Lane Technical High School - Lane Tech Prep Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Page 18 The Lane Tech Annual for J une. 1935 L There goes the bell I bet you could get first place without half trying. Besides, you might be able to get in good with our English teacher. When she sees you a contest win- ner she is sure to give you an EH or HSM. 'tYeah, and then every time I would come into the room I would hear half of the fellows saying, teachers pet! No, not for me. Iive seen it hap- pen too many times. So, you're yellow, huh? Got a streak down your back. You can't take it- Eric knew that this would bring Harris around to see his point of view. Bill was the type who would do anything on a dare. In a moment this kind of taunting brought the desired result. UAH right, wise guy, I'll show you. I'll write a story that will knock you off your feet. I won't care what they say in the English class. When does the contest end? How many words? Does it have to be in ink?7l Wait a second, Edgar Wallace, I haven't all the details but if you go to the Tech Prep Office they'll give you all of the rules. So Harris was officially entered in the contest, several days and a week-end were conscientiously spent in his effort to write a prize-winning story. He was helped by his English teacher and at one time he was allowed to read it to the class. The ap- plause he received for his effort was deafening. If this meant anything toward coming events, he was sure to cop one of the prizes offered. Harris anxiously awaited the issue of the Tech Prep for the following month. It was in that issue that the winning stories were to appear. However, Bill was informed that his story was one of the prize winners even before the issue was put out. He was even more flattered when a Daily reporter sought him out one day to give him a write-up in the school paper. His name in the Daily while still a freshman. The write-up is one of Harrisls most treasured mementos. When the magazine did come out Harris was the envy of his entire class. Even the teacher congratulated him. Though the hero worship did not last forever it made Bill take a greater interest in his work. It certainly made a fellow feel good to see some of his classmates point him out as, t'That's Harris, the fellow who won the short story contest. Nevertheless, in the spring a young freshman's fancy turns to staying out of school as much as he can. The young author and his friend were no ex- ception. A walk to the lake front in the morning hours of a warm school day was a lot better than staying in a hot portable. Or else they might take in a show in an air-conditioned theatre. The matter of signing one anotherls notes from 'fhomell was a small detail which could be accomplished with a little practice. Friday, the last school day was e- specially suitable for taking the well-earned rest from school activities. Harris could not see why some boys would stay in a hot school room trying to do their work when the out-of-doors was such a beautiful place to play hookey. However, there was always the return to studies on Monday. Then the hustling to make up back Our first Indian chief---Mr. Beebe work. Drawing boards to be taken home and plates to be drawn. Though Epstein's company was not exactly pleas- ing to Billy he still kept up an acquaintance with

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The Lane Tech Annual for June, 1935 Page ll but it was no use. He couldnt figure out the an- swers. Now take yesterday, for example, he said to himself. he had been given three days discipline- - for what? lfor innocently playing catch in the lunchroom. lf that wasn't enough, the teacher who caught him also took the ball. The ball he had saved money for by not going to a theatre for a couple of days. Why couldn't they be human? 'l'here was that other incident in the cafeteria. One day he had gone up there to eat. just as he was a- bout to sit down a rough voice told him, Saved, buddy! Several attempts to get a seat proved un- successful. He ate his lunch standing. The follow- ing day he tried identically the same thing. He was going to save a chair for liric when J'No saving seats! The chair was grasped out of his hands by some fresh senior with a letter on his sweater. him to get his work in on time. As if he wasn't try- ing his best to do so. It seemed to Billy that they were always complaining. He would give anything to be back in grammar school, where he knew prac- tically every teacher. In high school he only knew the teachers where he had classes. Then also, there was the discipline room, He had become acquaint- ed with the teacher there. Harris was well on the verge of giving up the whole business when Eric told him of the Tech Prep Short Story Contest. Sure, Billy, you ought to enter it. You've a good chance of copping first place. You are a pretty good writer. I remember that story you wrote for our grammar school paper. lt was a peach. You never received anything for writing for that paper. Here you get a prize. If I could write like you l would enter it right off the bat. How about it? Q4 The Ilffftlfflllftll HtISkl'fI1lIH Tournament wrls II popular 1't'ez1l. 'l'o break part of this monotony Billy joined the Aw, I probably wouldnt even get honorable track squad. He didn't get a place on it. Older mention. l think they play favorites. Some guy and more experienced fellows were given berths on from the staff would win it. the team. He came in last always. Another thing f-NU, that is Where you are all Wrong. 'I-he Sm!-f he was a tlop in. What was the use? No one took is not eligible. The contest is divided into four div- any interest in him. Teachers were always nagging igionsg Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior

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The Lane Tech Annual for June, 1935 Page 19 I' him. The two Laneites were brought to school every morning by Billy's father in his automobile. Perhaps this was the reason why Harris should have been on time every day. Still, there was the visit to any of Sloppy Joe's establishments, where one could lose his pennies by putting them in slot ma- chines. It took some time before a student could lose all the odd cents he had in his pocket- Besides, there were others ahead of him. Naturally, time would fly and the bell would ring. T hen it was all up to whether Billy was in a mood to be on time that certain morning. He usually was not. Another frequent visitor to the hangout was Tom- my Cook. He was, at one time, in the same scout troop as Harris. Cook had worked hard and was now an Eagle Scout while Billy was still second class. When Tommy came to Lane he signed up for the R. O. T. C. Military work had always interest- ed him. He and Bill were together in several classes. One morning the two were in their daily rendezvous when Eric came in. Billy made a fairly good try at introduction. When he finished he questioned johnson. The library was always busy. What brings you here? From the looks of you I thought you just got through running the mile. 'fNo, Bill, l just wanted to ask you if you are go- ing out for the baseball team? f'You know I can't do that. I haven't a G aver- age. I don't mean the school team. I mean the divi- sion room team We just started to organize and we need a good hitter and you're it. As you may know, we play all our games in Lincoln Park. Near- ly every room is represented. During these games the coach of the regular nine keeps a sharp look- out for new material which he can use for his team. Will you play? Okay, it's a go. Harris's division won their hrst two games. The third game was a tough one with the opposition coming out on top. Thus ended the interroom base- ball for Will and Eric for that semester. The official baseball season for the regular squad began sometime later. A series of pep meetings to L. ' v Aki Students play Santa Claus. encourage students to attend games were held. To Bill it meant getting out of classes, The get-togeth- ers were quite informal. The meetings usually open- ed with a few songs played by the Lane band. Al- ways there were cries of. . . More! More! Then the cheer of HSeven rahs and a yeah band! All right? It's a . . - . one .... two .... three! The assembly hall simply shook with the re-echoing of the loud rahs. Speeches and pep talks were next in line. The introduction of a few star performers on the nine followed. Maybe they would say two and sometimes as many as three words. Of course the customary cheers led by some contortionist had to follow every speech. Maybe a little more music and then the adjournment. One of the puzzles en- countered after each session was: How could that bass horn player carry his instrument in and around the many turns of the lighthouse steps to the right of the stage? The drum player had the same trouble. They never told anyone how they did it. A professional secret, no doubt. It was these pep meetings which made Harris re- alize that he was a small yet very important factor in the school. The freshman class was just as nec- essary as the seniors. In his mind's eye Billy could see how the cooperation of all was needed to make the school a success. Whenever a project had to be put over the entire student body was asked to do its part in helping. Billy began to recognize the fact that it was not just a matter of getting out of a few classes that the meetings were held. They were called for a purpose. As Bill looked about him he could see boys of all types, scholars, toughs, athletes and others. They surely must be coming to school for some reason. Then he got to thinking about himself. Had he given his best? Oh, well, there goes the bell. What a relief. No school work until Monday. Then he remembered the science lesson. Oh, let it ride. He could tell the teacher he did not have the page,