Gloucester High School - Flicker Yearbook (Gloucester, MA)

Page 24 text:

study room. Soon after this unfortunate occurrence, the boys sudden- ly found out that they were very much interested in Roman History, and of course, two or three books were necessary ; you remember Mr. Merchant always said, “ Never get your history lesson all from one book.” The girls seemed fond of history, too, and the poor little library saw some warm times. That didn’t “ jar it ” much, though, as it had been acclimated the year before. Class spirit suffered a great awakening this year. Regular class meetings were held, and the social committee entertained the class at several enjoyable assemblies. At the beginning of the year, the man- agement of the school paper was offered to the class ; we accepted, and elected a board of editors, who, though not very well supported by the school, still succeeded in making a great improvement on the first volume. We also entered heartily into the idea of a Battalion Fair, and contribu ted largely to the sum realized. This year, for the first time in our school life, we had Mr. B. as instructor, and you may be sure, we knew our Cicero and Virgil like “Youth’s Companion.” Chemistry claimed a large porportion of the class and they suc- ceeded in turning out the usual quantity of high explo- sives, pigments, soap, etc., for Exhibition Day. During the winter, the Senior boys grew a little cool toward ’02, and in the basement one recess, just for some excite- ment, 1 suppose, they so far forgot “ their respected and honored dignity,” as to form in line of battle and try to win from us the possession of our sacred corner, where, for three long years, we had been wont to congregate. You may be sure we rallied nobly in its defence, and for two days protected it from from Senior invasion, when the “ powers that be ” sent forth the mandate that no more “corner rushes ” should be held, and the “ Bloody Angle,” became a thing of the past.

Page 23 text:

of the little Freshies over the sea of “ No Dusto.” And what an awak- ening of school spirit there was ! Two classes organized, and a school paper, the Crimson and White, was started, being edited by members of the Junior and Senior classes. Early in the year the Junior class organized, and we, “ led on by fate,” dared to set an example, and elected our class officers, chose class colors, and selected class pins. But here our energy gave out, and as far as we remember, not another class meeting was held during the remainder of the year. Soon drill began again, and most of the male portion of the class blossomed out with corporal’s chevrons and a big volume of tactics, the contents of which we were required to assimilate, and then transmit to green and awkward freshies. Nepos claimed a good deal of our atten- tion, that is, of every one except Swift. He got along on sight trans- lation for a while, but feeling that that method was a bit slow, he cap- tured a pony. Then he got along so fast that he had to be excused for the rest of the year to give the class a chance to catch up with him. The boys took up chemistry this year — it wasn’t in the regular course, but you see, they had geometry in the chemical laboratory, and not wishing to waste a whole period on geometry, they did a little amateur chemis- try, chiefly in the chapter on acids. Toward the latter part of the year, the Seniors published the first attempt at a year book in the G. H. S., and succeeded in getting up quite an interesting little book, the “1900.” JUNIOR YEAR. Juniors ! At last we had reached a place of some importance in the school, so important a place, in fact, as Miss Slade’s room. Here, for one whole term we ruled affairs, and we were ruled — out, for the very first day of the second term found every Junior boy back in the

Page 25 text:

Following the example of 00, the Seniors this year published a class book, the Tolmama, which was a great improvement on the “ 1900,” and yet was lacking in many details. As for the advice they were kind enough to give us, it was only another instance of “ the pot calling the kettle black,” and — well, we don’t wish to cast any reflections. Suffice it to say that we soon forgot all about it in the hopes and disappoint- ments, the excitement and enthusiasm, of “the last day of school.” SENIOR YEAR How changed we were, when, at the end of vacation, we reassem- bled for our last year in the dear old G. H. S.! From frivolous and capricious Juniors we had changed to steady, sedate Seniors, mindful of our superior place in the school, and the attendant duties which devolved upon us. We placed our ideals high, and throughout ths year have tried to live up to them, with very good success. Indeed, we feel assured that if succeeding classes will follow in our footsteps, they can- not go far wrong. At the beginning of the year we determined to add to our old reputation for good scholarship, one for business ability, push, and originality, two things which seldom go hand in hand, and how well we succeeded is shown by the happy outcome of the numerous affairs held under Senior auspices during the year. After straightening out class matters, electing new officers and committees, drawing up and signing a constitution, etc., the idea of class theatricals was brought up. The class lent itself heartily to the scheme and appointed a committee to look up the matter, but unfortu- nately, the majority were girls, who promptly decided that the entire cast should be female, why, nobody knows, unless it was because they thought the boys couldn’t act! However, what they said, “ went,” and to them alone, belongs all the praise for the excellent performance which