Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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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

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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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vice president. Then came the epidemic of the Spanish Influenza and a forced vacation of four weeks. With the reopening of school in November the class realized that heavy burdens lay upon them. On account of the lost month intensive study had been rendered necessary. The Senior Year Book was to be published: the Senior Prom was to be given. The Year Book and the Prom required an unusual amount of time to be spent in class deliberation, and an unusual amount of money from the class to insure their success. Mr. Z. A. Looby was chosen as editor-in-chief of the Year Book and Mr. E. A. Marksman, chairman of the “Prom” committee. The great world war came to an end about the n.iddle of November. Boys of TO were wild with joy. Several of those who were in Training Camp returned to their class and chose to burn not only the oil of midnight, but also that of twilight and the oil of the early dawn in order to march out with the squad of old TO. Short vacations and much study marked the year. The omission of regular week examinations at the mid-year made things seem to move more rapidly than usual, and the last semester of our course came upon us like a thief in the night. The class saw fit to choose as its president for the last semester Mr. D. W. Moss, and Mr. E. A. Simmons vice-president. During this last semester the monotony of regular class room work was broken by a reception given to the Seniors by the Middle ('lass, this was a most delightful entertainment, and was greatly enjoyed both by the host and guests. The class of ’20 proved its ability to do a very fine thing. Mention must be made of the indefatigability of the girls of the class, who gave to all the class activities life and enthusiasm. Among these were the silvery-tongued Josephine Johnson, the passionate Marion Barnett, the indomitable Ruth Butler, the cunning little Hattie W'hitely, the jolly Irene Patton, the cver-readv Beatrice Clark, the mild and modest Mozella Lewis and the faithful worker Vivian Mason. Now that the class has almost finished its course it is confident the end will be reached successfully. It is anticipating a bright future. All of its members will make honorable names for themselves; but especially famous will be those wh • have borne the burden of the class duties. Among these are the old reliable Eldon Marksman, the resourceful Boatswain, the deep Anthony Featherston. the cool headed Lewis MacMil- 29