Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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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

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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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THE W' I T A N 25 years nnd do not know what chancres have been made, but it was the seat of the High School activities. On the second floor were two rooms, known as the “Big Room ’ and the “Side Room.” In the Big Room sat the students, fac- ing the north, and for recitations occupying a long bench in front, or going to the side room. We had a Principal and a Preceptress who heard classes all day. In addition to this the Principal made the rounds of the Grammar School, which was on the floor below and in an adjoining new building. He also rigged up many contraptions for oui experiments in Chemistry and Physics, as we did not possess much equipment. Our laboratory was a small room on the ground floor, and we took our work very seriously, wearing caps and aprons. I wish I could And the picture of our chemistry class in this room Rather, it is a picture of seventy-five per cent of the class. The other member must have been absent that day. When we took Botany we went to the woods for specimens for our herbariums, and the Geology class could al- ways depend upon the river banks near Driving Park bridge for treasures. We had one custom which seems to have been lost. We celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of a tree, appropriate songs, getting dismissed early and general rejoicing. It was on a certain Friday in May, I think. Of course, the trees were generally uprooted by some careless youngster on the playground, and this may be the reason that we do not hear so much about Arbor Day any more. Gymnasium work was done by those students who brought their lunch to school, and after swallowing it whole would persuade one of their number to play two-steps and waltzes while they danced. One year we attempted a school orchestra. We had two violins, a mando- lin, piano and some other instruments which I cannot recall. Most of the orchestra played by ear and it was a difficult matter to select music within the grasp of all the musicians. One public appearance is all I can recall. Now these are not exactly the events of 1897, but a summary of my im- pressions while in high school and I give them to you for what they may be wozth. GERTRUDE KEENAN. Grammar School Notes A number of the boys and pirls of the sixth and seventh grades ffave a birthday surprise party in honor of Miss Pickworth on Saturday, Feb. 25th. The refreshments that were served were delicious. The boys and girls pre- sented her with a very pretty necklace. Singing and dancing made the party a most enjoyable affair for all. Miss Boughton, eighth grade teacher, has been out for several weeks be cause of illess at home. Miss White has succeeded Miss Cruugh as first grade teacher.