Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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The new students made up in number the loss of those who did not return, but did not diminish the warm feeling of affection which we felt for those who were no longer with us. After registering and visiting the Treasurer’s office to obtain Professor Park’s “trade mark” the regular routine of work was taken up. A meeting of the class was called for the purpose of electing officers. Mr. D. W. Moss was chosen president and Mr. Marksman vice president. These young men performed their duties with care and TIIE MIDDLF.RS CLASS ’18 precision and kept much interest within the class during their term of office. The Middle year of the students in the Academy has been said to be the year in which the students sleep. The class i f nineteen however, proved itself to be an exception to this rule. The members realized that they had only one more year in which to win the most coveted diploma and therefore, hey exerted every bit of energy they possessed to meet the requirements. 27

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up for their homes. One year of Academy life had come to its close. THE SUB-MIDDLE YEAR The autumn of nineteen hundred and sixteen found the class of 19 back at old Howard. It was exceedingly gratifying to note that most of the former members of the class had returned. A few were missing, but for good reasons. After registration, the class called a meeting to elect officers for the first semester. The choice for president was Mr. D. W. Moss, for vice president Mr. Andrew Burton. The class did not experience so much ridicule this term. The name “Beanie had been handed down to the class of ’20, and the class of T9 had become Sub-Middlers. The class as a whole, held a high place in its connection with the different activities of the Academy; such as debating, the cabinet meeting, athletics and the like. The names of some of the stars on our basket-ball team are worthy of mention, as for instance those of Theodore Blackman, Earl Brown, Harry Lofton, and Earnest Kelly. Their names will long be remembered. Time past pleasantly until examinations came again. The “Subs were somewhat accustomed to these now and did not mind them. They had learned that the steady day-byday method of preparation for examinations was preferable to the cram-at-the-last-minute way of getting ready for them, and they entered their examinations with no flutter of fear in their hearts. The election of officers always follows the first semester examinations. On election day the class saw fit to intrust its business to the supervision and guidance of Mr. Z. A. Looby president, and Mr. Anthony Featherston, vice president. Under these as class officers the second semester passed happily and prosperously. The winter was now over and the spring had come with its warm days and sunshine but, unfortunately on account of the grave military situation, the school closed without commencement or ceremony. THE MIDDLE YEAR In the autumn of nineteen hundred and seventeen the class of T9 returned to Howard to pursue the studies of it? Middle year. Many new faces were seen on and about the campus and many old faces were missing.

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The school year of nineteen seventeen and eighteen will long be remembered by the Middlers. It was the years in which so many of the dear classmates were called to light the great battle for democracy. Almost every day some class mate was taken from our midst: every day their vacant seats reminded us of their absence. Although for them it was hard to leave the studies for the pursuit of which many had made great sacrifice, yet the boys answered the rail with an admirable spirit. While these days of gloom and sorrow were passing those who remained at Howard “kept the home fires burning until • ho boys should come back.” Among those who left us are Messrs. Alston. Burton. Mizelle, Gregory, Walker and Brown. With the close of the first semester, examinations came again, as a rule, students dread examination and tests, but the Middlers hailed the examination with delight. As officers of the second semester, Mr. Alston was chosen president, and Mr. Burton, vice president. During the Alston-Burton administration a grand and inforgetable entertainment was given by the Middlers in Miner Hall. Finally the time of closing drew near. The regular meeting of the Academy was held and the usual prizes awarded. Mr. Alston received the prize in English and Mr. MacMillan the prize in Greek. The school closed a month earlier than usual on account of the war condition prevailing throughout the country. Howard University grounds were to be used as a camp during the vacation period, and the regular students were compelled to leave early in order to make way for the stern necessities of war. A Hopeful spirit prevailed however, and all trusted that a kind providence would allow resumption of studies in the fall. SENIOR YEAR In the autumn of nineteen hundred and eighteen, the boys of the Class of ’19 who had not been caught in Uncle Sam’s draft, next found their way back to old Howard. On the account of the necessities of war however, there was instituted at Howard, as at other colleges of the land, a Students’ Training Corps, and in this many of the class enrolled. But those who pursued the regular routine of study soon organized their class. Mr. Z. A. Looby was elected president and Mr. I). Moss 28