Fitchburg High School - Boulder Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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CLASS HISTORY. ball. How long and glorious its record was can be ascertained hy reading the “Rajah” of that period. But the sure, steady progress which we made in the Freshman, Sophomore and Junior 3 ' ears was onl a stepping stone to that befitting climax, our Senior year. Our existence in that halc on state was one continual blast of fame; over the school we rtded like czars over their vast domains. Onl} once did the rebellious Juniors try to shake our firm swa % with such appalling results that the were awed b our truh magnificent appearance and the brilliancy of our deeds. There were not a few incidents well worth recording which we leave out for lack of space. For instance, the valentine we hung “Father” Nolen, our senior sleighride and Wha lom episodes might furnish articles interesting enough to be read with wild e e and ’bated breath. Doubtless you will now sa that this histor is like an other class histor — that’s a little hot air. Readers, don’t show your ignorance, but think thusly : The class of 1902 can ' t boast. There is no hon- orable deed, great or small, which ’02 cannot per- form. So this history is but a modest record of one or two of the least important things which have happened during our existence, for if we were to mention our more important doings ou would think that we were tr3dng to impose upon 3 our credulity. Good-b3 e, friend Sophomore and jolly little Fresh- man. Here’s luck to you, you poor, misguided baby Juniors. Good-b3 e to all. Au vevoir, Mr. Cobb. 18

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CLASS HISTORY. port to each new project it wRvS assured of complete and overpowering success. In athletics ’02 outdid the whole school. Ryan, Geoffrion, Barker, Burdo, Church, Hardy and Grubb, all of ’02, made the foot- ball team what it was. The flower of the baseball players was represented by Barker, Burdo, O’Brien Church, McCue and Darch from ’02. The debating club was also composed largely of ’02 members, and on the prize debating team it is generally admitted that dayman of ’02 did the best work. The glee club would have been an impossibility without ’02. Our first regularly conducted class meeting took place Sept. 12, 1901. It was marked by the absence of that childish wrangling which has generally char- acterized the first meetings of other classes. Ever - thing went off smoothl} ; there was nothing to detract from its success, although several unused bal- lots marred the beauty of the assembly hall the next morning. Hubbell easily, perfectly and satisfactorily illustrated “the divine right of presidents.’’ Other meetings were held and class pins and colors were chosen (by whom is not known). We gave two par- ties at Wallace Hall, music being furnished by the popular pianist, Ezra P. Coleman, and one at Wha- lom. Each of these was such a tremendous success as can never be surpassed. Early in our Junior year an organization was formed, in our class alone, such as the whole school has never before been able to support. This was the High School Drum Corps, which later developed into a circus band. It is doubtful if such a talented band of musicians will ever again be collected. It was composed of the following ’02 men : Geofirion, Clif- ford, Hubbell, Knight, Smith, Bonney, Percy Fisher, Charles Fisher, Stewart, Bogart, Henault and Kim- 17

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FOOTBALL. Football. A S the season opened there were grave doubts as to whether there was any possibilit 3 of having a team, there being a great laek of suitable material with whieh to form a good one. The manager, Grubb, ’02, and the captain, Hard ’02, persisted, and, thanks to them, suf- ficient interest was raised in the school, or rather in the class of ’02, to compose a team. Among the candidates there were many last year’s players, including Hardy, who did the best work, “Gi- ant Barker,” “Big Geoffrion,” Church, and slow but sure Knight. Among the underclass men, little “Duke Rich” showed up at quarterback, and Burns as half- back. Murphy, ’01, was also to be congratulated for his clever work. Our first victory was a defeat. We played at Cushing academy, where we were treated like gentle- men, but kindly shown our slight defects. Sheehan, star tackle of Brown’s ’00 team, and also of F. H. S. team of ’97, volunteered to coach us, and coach us he did. After a week of hard practice we played the Gardner team and lost, but through no fault of ours, having been treated very discourteously by a series of foul decisions. 19