Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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THE WITAN Page forty-three '6 '5 Optimates Optimates, Latin Honor Society, was founded in Charlotte High School the fall term of 1930 with the following charter mem- bers: Violet Rentschler, Lois Marsh, Frances Earl, Harold Smith, John Andrews, Avery Lockner, Arthur Gordon, Dolores Leadley. The purposes of founding such a society was set forth in a constitution which was written by Violet Rentschler and Arthur Gordon. The first party was held at the Maplewood Y. M. C. A. in November. Harold Smith was the toastmaster. The following new members were taken into the Society at that time: Ed- ward Bush, Harrington Chase, Gehring Cooper, Elizabeth Donoghue, Ray Dudley, Walter Gunkler, Natalya Ivanson, Charles LaBelle, Richard MacArthur, Emily Lascell, Betty LeClare, Judith Pownall, Etta Ryden, Frank Smith, Charles Schaad. Katherine Tray- hern, Rudolph Wendt. In the fall of 1931, Optimates held their second banquet at the Maplewood Y. M. C. A., toastmaster, Arthur Gordon. The officers for that term were as follows: Consul, Arthur Gordon, Praetor, James LeClareg Scriba, Lois Marsh: Quaestor, Emily Lascell,, Nuntius, Ray Dudley. The following new members were admitted: Janet Barry, Agnes Fleming, Betty Wedel, Mary VanKestern, Adeline T ruesdale, Lawrence VanDam, Norman Spaf- ford, Helen Hushard, Pauline Bott, Carol Tupper. The winter term, 1932, the following officers were elected by the club: Consul, Judith Pownall, Praetor, Mary VanKesterng Scriba, Carol Tupperg Quaestor, Adeline Truesdaleg Nuntius, VV'alter Gunkler. The toastmaster of this third party was Harrington Chase. The following students became members at that time: Edward Cranch, Burtis Dougherty, Eleanor Marsh, Martha Moore, Dorothy Nicol, Jean White, Margaret Vtfilbur, Beverly Wil- kins. The fall term 1932, Optimates were honored by being the first group at Charlotte High to hold a party in our new school. The affair took place in the teachers' cafeteria on Octo- ber ll. The following new members were admitted: Irene Albert, Robert Bowen, Marion Empey, Rita Foy, Margaret Hanna, George Johnson, Harold Kentner, Dorothea Killip, Charles Livermore. Manelta Sickelco. In the winter term 1933, the following officers were elected: Consul, Robert Bowen: Praetor, Irene Albert: Scriba, Charles Liver- more: Nuntius, Rita Foy. During this term very great interest was shown in other high schools and this fall our society became the Alpha Chapter of an interhigh Optimates and is now associated with four other schools all having the same name, emblem, pin, color, and purpose. On March 31, a banquet similar to those previous was held. At this time Dorothea Cliquennoi, Maude Lancaster, David Bishop, Phyllis Line, Erwin VVard, Ruth Thomas, Thelma Kinnius, Adele Hellman, and Margaret Hewins were initiated. The Consul was toast- master. Formal Initiation The Alpha Chapter of the Optimates in Charlotte High School held its formal initia- tion on Vlfednesday, October ll, at 2:45, in room 108. The following new members were inducted: Betty Black, George Brown, Albert Dickson, Eugene Ivanson, Clara Shea, Mar- garet Stebbins, Phyllis Wolz, Robert Wright, Bruce VVyman, Lawrence Kavanaugh, John McShea, Evelyn Boucher, Marie Bessey, Ange- lina DeMarco, and Helen Andrews. In the short program, led by Burtis Dougherty, the new members were forced to pass under the yoke, the Roman symbol of subjection. The Optimates Banquet On Thursday, November 23, at the Dewey Avenue Presbyterian Church the first city- wide Optimates Banquet was held. The Gamma Chapter at John Marshall acted as the hosts. The program was as follows: Toast- master, Fred Kolbg Welcome, Mr. Burt of John Marshall, Greetings from Other Chap- ters: David Bishop, Consul of the Alpha Chapter at Charlotte: Lee Ong Jung, Consul of the Beta Chapter at Jefferson, Rolfe Sco- field, Consul of the Gamma Chapter at John Marshall, Doris Ulp, Ex-consul of the Delta Chapter at Madison, Alice Forster, Consul of the Epsilon Chapter at West. Theodore Lind of East High told us about their Roman State. Following this there was an address by Mr. Bezant of Benjamin Franklin. The short CContinued on page 44j

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Page forty-four T H E W I T A N 33 3 entertainment consisted of ten minute skits by each chapter. The Alpha Chapter put on a timely play entitled Saturnalia which was the Roman Thanksgiving Feast. The evening was concluded with games and dancing. The Alpha Chapter wishes to welcome Mary Donaldson who was initiated last year into the Gamma Chapter of the Optimates at John Marshall. Les Babillards On November 17, the Epsilon Chapter of Les Babillards held its first meeting in room 205. Plans were made for initiation of the new members. A report of the meeting of the French Honor Society council was given by one of the representatives, Dorothea Clic- quennoi. On November 13, the membership of the society was widened at a tea in the teachers' cafeteria. The following were pledged mem- bers: Thelma Kinnius, Margaret Hewins. Evelyn Bucher, Helen Andrews, Sager Barton, David Gilkeson, Alice justice, and Adele Hellman. ' On November 25, the semi-annual reunion of all the chapters of Rochester was held in the form of a banquet at the South Congrega- tional Church. The many members present from Charlotte High School were very proud of their president, Beverly Wilkins, who de- livered a fine address of greeting. Miss Hull from the University of Rochester was the very interesting speaker of the evening. Commercial Honor Society Any Commercial student of Charlotte High School who has reached the last term of his third year's work and who excels in all com- mercial subjects is eligible for membership in the Commercial Honor Society. The members try to uphold the high standards of character and service. During this term, the Commercial Honor Society had the pleasure of inducting four girls and one boy into membership. They are: Vir- ginia Jackson, Hope Clark, Florence Ambrose, VVilda Ambrose, and Fred DeMato. Fred had the distinction of being the only boy in the society at that time and the third boy ever to be made a member. The other members this term are: Anne Rawlinson, president, Eliza- beth Hill, vice-presidentg Pauline Zenker, sec- retary, Irene Gemming, reporter 5 Rose Ella Ames, Marjorie Webb, and Rena Parratt. Miss Newman is the adviser of the society. The Commercial Honor Society gave a tea in honor of these new members. At the tea the induction was conducted by the president, Anne Rawlinson, Virginia Jackson poured. Mr. Lacy, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Tracy were guests at this meeting. Mr. Lacy spoke on the topic How To Get a Job. Vero Beach, Florida, November 17, 1933. Dear Friends: As the big day draws near I am sharing your excitement and anticipation. I only wish I could be there to congratulate you all in person but at the present it is quite impos- sible. Though I haven't seen you in three years my memory recalls you all as you were when we were freshmen. Do you remember our first attempts at get- ting the whole class together for celebrations? Do you girls remember also how the boys just wouldn't dance? Above all the memories of red letter days one stands out clearest. It was the last one I attended. We celebrated Hallowe'en :lt Gwendolyn Stevens' home Cin costumej and as a remembrance I was presented with a neck- lace. I will keep it and cherish it forever and ever. Though one thousand five hundred miles separate us, my thoughts will be with you on your day of graduation. I wish everyone of you a happy, prosperous life. Sincerely, MARY KING SMITH.

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Page forty-two THE WITAN ee ii Honor Choir Mr. Marsh has recently organized an honor choir. Students were chosen on their ability to sing and the interest shown by them by par- ticipation in voice classes and Glee Club. The choir met for the first time on Novem- ber 24. and chose a name and elected officers. They were: president, Esther Reitzeg vice- president. Ruth VanVertlohg secretary, Kenneth Knapp. The choir meets on every Friday afternoon after school, until four olclock. Mr. Marsh hopes to be able to have them give a concert in the near future. At present there are twenty-three members. They are: Robert LaFave, Eleanora Ivanson, Ruth VanVertloh. Mildred Lee, Kenneth Knapp, Margaret Hewins, Eric Stevens, Victor Ander- son, Barbara Budlong, Alice Allen, Marjorie Todd, Paul Goodwin, Frank Bright, Melville Northrup Richard Gernon, Ralph Bohrer, George Frey, Alberta Lee, Virginia Kinsella, Dorothy Davidson, Marjorie Eusterman, Robert Poland, Esther Reitze, accompanist. Music Department There has been a Renaissance in the depart- ment of vocal music this year. It is very en- couraging to note that in the middle of this term we were able to get three periods of Senior High School Choir in school time- second, third, and sixth periods, meeting twice a week under the direction of Mr. Lewis J. Marsh, forming a combined choir of about one hundred and forty voices. The officers of this choir are: president, Paul Goodwing vice- president. Eleanora Ivansong secretary, Frank Bright, treasurer, Alberta Lee. An operetta is being selected to be given in the spring. A Music Board consisting of the officers of all the musical organizations has been formed to direct the music work in general. The Apollo Club, an honor club limited to people showing marked ability and interest in music, meets on Friday afternoons under the direction of Mr. Lewis El. Marsh with Esther Reitze as accompanist. The otlicers consist of: president, Esther Reitzeg vice-president, Ruth VanVertlohg secretary and treasurer, Kenneth Knapp. Charlotte has four new members, Virginia Kinsella. Ruth VanVertloh. Robert LaFave. and Loretta Greenwell, in the Inter-high School Choir under the direction of Mr. Alfred Spouse which meets at the Eastman Theatre every Saturday morning. 1 Because a large number of interested people were unable to enter the Inter-high School Choir, a new choir, under the direction of Mr. Marlowe Smith, meets at Monroe High School every Saturday morning to train prospepctive pupils for the Inter-high Choir. Charlotte has furnished the following people: Barbara Hudlong, Marjorie Eusterman, Mildred Lee, Eleanora Ivanson, Kenneth Knapp, Eric Stevens, Marjory Todd, Robert Poland, and Melville Northrup. Charlotte High Orchestra Something new has been done this year in combining the junior and Senior Orchestras. This combined orchestra which is under the able guidance of Mr. Marsh, meets every Mon- day night in the Band Room. School Jazz Orchestra This year the jazz Orchestra has been made one of the regular Charlotte Activities. It meets every Wednesday night in the Orchestra Pit and is under the leadership of C. Kenneth Hersey. Inter-High Band and Orchestra These organizations are two of about twenty such organizations in the United States. The Band, which meets every Saturday morning at 8 o'clock in the Monroe High Auditorium is conducted by Sherman A. Clute. The Orches- tra which also meets at Monroe at 10 o'clock is conducted by Karl Van Hoeseu. Both the Band and Orchestra are of full symphonic size. Playing nothing but the finest works of the great composers, the young musicians are given ample opportunity to become proficient in this type of work. Charlotte's representative to this organization is C. Kenneth Hersey who plays trombone.