Elmira Free Academy - Torch / Sagoyawatha Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

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In Mr. Conant's report to the Superintendent for 1902-'03, he gave a table of representa- tive cities of New York and neighboring states, proving that E. F. A. has the largest percentage of enrolment in proportion to the population of the city, also the largest number of students to each teacher. The former item is a matter for pride, the latter, for regret. With the opening of the fall term, the Freshmen were farmed out, 165 being placed in Grammar School No. 2, and 84 in Grammar School No. 3, leaving 459 upper classmen registered at E. F. A. proper, which still exceeded its seating capacity. This arrangement relieved the congestion somewhat, but was undesirable in many ways, especially as regards school spirit. Music as a regular subject of instruction was introduced this year, under the capable leadership of Mr. George Morgan McKnight. This applies to upper classmen. The Fresh- men are under the direction of the Supervisor of Music tor the grades. The music has proved a highly desirable addition. That year the library was moved from Room 25 to 22, 26 was made into a physics laboratory, the geological specimens were moved from M f-now Room 30--fto the chapel, and M equipped for a biological laboratory. This was the third purpose to which that room had been turned, but not the last. ln November, Mr. Davis of the faculty organized a school orchestra, which was a pop- ular feature for rhetorical programs. This organization lasted for more than two years, dis- banding for lack of place for rehearsals. During its existence it played very creditably for two Arbor Days and one performance of the girls' minstrels. The Arbor Day of 1904 was a particularly festive occasion. Mr. Fassett made the ad- dress of the day. His name guarantees the quality of the speech. Following the usual exercises, about one hundred white-robed girls gave an elaborate drill on the South lawn under the direction of Miss Grace Foster, teacher of elocution. The school orchestra played for the drill. The tree planted that year was named for Miss Minna B. Phelps, who had accepted an appointment in the East Orange High School for the next year and would leave E. F. A. in June after thirteen years in the faculty. Miss Phelps was both an able and a popular teacher. lt is Elmira's misfortune that a woman of Miss Phelps's ability and personality could not have been offered sufficient inducement to remain. The 1904 Commencement was held in Hedding Church, because the Lyceum had burned during the year. An Assembly to fill the place the Adelphics relinquished as the open debating society of E. F. A., was organized November 7, 1904. lts constitution makes girls as well as boys eligible to membership. This may not be generally understood, in any case, no girls thus far have joined. The Assembly died out after a time, but was reorganized April 11, 1906. The meet- ings are held in the Academy building. Miss Herrick conducted a class in domestic science during 1904-'05, and served oc- casional suppers to fortunate guests, who sampled the toothsome viands prepared by the class. This is E. F. A.'s only approach to modern practical methods of training hand as well as head. The English Reading students, on February 14th, had an informal gathering, to which each student contributed at least one original valentine. Some very clever artistic work was the result. So great was the interest that for two succeeding years these parties were repeated, being an oasis in the social desert. In 1908, no room was available, so the custom was dis- connnued. - E. F. A's famous baseball nine of 1905 had a record of but one defeat in two years. That, unfortunately was at the hands of their dearest foe, Cook Academy. The return game, how- ever, was a brilliant retaliation. Pitcher Mack let not a single Cook player reach first base. Such a feat has been accomplished but two or three times even in the national league. The 1905 Class was the largest ever graduated from E. F. A., containing 99 members. lt had been hoped that the rebuilt Lyceum would be ready by Commencement time, but, as it was not, Hedding Church was again used. On this occason, the first award of D. A. R. prizes was made. ln the previous fall, the Chemung Chapter D. A. R. offered two prizes to E. F. A. students for the best essay on assigned historic themes, the third and fourth year students com- peting for a 10 dollar prize, the first and second year students for a 5 dollar prize. These prizes have been continued to date and have been an incentive to good work. The awards have been as follows: 19054-Lester R. Carrier, '05. Marie Beach, '07, 1906--Mary Elizabeth Fairbanks, '06, Donald Beardsley, '09, 1907 fEthel Housman, '07, Jennie Myer, '10, 1908--Anna Marie Goetz, '08, Agnes Harrison, '11, Jessie Howell, '08, Honorable Mention. Margaret Jennings, '08. Dorothy Pickering, '08. The 1905 syllabus required eighteen hours a week recitation or laboratory work of each student and increased the number of counts necessary for graduation, adding a few each year until 1909, when 72 counts are required. The passing mark was correspondingly lowered to 1903 1903 1903 1904 1904 1905 1905 1905 1905 1906 1907 1908 1905

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W? ,, p ,, we I ' Sie -1' I I 5' l 3 W ...aims-T., . .Wy t. HQ 1901 1902 1902 1902 1902 1902 1902 1902 1902 1903 1903 pw. H., f in 1872. Up to 1909 it has accessioned 3987. Little in the way of fiction has been added in several years, the purpose being to keep it a reference library. As such, it is good. The registration in the fall of 1901 was 734 for a building comfortably accommodating 450 at most. An annex was a crying need, though the building was but nine years old. In November, Miss Norman, whose health was seriously undermined, was granteda leave of absence. The school began then to realize how much she meant to the institution. The Boys' Protective Union was formed in February, 1902, to look after the protec- tion of school property, to repair in case of damage by carelessness of students, and to encourage school spirit. The suggestion was Prin. Conant's. A constitution was drawn up, providing for a governing board consisting of two members from each of the four classes, and the prin- cipal ofthe Academy. The first officers elected were President, Earle Hart 3 Treasurer, Wick- ham Smith: Secretary, Beal Banks. This organization lasted into the second year. In March, 1902, the Athletic Association, now augmented to 112 members, held a banquet at the Frasier House, with elaborate menu, toasts, and much enthusiasm. About one hundred were present. J. R. Rubin of Syracuse presented the cause of the new Inter- scholastic League ormed by Syracuse University, similar to the Cornell League of which E. F. A. was already a member. Mr. Conant was in his element as toastmaster. Interesting toasts and speeches were given by Pres. Fred H. Wise, james B. Pratt of the faculty, Messrs. Tripp, Fennell, and Murtaugh from the city and Messrs. Doane, Hart, and Capt. Shea from the school. The junior Class charmingly entertained the faculty and Seniors at Industrial Hall the evening of April 22nd. It was the first social function since the closing of the clubroom and was greatly appreciated. There was a program and dancing with refreshments of ices and cakes. In May, E. F. A. for the first time sent a representative to the Hamilton College prize- speaking contest. Since then, frequently the school has been represented at Hamilton College and at Syracuse University. In 1907, our representative at Syracuse, Loring Pratt, took second prize. This year, 1909, Henry Williman took third prize at Sfyracuse and John Conroy won first prize at Alfred. Both these young men are members o the class of 1909. May 31, 1902 brought almost universal grief to the city of Elmira as well as to E. F. A. in the death of Miss Sarah Cornelia Norman. From the age of sixteen, for forty-five years Miss Norman had devoted her life to educational work in this city. Twenty-six of them had been given to the Academy, where she had been the balance wheel through all changes of administration. She had taught most of the leading men and women of the city and had in full measure, the respect, admiration, and love of all her students. Miss Norman approached the ideal of impartial justice: Her sympathy was equal to her justice, and no one sought her help and counsel in vain. On all questions of public interest she was remarkably well informed, and her sound judgment and original expression made her a delightful talker. Her greatness as a teacher received one unique compliment: she was the only woman ever invited to teach in the Elmira Reformatory. For many months regularly, certain evenings of the week, she lectured to intensely interested inmates. When the strain of the extra work necessitated her giving it up, the Reformatory authorities were very reluctant to release her. What she vwm, even more than what she .mai or did, shaped the lives of her students 5 and her best epitaph is written in the character development of those whose standards are higher for having come under the influence of her personality. The year 1902-'03 was the most uncomfortable one in the school's history as far as congested conditions are concerned. As Mr. Conant said, it was impossible to take a step without danger of crushing some undersized Freshman. Two students to a seat was the rule in more than half the seats, as the registration was almost twice the seating capacity. The Beta Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Sorority was established October 18, 1902, with the initiation of eight Charter members at Ithaca where the Alpha Chapter is located. The aims of the sorority are literary, social, and charitable. It has a present membership of twenty- four. Several of the teachers are honorary members, and Miss Wixon of the faculty is Patron Saint of the club. After 1902, all graduates were required to have a regents' Academic diploma as the minimum requirement for graduation, one year more of English being required by the school than by the state. No locals would be accepted in lieu of the State diploma. Owing to the increase in the numbers of the faculty, Mr. Conant felt that such banquets as had been connected with Class Day for several years were becoming too great an expense to Senior Classes and advised 1903 to adopt a simpler style. The Class of '03 therefore changed Class Day to a day-time observance in Academy chapel, serving light refreshments to class and faculty in Room K. Later classes have followed the same custom, except that they have served the refreshments to all their guests, thereby making the expense quite equal to that of a banquet. 1903, through its president, Isaac Laude, presented to the school, busts of Washing- ton and Lincoln, and reliefs of Thorwaldsen's Night and Morning in medallion form, for the decoration of upper chapel. During the year 1902-'03, the Alma Mater song of E. F. A. was composed by Miss Florence Vollbrecht, now Mrs. Frank -I. Allen, of Sharon, Pa. The words were set to the Thuringer Volkslied music. Miss Vollhrecht was obliged to leave school on account cfillness, but in the song so often sung has left a memorial that should keep her frequently in mind.

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'fr IIILQ ' I 'all Alf -.-f-mi-ftiilir'-iii! lg 1905 1905 1906 1906 1906 1907 1907 1907 1908 1908 91' YHT5 T- f5 :- ... ' ' 60 per cent., being with Freshmen of 1905. The Class of 1909 will be the first graduated on the new standard. pl-.. The Girl's Athletic Association, organized by Miss Cromer of the faculty in the fall of 1905, gave its lirst minstrel performance in St james Hall, Nov. 29, 1905. The school orches- tra played for the songs. It was an unqualified success. In this way, money was earned for a tennis court laid out on the Academy lawn and for a basket ball team's equipment. The girls had cross country runs, hare and hound chases, and did excellent athletic work. Feb- ruary 12, 1901, a second minstrel performance was given by the girls in the same hall. This was equally successful and reflected great credit on the participants, and upon their trainers, Miss Cromer and lvlr. 0'brien. The increased requirements in the course of study have inter- fered to a great extent with thefgirlsxathletics. Miss Foster conducted a dramatic class-,during '05 -'06, which contributed to the rhe- toricals scenes from the Shakespeare plays studied in the English classes. This was not only interesting, but helpful. At the closing rhetorical program before Christmas vacation, December 22, 1905, this class very creditably presented The Cool Collegians. Miss Gardner of the faculty deserves credit for organizing the second Mandolin Club, which, under Mr. Knapp's leadership, did excellent work for about two years, giving public entertainments as well as helping at rhetoricals. In January of 1906, Miss uaggett organized a Glee Club of about thirty mixed voices, which furnished occasional musical treats to the school the remainder of the school year. It was highly commended by Mr. McKnight. ln 1906, E. F. A. was again called upon to lose a principal, as Mr. Conant received a flattering offer from the High School of Holyoke, Mass. his last Commencement was held in the new Lyceum, where, during the exercises, the school presented him with a large silver loving-cup in token of their love and regret. The Senior president, Crissy K. Ball, made the presentation speech. Mr. Conant was exceptionally popular with E. F. A. students, and, in turn, he is able to say that E. F. A. is dearer to him than any other school he has ever taught. His administration revived the custom of Senior Class gifts to the school, observed earlier in the days of reunions. Class plays now furnished the means. Pictures, busts, bas-reliefs, medallions, a clock, and the like, are among the late gifts. The earlier ones have been already mentioned. He also revived the sending of scholarship reports to parents. In earlier days these were sent weekly, now, every fifth week. In his day, laboratory work was extended to all sciences. He encouraged decorating chapel walls with scenes from various colleges, pre- sented by former graduates to enlist interest in their college. He was a born executive. School spirit grew rapidly and greatly under Mr. Conant's magnetic leadership. He celebrated athletic seasons at their close, encouraged songs and yells at games, and fired enthusiasm by example. He encouraged visits from college presidents and famous speakers visiting the city. Indeed he brought the student body together frequently before the division of the school, despite the crowded conditions 5 and later, he called the upper classmen together every few days. In these ways, he made the school more nearly one in spirit than it has ever been since it began growing into a larger city high school. A CHAPTER X. PRIN. PARKER'S ADMINISTRATION, 19069- Mr. Francis R. Parker of Cortland Normal succeeded Mr. Conant. Despite universal regret for Mr. Conant's leaving, the school gave Mr. Parker the most cordial reception it has ever accorded an incoming principal. . In December, Mr. Winslow of the faculty organized a Boys' Glee Club of twenty mem- bers, which lasted until rehearsals began for the boys' minstrels the following spring. Their singing was much enjoyed. Principal and Mrs. Parker made a delightful innovation in February of 1907 by giving a reception to me seniors, faculty, and Board of Education. The office and library were quite transformed. The president of the Senior Class, Mr. Leo Neagle, and the Vice-President, Miss Marbury Clark, assisted in receiving. A program was given in upper chapel, and refreshments were served in the library. It stands alone in E. F. A. history. About six weeks after the girls, second minstrels, the boys of the Athletic Association gave minstrels, April 3rd and 4th, at St. james hall. So great was their success that they repeated the entertainment in Watkins a week or two later, and again in May at Rorick's for the benefit of the Loyal Temperance Legion. ' In 1907, Room K was again transformed, this time into a biological laboratory, as the small room upstairs was outgrown. The No. 2 Freshmen have held a dance in Industrial Hall two years in succession and the No. 3 Freshmen have held similar functions in Miller's Hall, but the school building has become absolutely divorced from sociability. In 1908, the Ifreshmen orchestra played for the Senior play and for Commencement. It was, for these occasions, composed of Ifreshmen from both annexes. Its playing was highly commended. The retirement of Miss Herrick from the science department to become the wife of the Rev. W. H. Chapman ofthis city near the close of the year 1907 '08, was a serious loss to E. F. A. For fourteen years her efficient service had helped to build up the reputation of the Academy