Hudson Township High School - Beacon Yearbook (Penfield, PA)

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Dessie Webb “Dessie”

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HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS CLASS OF 1953 The purpose of this history is not to relate every step in the progress of a people, from their humble beginnings as Freshmen, four years ago, to their arrival at the dizzy height they now occupy. On the contrary, in accordance with the modern tendencies in historical writing, the author aims to emphasize only those factors in our class development which ap- peal to us as most vital from the standpoint of today, and to explain pre- vailing conditions and institutions by showing how they came about. We have not tabulated a series of historical occurrences under suc- cessive classroom administrations but have cerefully selected the great phases in the development of the class and treated them in as coherent a manner as possible, considering the material with which we have to deal. It will be noted there has been no attempt on the part of the author to sentimentalize or smooth over any awkward spots in this history, but he has faithfully adhered to the truth, regardless of tradition or custom. The work is divided ineo three parts: Discovery, Exploration, and Settlement, with an afterwork in which some strictly personal opinions are hazarded regarding the probable future of the class. DISCOVERY The discovery of the class of 1953 was an accident. Four years ago, early one morning on the 7th of September, 1949 the faculty of the Huston High School were strolling aimlessly through the corridors, chatting a- bout the just-ended vacation and wondering whether there would be any startling changes in their work during the coming year. Suddenly they caught a glimpse of something new and strange. Just inside the front door, huddled together in mute embarrasment and anxiety were to the casual eye, merely a group of ordinary boys and girls, well dressed, reasonably good-looking, and badly frightened. But to the trained eyes of these seemed distinct and widely separated individuals, each pos- sessing aptitudes and talents, deficiencies and capabilities decidedly worth finding out. Gently attempting to dispel the fears of the strangers, the faculty bade them enter and spent the next few weeks attempting to gain their confidence and friendship. They succeeded, after great difficulty, in ac- complishing this. The discoverers of the class of 1953 will be celebrated in history for the gentleness and courtesy they ever displayed toward these strange beings they so curiously encountered on September 7, 1949. EXPLORATION The discovery having been reported to the ruler of the high school Principal Harry H. Alcorn, he received the news of this remarkable ac- quisition to his territory with marked delight and few misgivings. He examined with interest the trophies presented by the strangers to their discoverers. Among these trophies were report cards bearing cabalistic signs supposed to denote the degree of mental alertness possessed by th' owner and to show his possibilities as a future citizen of the country. Accordingly each of the discoverers became an explorer. The strangers were divided into small groups and assigned to the care of the different explorers. We were given a name, “Freshmen,” and became a part of the life of the school. We were taught many new, strange customs and man- ners and were required to learn difficult lessons. At first we often wished we had never been found, but before a year was over, we became thorough- ly at home in their new surroundings.