Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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January, 1931 7 Perhaps the most enjoyable of all our socials was the last—the Senior-Two dance. On October 10, 1930, our class opened the fall social season. The room was a myriad of color. A little touch of futuristic design added to the decorative scheme. In one corner, a silhouette in the form of a moon portrayed a boy and girl tete-a-tete. This feature was so attractive it aroused enthusiastic comment. Early in the evening a grand march led the way to a traditional Paul Jones. A touch of comedy was introduced when bon-bons were given out as favors which became ominous with the caps which exploded with a startling noise when opened. Later in the evening a confetti shower and balloon dance added to the merriment pf all. As the last strains of the moonlight waltz were played, our last social was over. As we turned back to the regular routine, we appreciated Dryden’s feeling that “Dancing is the Poetry of the Foot.” The pleasant associations formed at our socials will long be cherished among us. It is with a feeling of regret that we give thought to the fact that we shall never attend another class social in Girard College. “Dancing is the Child of Music and of Love.” —Sir John Davies Trips TRIP is often the experience of a lifetime. We shall never forget that consecrated ground at Valley Forge where Washington spent the winter of 1777-1778 with the fragments of his crippled troups of soldiers. How often a willingness to suffer and sacrifice brings better things to those who come after. But the most hallowed spot of all is the Washington Memorial Chapel commemorating what the Revolutionists fought and died for that our independ¬ ence might last forever. On our second trip, that to the Girard Estate in the Shenandoah Valley, we saw for ourselves the gigantic industry of coal mining. Breakers, colliers, reservoirs, huts and houses bearing mute evidence of deprivation and toil, and an interesting townsfolk above the ground; below the ground, in the bowels of the earth where grim darkness is one’s only companion, we saw the removal of coal. This is a possession and an enterprise we shall always remember. Then to the heart of the nation where the beauty and the power of our great land reside. Washington! It is an atmosphere and a spell of inspiration which everyone calling himself American should absorb. From the Congressional Library we went on to the Capitol, the Smithsonian Institute, Mount Vernon, where Washington’s greatest plans for his nation were forged, to the sacred portals of the Washington and the Lincoln Memorials, and finally to the presence of those of

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6 Commencement Record Class Socials “On with the dance! let joy he unconfined; No sleep ’till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet.” —Byron C LASS socials, an established institution in Girard, were enjoyed to the utmost by our class. Perhaps there is nothing that better acquaints the Girard boy with the social customs of the outside world than these semi-annual social evenings. The last lingering strains of music have now faded into the past, but we will always be able to linger over the memory of those happy hours, all too few. Our Junior-One social was held on May 24, 1929. Being the first one, it was of course a new experience in our lives. The music started at exactly eight o’clock and immediately the floor was alive with gay couples. Many members of our class were dead tired from the trip to Valley Forge, but the bewitching strains of music and the alluring guests soon rejuvenated them and turned them into gay and lighthearted partners. Owing to the extensive work done by our hostesses, hosts, and decorating committee, the rooms were beautifully adorned. The gay color combinations made the social resemble a May dance of long ago. Due to the newness of the event, there was some confusion; but on the whole, everyone enjoyed himself to the utmost. After the good-nights had been said, our first social became a fond memory and the next one seemed a long way off. We had no sooner stopped discussing the first social than we began to look forward with eager anticipation to our Junior-Two affair which was to be held on December 13, 1929. On this occasion the room was invaded by the spirit of Christmas. A large Christmas tree stood in one corner, lavishly resplendent with trimmings and blinking colored lights. Large snowflakes seemed to cluster on the window-panes, and snow-covered boughs displayed their cold beauty on the walls. We had now become acquainted with social life; therefore real veterans escorted their partners into the room and merrily swung into the opening foxtrot. A confetti shower brought another enjoyable evening to a close. Thus another class social passed into the glowing past and alert minds looked ahead to the following March. Our Senior-One social was held on March 14, 1930. Saint Patrick ruled over the occasion. All the decorations reflected the symbols of Irish tradition. Among the novelties introduced at this affair was a balloon and Saint Patrick Hat dance. Small Irish hats were distributed and worn by the fair sex during that dance and for the remainder of the evening. After the confetti dance and the moonlight waltzes, two-score and six tired, but happy couples walked slowly to the Lodge, where, adieus voiced, the occasion slipped into the past.

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8 Commencement Record our greatest long since gone to their Reward—in the National Cemetery at Arling¬ ton. Conveying with ours their gratitude to the College for these highly stimu¬ lating and instructive trips, the officers of the Band and Battalion mention their special trip to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Here they saw the great military college of the nation with its finest examples of officership. Study as you will from the most graphic descriptions of these beautiful spots, there is no replacing an actual visit to the soil where the founders of our nation and our College actually trod. They fought and conquered, and then, lying back upon their arms, they said with thanks to God, “At last ’tis mine to have and give that- others may know Thy will better than I.” And so we again are obligated to you of Girard College. Our Athletic Achievements I N the realm of sports, our class has not been without honors. Chester Phillips leads the class in the number of “G’s” won with the total of six to his name. He became a member of the Gym team in 1926 when he earned his numerals. For the next four years “Chet” was a member of the team and served as captain during the last two. In 1928 he won the Groff Gym Trophy for best individual performances in the gymnasium. Walton Gibson was also a member of the Gym team. In 1929 he received his numerals, and in the following year, his letter. Our class was represented in swimming by Chester Phillips, John Knock, and Harry Seiders. They all won their letters in that sport the past year, and Phillips won his the year before. Howard Mills earned his numerals as assistant manager of the swimming team in 1929, and Kennedy received his letter for managing the same team in 1930. Five members of our class, Edward Ephault, John Forsht, John Frasco, Irving Kern, and Don Miller were members of the 1930 baseball squad, and are wearers of the “ 31.” Our class showing on the cinder track has been modest. Herman Casterline was the only one who represented us in this sport in 1929. For his exceptionally fine showing as a sprinter he received his “G.” In 1930 Charles Keys, Ray How¬ ard, John Knock, Chester Phillips, and Stephen Walton were members of the squad. Keys, Howard, and Walton won their letters, and Knock and Phillips their numerals. Soccer proved to be our most representative sport. Edward Ephault, left half back and captain, led the team through an undefeated season. Charles Keys and Dave Bortel were co-workers of Ephault on the halfback line. Leon Mc- Menamin, Fred Miller, and James Woods composed the major part of the forward line. George Yemm was the able goal tender of the team with Ostrom as his assistant. The substitutes, Walter McClelland, Douglas Buchanan, Herman