Holten High School - Onion Yearbook (Danvers, MA)

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THE HOLTEN 19 past it was called Freak Day but in the future it will be entitled Se- nior Day. Glancing at the picture in front of us we shall try to describe the events painted on this piece of canvas. Massive brick walls of the gym form a background. Coach Ayres as master of ceremonies seems to be having difficulty in making himself heard. How we enjoyed that day. The first game played was some sort of indoor ball in which a volley ball is used. Later we played Going to J erusalem . Finally all danced to the ever entrancing music of Dump GrifTin's jazz band. Two o'clock end- ed a very enjoyable Senior Day. This is what the next picture shows us:-A tall young fellow has just passed beneath a ladder and in his hands he carries a mirror. He is a- bout to step on a banana peel as a black cat crosses his path. He car- ries a smile on his face at all times, for he is the enemy of superstition. Are you superstitious? If so we sug- gest that you forget the nonsense. The class of 1931 is not superstitious, Why! We even picked a Friday the thirteenth for our Senior Play, a play crowned with the name, A Lucky Break . It was presented at the Pea- body Institute and was a great suc- cess. We are very grateful to Miss Dow for her assistance and to our ex- tremely fine cast. One more bit of luck -the money receipts were larger than those of any previous Senior Play. Oh! Look at this picture down here at the farther end of the gallery. It was sketched by our famous cartoon- ist George Danforth. Why, that's Ed- ward Putnam seated before a camera. The photographer seems to be wait- ing for something. He must be wait- ing for Edward to obtainra satisfac- tory pose. What an ordeal that was! And how disappointing were some of the proofs. We all had hoped to be so beautiful. This picture looks like an old Eng- lish print: The sun is beating down upon three busses packed with joy- ful seniors of Holten High. What a happy time this picture recalls. For our class day ride-we went to Pine Island Park in Manchester, New Hampshire on June 3. It was a long but enjoyable ride to Pine Island Park, a beautiful place. All enjoyed the day even though they were tired when they reached home. Miss Dow and Miss Wadleigh together with Mr. Dunn, Mr. Smith and Mr. Coates accompanied us as guests. Only one picture remains and this portrays a sweet girl graduate look- ing at her diploma much as a miser looks at his gold. She is tripping lightly but not literally across the stage, arms outstretched, preparing to make a final dive for the much coveted paper. CBy the way, the fig- ure looks very like Clara MacFarlaneJ Commencement! Eli French iiatly re- fused to come, we remembered, if we did not provide refreshments. He was not accustomed to going too long without food and more often than not during his five months at the new school he was forced to cater to his delicate constitution by sneaking down to the cafeteria between the second and third periods for a bite to eat. But on being assured that it would be perfectly right and proper for him to carry a knapsack he agreed to attend graduation. There we all stood knees knocking until we were sure the audience could hear them, teeth chattering with fear, hands clammy, and a prayer in every heart that we'd get across the stage safely. Then before we knew it everything was all over, and queer as it may

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18 THE I-IOLTEN ing his school career. Henry Wallace has helped the team for two years with his good pitching. Grabowski is no doubt our bunting star. Basketball was started this year in our new gym. Because we were a little late but few games were play- ed. Tad King acted as captain. Mr. Jenkins volunteered to take charge of the track team and the Fleet-of- foot boys are coming back into shape. Last year they ran in the Essex County Interscholastic meet. This year the track team under Mr. Jen- kins won their race in the state meet at Boston by defeating Charlestown, Beverly, and Weymouth. Hockey has not had a fair show during the last few years. Florida weather seems to kill the ice. Many candidates reported out for Hockey. Captain Bishop led the team this year with but three games. These were two ties and one defeat. The next picture represents the Holten Suscription Party. Everyone is lined up in a grand march led by Editor-in-Chief of The Holten, Eliza- beth Merrill. As the marchers pass, they form the word Holten . Santa Claus fCurtis Kingl presents each one with a Holten . The class of 1931 has been a loyal supporter of the school magazine in all its acti- vities. We still wish it luck. This picture represents a dance. Not an ordinary dance by any means but an unusual one. The Senior Dance, of course. Everyone knows how hard it is to sponsor an unusual dance but the class of '31 just glories in hard things, therefore ours was an unusual dance. It wasn't unusual in the sense that it was odd. Just unu- sual in the fact that an unusually large crowd danced unusually Well to an unusually good orchestra. And the dresses of the girls were unusual too. Although they wouldn't admit it, most of the teachers had a better time than the pupils. In some cases, in fact, it was difficult to distinguish teachers. This next picture by George Dan- forth must remind one of Agnes Mul- ry's Chemistry drawings. On second thought it looks like a fire drill but books carried by the students dismiss that idea from mind. What student so queer as to Wish to save books! No, it is moving day. What a day that was! Even the sophomores were con- sidered important that day. The Se- niors led the procession and no group of people could have done better. You see whether it is in leading proces- sions or winning shields or in cheer- ing football heroes no class excels the class of '31. However, one of our members was nearly overcome with excitement. Poor Pickering was un- able even to carry his own books. Miss Crocker obligingly walked be- side him carrying his books and giv- ing him encouraging glances at fre- quent intervals. Right through Dan- vers Square we went. It must have reminded spectators of the American Legion parade in Boston last Octo- ber. Eventually we arrived at the new school and disbanded, each pupil heading for his respective room. It is said that a petition circulated by the boys resulted in the seniors ac- quiring rooms next to the cafeteria. It took some time for us to accustom ourselves to desks on which the names of our ancestors were not carv- ed but eventually we became used to the grandeur of the place and grate- ful to the same ancestors for such a Wonderful school. Now for a big surprise. I say a surprise and I mean it, because April Fool's day has at last come. On April first almost everyone gets fooled fteachers includedl. This year April F0ol's day was different. In times

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20 THE HOLTEN seem everyone was a little sorry. Thus in a blaze of glory we ended our high school career and no member of our class but will always remember with a thrill our own commencement night, not only for the thing itself but for all it stands. Elizabeth Neary. Gordon Bell. Eleanor Watson. Harold Dwyer. CLASS WILL I should like my last will to be worded something in this way: QThere is such a will on file-I have seen it! You can look it up in the town records in Cook County,Illinois.J I, fthe writer's name is a secret,J being of soundtand disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this, my last will and testa- ment, in order, as justly may be, to distribute my interest in the world, among succeeding men. My right to live, being but a life estate, is not at my disposal, but these things being excepted, all else in the world I now proceed to devise and bequeath. I devise, to boys jointly, all the useful idle fields and commons where ball may be played, all pleasant wa- ters where one may swim, all snow clad hills where one may coast, and all streams and ponds where one may fish, or where-when grim win- ter comes-one may skate, to hold the same for the period of their boy- hood. I leave to the children the long, long days to be merry in a thousand ways. But I am not the above named, I am the class of 1931, morituri sa- lutamus, and as such, I have to think of other things. You know that all Gaul was divided in three parts 3 I am divided into eighty-five parts. Mhat can I do with all these parts? I must consult one wiser than myself. Even now my lawyer is approaching to help me.-flistensl-He seems to be in quite a hurry. fEnters Lawyer who speaks.J Come quickly, for we must draw up your will immediately. I hate to break the sad news to you, but your doctor tells me that you have only a few more days to live. You have many people to consider. First: There's your head, Ellis French. Let him leave to Irvin Con- ley his interest in athletics and class leadership. Next: There is one who has helped to shoulder the respon- sibility of the class, Helen Miller. Let her leave to the future vice-president of the class of 1932 the honor of her office. And-there's one who has been your left hand, Betty Merrill. Let her leave to Richard Crosby her secreta- rial, editorial and dramatic talents. Now-your bill-fold, Norton Dem- sey. Let him leave to his successor better luck in collecting class dues. fClass of 19311 I know that my alert senses, the five cheerleaders, wish all success to the football team of 1932 and also to their cheerleaders. fLawyerJ Have you any other achievements to dis- pose of? CClass of 19311 Oh, yes! The lunchroom staff leaves to Mr. Duncan another efficient group of em- ployees, with Gordon Be1l's humor, Clara MacFarlane's smile, Cecil Pe- terson's logical mind, and the speed and wit of all the girls behind the counter. The seniors in the band leave to the school their three years' experi- ence as a band with: Dump Griflin's and Walt Gil- man's interest in harmony. Crosby's