Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 15 text:

January, 1931 13 Military Organization M ANY of the class of January 1931 have been members of the Battalion and Band. George Yemm captained Company C in his S-2 term, while William Michaels and Kurre Ostrom commanded Companies A and D respectively. Harry Seiders and Edward Wilson, lieutenants, have been in com¬ mand of the recruits for the past half year. Four members of our class, Ellis Booth, Joseph Maser, and Leon McMenamin, in their S-l term, and George Grafton in his S-2 term, served as lieutenants, while William Clouser held the rank of first sergeant. Donald Miller was supply-sergeant of the staff, and Paul Frankel held the same position in Company C. Charles Keys was senior color- sergeant of the staff in his S-l term. Among the sergeants of our class were Douglas Buchanan, James Woods, Herman Casterline, Lawrence Estill, Richard Williams, Stephen Walton, Goerge Lowe, Fred Miller, and Richard Splane. For the last term the Band has been ably captained by Henry Young. Edward C. Ephault has served as first lieutenant, Albert Young and Rodney Barwick as second lieutenants, and John Knock as supply-sergeant. Earl Tanner brought honor to our class by winning first prize in the single competitive drill in January 1929. Five members of our class, Rodney Barwick, Dave Bortel John Frasco, George Grafton, and Don Miller attended Citizens’ Military Training Camps during the summer of 1930. Don Miller was also an attendant in 1929.

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12 Commencement Record the Christmas spirit. Stephen Walton quite humbly clothed himself in the attire of Bob Cratchet, Scrooge’s hard-working bookkeeper. George Yemm took the part of the optimistic, cheerful nephew, and Rodney Barwick played the part of the “happy boy.” I am sure that we all agree, those that remember it, that it was well done. We congratulate them. In the Senior Class Play, James M. Barrie’s Admirable Crichton, we were represented by three members. Earl Tanner, as we would expect, played the role of a young lady—but no apologies to the ladies. He gave a characterization of a young maid, Jean. We all registered a shock when we saw the “charming” face of Mrs. Perkins, for who should be behind it but Don Miller. As usual he forgot to shave and oh, what a bewhiskered star he made. The part of Lord Brocklehurst, taken by John Forsht, could hardly have been better done. We thought that a more typical Englishman in the German-French could not be found. To turn from acting and actors, let us change to the acomplished art of speaking. The annual Declamation Contest held December fifth starred three of our class: Yemm who spoke on “History—an Appreciation,” John Forsht who expostulated on, “The Theatre—An Appreciation,” and Freddy Clark who with his known and remarkable fire rendered “The Angel of the Battlefield.” Enthus¬ iastic himself, he touched the judges’ hearts with his story of Clara Barton and won second prize. Congratulations Freddy, and may your success with women be far greater and rewards larger in the future. In our congratulations we do not forget the other contestants whose fine work and wonderful showing made this affair one of the best given in years. Though we love to speak of many of our classmates who have been gifted with talents in acting and speaking, there is one whose accomplished work in the field of drama deserves special recognition. That one, as you may have guessed, is John Forsht. Scrooge, Lord Brocklehurst, Alan Hartley, in Drums of Oulde, were all rendered by him with a high degree of skill. His many public appearances when he lived in Kipling’s Gunga Din or in Hamlet’s famous soliloquies, “to be or not to be,” and “Oh, what a rough and peasant slave am I” have proved his artistic inclination, spirit and talents. We all wish him the best of success in his realizing his ambition to be the world’s greatest actor. Speaking of Forsht and Hamlet, there came to me another breezy thought. I have a common habit, good or bad, of trying sometimes to imitate Shakespeare. You may smile at my attempts, but I will close with this little soliloquy to “Friends of Acting and Speaking” which I present especially to Johnny Forsht: To have a friend Is happiness. To have two friends Is unknown wealth. So now let’s all Be happy—gay And rich in friendship. Let’s all be friends!

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14 Commencement Record Our Graduating Class ' Twas many a year ago, boys, We came to our Girard; The crowding years have hurried past. But we ' ve come through unscarred. It’s time to balance accounts, boys. And reckon our Worth today. To lay our course for the goal ahead. To pause, and perhaps to pray. Have you seen a clear blue lake. When the flood-gates are unbarred, Rush into the arms of the Wanton sea? It is so with our Girard. The wide, wide sea of life, boys. Will not raise its careless tide. And the waves will surge against the shore Unmindful in their pride. Yet if our lives are sweet and clean. Our courage high and holy. If We have trust in Cod’s intent, And spirits chaste and lowly. The tides of life that seem so strong Will yield to our desires; The winds that blow so cold will warm To faith’s consuming fires. If we are worthy, if We are true, ’Cainst sin and shame on guard. Friendship and love will follow us As in our dear Girard. The honors we have Won, boys. The disappointments hard. Let’s scrap them all and give one cheer For the honor of Girard. —C. Addison Willis.