Granite City High School - Warrior Yearbook (Granite City, IL)

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UJhat Pcu ' 6 OH unite lp|i SjchcnH llcefct litoet? If the above question were asked, and I were directly pointed out to answer it, and to let that answer be forth-coming within the next ten seconds, the words I undoubtedly should utter would fall into line in the order that follows: “Granite High School needs good, live Senior classes for the next four years. Senior classes with original ideas. Senior class- es that can do things ami will do things.” The fact that the Senior Class of any institution of learning has a great deal to do with the general tone of the School and of the undergraduates cannot be doubted. It is conceded that a great majority of the under-classmen look up to the Senior class, seemingly thinking that what the Seniors do is right and proper. A large part of the time it is, and it is all right for the underclassmen to follow the example. However, a Senior is as human as any other person. A Senior is not a perfect or a model student. Far be it from such. The only class in High School in which there are any model students is the Freshmen Class. We were all model students once. We do not take the space to deny it. We acknowledge it. That time, we are sorry to say, is past. The question, that a Senior, after he has traversed the full four years of school routine, knows just what to do and how to do it cannot be argued negatively with some underclass- men. They believe in the Seniors. They observe the actions of the Seniors. Then they do like- wise, no matter whether it be within or without the bounds of propriety. That is of no conse- quence to them. They saw a Senior do it ! Nuf said! And yet when the Senior class as a whole suggess something that will probably be beneficial to the underclassmen or a boost for the school, they are the very persons who accuse the Seniors of dictatorship, or, “trying to run the school.” As a rule the Seniors are not born dictators nor do they aspire to such a “distinguished” position. It is generally thrust upon them. Even after the thrust has been executed the Seniors have no dictatorial power. They cann ot order a certain thing to be, and lo ! it is. Nothing of the kind. They are dictators in na me only. The underclassmen who cannot see or hear things in the manner in which they are pre- sented to them have supplied the name. In some cases they see and hear things that are not. Generally, they enlarge upon some insignificant affair until their gray matter is jumbled to- gether in such an inglorious mass that the object of the suggestion is completely obliterated. Then they say that the Seniors are trying to run the school according to their own selfish ideas or needs. That is the spirit in which the Seniors are regarded today. That has been the spirit for the past fourteen or sixteen years. With good, live Senior classes during the next four years the old spirit will be erased and a new spirit of good-will will be assumed. Good, live Senior classes with original ideas, woidd without a doubt, create a sufficient amount of spirit in the High School, to awaken the Alumni Body from the apathy they have been under for the last five or six years. This apathy has been brought about through the non-accomplishment of anything worth while by the Senior classes. The graduating class expects to be recognized by the Alumni. That Honorable Body does not know the class. Result — disappointment extraordinary on the part of the Seniors. It is only right and proper that the Alumni Body should demand something to show why a certain Senior class was admitted to their organization. And it is only right and proper that a Senior do something, worthy of a Senior, as a requisite for admittance to the Alumni organization. To the future Seniors I say, “Start something new. Don ' t do just what is customary. Be original. Utilize your individuality.” 20

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lie -3 o i o its Ileum banquet of Claes. of 14 A ER elaborate banquet was given by the class of ' 13 in honor of the class of ' 14 in the banquet hall of the new High School building. The hall was very charmingly decorated with American roses, that be- ing the class flower. In the middle of the room was a large crystal dome showered with roses. The walls of the room were covered with bowers of roses. Ivy and ferns hid tin- walls completely. At one end of the hall was a stone fountain on the surface of which floated large leaved pond lilies. And beautiful gold fish could be seen swimming about in the wa- ter. At the other end of the room through all the greenery was a netting in which birds and butterflies fluttered about display- ing their full glory in brilliant hues. In among the hidden glowing lights they flew, fluttering against the netting in a a panic. The tables were one grand array of cut glass. From off in the distance came the strains of an invisible orchestra. Looking more closely it was seen behind the shrub- bery. All at once the room became still and every one looked around expectantly and .Mr. Christy Bechtold arose from his seat and going over to where the orchestra sat. gave us one of his magnificient tenor solos entitled, “Bring Back My Bovin Gal to Mi-. The whole ass; mbly was spell-bound as the rich tones of the singer rose and swelled on the air; and as the last notes died away there war, silence in the hall and then the birds and butterflies again started up their twittering and up roar. When Mr. Bechtold had resumed his seat the guests rea- lized the fact that they had caught a glimpse of his great genius. There were other excellent numbers rendered between courses. MENU. (“II faut vivre pour manger. ) 8 o u p e : Pieds de Poissons R o t j : Defense d’Affieher Entrees : Soufflet Fort S a 1 a d e : Dessert : Esprit de Corps an Charge d Affaires Dents de Poulette Aile de Mouton Langne de Fourmi froide Pate de Faux Pas Essain d’Abeilles de Feu froid, et Fan’s Ennuyer I Air ( ' baud Savoir Fa ire ( ’reme glace liotic Tout bien Ou rien i«

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©vial t y 3 ux ' h” HE ‘TRIAL BY JURY was an operetta giver, by the High School Chorus on December 18th, 1913. Although the performers were only amateurs they showed up very creditably before the large audience. The opera was attractively presented and aroused a sense of appreciation in all those who saw and heard the performance. It was pronounced a success by many who have the ability to judge. The name of the opera tells exactly what it is. The young bride-to-be sues her fiance for breach of promise. The plaintiff states her case to the judge and jury. The situation is not un- common to life. It is the day of the wedding. The bride and the bridesmaids are all ready and waiting for the groom. But, alas, he does not come; for he has fallen in love with an- other young lady. The bride upon telling her story to the jury immediately wins the sympathy of the people crowded in the court room. When the defendant appears, the judge and jury are bitterlv against him. Several propositions are suggested by the judge but none seem to please the plaintiff and defendant. To settle matters the judge finally marries the plaintiff to the great satisfaction of herself and to the greater satisfaction of the defendant. Mirror and Camera. -Once we heard some one say ‘‘a Mirror and a Camera are the two things in this deceitful world that unfiinchlingly tell the truth.” In some eases that may be right. We acknowledge that the “Mirror” part of the state- ment is right all the time. As to the Camera: we had out picture taken to embellish this book and if you look hard enough you may find it. However, the difference between the likeness and the original is so great that well, we don ' t want you to worry about it. but that statement we heard was not the truth by a great deal. Fair Play. — During the course of the many basket-ball games I have seen played by Gran- ite High, and the several track meets I have seen won by Granite City I have always de- plored the unfairness (if I may call it that) of the attitude of the Granitians toward the op- posing athletes. By Granitians I do not mean those who participated in the sports — the play- ers. I rather guess not. I feel a great sensation of relief pass over me when I consider that the Granite City players are, and have always been Fairness personified. When I say Granitians I refer to the spectators. I do not doubt that a large crowd has a great deal to do with the playing of a game. 1 know that applause is a stimulas to in- creased interest anil better playing on the part of the players. That is all well and good. It is just as it should be. The point I wish to make is that hissing, hooting, and jeering accomplish nothing and do not show the true spirit of Fair Play. The visiting team should be treated with the same marks of respect and courtesy that the home team would expect on a trip to a neighboring city. Hissing and jeering as methods of discouraging players are on the decline. They are being ushered off the stage of clean sportsmanship into their proper place. We are for Fair Play, first, last and all the time. If a visiting player performs in an ex- traordinary manner give him a “hand.” Even if his great playing beats the home team, show him and his fellow-players that you appreciate good-work even under adverse conditions, show the visiting team that you are sportsmen and gentlemen. 21