Greenfield High School - Evergreen / Exponent Yearbook (Greenfield, MA)

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12 THE EXPONENT Then it came to pass that the opening of school drew near. And the Freshmanites assembled and thronged about the grounds. And it happened that a stranger appeared before a group of girls and said, ‘‘I am Dorothy Taylor come from the wilderness: I heard your people call for aid and I came to your as¬ sistance.’ And the girls were timid and afraid for they knew not the blessings she was to give unto them. After that the principal called out and said, “Enter into the house of learning and partake of the banquet of knowledge.” Fearfully they en¬ tered and flocked wheresoever they were directed. The next morning they gathered together again at the school. And the principal commanded a magnifi¬ cent reception to be given them. And at the entrance of the Fresh¬ manites, the multitude of upper classmen lifted up their hands and gave loud greeting with much clap¬ ping. And some were embarrassed and losing their way strayed into the wrong fold. Whereat in stern tone the Princi¬ pal did command them to repair to the balcony and to sit among their own; for the “first shall be last.” In like manner was spent the next few days of school, the Freshman¬ ites committing many errors. But working diligently they learned how to devise ingeniously all that there was need in the work. And soon they were able to pass notes as skill¬ fully as any upper classman. And thus it came about that many were forced to stand upright on their feet. And their faces were turned towards the scene without the window. And the voice of the teacher said unto them: “Detentions and pink slips are granted to thee, and I shall give thee afternoon sessions, and work, and low marks so that none of the schol¬ ars before thee nor after thee shall be like thee.” And the offenders gathered to themselves many books and prepared to endure the worst. And after the tumult and newness had ceased the Freshmanites gath¬ ered together in a great room. And the leaders thereof were elected. And so it came about that they chose Henry Woodard for President, and Helen Field for Vice-President and Kathryn Ryan for Secretary, and George Fosmire for Treasurer. And after this they were ready for the other work of their class. And they were not backward, but joined in many things. And among these was the orchestra which would have failed utterly but for them. For with James Lawler at the violin, and Edgar Streeter and Hall Ward at clarinets, and George Fosmire at the drums, sweet was the music heard therefrom. And they also formed a fife and drum corps to assist at the athletic games and great was the in¬ spiration given thereby. And they did their part in athletics and in war work. And in all social activities, and especially at the Freshman Re¬ ception, they acquitted themselves with credit and thus passed the first year. And in the course of time their second year began. And the leaders this time were Thomas Kitson, presi¬ dent; Helen Nolan, Vice-president; Donald Gauthier, treasurer; and Kathryn Ryan, secretary. And this year passed much as the first. But no longer were they Freshmanites and great was their joy thereat. ' And by this time the World War had broken out. And great was the industry of the 1920 class. For they were well represented at the front. And among them was the former class president, Henry Woodard. And so it came about that a pa¬ triotic league was formed. And im¬ mediately could be seen throngs of girls knitting and making trench can¬ dles. And many of these were 1920 girls. And the boys formed a mil¬ itary company. And some went onto farms to till the soil thereof. And thus each did his share. And the time passed gradually by to the final exams. And all worked diligently and acquitted themselves with credit. And thus ended their second year at High School. Elizabeth K. Loomis. JUNIOR YEAR And it so came to pass that upon the month of September the class of ’20 again met, and great was the excitement, for among us there came a new head.

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THE EXPONENT 11 clergymen. Every Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been a col¬ lege graduate except John Marshall whose course was interrupted by the Eevolutionary War. Indeed the American College has rendered a service of greater value • to American life in training men than by promoting scholarship. It has affected society more thru its graduates than thru its contributions to science. It is within the bounds of simple faith to say that the American Col¬ lege has rendered civilization of the entire world a greater service in pre¬ paring men for moral and religious work in foreign countries than all other American agencies and condi¬ tions have rendered. The American College represents the greatest and most direct work which America has done for the world. Would it not be wonderful to feel that you belonged to an institution about which such grand things may be said. I have already mentioned my own idea of the principal value of a col¬ lege course (that of preparing one for a life work). The value I con¬ sider second to this (one which was. given as a reply to Mr. Cooper’s questions to the college graduates) is the opportunity to form the finest kind of friendships both with the teachers and with one’s classmates. There are only a few among us per¬ haps who are yet developed suf¬ ficiently to appreciate the worth of true friendships. But certainly there is not one among us who will not some day discover that friendships are the choicest fruits of life. In conclusion I wish to quote a summary by an eminent author of the offer of the college as he sees it. “To be at home in all lands, and all ages, to count nature a familiar acquaintance and art an intimate friend to gain a standard for the appreciation of other men’s works, and the criticisms of your own, to carry the key of the world’s library in your own pocket and feel its re¬ sources behind you in whatever task you undertake, to make hosts of friends among the men of your own age who are to be leaders in all walks of life, to lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends, to learn manners from students who are gen¬ tlemen and form characters under professors who are Christians—this is the offer of the American College for the best four years of your life. Gordon C. Willard. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1920 First Two Years Now it came to pass one spring, that in a certain town in the Con¬ necticut Valley a multitude of chil¬ dren were bidding farewell to their childhood days. For they were about to pass out of the Grammar School and enter into High School. And they thought it fitting to cele¬ brate. So they said one to another: “Let us prepare this evening a party which shall gloriously assist in sere¬ nading the teachers.” And it was agreed and was done. The party met at the appointed time and was conducted by the lead¬ ers thereof to the homes of the teach¬ ers. And at each they paused, and rendered sweet music, for which they were rewarded with gracious smiles and few delicacies. And it so happened that they had with them a flag—a flag of white with the numbers 1916 fastened thereto. And a great desire came to them to see it float from the top of the High School. But the task was great and surrounded with difficul¬ ties. So again they assembled and consulted one with another: “Who shall enter into the depths of the building and climb to the flagpost thereof?” Then Moppy the Carson- ite answered and said: “Power and courage are with him who fliest this flag in high places. Thinkest thou that when surrounded by snares, a Carsonite should be overtaken with fear? That way of thinking be far from me who shall laugh thee to scorn.” And he plunged into the darkness. Time passeth and sud¬ denly he appeareth having accom¬ plished his task. And all the people praised him and lifting up their voices, shouted for joy. But those things are not hid from the princi¬ pal. Wherefore having learned of this, great was his displeasure thereat.

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THE EXPONENT 13 Now on the first day thereof he said unto us, saying “Be not afraid, fear not, for I am good,” and it was so. Now before many days had passed there came unto our town much sick¬ ness. And on the morning of a cer¬ tain day, when all had been brought together in the gathering place of the school, there arose before us our head, and he said unto us, “Behold, there is much sickness in our midst, it has got to be stopped,” and he commanded us to depart from the house of learning and return no more until all were cured. And all went forth seeking refuge from the plague which had so come among us. In the sixth week thereafte: we all assembled again into the house of learning and great was the joy there¬ of. Now as time passed, it came to pass that the men of America re¬ turned from the wars and a holiday was celebrated, for it was so de¬ creed by the Commonwealth. And all made merry, and much was the excitement and joy, for again all was peace. Now on the morning of a certain day there appeared before a meeting of our class, the president thereof, and arose before us saying, “Behold, the end of thy third year draweth nigh. We must give a promenade in honor of our departing school mates,” and he asked of us our opin¬ ion. And there arose from among us a certain person, and made known his opinion, and it was good, so it was commanded that it should be done. And it was. So it came to pass that the class journeyed to a distant water and there was much joy, and great was the satisfaction caused thereby. And it was good. And it also came to pass, that which had been commanded, that the “Prom” was held on the last even¬ ing of School. And a multitude of people gathered in the Hall of the city, and there was great pleasure among them and much happiness. Thus passed the third year. SENIOR YEAR “Behold, those are the seniors.” Thus spake the Freshmenites as they gazed in wonder upon us. And again as before our principal. Father Smith, arose before us and said “Seek ye out of the book of learning knowledge and learn, no one shall be slack; for my mouth it hath com¬ manded, and straightway all went out and there were some that heeded his words, and others that did not. Now it came to pass, that a cer¬ tain one of our number perceived a great idea, and on a certain morn¬ ing of the first month he appeared amongst us saying, “Take ye these and read,” and straightway he handed out unto us copies of the “Mowing Machine,” and all were read and great was the pleasure thereof, for they were good, and with every appearance there was continual joy. Now as the days passed, there came speakers to the meeting place of the school, and they spake about many things, but chief among them was this, “Strengthen ye the knowl¬ edge as ye enjoy thy school life. Behold, it is the wish of all. Let not fools err herein.” So the class of 1920 went on their way, and the way was good. And on a certain morning there came forth to the school a call for a cast—yea, a cast for a school play and there arose up before us Miss Atherton, and she said unto us, “Harken to my words and heed my call.” And it was so, for forth from the multitudes came many seniors, and great was the com¬ ing. And it came to pass that the play of Nathan Hale was presented, and behold there were vast multi¬ tudes before them, and great was the success. And among us came the leaders “Dot” Taylor, of the Shelburne wil¬ derness and Gordon Wi ' illard, ' who dwells in the city of men. And the rejoicing was great and all gave thanks to them that had helped make it a success. Now on a certain night there was a picnic, and many of the class ’20 were present, and behold as all were assembled in the wilderness, there spake someone saying, “Fear not.” On the first year ye took that which was there, and on the second that which you had sowed and on the third year it was of the same, and ye sowed well; and on the fourth year, which was the last, ye did