Hyde Park High School - Aitchpe Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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21 iicult than the one preceding. and that any outside deviation received hearty cooperation. And again, it is apparent that a Class is what each individual makes it, a11d that the manner in which anything other than the regular routine is received determines whether it shall be for good or evil. It was our custom to give Class entertaimnents. These were chiefiy literary: they were instructive and amusing, and were well attended. Of course the other Classes were invited, and thus we became acquainted with many that perchance might not have come our way otherwise. Then, there were the Inform- als- not strictly Class affairs, but we usually took an active part. They were held in Rosalie Hall, and were very popular. About Christmas time the Class gave a dance known as the H Sophomore Dance, which will be long remembered by those who attended, and during the same winter several enjoyable sleigh-rides were given under the auspices of the Class. Another thing perhaps of greater benefit to our work was the privilege of hearing the Senior lectures. These were given Thursday afternoons, especially for the benefit of the Senior English Class. Dlost of them were delivered by University professors, and were exceedingly interesting. The most important years of High School life are the first and third. The first is such an entire change from anything that has preceded it,- it is then our character is formed : the other years mark the development of that formation. But the Junior Year is the prime of High School life. It is then, hav- ing learned how to study, that we may enjoy it to the uttermost and reap a full benefit from it. And we all naturally look for- ward to becoming Seniors, and this seems to add to its import- ance. It is often the anticipation more than the actual reality that possesses the charm, and the Junior is nearer ai Senior tha11 any other Class, without being one. WVe started out the way of all Junior Classes. Our Presi- dent, Mr. Ahern, has kept us together by H occasional Class meetings. At the institution of the Ray Literaryf' it was

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20 with Misses Reed, Pierce, and Wvilkinson as Room teachers: and two on the third floor, eleven and thirteen, with llessrs. Kern and Bennett as teachers. We soon found out what we liked and what we did not like, how many privileges we had and what liberties we could take, and we did our best to abide by the standard we had placed for ourselves. Our most important acquisition was that of recognition by the other Classes, in all branches. ln the literary line we appeared to excel, either because we did so much or because the others did not do anything. At one time, indeed, so much poetry was written that it threatened to take the place of reg- ular lessons, and there was every indication that those who were then struggling with the iirst principles of Algebra and Latin would some day rise and shine as the greatest poets this age had produced. Art was also indulged in. Outside of the Dec- orative Art Society, which tried to develop a taste for the beau- tiful, there was much individual talent, showing originality the like of which never was or has since been seen. But whatever else we did or did not do, we laid the founda- tion of an earnest, thoughtful, and studious Class. Wie liked to study, and during recitation hours we proved that we came to school to learn g and we may trust the records to show that we did learn, if it can be told by mere figures what the mind knows. Wle were really not a Class until we became Sophomores and went tlirough all the formalities of organization. lve then chose our olficers, framed a constitution and tried to live up to it, and adopted a H yell and class colors. Our first President was Mr. Evans, with Bliss Corinne Brown as Vice-President, and on any important occasion we were requested to be re- splendent in apple-green and white. It was in our second year that we made up our minds about college-whether to go or not, and if we went, where, and what course to take, and to arrange our studies accordingly. All will doubtless agree that the second year was more dif-

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22 decided to drop our Class literary programmes and put all our efforts into the Society. The great event of all the year was the removal, on March 26, from the old building to the new, and this affected each Class in a little different manner. To us comes the thought that with greater facilities we must have higher and nobler purposes, and strive still more to improve our opportunities for knowledge. Vile trust a Junior may be pardoned for the next few state- ments: they are made 1113011 the old saying that if you do not think well of yourself, ergo, of your Class, who will '? If there is one thing more than another that has taken up our spare time, it is the Ray Society. iYith the feeling noth- ing ventured, nothing gained, we V9lltll1'9Cl.,ii and entered into the Ray with all our might, and it is not a very rash statement to say that ww established it and made it what it is now. Of course the whole Junior Class is saying this, but we know well and admit to ourselves who our leaders were. A great many looked on half-curious, half-incredulous, as if it were some peculiar experiment and they were doubtful of the result, but we came out victorious. It is not to be gath- ered from this that the 'L Ray is a Class affair. No, indeed. far from itg there were willing helpers, but most of the work and planning fell first upon the Juniors. Hut we did not object : on the contrary, we were proud to establish the means toward the great end in view. lt is not to be supposed that the same number who began their High School career in '91 will end it in '95. There have been many changes. a large number have left, and some have come from other cities and schools. A few have entered the Class of '9-L, and intend to graduate with them. This is their gain and our loss. And now we hope there will be no other material change, and that, having always in mind our motto, Labor 0112121-ll rz'ncz'z', our Ninety-tive M may graduate with high honors. A