Hastings High School - Saxon Yearbook (Hastings, MI)

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 Glass History I he Class of l'B6 is a living example of the fact that a modest beginning often makes a brilliant ending. Although we were in numbers the largest class to enter the Hastings High we displayed in our freshmen year very little of the ability and originality for which we have come to be distinguished. In fact in our first year we were so completely wrapped with the cloak of innocency and verdance that even the usual freshmen party was omitted. And no wonder! For with the first year Latin under Miss Allison, and Mr. Hinckley leading some of us through the intricate masses of Algebra with his famous tests as frequent climaxes, all social pleasures were necessarily put in the background. We were known as a class of High Brows” for by using X as the unknown number we were able to figure out within a few years the time when Hastings would have a new school house. In our freshmen year we demonstrated to the sophomores that we were not lacking in bravery for in the annual Tug of War our sturdy boys easily drew their narrow-chested opponents across the raging waters of the Thorn- apple. Satisfied with this demonstration of our powers we again resumed our intellectual pursuits. This year the declamatory prizes were won by two of our members Arnell Wolfe and Marguerite Hall. As sophomores we regained confidence in our ability to play the social game and so we gave our first party. And with what wrangles and disputes! The party was given in the Masonic Hall which was very prettily decorated in our class colors, maroon and white. Many clever games were played and much fun resulted. It was at this time that Mrs. Henkes aroused so much interest in the de- clamatory and oratorical contests and many were the sophomores who determined to test their declamatory powers. The unusual talent of our members was proven when three sophomores Keith Chidester, Aimee Henkes and Marguerite Hall carried off first, second and third honors respectively. The district contest was held in Hastings that year and on the same evening we had our first annual banquet, held in the basement of the Methodist church. The sophomores were represented by Dorothy Cook. As Juniors we planned to have a party early in the year in order to become better acquainted. It was a pleasant affair held at the Masonic Temple, our faculty members Miss Andrus and Mr. Hogers giving fine assistance. Who can ever forget the weighty arguments advanced by the participants in the mock debate, “Shall we be Allowed to Exercise our Bovin Tendencies in school ?” For their superior argumentative powers on the affirmative side, Charles Todd and Blanche Brock were presented with a box of candv.

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Our Honor Students First—Mildred Ketcham—Valedictory...................................Class average 96.178 Second—Arnell Wolf—Salutatory................................... “ “ 96.08 Third—Keith Chidester—Class Oration............................. “ “ 95.941 Fourth—Gardner Chidester—Class Will............................. “ “ 95.218 Fifth—Lena Wagner—Class Motto................................... “ 95.000 Sixth—Crystal Freeman—Class History............................. “ “ 94.757 Seventh—Doreen Potter—Class Prophecy............................ “ “ 94.538 Ever since the far-away days of long ago, a charm, we are told has always lingered about the number seven. A symbol of completeness as this number has been, fitting is it that seven should be the number of our students, whose honor it is to wear the laurels of scholarship from our school. “But who are these victors?” You ask. In response comes the reply, “They are but seven of that countless throng, our young Americans,” upon whom the greatest nation this old world of ours has ever produced is even now, in all the pride of its strength, dependent for the maintenance and furthering of its future.” Judged by human standards they are the winners in this first real challenge that the world has offered them, their high school life. Not that they possess so much of wisdom, do we thus honor these seven, since for them the mazy pathways, of learning are as yet all but untrod, but because, doing what men have ever done, we accord praise and distinction to these winners in the contest. As the schoolrooms shall soon say “Good-bye” to these, our school champions of 1916, and as their joyous, eager, earnest faces, with those of their classmates, touched with the flush of dawn, turn towards the light of a fuller day with its toil and its burdens, kindly memories and kindlier wishes shall ever follow them, yes, earnest prayers, that a Heavenly Father's blessings may reach this world in even fuller measure, through the as yet, unused channels of their lives.

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I !iis year we were eligible to enter the oratorical contest and again three of our members, carried oft the honors, Keith Chidester winning first, Aimee Menkes second and Arnell W olfe third. The second High School banquet was another successful social affair, Gard- ner Chidester and Lola Lower representing our class on the program. Later in the year what scrambles there were for encyclopedias and reference hooks! This commotion was caused by the debate, “Shall Our National Defences he Increased, in which the junior and senior Lnglish classes took part. And what a power of strength Coach Rogers proved to those on the affirmative side with his ready information about Roosevelt’s ideas on the subject! As Juniors ac- cording to the usual custom it fell to our lot to give a partv to the departing Seniors. ith aid of green branches, ferns and cozy corners, Reed’s Opera House was transformed. Our president, Curtis Bottum, welcomed the Seniors and Harold Houvenor responded in behalf of that class. A musical and literary program followed. 1 he latter part of the evening was spent in dancing and pretty favors and fine music made it most enjoyable. However our Senior year has proven the most enjoyable and profitable of all. We naturally gave our support to the Junior Journal, the fine play given by the Juniors, for it was hinted that the proceeds were to go towards giving the farewell party at the end of the year. In order to defray the expenses of the Maroon and White, Miss Agnes Mitchell gave an evening of very fine readings and the Alabama Jubilee Singers an evening of music. Roth of these were put on under the auspices of the Senior class and proved to be very enjoyable. The third High School banquet held in February was perhaps the finest one yet held, Arnell Wolfe, the president of our class, was the toastmaster and Gerald Bush represented the senior class in the toasts. Never before has so much interest been displayed in the declamatory and oratorical contests as this year. In the latter Aimee Henkes carried off first honor and Margery Reynolds the second. Arnell Wolfe third, all members of the class of 1916. Graduation has come and the class of 1916 undoubedly graduates with the highest per cent of standing in the history of Hastings High. During our four years we have had three superintendents, Mr. Conkling, Mr. Ellsworth and Mr. Lederle, and five of the High School faculty have been with us the entire term, Mrs. Renkes, Miss DeYoe, Miss Meier, Principal Wallace, and Mr. Hinckley. As we have reached the end of our school life in Hastings we realize that the dearest associations of life are those formed during our high school days and that these associations must soon be broken. As we go out into life the lessons we have learned and the pleasant memories of the class of 1916 will always remain with us, and the J ' r say of our school, “Pride of ou 15