Coplay High School - Coplayite Yearbook (Coplay, PA)

Page 20 text:

our first class meeting was called. In time officers were elected and colors chosen, and for the remainder of the year we felt as though the Middlers and Seniors were “ Not the only pebbles on the beach.” The winter term with its various lectures, and Keystone anniversary with its important topic, ‘‘The waste and conservation of resources,” so well discussed, passed by very rapidly, and it seemed but an immeasurably short time from the time of the reception in Chapel to our return home once more. After a fleeting vacation of ten days, we once more, as Juniors, returned to Dear Old Normal for the final tug of war. The term as usual was opened with a reception in Chapel, and now we received the last recruits of our Junior year most eagerly. The year 1909 passed only too quickly, and spring term, with the glories of nature and the busy Junior, seemed to disappear like the ice before the sun’s warm rays. The saddest event of the year was an epidemic of measles, which for some time held sway with the physically weaker element of the student body. The well-equipped infirmary, however, fostered these unfortunate students with the materly tenderness, and when time came for departure all were again released. But now the climax of the tug of war had reached us: we were confronted by a double phalanx composed of the Faculty and State Board of Examiners. However, being well drilled and armed by a year’s hard work, we proved our fighting abilities and emerged joyfully from the thick of the fray with swords sheathed for another year. Now, we were full-fledged middlers, and after congregating our flocks in the school and on the beautiful campus, Class Day and Commencement Day, we again journeyed northward to return with the winter winds. Louis Edgar Dieruff. 14

Page 19 text:

new dispositions. After a delightful entertainment by the Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. and refreshments for both mind and body, we retired, waking on the morrow with a new and warmer feeling for our Dear Old School. As time flew l y and more difficult and more numerous tasks confronted us, we began to feel that we really were a part of a typical educational institution. To grace our first week’s end both literary societies rendered special programs. How marked was our beginning here at Normal! The chapel, in order to be more in keeping with the entire school, upon our arrival, was found to have been entirely remodeled and beautified. Even a new addition to the kitchen and laundry was now being completed. How we have felt the benefit of it all cannot be expressed in fitting words. Upon our beginning two new teachers greeted us: Miss Henrietta Groeneveld, an able teacher of music, and Mr. W. S. Ilalde-man, whose work here has been felt by the entire school. The lecture course of this year gave unbounded information on topics of great importance, among which were Judge Willis Brown, of Utah, who very powerfully spoke on “The kind of training needed by morally delinquent boys.” Dr. J. E. Cathell’s lecture on Abraham Lincoln was an inspiring and patriotic address not easily forgotten. Following Philomathean Literary Society anniversary with its glowing and inspiring musical and literary program came Hallowe’en, our first one spent here at school. How marked it was! To students and teachers alike it was without taint of loudness or annoyance to any one. A sumptuous feast was served in the dining room, suitably decorated for the occasion, and after supper and toasts were over, all repaired to Chapel, where a delightful entertainment was given under the auspices of the Y. M. and the Y. W. C. A. The occasion was one of sociability, mirth and laughter, and we Juniors had now become entirely assured that the Keystone State Normal School had no equal all over this broad land. Thanksgiving Day was just as pleasantly spent. After an unparalleled feast, which was one truly to be thankful for, we again repaired to Chapel, where the exercises were instructive as well as interesting. In the meantime, while “Father Time” was speeding onward and the sand glass kept running lower and lower, we, as Juniors, began to feel the need of a closer acquaintance, and consequently 3

Page 21 text:

MIDDLE YEAR. The shortest life is longest, if 'tis best; Tis ours to work to God belongs the rest. Our lives are measured by the deeds we do, The thoughts we think, the objects we pursue. —J. W. Westlake. AVING successfully passed through probably the most difficult and trying year of our normal course, we are about to step upon the threshold of seniority. In looking back over the school year that has just passed I am led to believe that it has been one of eminent success. A brief account of the important events in their chronological order is desirable at this time. September 6th, the opening day of the fall term, was characterized by the usual congestion of traffic, hearty handshakes, and the recounting of vacational experiences. A large number joined the class who had passed the examination the spring previous. These, together with an almost equally large number of others known as Junior-Middlers, helped to swell the size of the class until the number overreached the two-hundred mark, making it the largest middle class enrolled at the Keystone Normal up to this time. The first days sped rapidly and Friday evening found all in eagerness for the usual reception to new students given under the auspices of the Young Men's and Young Women’s Christian Associations. Here the new students were at once put at ease and soon all constraint was cast aside. By far the most interesting feature of the evening was the activity displayed by the “recruiting committees” of the rival societies, which produced an abundance of fun and greatly enhanced the growing feeling of fellowship among the students. Thereafter, so long as the weather was favorable, baseball and tennis afforded recreation for leisure moments. Hallowe’en was appropriately observed. The dining room was artistically decorated for the occasion and the menu was exceptionally excellent. Closely following Hallowe’en came Thanksgiving Day. Work was suspended for the day and all gave themselves up to a fitting observance of the festival. At 11 o’clock the students gathered in the chapel where services were held. Attorney Harvey Heinly, of Reading, delivered an inspiring address. The surpassing feature of the fall term was the anniversary of the Philomathean Literary Society, which eclipsed that of all previous occasions. The lecture course was exceptionally good, and •5