Gilbertsville Central Rural School - Yearbook (Gilbertsville, NY)

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Alumni Association prim ALUMNI BANQUET on Friday bevening, July 7, 1933, the Alumni of the Gilbertsville Academy and High School met at the Major's Inn for their annual reunion and banquet. There were eighty-nine members and their guests present to Elnjoy the exceptionally fine dinner and delightful evening prepared for em. Between the courses of the dinner the company was led in singing of familiar songs by Mr. John R. Frone, with Mrs. R. V. Seaman at the piano. ' At the close of the dinner the toastmaster, Mr. Harry B. Ward, told a few of his memories as a student of the high school, and then had the members of the association stand up as he called the year of their class. He then introduced Mrs. James H. Ecob, who talked on the need and bene- fits of world peace. Music during the program consisted of two vocal solos by Mr. Paul F. Waterman, two piano solos by Miss Elizabeth Root, and two num- bers by a mixed quartet composed of Miss Stella Root, Miss Beatrice Moore, Mr. Clarence Freer, and Mr. Paul WVaterman. All these numbers were very well rendered and enthusiastically received. - Mrs. Sigwart Swenningsen very cordially and wittily welcomed the class of 1933 to membership in the alumni association and Miss Doris Latham responded on behalf of the class. The address of the evening was given by Mr. B. C. Van lngen, super- intendent of schools at Kingston, New York, whose topic was Trends of Education. His talk was both interesting and instructive, and it was a real privilege to have hlml with us. The program was very flttingly closed by the singing of the Alma Mater. ,il........- THE ALUMNI BANQUET The fourteenth annual banquet of the Alumni Association of the Gil- bertsville Academy and high school was held at the Major's Inn at 7:30 p. m., on Friday evening, July 6, 1934. There were ninety-one members and their guests present. During the dinner, Mr. G. G. Summerson, accompanied by Mrs. Paul D. Moore at the piano, led the company in singing of familiar and appro- priate songs. Mrs. Sigwart Swenningsen acted very ably as toastmaster for the pro- gram which lmmedlately followed the banquet. She tlrst introduced Miss Stella Root who very charmingly welcomed the graduating class of 1934 into membership in the association, to which Charles Nearing, the class president, responded on behalf of the class. Mrs. Swenningsen then re- quested those who had been students of the old academy to rise and it was found that there were about twenty-five present. The address of the evening was made by Miss Florence H. Freer, who 37

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tan maids, in costume, gave a pretty drill. The program closed with the singing of America by the whole school. Mr. Lovell, of the Presbyterian synod, gave a humorous, intimate, edu- cational talk on the Chinese. He stated that many accepted beliefs of the Chinese are not true. For instance, all Chinese do not have almond-shaped eyes, black hair and yellow complexions. The underlying principle of his speech was the problem of understanding other people. James Dyer, of Armenia, spoke to the students one morning. He rc- lated some interesting and amusing stories of school life in Armenia. He told his own troubles in learning the English language, Everyone enjoyed his talk. A Columbus day program was given by the fifth and sixth grades. Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, was sung by the school. Following the recitation of Columbus by Shirley Carr, came a play, The Discovery of America. The play was well given. Miss Roberts' Latin classes gave a spdendid reproduction of a Roman Wedding. After the impressive ceremony, the bride, groom and attend- ants, attired in white, started for the bride's new home. Arrived there, the groom found it rather difficult to carry his bride over the threshold, but finally accomplished it. Miss Slocum's Introduction to Business class offered a program on the rise of transportation from colonial times up to modern times. It was as- tonishing to 11ote the changes and improvements necessary in order to ar- rive at our present-day means of transportation. Mrs. Nel1er's program, given by the Home Economic classes, contained many helpful hints about politeness and manners. The problem of correct introduction was solved. Mrs, Neher stressed the point that acting naturally was the important feature in meeting new people. Mr, Seaman's Economic Citizenship class have given debates onffthe subjects of May Rich People Work for Pay? and Money is the Chief Consideration in Choosing a Vocation? Both sides set forth very good points. These were very instructive. Mrs. Waterman has provedher ability as music teacher by her pre- sentation of excellent musical programs. Solos and duets, both vocal and piano, have added the necessary variety. The school has been fortunate, also, in hearing Mr. VVaterman's pleasing voice at various times. As music plays an important part in the lives of people, it is necessary that a certain, part of school time be devoted to the study of it. Thus, these few examples will illustrate the type of chapel programs that the school has enjoyed during the past year. The spirit that has ex- isted between pupil and teacher, between speaker and student, has shown whole-hearted cooperation. May the school continue its instructive pro- grams ! 36

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talked on the particular branch of Home Economics which is her work. She first sketched the evolution of Home Ecanomics, showing that dietition work in hospitals was the predecessor of Home Economics. She then told of the different fields which Home Economics has entered. Miss Freer, herself, is with the Domestic Science Bureau of the Brooklyn Edison Com- pany, which has to do with testing and demonstrating all sorts of electri- cal appliances used in the home. Dr. Walter Hervey and the Honorable Mr. Chester Donaldson also con- tributed extremely interesting parts to the program. Dr. Hervey, who is editor of The Spoken NVord, is frequently in demand as a lecturer on the oral study of literature and especially poetry. He entertained us by giving a few definitions and explanations of poetry and by reading several care- fully chosen bits from the modern poets. Mr. Donaldson is a graduate of the academy and he spoke very appreciatively of the annual reunions of the school which are unique in their demonstration of solidarity and good fellowship. Another interesting feature of the evening was the presentation by Mrs. Kuno Francke of a prize to that member of the senior class who had had the best influence on his fellow students. The award this year was a new Webster Collegiate Dictionary and was given to Charles Nearing. Pleasing variety was lent to the program by two very beautiful vocal solos by Mrs. George G. Summerson and two piano solos by Clarence Freer, all of which were enthusiastically received by those present. The program was very fittingly closed by the singing of the Alma Mater, the words of which were written by Mr. Charles M. Lillie. Alto- gether, the evening's entertainment was thought by many to be among the best ever to be presented at the banquet. Following the program a brief business meeting was held at which the following olllcers were elected for the coming year: President, Miss Mary H. Mirickg vice-president, Miss Doris Latham: secretary, Miss Doro- thy E. Wardg treasurer, Mr. J. Merton Moore. 38