Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

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PART TWO. The scene is again the same, the high-school, but the actors are considerably dimin- ished in number. Many familiar faces are missing and there are but few to fill their places. Put determining to make up in quality what is lacking in quantity, the class makes study a specialty. The beaming face of an other instructor is introduced to the class, that of Miss David- son, the beloved teacher of history, ancient and modern. In the Gymnasium of the high school, a strange tight is seen for the first time. The girls arc receiving gymnastic instruction from a fair faced teacher. Miss Chubb. This is a new course but destined to be of much value in health and physical development. This act is marked by one festal occasion, tlm class picnic to Buckeye lake, at the end of the school year. Before as Jie the blue, unruffled waters of the Lake. On its shores the boys and girls engage in various sports. Suddenly, the picture changes and they are discovered seated on the ground about a feast “fit for the gods.” By their joy- ful countenances, truly this seems to be the big feature of the day. Full of fun and frolic, the scenes of the day proceed, until at last, the shadows lengthen and the evening approaches. The rays ot the setting sun illuminate a glowing pathway upon the shim- mering surface of the lake and far off, near the horizon, the blue of sky and water seems merged into one. With regretful farewells the class start on their homeward journey, its members loathe to part, even for the few short months of summer vacation. (End of Part Two.) PART THREE. And now comes the act. fraught with many new scenes and faces. New situations arise, new roles are created and in the words of Sherlock Holmes, “the plot thickens.” Again, the Class of nineteen sixteen is assembled, this time joined by some not tal- ented enough to stay in their original cast, and others seeking a more renowned field for the development of their remarkable talents.. They have assumed the name of Juniors and Walter Pfe.ffer is chosen as the lead- ing man, the president. The organization of the class is accomplished and each one pledges undying loyalty and faithful support under the colors of emerald and gold. Once more, familiar faces arc gone, this time among the teachers of the school. The jolly principal, Mr. Brashares has sought the hills of Hocking county, and this difficult roie has been undertaken by Herr Professor Thomas; Miss Hunt, true to her name, has sought and found another high school and from behind her desk, smiles the face of the delightful new teacher. Miss Maxwell; Mr. Prugh. whom the sights of a big city have lured away is supplanted by one of nervous temperament, and ready blushes, Mr. Mc- Candlish; the Hawk has grown tired of his prey and in his place there has come a Elood, as mighty as the one of the preceding spring, but not nearly so disastrous. Two wel- come new-comers are Miss Aten, excellent in elocution and literature, and Mr. Drinkle. the boyish leader of the “back-to-the-farm” movement in the high school. At this time is also introduced to the class the well-versed English teacher. Miss Perfect, in whose rocm must all “obstreporous” actions be “eliminated.” And so under these capable directors, the scenes of the school recitations and study run smoothly and present an interesting insight into the daily life of the school. Soon anpears the first social undertaking, the Junioi Hallowe’en Fair. The scene is laid in the Gymnasium of the high school and what a brilliant picture it makes. Occu- pying a prominent position is the new banner of the class in colors of gTecn and gold. Around the walls are the different booths or tents; in which are seen visions of fairy- (19)

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(Elaafi fetnnj (By Ruth Suzanne Busby.) In the world of pictures a new play is about to bo presented, a drama in four acts, one of youth and its romance of shadow and sunlight, of work and play, the history of the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen. And I. as interpreter, shall endeavor to place before you, in a realistic manner, most, the mere vivid of the scenes. PART ONE. It is September, the month, when vacation pleasures are ended and the thots of the young: people again turn toward school. Thepicture of a high school is flashed upon the screen, into which are hurrying groups of boys and girls some with dignified mien and earnest faces; others romping and boisterous; and many, frightened, curious to note, with scared expressions and hesitant manner, seemingly eager and yet reluctant to en- ter the great portals of learning. This latter group is welcomed with the usual affection shown by the upper classmen, and, at last, is assembled in one large rocm. Here their title is found to be Freshmen arid their number ninety-one. What an interesting ap- pearance they make with their annimated faces and shining eyes, frem which radiate the glow of ardeni ambitions and bright dreams of the future. What an inspiration to the teachers to have such ones to grind for four years toward the realization of their hopes! And what a fine spirit is infused into the school by their presence. The scene changes, and the teachers who play the leading role in the first act are introduced; Mr. Brashares, over whose desk the fates of all hang in the balance: Miss Curtiss, whose bright wit and humor make all the more enjoyable the declension of “puella” and the conjunction of •amo:” Mr. Thomas, who so patiently drills into the Knaheu and Madclien, the rudiments of the Teutonic language; Miss Hunt, the fair young teacher of English; Miss Strete. whose depth of mind and heart makes all love her; Professor Hawk, that genius of the lower regions, who strikes terror to the heart of the uninitiated, and last, but not least. Mr. Hickman, back of whose unassuming ap- pearance, has a knowledge of history and mathematics astounding to perceive. These are shown in their respective rooms, in which sit the awed and trembling Freshmen. But as time goes on. and one picture succeeds the other in the portrayal of the busy life of the school room, with its occasional troubles and laughable happenings, the youngsters are seen to gradually lose their self-ccnsciousness ana martyred air, and at last gain an admirable poise, from which nothing can shake them. They are begin- ning to realize that they have a right to exist and that the upper classmen are merely human beings, not as exalted as th' ey seemed at first sight. One important social event is depicted in this first act—the Freshmen reception to their parents. The high school is alight from top to bottom. Girls, in light dresses, flit from one room to the other, proudly showing their fathers and mothers where their study and recitation hours are spent. Boys, trying their best not to appear ill at ease and fail- ing miserably, stand around in inconspicuous corners, and wistfully gaze upon the gay assemblage. In the auditorium, a program of music and speaking is in progress. In the hall, the parents are being served with a delicious beverage. But soon the hour ar- rives for the Freshmen to be in bed. The parents, realizing this, take their departure, after expressing their delight in the evening’s entertainment. The uoor closes upon the last guest and the building is left deserted. (End of Part One.) (18)

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tales, startling conceptions of life in the lower kingdoms, and reminiscences of “child- hood days.” In and out surges a gay throng, some in masquerade, adding a picturesque effect to the whole scene. All is merriment and fun. And this is the first entertainment of the class a success. We pass from this to the presentation of the Junior play—“Lost—a Chaperone.” The picture at first shows the entire auditorium packed with people and then nar- rows down to the center of action, the stage. The camping life and out-door scenes are refreshing, while the girls in their simple dresses and the boys in their hunting suits, attract the attention of all. Many amusing situations and interesting characters are depicted in the play. And, at the end, the curtain falls upon the last act amid a. round of applause. The class has gained a reputation for not only thinking, but “acting.” They have added another triumph to their appearance before the public. Soon after this is the “spread” given by the class, for the playing cast in the gym- nasium. Around the tables, which are attractively decorated with the class colors, sit the members of the class, a living representation of that old saying. “Eat. drink and be merry.” Again we see the Gymnasium, and now, a basket ball game is being played. With lightning rapidity, flash all over the floor the green sv eaters, striped with gold, of the Junior PGys. Opposing them is the Senior team. Fast and furious wages the struggle. Now a basket is made by the Juniors, now a spectacular throw by the Seniors. The spectators in the gallery lean forward with breathless eagerness. The score is even, the time almost out. Then suddenly the Dali is shot, through the air, toward the basket, it balances unsteadily for one anxious moment, on the edge then—drops through to the floor. The game is over and the score stands 17-16. The Junior casket ball team are champions At last comes the climax of the third act—the Junior-Senior banquet. Amid the sweet, strains of music, the tinkle of glasses, and the babble of merry voices, mingle the Juniors and Seniors, forgetful of all else, save the light-hearted happiness of the hour. And as the 'wee small hours” of the morning drew near, they linger still, draining to the last sweet drop, the cup of their evening's enjoyment. But at last it is time for them to part and the end of the school year has come. PART FOUR. Again the class of nineteen sixteen meet, this time their faces earnest, with the re- alization of the nearing of the end, proud of their many achievements as a class, and serious, with the knowledge of duties to be performed, obstacles to be overcome, and re- sponsibilities to be assumed. The Junior president having gained much popularity in the fulfillment of his office, is chosen again unanimously. And now is thrown upon the screen, the picture of a magazine, the name of which is the “Mirage.” And behold, as the pages are turned, these important words stand forth boldly in big. black type, “published montlily by the Senior Class of the Lancaster High School.” An epoch in the production of the school paper has been reached; a lasting work begun; and in the future history of the school will this class ever be known as the originators of the monthly Mirage. Again is the scene of the Hallowe'en Fair reproduced in the Senior Carnival. The setting is the same but the exhibitions and assembly are widely different. A weird hynnotist, a comical Italian organ grinder and an “intellectual” picture show are inter- (20)