Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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THE WIT A N COMMENCEMENT SONG .. ... ........ The years have numbered only four Since first we gained thy portal— But four, and thou hast left to us An heritage immortal; For here we learned not only facts Close bound by rules and study, We entered in thy healthful sports, And we grew strong and ruddy. We learned not only narrow laws To train alone our talents, To counsel us for Life’s real school Our tasks were made to balance. Ah! Classmates, not the stinted view, The statement narrow-minded— Life wants not him who stands aloof Wit prejudices blinded. But Life does want the character With grit and strength anil vision; Who laughs at wit with other men, But laughs above derision; A man not limited to rote Or formula or table, But who can estimate his world With judgment sound and stable. These are the traits we should have gained, As well as wit and learning— These have we gained, so 1 believe, As on Life’s road we're turning; And since we have, we may well know' Where’er we cast our lot, Wc owe success and future fame To thee, our school, Charlotte. Lyman H. Butterfield, Class I’oet. 23

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r II E W I T A N j Bernice M. Waterhouse— Bernie’’ 2 3 River Street No, 38 School St. Agnes' Conservatory of Music Changed is she from her freshman day, For the better, should we say? Freshman Return Pally Chairman 1; Publicity Committee 1, 3; Sen- ior Play 4; Student Council 1; Thrift Committee 3, I; Tri-Y 4; Witan Staff 1. Helen Estelle Wignall 40 Riverside Street Greece No. 31 Undecided Helen is the maid demure— Her coy smiles who can secure? Glee Club 1, 2, 4; Tri-Y 4. Margery Wratten—“Mudge 2!» Camden Street No. 38 School City Normal Moonlight and fairies, silver and green, Margery's magic evokes these. 1 ween. Candy Committee 4; Class Testat- or 4; Freshman Return Party i; Girl Scouts I. 2, 3; Safetv an. Order Committee 3; Scribblers' Club 4; Senior Play 4; Scholarship Committee 4; Tri-Y 4; Witan Statl 3, 4. Madeline Jean Young—“Skipper” 22 Lauderdale Park No. 41 School U. of R. This is Skipper” ot smile so dap- per; Who ran slip her the name of “Flapper?” Girls' Basketball 1, 2; Girls' Base- ball 2; Tri-Y 4. 22

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T H E W IT A N SHOEMARKS IN A CONCRETE WALK Being a brief history of the Class of 1926 “Ho, hum,” I sighed as I settled for my sixth period snooze. Then the jolly old Maytime sun streamed in the window, the hard-wood seat softened and I stretched my legs. Drifting thoughts, well—they just drifted, till a dreadful one happened along and casually reminded me to attend to this here class history. I shivered as I had on a certain October evening long ago and a series of painted faces with braided or molasses-covered hair passed by. Stockinged feet thumped up dark stair? covered with prickers. Whack! A ballplayer made a homerun on the feat of someone's trousers. Then oysters—ugh! And cold water! I awoke promptly, then found my fing- ers immersed in the inkwell! But I laughed all the same—the old mem- ory was still 0. K.—I hadn't forgotten that initiation of four years ago. Again the hum of words and the generous sun compelled me to slum- ber. 'Fifty-nine whirling dervishes—no it wasn't — just fifty-nine frantic freshmen holding their first class meeting and electing “Prof Butter- field (the younger) and “Wally” Sex- ton and a certain Miss Rhoda Decker as officers. And then, weeks later, came a super-extra special Frosh Re- turn Party where good dancing and punch were returned for that some- what “evil” initiation. The thoughts were coming faster now and in greater variety—things that had happened at undecideable times. The Lion Tamers' Club, the good old-fashioned assemblies in the attic, summer days and study hall “or the campus” beneath the ancient, tranquil oaks, a ten to eleven score when East High and Charlotte met, Miss Abbott’s “Sunset Class, on.' Frosh teams, the surprise we enjoyed one opening day when we found the school renovated and enlarged by sev- eral new class rooms, the library and the librarians, the operettas. More memories came, of former all-schol- astic athletes, of successful “skips to Fang's, of the first eighth period, of new class members and ot former ones. “Describe a business cycle the Economics teacher said. I awoke and, with usual stupidity, mentioned that it might be a two- wheeled vehicle with handle bars and wire basket on the front of it. That was that, and I again nodding. More thoughts, of the smil ingest and reddest-haired school-marm in town, our advisoi; of uproarious student elections, of Senior-girl candy vendors, of the famous “Ballyho Bugle.” A million more memories whizzed along, each bringing a touch oi humor and tinge of sadness because they were over. I thought of the schoolhouse itself, grim and prison- like on a wonderful spring morning when a fellow felt that he must ski]) and then peaceful and lovely and such, making him feel sad on a late after- noon when things are quiet with just one bird in the trees and the low sun behind them that cast little spots of light and shadow—of passive alienee that rested him but still made him feel like the very devil for not having les- sons finished or being tardy or things like that. B-r-r-i-ang! — Seven o’clock — time to get up—no, guess it isn't—just the period bell. Another day almost done. Gonna get out of this doggone school for good soon. Wonder will I draw a blank diploma? Oh, well! wx had a good time while it lasted! John Konath Maher, Historian 21