East High School - Orient Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Che School Year ITU each new semester the lnrgc and ever increasing: registration at East High is a cause for wonder and anxiety. But, noth ing daunted, it mounts higher and higher. To say that wc have reached our limit would be misleading, for we are already tar beyond it, and, furthermore, accommodations, however inadequate, will have to be attempted for the increasing numbers. The present registration stands nt nineteen hundred and fifty-five students. This is practically a hundred per cent over the number for which the building was originally planned. It has been possible to carry on, under such crowded conditions, only by having the pupils entering in January report for classes in an afternoon session which begins for some at 11:30, for others at 12:4; , and still others at 1:30, and closes at 4:30. This oerves the purpose, in so far as attending classes goes, but to many of our boys and girls it is a big question whether school really means business in the way that it should. Although classes have been getting larger, especially in the lower grades, the greatest difficulty is encountered, rather, in the matter of school administration. To an out- sider it must seem as though East High is never really at work, for some students are always coming in, and others leaving, for it is quite desirable to have students go home to lunch, if they live in the vicinity of the school, and again, to excuse others early in order to relieve the congestion as much as possible. As a result of this very hadly over-crowded condition, some of the things we do are merely worthy attempts. We attempt to provide each student with locker accommodations; we attempt to have a scat for everyone in a study room; we attempt to give all a part in the assembly, which is so essential to the creating of wholesome school spirit; and, finally, we attempt to fulfil the requirements of the state law, calling for an hour of gymnasium work and one of recreation for each student in the school each week with our apology for a gym- nasium and no athletic field at all! However, it would not be proper to create the impression that our time is wholly spent in complaining, for we continue to do things at East High in spite of difficulties. We have every reason to believe that the work done in the class-room is up to the standard; our athletic teams are giving fine accounts of themselves, and we sing and play as well as usual. In one particular we are especially proud of our achievements, and that is in the purchase of Thrift Stamps. Our goal for the year ending in June is set at fifteen thousand dollars. Our chances of attaining it are exceedingly encouraging, in that for several successive weeks the school has stood one hundred per cent, for every student present on the day of the sale made a purchase of some denomination. Our special joy and satisfaction since November 11 has been the gradual return to our midst of those who had gone from us. both students and members of the faculty, to render service to the country. First we welcomed back those who were still in camps in this country, and, after several months, came those from “Over There, direct from the field of battle, with wounds and lingering effects of being gassed, all evidences of work well done. The old world to-day is sick of many aches, the causes for which are not easily chronicled. The cures for all its woe are also many and varied and not readily arrived at. Yet if we attempt to arrive at as simple a solution ns jwssible we ought to encounter no trouble in agreeing that it needs more enlightenment. If this be true, how can our citizens continue to neglect the proper education of our boys and girls because of such a lack of sufficient school buildings and equipment. And to you for whom this book is the parting word in your school life, and who now go to meet the bigger problems of life, do not forget to use your influence in securing adequate education»! facilities for Rochester. WILLIAM C. WOLGAST. Eleven

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Alberi H. Wilcox Che faculty Albert H. Wilcox.......................Principal William Betz Vice-Principal Mrs. E. P. Remington..............Girls’ Advisor George E. Eddy Freshmen Principal Martha F. Hickok....................... Secretam Grace L. Williams Katherine Barry BIOLOGY Hilda Farrar Ruth Becker Edna L. Parker Thirteen