Kutztown University - Keystonia Yearbook (Kutztown, PA)

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As seniors we were also the leading spirit in the Christian work. Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. had separate weekly meetings besides the joint meetings held every Sunday. In addition to these associations there were Mission Bands and Bible Bands. The time will soon be at hand when the class of 1915 will be ushered into active life. If we glance back through four years many interesting things manifest themselves. How short the four years spent in these halls seemed! During the course of years we feel that we took a very creditable part in all school activities. In athletics, studies, societies, religious organizations and other student interests did the members of the class of 1915 manifest great interest. The class expresses the hope that at some future time it may give the school a return for what she has done for it. The historian, in behalf of 1915, wishes the best farewell possible to Dear Old Normal and all its teachers who have done so much in making her members what they hope to be in the future. Farewell. John V. Shankwkilkr.

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Class tyistorp ♦ ON September 5, 1911, a number of earnest young men and women, the class of 1915, entered the Keystone State Normal School as first-year students. First, all was new and strange about us, but we soon learned to adapt ourselves to our new environment. The kind hospitality of both teachers and schoolmates soon made us feel at home. On the first Friday evening a reception was given under the auspices of the V. M. and Y. W. C. A.'s. This was another step toward friendship. For students as diligent as we were time passed rapidly. We stood irresolute in our determination to guide our course most successfully over all stormy waves that might arise in our life at Normal and tried to keep up as high a standard of scholarship in our class work as possible. Almost sooner than we could realize, three years were claimed by the past. At the end of our third year we were confronted by examinations—Faculty and State. These we all passed successfully and consequently received the garb of seniority. When we returned in the fall of 1914 we were 107 in number. Since we were now quiet and dignified seniors we had greater duties and responsibilities. Pre- viously we had looked to the seniors for examples, but now it was our duty to assume those responsibilities and to Ik true models and leaders of our successors. The reception, as usual, held on the first Friday evening, was a success. A musical and literary program had been specially prepared for the occasion. The supreme event of the fall term was the Philomathcan anniversary. The general theme was that of the centenary of peace between the United States and Great Britain. The speakers—members of the class of 1915—must be credited with rendering one of the most successful and interesting programs ever rendered on a similar occasion. A beautiful photograph of the painting, The Signing of the Declaration of Independence,” was given to the School. Equal honor was added to the class at the end of the winter term when the Keystones had their anniversary. Their theme was ” Literature in Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania in Literature. They presented to the School Edwin A. Abbey’s Reading of the Declaration of Independence.” Since our course in public speaking demanded each member of the class to appear in public, various public programs were rendered. These were all very interesting. But the class dare not assume all credit for the success of the pro- grams, because a large part was due to the untiring efforts of our instructor, Miss Stier. The theme of the first of these programs was the celebration of Columbus Day. The second was on Mrs. Kate Langley Bosher and her newest book, “How it Happened.” Other programs were rendered on Chivalry,” “Berks County,” Animals and Questions of the Day.” There were also two public debates. Recitations or readings were given in chapel on some important anniversaries. 1.1

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Class Jpropfjecp ♦ SITTING in my study one evening resting after a hard day’s toil, I fall into a deep reverie of my past life and gazing vacantly at a calendar on the wall, I see the date is June 23, 1935. This at once attracts my attention and brings memories of my school days and classmates of K. S. N. S., 1915, and of the great- est and, at the same time, the saddest day of my life, ‘'Commencement Day”: Great because of the hopeful life before me; sad because of the parting with my classmates, whose friendship meant so much to me. My mind then wanders back to them and I unconsciously breathe aloud a desire that I might know what each and every one is doing after all these long years. What has become of them? Looking into the fire on the hearth before me, I behold these words, Doings of the Class of 1915,” and a fiery book appears within the flame and its 107 pages contain the story of the careers of my classmates. The first name revealed is that of our class president, Robert Aberncthy. He has become a prominent and noted speaker on “The Betterment of Social Conditions in America” and is one of the successful candidates for the State Legislature and Helen” is very proud of him. Calvin Afllerbach has long ago realized his ambition and desire and has passed the civil service examination and has been appointed postmaster at Allentown. He is still a favorite among the opposite sex, for true to his word lie has remained a bachelor. Mary Anstock gave up teaching to devote her time to literary pursuits. She- lias written a novel which is one of the season's best sellers and her name is now on the list of Dr. W. W. Dcatrick's Pennsylvania Authors.” Lately she married a musician, whose music furnishes the inspiration for her writings. Blanche Perrett is now the happy wife of “her Bill, as she used to call him, and is now living on a large scientifically conducted farm. Blanche is a great help to Bill, for she studied agriculture with interest at school. Mary Pond is the faithful and loving wife of a missionary and is helping her husband to convert the natives of Persia. Eva Brown has become the charming wife of a scientific farmer, and despite her married life, has attained great fame in the world of art for her beautiful scenes of country life. I.amont Beers has become the beloved pastor of one of the largest churches in Allentown. He is famous for his beautiful sermons on the book of Ruth.” Mary Portz and Florence White are living at Normal Hill as the wives of Hiram” and Edwin,” who are professors of Languages at our alma mater. Lulu Brown was graduated from Dickinson College with honor and taught until a young man appeared, who measured up to her ideal, “Uncle Andrew,” and she married him and they founded a home in the far West, which is beautified by many of her artistic creations. 17