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

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THE EXPONENT 15 THE LOG OF THE GOOD SHIP G. H. S. IN THE VOYAGE FROM 1918-1921 It was June 26, 1917, when one hundred and one mariners left the Pleasant Street Wharf, said good¬ bye to “Daddy Flint” and prepared for a four years’ sail on the good ship G. H. S., planning to land on Graduation Island about June 30, 1921. As we looked at those who had been traveling somewhat longer than we, the island seemed quite a dis¬ tance ahead. Those voyagers, who had been on for four years appeared so natural, so at ease, that it seemed to us new passengers, they must have always been traveling. We were timid, a bit bashful; in fact, so much so, that we were rather looked down upon by the older, more dignified ones. But the fond hope entertained when we first came aboard that we might some day at¬ tain that state is realized here today, for what better examples of solemn and learned dignity could you ask for, than Robert James Rist or Eliza¬ beth Doris Peck? The first day of the voyage many members found quite a bit of difficulty in getting their sea-legs and ran around in much excitement, noticeably Homer Staples and Ray Houghton. We found that the other voyagers had officers, so we got together and elected Edward Zeiner, Captain; Madeline Field, Mate; Katherine Lawler, Steward; and John Regan, Purser. Early in October, the members of Class ’20 endeavored to give us a re¬ ception and their endeavors were very successful, for every one agreed that the first social event couldn’t have been better. Of course, athletics played their part and quite an important one with us, for “Bud” Griswold and “Vic” MacDonald certainly did their bit. During the entire year, we were sailing over the ripples of war and all did their share in helping Uncle Sam win the fight. We purchased War Savings Stamps and contributed toward the Victory Loan. The girls sewed for the Red Cross, while the boys joined the military squad. The one great sorrow of the year was the departure of our pilot, Mr. Jewett. Altho we had known him only for a few months, his loss was felt seriously by the whole crew. Mr. Hodges was elected to take his place and the sailing was smooth, until we fell into the depths of Finals—and then it was the Prom. I’ll admit the two didn’t furnish the same style of anticipation, altho they took place, one right after the other. Some¬ how, most of us swam through Finals, felt sorry for those who failed, and then dared look about us again. The Juniors surely gave us a good time at the Prom. For most of us, it was our first real party, and the conclusion of a pleas¬ ant sail. We landed at Sophomore Dock and set out, rather scattered in num¬ bers, to enjoy a two months’ fur¬ lough. II Our second year started under the rule of a new pilot. On the first appearance of Mr. Smith, one might judge him to be most severe but upon becoming acquainted, we found that he always had a pleasant smile and generally a word for those he met along the decks. With Victor MacDonald as Cap¬ tain; Lucille Hunt, Mate; Irma Winslow, Purser; and Elpheage Ki- rouac, Steward, we anticipated a splendid year. It was now our time to give a festival, so committees were ap¬ pointed and we tried to give as good a reception as was given to us. We had been sailing but a short time, before an epidemic of the “Flu” broke out. We were quaran¬ tined in one direction and then in another until, finally, it was neces¬ sary to dock. At the end of a five weeks’ vacation on land, we came back. The five weeks were not so bad while they lasted, but for the remainder of the voyage, we were

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14 THE EXPONENT tablishment of a girls’ seminary at Waterford, in that state. This school was afterwards removed to Troy and incorporated under the name of the Troy Female Seminary. Under Mrs. Willard’s management, it gained a wide reputation and is still one of the leading schools for the higher education of women. It is now known as the Emma Willard school. Mrs. Willard also assisted in founding a school for girls in Athens, Greece. She traveled during her later life, through the Southern states, lecturing in behalf of the education of women. And now, be¬ cause of Mrs. Willard’s useful and honored life, her name will be re¬ membered in the United States as well as in Europe, as one of our famous pioneer educators. Another woman interested in the further education of women was Mary Lyon. Born in Western Mas¬ sachusetts, she was brought up by a widowed mother with many children and small means. This life was hard, but it rooted character deep down among the solid needs and es¬ sential efforts of existence. Every moment of Mary’s life was of use and was put to use. When she was still a small child, her mother found her one day playing with an hour¬ glass, but she explained to her moth¬ er that she thought she had found a way of making more time. In af¬ ter years she did make more time by using every minute advantageously. At the age of seven Mary walked two miles every day to attend a vil¬ lage school. She loved her studies and astonished visitors by her rapid progress. Finally the district school moved still farther away, and then Mary went to Ashfield to study, liv¬ ing there during school months and doing housework to pay for her board. When she was twelve years old, Mary decided to become a teach¬ er, a decision which astonished, as well as shocked the community. She pored over her books day and night and amazed the teachers by her rapidity. Miss Lyon said of her¬ self, “My mind runs like lightning.” It not only moved swiftly, but it held what it seized as it went. She was given a Latin grammar on Fri¬ day night. On Monday she recited the whole of it. Her first trial as a teacher was at Shelburne Falls where seventy-five cents a week and board made up her munificent salary. At the age of twenty she had saved enough money to attend Sanderson Academy at Ashfield. This was her great op¬ portunity and she improved it well, making a real sensation in the school by her brilliancy. They say that when Mary Lyon stood up to recite, her classmates laid aside their tasks to listen to her. After this she at¬ tended Byfield Academy at Byfield. Her friends advised her not to study further as she knew enough already, but Miss Lyon could not be diverted from her purpose. Suddenly the fact burst upon her that all things in this life were useless and unsatisfying except as they were used in helping humanity. From this time on she taught as though she were inspired. After becoming assistant at Sand¬ erson Academy, she left for a higher position at Derry. From here she went to Ipswich Academy, where she conducted the Academy with the aid of one of her former teachers. Dur¬ ing these years, Miss Lyon had been full of sympathy for the girls who could not get an education and de¬ sired one. So she tried to interest wealthy men, ministers and college presidents in her plan for forming a high-grade school or college for women. Most of these men refused. After much hard labor people began to take interest and this interest grew until at last Mount Holyoke Seminary, an institution which has grown into one of the foremost col¬ leges of the day, was opened. Do we fully appreciate the hard work done by these women who worked so hard not only to obtain an education for themselves, but also to help other girls to accomplish the same end? Then let us show our appreciation by having our lives demonstrate to the world that their work was not in vain. B. C. LOVELL.

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16 THE EXPONENT obliged to work harder than before, making up for lost time. A number of our members made their debut as authors and several had essays appear in “The Record¬ er. ” Beatrice St. Lawrence chose a good subject for hers; at least, some say it was one with which she was familiar: “Burning the Midnight Oil.” “Rain” is the title that Mabel Sweeley chose for her essay, and “The Excitement of Having a Bank Account” was written up by Con¬ stance Lovell. Only a few of the very good ones that were printed have been mentioned. Weary of the general routi ne of the year, about twenty-five members, after much confusion, hired tenders and rowed (rode) to Spofford Lake for a picnic. On a party of their own, Joe Bonneville with Buckley and Houghton nearly drowned by upsetting a canoe. Otherwise things were quite nor-, mal and everybody had a wonder¬ ful time. Another Prom and then—we were half way through the course; some had left the ship for positions else¬ where; some had moved away; some had gone to sail on larger and per¬ haps better known ships; but about ninety were still floating. ’Twas a happy gathering that crowded onto the decks of Good Ship G. H. S. the first Tuesday of September, 1919. The cabin and staterooms were crowded to their capacity, and the excitement was in¬ tense as our steady pilot, Mr. Smith, again hoisted anchor. “Hurrah! We’re off,” shouted we of the Good Ship. The first call came for the athletes to man the boats and go far out to sea to contest for the banner which floated for the fastest team. It was for the purple and gold banner which now hangs in our Chapel Hall, that made the Good Ship’s mates fly neck and neck with Shelburne’s fast ship, but finally we passed her with a mighty shout. Our biggest triumphs were when Ray Houghton and Charlie Bates’ little boats crossed the mile marks, easy winners of their events. Then the bugle sounded again. It called for a captain and mates to take the crew of ’21 on their course. Our captain, McDonald, had bade us farewell on our last voyage; and a new captain must be chosen. With loud rejoicing, Herbert Buckley was elected, with Edna Christopher as first mate; Mary Nims, second mate; Robert Rist, chief purser, and Eliza¬ beth Peck, assistant purser. Around decks went up signs: “Chocolate for Sale. Help the Good Ship ’21 for our Big Festival, the Prom!” And they did. Sea life became monotonous on board, so the skippers suggested a Hallowe’en Party with cornstalks, cider and doughnuts. The “hop” was ag rand affair and a boom¬ ing, success, financially. Then we encountered choppy sea and all held to the rail until the horizon cleared. A new “passage” system was established with “six” as the minimum mark. This pleased some of the passengers, who found it hard to get the necessary “seven.” One day there was a scramble on deck and we heard Captain Joe Bon¬ neville say: “Let’s get a crew and show these outside “rookies” some football.” With the aid of “Bud” Griswold, “Ray” Houghton, Clark Woodrow, and Luther Wood, of the crew of ’21, they showed that a promising team could be looked for in coming voyages. Dark clouds filled the horizon again and fierce winds blew from the north, warning us of the ap¬ proach of enemy ships. “Choose one and board it for the coming storm,” said our teachers. Some hailed the one called “Himarx” and more fell to “Lomarx” until the terrible “Mid- gers” were over. Storms at sea cease quickly, and the good ship found its course again. The decks were being cleared for Basket Ball crew. Captain Griswold, with Herbert Buckley, Ray Hough¬ ton, Joe Bonneville, and Clark Wood- row, of our Ship ’21 hailed the Turn¬ ers’ Ship and exciting races resulted. Each boat won a victory, but ours was a decisive one, while they won by a margin. Then the elder skippers called for some more jigs and reels and thus