumni Association. We have the -same leaders with us now as formerly. We have a Principal who is never too haril pressed for time that he will not spend time to help us in our work or play. We should not stop now, for we have still greater projects to face. Let us help Mr. Butterfield and the other faculty members continue to keep Charlotte High School the best high school in Rochester. Sincerely yours, NEWELL A. FERRIS, President of the Alumni Association.

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21 THE WITAN When the school board heard of this they shook their heads despondently. “We must surrender ’ they said. “They may kill someone yet. We owe it to the community 1 And thus the dance was saved in C. H. S. And when the young things trip it “On the light fantastic toe ’ let them remember those hardy spirits who saved the day for future Senior Balls and Junior Proms and all the other sundry dances that go toward the educating of the American youth.” OLLIE SLATER 12. '02 In 1902, Charlotte High School stood quite by itself as a small center of learning in the state. The pupils from near by district schools came here to attend high school. The school and its activities were a great factor in the life of the community. There were probably fifty or sixty students in the high school depart- ment. All reported in one large study hall, in the laboratory and in the side room. Forty minutes were allowed for each recitation. At a quarter to twelve, a march was played by one of the students, and school was dismissed in a very formal manner. The afternoon session was closed in the same manner. In September the schedule of classes was arranged to meet the needs and suit the convenience of the students. Third and fourth year classes were very small, only three or four students in some. There was no time given to physical education. Athletics were con- fined to the spring and fall baseball games on the school grounds, or on the hill across from the school. The school spirit was remarkable. Most of the social activity was centered in the Adelphian Literary Society, which held business meet- ings, gave musical programs, held debates and mock trials, staged plays, and had sleigh rides, picnics and dances. The principal in 1902 was Herbert G. Reed ami the preceptress was Mary A. Petrie. Each was not only a splendid teacher, but also a sincere and helpful friend to every boy and girl in school. Much appreciation is due to them and also to the Grammer School Faculty, who were always interested in the high school department. MAY CRONIN, 1902 ’97 It would seein that the simple life that we in 1897 used to enjoy would be easy to tell about, and so it would if I could recall it. The account will be a meager one I fear. I have not visited the original building in many