Ferndale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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1934 REFLECTOR On September 5, 1933, only 101 of the original 117, re-united for the final year, to be the last lap of our distance. We could still see the Land of Graduation in 1934 before us, while we were flying around in our airplanes. Our group of serious workers sold plenty of candy to other school mates, and excelled in the magazine sales of previous years. During the year's work, several dances were held—these helped us along for our trip, for we were now Seniors. Charles Moore was our chief pilot during this flight, helping us through many difficulties. 'I he law-making body for the class was James Rorabaugh, Charles Moore, Robert I'ord, Garnet Shaffer, and Hetty Pfefferl. We pushed hopefully toward our goal—that of graduat- ing. The class skill was shown in the play, when the talent was brought forth to the people. Twice, large crowds of interested parents watched the performance, and commented upon it. With the Junior-Senior Reception and Commencement and other Senior activities, the year was brought to a close.

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HISTORY With one hundred and seventeen strong hikers looking forward to a long and pleasant journey, there started from the mountainous land of 1931, the earnest seekers of the rich treasure of Education. Our main thought on this trip was to reach the Land of Graduation. We could spy it from where we stood on the high mountain peak in our own land. All of us expected a smooth, gliding way to this destination, but instead we found it harder than supposed. The roads were rough, stony, and very hard to cross, but we were determined and kept on. We must remember that not all stayed with us during this long hike because several felt it undesirable. Many saw the tiresome trail ahead, and the reason being for others, heart-condition or matrimony. As we went through this Land of 1931, many citizens watching us go by merely laughed and called us “grecnies.” Wei', all we could do was to try. One citizen told us we must journey through the next Land of 1932 in traveling. What a hardship that would be! When we got to the foot of the immense mountain, we were met face to face with the Land of 1932. What a future it held for us, for we were no longer “grecnies,” but “Sophs.” Here, in the Land of 1932, the world’s transportation was much more advanced and we decided to go a part of the way on stage-coach. Of course we needed several of them, for what a large crew we really were! It was now necessary to select officers for these coaches and this was accomplished by electing four presidents, two from each home room. They were William Wright. John Bracken, James Rorabaugh, and Garnet Shaffer. It must be still remembered that we had older advisors, called teachers. For these teachers, we can always be thankful because they helped us along the hardest sections of this monotonous path- way. At this point of the distance, we disbanded for the short period of three months, in order to become more effie’ent in the following years. Eighty-seven students banded together this year as Juniors.” What a glory it was to have gone on our course for two years already and still making more ad- vancement. In this Land of 1933, we were traveling in a more modern style, trans- portation by train. The heads of our railway cars this term were Robert Ford and Charles Moore. This lap of our journey meant several things. First rings were to be received by us in this term, and secondly, during this time we were to celebrate our first reception. As it was impossible for all of us to purchase rings, only a few in the crowd wore them. The standard Fcrndale ring was retained. Towards the end of the year, we held a reception in a beautiful, yet simple manner. Everyone attending this fete, was very much pleased and enjoyed it immensely. The law-enforcing body for this class was comprised of five members, William Spotz. Olivia Horner, Rayford Feather, Ruth Hindman, Vera Schrock, and Melvin Rhodes. Everything had been successful for us, and we approached our last school days together.

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CLASS PROPHECY Relaxing in the luxurious lounging chair of the huge Los Angeles airship I let my thoughts dwell on my destination—Ferndale, the borough of my long-ago youth. As the plane swooped over the gorgeous cities of class and steel buildings, I thought of my classmates and wondered what life had dealt them. The hostess of the plane interrupted my thoughts by inquiring after my comfort and as I glanced up to answer, something in her face struck me as familiar. Could it he—It was June Huber, of all people! At once we launched into an animated discussion of our old friends, and June, who kept in contact with most of them was able to tell me of their present occupations. Her old chums, Leona Hoffman and Ruth Neff, had meandered over to Paris and become mannequins in one of the well-known gown shops there. Richard Fames, June told me, was the owner of the company to which this very plane be- longed. Byron Kuhs and George Hunt were in Hollywood, striving towards the moving picture heights. Indeed, Kuhs was said to be a second Clark Gable, and Hunt was a cross between Fredric March and Wally Beery. Alma Trcxel and Myra Noel are the joint operators of a gymnasium for rich bachelors and widows who have nothing to do. Pearl Brant (can you imagine), Clifton Maloney and I om Hammer are all wrapped up in the stock markets and making quick money. Betty Shaw is now known as Madame Shawrino, the great opera singer, and (which is not so strange) receives notes and flowers backstage from William Spotz, now the president of a Soda Cracker concern. Esther Craig is his secretary. Despite the change in times, we still have circuses, even Barnum and Bailey’s, and Jack Moore is the head trapeze performer in that circus and Melvin Rhodes is the lion tamer. Elsie Bryant still lives in married bliss, although she has ten children on her apron strings. A fact which troubled me quite a bit wrs that Bob Ford was suing Mabel Idleman for divorce! And they were such mild-mannered people! Anne Grumbling has raised her voice in favor of women’s rights in business and making quite a headway, too, according to the papers. So we talked on and as the plane stopped at the various cities, I learned that my classmates were known all over the Continent, I might even say the world. A huge fresh-air sanitarium in the Rockies was, I learned, operated by Jennie Adams, Ruth Roddy. Fern Stutzman and Nedra Fees. Don Strong had quite a following in St. Paul, Minn., as a doctor. Some of the most beautiful homes in Chicago were designed by Theodore Chop and Lester CauflH. We heard Clifford Long’s stentor- ian voice over the radio voicing his views on taxation. Football is still the favorite game of the Nation and the best college teams ?r» coached by Bus Moore, Paul Stankan, Steve I elenko, and George Shubic. Women arc becoming well-known ian voice over the radio voicing his views on taxation. Football is still the favorite Keini, Lois McAchren, Edna Mahan, and Jean Smith were among these. And foe Rager and Charles Rogers wrote some of the most thrilling detective stories ever produced. We finally landed in good old Ferndale and I was amazed to see that it was no longer a small “burg” but an immense flourishing city with w-ide streets, huge steel buildings, and all the accessories. One huge building, a restaurant, confronted us with signs, saying “Come here for your old-fashioned meals. Eat pies like Mother used to bake. And who do you think ran this pretentious affair? None other than Eunice Keim with Nellie Miller, Emma Fisher, Mary Butchko, Catherine I emyer, and Anna Noll as co-cooks. Further down the street a magnificent theatre flourished signs, announcing the debut of Frances Casriel and Phyllis Wolford as