Eastern High School - Punch and Judy Yearbook (Washington, DC)

Page 21 text:

THE EASTERNER 19 Try It By Criype RicHarpson, ’28 For every result there is a cause or causes, whether it be the result of a war, a football game, or an examination. So it is quite evident that there must be a reason why our lunchroom is so eminently successful. I wonder how many of us truly realize the importance of this school institution, and how well it is fulfilling its pur- pose. To most of us it is simply a place where we go to get our lunches, where we get them cheaply, and where we can consume them in a social atmosphere. Now, right there lies the secret. Did you ever hunt for anything and finally find it right under your nose? Well, that is what happens in this case. The lunch- room is so evident in its success that it fairly conceals it. That sounds paradoxical, but it really isn’t. Before we can realize to what extent it is ful- filling its destiny we must understand just what is the lunchroom’s purpose. “To eat in, of course,” you say. But there is something more to it than that. The object is to supply food to the students at the lowest possible price, in the best manner consistent with that price, and to provide it in a clean, sanitary, social environment. As to the social end of it, there is little or no doubt. Walk through there during a lunch hour, and you will understand. Why, more news, school and otherwise, and examinations are discussed and compared, or contrasted, here, than in any other place around the school. And jokes— well, you ought to sit at my table. You know, it is rather odd how good food makes people want to tell jokes and laugh. And so we come by natural sequence of events, results, effects, or what have you, to the reason all this is true. I think the big reason has been Mr. Joseph Kochka, himself. Now, to get to the point, as the ink said to the pen point, Mr. Kochka has produced re- sults. He has given his entire time to his job and has studied his plan of battle from A to Z, as any good Napoleon should. He has been always on the field ready to jump in the breach and smooth out any difficulties. He has also surrounded himself with a staff of able lieu- tenants. In addition to these animate aids, he has put into effect various inaminate ones. In the kitchen every mechanical device is em- ployed to limit cost of production and prepara- tion. The system of preparation and serving has been reduced to a minimum cost. Witness the self-serving arrangement and the duty of carrying our used plates to the side tables. System, eh, what? The food that is put up for sale is bought at the lowest price possible con- sistent with its excellent quality. How can such measures fail? I have reserved one final argument to clinch this thing. It is unanswerable. That is, try the food! PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS “It ain’t ev’rybody I’d put to sleep in this room,” said Mrs. Jones to the fastidious and extremely nervous young minister, who was spending the night at her house. “This here room is full of sacred associations to me. My first husband died in that very bed with his head on those same pillows and poor Mr. Jones died setting in that thar corner. Sometimes when I come into the room in the dar’, I think I see him settin’ there still. My own father died laying right on that couch by the winder. Poor pa! He was a Speeritualist and always said he’d appear in this room after he died, and sometimes I’m foolish enough to look for him. If you should see him tonight, you’d bet- ter not tell me; for it’d be a sign to me that was something in Speeritualism, and I’d hate to think that. My son by my first husband fell dead of heart trouble right where you are standing. He was a doctor, and there’s three whole skeletons in that closet that belonged to him and eight skulls in that lower drawer. Well, I guess you are tired; so good night, and pleasant dreams.” Gwenvotyn N. Rusk, ’29.

Page 20 text:

18 THE EASTERNER ( hk aN Ss uD yy ) COPYING Copying or cheating in class work is one of the most Tuining and despicable habits that could befall a student. It not only makes him untrustworthy, but will eventually render him a weakling in overcoming any obstacles alone, for he will have grown accustomed to de- Pending on the aid of others. Cheating is hopelessly foolish from the be- ginning. There is nothing to be gained and everything that is honorable to be lost. Per- haps a grade may be gained. However, will the world shelter and clothe you on that grade? No; the world demands what you can do, not what you can bluff doing. Far better is it to “flunk” a subject and later learn it than to re- ceive a mark that would be mere mockery to your true worth. When the roll is called the capable men will assume the important roles in the walks of life, while the pitiful copier will toil away in a dingy shop for a pittance. P.L.S. Are you thinking of going to college? Many former graduates have found it impos- sible at the last minute to attend the college they preferred, since they lacked certain neces- sary credits. Do not make the mistake they did. If possible, decide on your college at once. Get its catalogue and base your high school course on its requirements. For any additional information go to Miss Hawes in her office, room 301. She will be very glad to help you. M. H.K. Did you ever stop to think about the or- ganization of Eastern and how like a little com- munity it is in itself? Take the government, for instance. The sections are ruled over by various members of the faculty who are in turn Tesponsible to Mr, Hart, the chief execittive, We, on have a voice through the Students’ Councij, We possess a lunch room, a bank, an assem. bly hall, an armory, a print shop, and Scientific laboratories, besides our regular homes, the section rooms. What more can anyone wish— food, books, money, entertainment, lodging, clothing, and even one’s own magazine? Moreover, within our stronghold are soldiers to protect us, athletes of fame, talented actors and actresses, writers, orators, and musica] geniuses who all uphold the honor of oyp school along the lines in which they excel, Then there is the social side of life here. The clubs are varied. They entertain in different ways—teas, parties, and dances, which nearly everyone attends and enjoys, In the assembly hall are plays, vaudevilles, and movies. Like all good citizens, we should try to make our community where we receive so many benefits a model one. M.H.K. The recent basketball series was terminated rather abruptly by a disagreeable incident which occurred at the close of the Central- Western game, January 25. It is reported that it was of a turbulent nature and was due to lack of restraint on the part of several im- petuous high school students. We are thank- ful, and proud of the fact, that Eastern did not participate in the melee. Those involved acted heedlessly, perhaps, moved by strong partisan spirit, but cannot be excused on this ground. Very often we lose sight of the real purpose of athletics and resort to tagging opponents with unseemly remarks. Eastern students, being human, have, at rare intervals, yielded (Continued on page 33)

Page 22 text:

20 THE EASTERNER It is stated by the telephone company that Gardner Henry keeps the “hello girls” quite busy getting his homework from Vance Fisher. Who bobbed her hair that certain way first—Norma Shearer, the movie sheikess, of Florence Smith? ; Caroline Reece, of section 305-3, is, accord- ing to Charles Jarrett, a “darn sharp girl.” Speaking of goats! We weren't? Well, never mind, Did any of you ever watch Emily May and Ethel Mae Frame eat with knives and soup spoons while in the lunch room? Surely you didn’t miss their amusing enter- tainment at the top of the marble stairs? It is rumored that William Crentz had better stay away from the Easterner room if he values his health. Arthur Murray has a rival in person of James Dietz. We recently saw him strutting at the Senior Prom. Many masculine hearts are heavy with the loss of Betty Bayliss and Ida Parker. It is rumored that Dale Snell is going to give Frances Wright six inches of his height. He is very sympathetic. Well, girls, it surely looks bad for you. After four years of heart throbs and thrills, Allen Cross has left Eastern. “Benjy” McCullough has “Helen Breen” written in all his books. Now we'd been think- ing he was one of those “women haters.” By the way, Conrad Grohs has given up his title of “woman hater,” too. He has admitted the superiority of the feminine sex. An at. tractive brunette of the February class helped him to change his mind. Dorothy Black has given up attempts to win the title of “The Beatrice Fairfax of Eastern,” She introduced two perfectly adorable people and stood off to watch results. Something went wrong, though, for they argued all] evening. Which just goes to show that you never can tell. One of those dear little rookies (name with- held because of age) has a wild crush on Zambreny. Every day she gives a long-suffer- ing friend of hers a detailed account of how he looked, what he wore, what he said, how he said it, etc. If “Zam” would only smile upon her, her heaven upon earth would be complete. Roscoe Kearns, according to the best author- ity, has been coming down to watch the Sopho- more girls’ basketball practice. Is the attrac- tion “Aggie” Gallagher or Mary Drake? Billie Boswell had lots of fun this winter season. Every snow storm found Billie out with his little sled. At such times he is indeed a dashing young gentleman. Brooks—Why did you flunk geometry? Hartzell—Mrs. Staples thought my triangles looked like wrecktangles. Ethel Mae Frame—I'’ve half a mind to write a story for the EaAsTERNER. Johnny-on-the-spot—That’s all you need.