Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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C.H.S. “The Zenith” 19S5 music, there will not be much leisure time. These people are busy, unconsciously, all the time. They are thirsty for more knowledge concerning beauty, and when their other work is done, they will read, listen to or create music, and make or view the different phases of art. If you have never been particularly interested in these things, try to develop an interest in them. Some of the authors of English and American literature had very interesting lives and their writings were excellent. If you find that you are not interested in reading, peihaps music will hold an attraction for you. You will find in music an out- let for some of your surplus imagination. Listen to some of the music of Brahms, Dvorzak, Beethoven, Victor Herbert and our own American composers and you will find nearly every mood vividly reproduced. Music is the creator of emotions. This is well expressed in Drvden’s poem, “Alexander’s Feast, or the Power of Music.” In this poem a harpist plays different types of music, such as hymns, wine songs, sad .songs, love songs and war songs, and each type causes a corresponding change in the listener. I cannot guarantee that modern music, per- haps more properly called “jazz,” has the power to create emotions, lest it be only that of disgust and impatience, yet some people find that listening to this music helps them to pass away their leisure time even if they do not profit by it. We are ready now to start the duel with leisure time. As yet we graduates have had very little experience with it, but for those who are not planning to go farther in attaining an education, leisure time probably will be very much in evidence until they have adjusted them- selves to their new surroundings. Lndoubtedly, the graduates who do go on to college, will have some leisure time for the same reason. Therefore, let us take up our weapons and be the victors of this duel. L. H. Page Thirty

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“The Zenith” 1935 C.H.S. Salutatory There have been countless results issuing from the period in whic h we have been living for the past five or six years, some of which are: unemployment, closing of banks and factories and regulation of work- ing hours by the various codes. These codes have reduced the working hours from sixty hours to forty hours a week. Think how this will leave some people stranded with leisure time. Before the depression, everyone was living in a “hectic whirl,” rushing from oue thing to an- other. Everyone spent money lavishly either for public entertainments, private parties, or any source of amusement which would fill in the extra hours between work and sleep. Today it is an entirely different scene which we view. More people are living simpler, quieter lives because they have no money to spend for outside entertainment. Do we people realize that we are being challenged by Leisure 'l ime? Are we going to accept the challenge, or are we to let it defeat us without a struggle? Let us consider some ways to combat this greatest of all modern problems. First ask yourself: “Am I one of those persons who depend on someone or something to help me pass my time away? Do I sit and fret until my telephone or door bell rings and someone asks me to, spend the time with her in some manner?” It is the peison who has been so busy in the past that must think about this question most seriously. He is the one who has not developed a particular taste for any type of entertainment. 1 le has become a parasite, depending on others to pass his spare time away for him. Let us decide upon some instruments of defense with which to combat and overcome leisure time. Severel instiuments are usually necessary, because the same entertainment becomes monotonous, when used constantly and soon ceases to be entertainment. It is a wise plan to include some forms of outdoor exercise in this program, not only for health’s sake, hut so one will learn to notice and enjoy the ever changing beauties of nature. You may say, “Oh, I do not need to have out-of door sports and walks to notice nature; I can see that when I am driving to the office, or on my way to school.” But, “Do you ieallv notice Narure then? Isn’t your mind filled with thoughts about your day’s work or something of that kind?” It sel- dom happens that you let your imagination take possession of your thoughts then. Another way to spend our time is to choose some hobby. Every- one has something that he or she likes to do best, and it is a hobby whether he calls it bv that name or not. Some of the most popular hobbies are: reading, stamp collecting, fishing, collecting of old and rare coins, swimming, collecting of antiques, sewing, handicraft and making a library. Reading is one of the very best hobbies we can de- velop. You not only receive enjoyment from the reading material, but you also gain some knowledge from what you have read. For those who have a natural love for beauty in art, literature or Page Twenty-nine

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C.H.S. “The Zenith” 1935 Class History We, the Class of ’35, enrolled in Coopersville High School one bright September morning to start our high school career. Our mem- bers numbered fifty-four, which was the largest freshman class in history. We were initiated and later elected our class officers with Miss VanderNaald as our advisor. In the fall we had a roast at the lake and in the spring a Bunco party at the Masonic hall. We soon became acquainted with each other and began enjoying our first ear thoroughly. Our freshman year ended with a picnic at Mona Lake. The next fall we entered school as Sophomores. We were fewer in numbers, as some of the students had dropped out, but still enthusi- astic to reach our goal. We had one party during the year. As Juniors our class was increased by new members from Allen- dale, Nunica and Lamont. We numbered forty eight. We were well represented in the various activities of the school, having five letter men in football, and many of our members on the track and baseball teams. In the spring the school Baseball Tournament was won by the Junior team. Our first social event was a Junior-Senior party at How- ard’s barn, at which we were entertained by the Seniors. Our play, “Mother Mine,” was very successfully given under the direction of Miss Sorr. We finished our Junior year by honoring the Seniors at a Junior- Senior banquet. A year later we entered as Seniors. We began our activities by electing the following officers: Henry Woltjer, President; Martin Riemersma, Vice-President and Lucille Holst, Secretary-Treasurer. Later the Annual Staff was chosen with Alice Haas as Editor-in-Chief. This year we had eight letter men in football. During the winter we gave a carnival at the school which was a hugh success. A Beano party was held later. Our last year is drawing to a close and we are looking forward to the class play, Junior-Senior banquet and Com- mencement. We wish to thank our teachers and parents who have made these four years possible and we feel sure that we will profit by them. E. M. M. Page Thirty-one