Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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History JS 1 great ship passes out from the protected bay into the great unknown ocean; even so we, having completed the course of C. H. S., are about to launch out upon the sea of life. But ere we lift the anchor, and be- fore the good-byes are said, let us take a glance back over our high school course. One beautiful September morning in the year of 1916, you might have seen, had you been looking, a group of thirty-four boys and girls wending their way towards out modern C. H. S. building. A new era was before us and we truly felt that our entering the High School building was doing the organization an honor. But the moment we set foot in the great building all this had vanished. The only pleasant remembrance we have of this day was the friendly smiles of our instructors to be. And as we look back from a Senior’s standpoint we are sure they just had to smile. You cannot imagine how it feels to be a freshman unless you have been one. In spite of all these difficulties we entered the routine of a C. H. S. student with a spirit of “do or die”—probably “die” if the Sopho- mores had a hand in it. A freshman’s life is not entirely miserable, however. We could go to the base ball games and sometimes use the drinking fountain just as the Seniors did. We could look down on the children of the grammar school and inquire as to the progress in the grades. Our class of thirty-four had only three who had started out together, Ruth Laug, Katherine Hoban, and Myron Albrecht. The rest of us had drifted in all along the line. As we entered the Sophomore year we found we had, as freshmen, been severely sifted; only eighteen enrolled in the fall of 1917. As Sophomores we were duly impressed with our responsibility and conducted ourselves accordingly. Still, at this time we were denied the privilege of managing school affairs. Even at this early stage of our High School Course, some had already distin- guished themselves. One was always found with an unusual number of A’s to her credit. Indeed, we have heard that one member of the class aspired to editorial work. But be that as it may, it is a well-known fact that we had two amateur musicians, Ruth Laug and Jennie Hinken, whose careers promised to be great and world-wide. As Juniors in the fall of 1918, we were reinforced by eight new members who came from Allendale, Nunica, and Lamont, making our number twenty-four. No class has had more school spirit than the Junior class. Who would not be proud of a class that had such a splendid record in school activities? Especially were we prominent in the newly organized orchestra, being represented by eight members. This class always turned out nobly for all games; and it is a fact that we were all out to the Track Meet and witnessed the scene which meant so much to our school. But alas! fate was against us; Ravenna carried off the honors. Another big event of the year was the Junior Social. This was “one grand success,” due to the tireless efforts of the members of the class. The main features of the evening included the fish-pond, menagerie, and “Program Free!” The Junior- Senior banquet concluded the program of the Junior year which was a success in every way. Then we reached the last stage of the journey. Our Senior year lay before us. Here was the object of our ambition and the crowning glory of our endeavor. For were we not Seniors to whom all under-classmen must bow in submission ? In spite of the superiority we felt, we found that Senior responsibility was placed upon us. We were glad to welcome as a class-mate, Howard Brecken, a member of the class of T9, who had answered the call of his countrv and enlisted as a marine. Page Fourteen

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pay us at seventeen or twenty to make “I” a little less prominent. That is one great reason why we should be careful about the things which help to build char- acter. We are in this golden era, and we must be a part of it, we want the very best in us to influence others,—not the worst. The motto of our life should be “Others—not Self ’ Remembering, too, that while it isn’t always the easiest thing to do, yet there is a bright lining to the dark cloud. It would seem to some of us that there wasn’t much in us—not much that would influence others—not much that could possibly help others—still when it comes to the test we will not be missing, and then our true worth becomes known. A person remarked as a group of gay young people passed by—“There doesn’t seem to be much in that crowd.” His companion replied—“No, there doesn’t on the outside, but you know it takes the night to bring out the stars.” It isn’t always the person who does the big things, it isn’t always the person who says the most, but often the person who says the least and does the small and seemingly insignificant things who truly is the greatest.—Indeed it takes the night to bring out the stars! The bright and worth-while things, the beautiful things, aren’t always found when the birds are singing or the flowers are budding — when Spring is in the air, but again quoting Emerson, they are found in the mud and scum of things and there it is that some- thing alwav, alway, sings. And then when we come again to the great theme—character—we must always remember—never during our whole life forget—that there always exists that great Law of Compensation.—“With that measure with which ye mete, it shall be meas- ured unto you again.”—and that great law never fails. So it remains for us to develop all our God-given powers to the very best of our ability. One day I happened to notice this striking sentence in a large building in Chicago—“Be Somebody and I)o Something.” We should aspire to be somebody, to possess strength of character, independence of purpose, ambition, self-respect. It follows as a matter of course that one who is a Somebody will do Something. He will not be willing to fritter away his energy on nonessentials. He will help those weaker than himself to see the bright lining of the dark clouds. He, too, will count one in every contest where right is matched against wrong. To be Somebody and do Something; that gives scope for the ambition of the most aspiring. And yet no human being made in the Divine image should be content with less. With this in mind, may we as Seniors of the Class of 1920 go forth to be n Somebody, and to do Something—to help someone along this road of life—always remembering that great Law of Compensation and the bright lining to that dark cloud as expressed in that wonderful poem of Emerson’s called “Music”— Let me go where’er I will I hear a sky-born music still, It sounds fiom all things old. It sounds from all things young. From all that’s fair, from all that’s foul Peals out a cheerful song. It is not only in the rose, It is not only in the bird. Not only where the rainbow glows, Nor in the song of women heard,— But in the darkest, meanest things. There alway, alway, something sings. ’Tis not in the high stars alone, Not in the cup of budding flowers. Nor in the redbreast’s mellow tone, Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,— But in the mud and scum of things. There alway, alway, something sings. Jennie Hinken, '20. Paj?e Thirteen

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We found to our joy that we were twenty-five in number, including Ralph Ham- ilton, who had joined our class from Grand ville High School. “Ham” has been with us all year except a short time ago when he had to leave on account of ill- health. He helped very much and was interested in the orchestra, basket ball, base ball, and served as joke editor of the annual. On the evening of September 19, the Athletic Association had a social gathering in the Odd Fellows Hall. Games, music, and fun were amply provided for. Rut as Seniors wre shall especially remember it because we first succeeded in getting a banner because of our A. A. membership. So, naturally, we felt quite proud until recently, when the Juniors cleverly took it away from us. Our Senior year has been an enjoyable one, as a result of parties, basket ball games, socials, visits in the library, etc. The two parties, which were at the homes of Ruth Laug and Jennie Hinken, were immensely enjoyed by the class. Rut as to our visits in the library, we would rather study in the session room; however, we feel very grateful to our librarian, Esther Cook, for through her untiring efforts we have had “Lillies” in the library during the whole year. On April 18th, the girls had their “Gym” party. A large number were pres- ent, and all reported a good time. Music was furnished by the Girls’ Orchestra, games were played, and at a late hour refreshments were served. Now we are approaching graduation and the days of our high school life are almost over. Happy days they have been with a full measure of joy and a mini- mum of sorrow. For the last time as Seniors, we enter the halls of the old C. H. S., and with heavy hearts we shall pass out. Rut the passing out means greater work to be done, bigger tasks to be accomplished. When we realize this, more content- edly, wre pass on. We close with the wish that the history of each member of our class may be as interesting, happy, and successful in the years to come as we as a class have made it in the past four years. Hazel Lubben, '20♦ Success of Our Annual Great things have small beginnings; so it has been with our High School Annual. It is the first one published for fourteen years. In 1906 a very good annual was published, called the “Sybilline.” Rut the classes that followed did not continue this publication, so we, the class of 1920, feel proud that we have picked it up again, and hope to have made a success of it. Could we have suc- ceeded alone? No, indeed we depended on outside support, which has been given us in the form of advertisements, not only from our local business houses and fac- tories, but also by the Grand Rapids firms. We also owe thanks to Mr. Tandler, our publisher, for his kind help and interest in the printing of this annual. The graduating class have shown great enthusiasm in the Annual and have done their best to make it a success. We must not forget the other classes, which have also taken great interest in the work. As we, the Seniors of nineteen hundred and twenty, leave dear old High School, schoolmates, and teachers, we hope that in the years to come, we may keep in touch with them through means of the High School Annual and— As travelers, wre look back at eve, When eastward darkly going. To gaze upon that light wTe leave Still faint behind them glowing— So, when the close of pleasur’d day To gloom hath near consigned us, We turn to catch one fading ray Of joy that’s left behind us. Page Fifteen R. Edith Housler, '20.