Madison Central High School - Tychoberahn Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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Isabel Carleton I By Betty Ludwig NOT long ago I came to realize an ambition I had harbored for three years — that of meeting Margaret Ashmun. the writer. It ail started one day while reading a book of hers during home room period. I had only gone a few pages when ! discovered that the story was laid in Madison and that the characters attended Central. My curiosity about the author was aroused and I determined to meet Margaret Ashmun. but how. I knew not. TTien one fine morning I found myself on the west side of town ringing Margaret Ashmun’s doorbell. I had come to interview her for the Orange and Black. Miss Ashmun. a greyhaired, middle-aged person of medium build, answered the door. She looked like any other nicely dressed lady one meets on the street, in her silk printed dress with a cluster of artificial flowers at the neck. For the first time it came to me that she was just like any other human being. We talked together of the Isabel Carleton series in which Madison, its stores, its amusements, the lakes, and university played such an important part. Miss Ashmun fumbled at her finger and then held out to me a beautiful ring made of two separate green Tlie Ghost I ells All... front'd from page 12) most an exact replica of Henry. Mr. Trachtc sent the book, and asked for a snapshot of Henry’s likeness. The snapshot that was sent did resemble Mr. Anderson's brain child. Master of dead-pan, except in color and amount of hair. Recently a doctor from Florida wrote Mr. Anderson saying Henry gave him the shivers running around in the snow with his scanty attire. I lc said if they didn’t have clothes enough for the little brat, to send him down to Florida where he could bask in the sunshine and swim. Mr. Anderson thanked the man for his kind invitation and assured the worried M. I), that I’enfant terrible appreciated it and would take a rain check on the invitation. By return mail, Carl Anderson received road maps of the state of Florida and full data as to how to get there. Youngsters seven or eight years old ived In Madison stones wrought in a silver openwork design. It was this ring which started what was later to become the Isabel Carleton series. Miss Ashmun was in England at the time. The days being long she had taken to writing to help pass the time. One day she thought of writing about her green ring which she had recently purchased of an American lady who made them and sold them there. TTic story was published in the Youth's Companion and proved to be so popular that the publishers asked for more stories about the same girl. Later they were combined into the first Isabel Carleton book and due to their great success. Miss Ashmun was prompted to write more such books. Miss Ashmun said that her purpose in writing the Isabel Carleton books was to describe family life and to make girls realize that family life is an important part of their living.” Through these books she attempted to show that one docs not have to go away to school to have fun, but that just as much can be had right at home. She lived supposedly on a “nice shady street, somewhere on the west side of town where most professors homes arc. Isabel Carleton was not any particular person although Miss Ashmun was thinking somewhat of a niece of hers who was attending the (not the censors) seem to be the champion worriers over Henry’s lack of clothing. They express fears of Henry getting new-monia.” Mr. Anderson usually calms their fears by saying Henry is so husky he would go out without any clothes on if they didn’t watch him closely. Sometime ago Mr. Anderson ran a cartoon showing the precious imp dressed up like a barber cutting another little boy’s hair. A youngster wrote in and advised Henry to use his knowledge of barbering on himself and apply some hair tonic to the seemingly barren vastness of his upper extremity. Henry wishes it known that he is a platinum blond. People all over the United States write and ask Mr. Anderson to help put across their various campaigns. But Henry is a shrewd diplomat and declines all propaganda offers. His main mission in life is to draw a few chuckles, not to promote. A dentist out West wanted Carl Anderson to run university here and whose name was Isabel. Carleton was Miss Ashmun's own choice as a fitting last name for the character. Rodney Fox and Caroline Harper, two of the main characters of the book, were not the Rodney Fox and Caroline Harper who were well known Madi-sonians not long ago. Miss Ashmun did not realize that there really were people with those names, until after the books had been published and people inquired about the similarity of the names. The only account that Miss Ashmun can give for having used these names is that at one time or another she had heard the names and they had unconsciously stayed in her mind. Miss Ashmun is a distant relative of Mr. Benjamin Ashmun, mathematics teacher at Central. Contrary to popular belief. Miss Ashmun did not attend Central, or teach here. She lived in Waupaca, which she often uses as a setting for her stories. Topless Towers, a novel for adults; Steven’s Last Chance, a book for boys; “David and the Bear Man. Brenda Stays at Home, Susie Sugar-beet, Including Mother, No School Today, Mother's Away,” and School Keeps Today. arc among the books which she has written for younger children. She has written 23 books and several magazine stories. a cartoon showing Henry brushing his teeth, but so far not one chuckle-drawing idea has been dug up concerning dental hygiene. Don rather fancies being called Carl Anderson's ghost, or Henry’s Nursemaid.” But, besides being a dignified artist’s assistant, Mr. Trachtc is also personal secretary, traveling companion, errand runner, and chauffeur. Notes On Music... front'd from page 6) halls, Dee. 19; Christmas Program in assembly, Dec. 20; Mid-Winter Concert, Dec. 26; Mid-Year Commencement, Jan. 31; Southwestern Wisconsin Teachers Convention, Feb. 14; Good Friday Services at Orpheum Theater, April 10; Funeral of Richard Botts: District Music Tournament, May 2; Spring Concert, May 15; State Music Festival and Tournament, May 29; Commencement, June 12. 29

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Ring Ramblers Girls Sport: year's foxing team was purely an intramural allair. The team did not invade any foreign rings or have any invaders to battle. ‘11k climax of the season came when the boxing finals were held on Friday night. May I. Seven members make up the team. These boys survived the elimination in which approximately “50 boy had competed. The champions in each weight divisions arc: Tony Clcmcnti, lightweight class; lames Gallagher, 115; fohn Capadona, 125; Mick Justo, 135; John Badenna, 145; George Cuccia. light heavyweight; Steve Chiovero. heavyweight. 'Hie most contested class on the team was the 135 pound class. In the eliminations Joe dementi defeated Ixonard Ginsberg and |immy Malas defeated Bob Goodrich. In the semi finals dementi scored a T.K.O. over Malas in the second round to meet Mick |usto, the defending champ, in the finals. Justo, fighting a scientific match against dementi's rushing, was awarded the decision alter three rounds of intensive foxing. The only defending champion to Ik dethroned was John Bcyler, 125 pound champ of 1935. He was beaten by John Capa dona who, in the eliminations and semi-finals, won his matches handily. Steve Chiovero, heavyweight champ, defended his throne easily by scoring a T.K.O. over Howard Quale in the third round. Chiovero outweighed Quale and used this to the fost advantages. The light heavyweight throne went to George Cuccia, who rallied after a bad start to win handily over John Scliara. In the lightweight class, Tony dementi was a decisive winner over I larry Zeaman. The fight was close throughout, hut Clcmcnti put on a punching finish to take the match. John Badenna annexed the 145 pound crown by winning the decision over Frank Schiro. Badenna cinched the tight in the closing seconds by flooring Schiro for the count of eight. Boxing at Central has progressed yearly. ’Hie number coming out is almost as great as the number coming out for major sports. Central has limited facilities for this activity, hut this sport continues to grow in |x pularity in spite of all these obstacles. Boxing champions will receive medals, because the sport is not recognized by the Big Eight as a major sport. It is the fo|K of the participants that some day foxing will Ik given the recognition of a major sport, instead of the rank it now holds. A former Central foxing champ has made good in a big way at the University of Wisconsin. He is Vito Schiro. referee of the foxing finals this year. Vito fought in weights ranging from the 145 pound class to tile 165 pound division. When Vito fought for the Orange and Black he fought in the 145 pound class. In his freshman year at the university he was awarded a numeral sweater. This year Vito will receive a W” sweater, because foxing was made a major sport From Row |eft ro right. at Wisconsin. Back Row: M.soison Central High school girls’ s|»ort program will have its climax when Central joins with four other Madison High schools for a gigantic field day oil Tuesday, June 30, at the Henry Vilas Park in comnicmora lion of the Wisconsin Centennial. All girls who will he in town arc asked to join in this celebration by signing up with Miss Marguerite Shepard, director of girls' physical cduca tion at Central, as soon as possible. 'Hie day's program will consist of relays, circle rates, xpec-lacular stunts, human croquet, and human hurdles. The girls, who are expected to number 2,000, will be divided into teams of 15 each for these games, ami the winners will be awarded Centennial Badges. The teams will Ik pitted against each other by grade levels to give each girl an equal chance. Each group will compete for divisional prizes. The divisions arc tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Mrs. James Jackson is the general chairman of this day and will Ik assisted by the physical education directors of the Madison high schools. The regular girls’ sport program of the year was completed with the finish of the tennis tournament and the awarding of right M’s to the girls who scored a total of 1,200 points in different recreations and sports. The girls who received MV arc Marguerite Butzen. Mary Connors. Fern Griffin, Lucille Hartwig, Dorothy Harjes. Agnes I-awry, IXiris Morrison, and Mary Meyers. This year's M's are of the same make as the boys' |x rt letter hut arc six inches instead of eight. 'Hiis is the first year that this kind of letter has been given to the girls. 'Fhe different sports which attracted scores of girls are baseball, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. There were six teams in the baseball league and five in the volleyball and Isaskctball leagues. The tenth grade girls won the basketball championship, and the eleventh graders snared the championship in volleyball. Miss Shepard said that this year’s activities were very successful. She wishcil that more juniors and seniors would compete in these after school sports, because many students arc missing many enjoyments offered by the school. John Capadona, Nick Justo. Jim Gallagher, Tony dementi. John Badenna. Steve Chiovero, George Cuccia. 2

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Contributor Club ... (corn'd from page 25) ing to the audience for their disgraceful street brawl, which was the only good thing in the show. Along about 12 o'clock I thought I would talk over old times with Bud, but when I turned his way my tired and trusty friend was Asleep at the Switch. At the finish, the woman next to me, who seemed to be on, said the main actor was dying. After it was too late, Sadie seemed kind of sorry. She hollered and screamed for awhile and then at 12:25 the curtain dropped. Never again for my money. Far be it from me knocking, but anytime I want noise. I'll move into a boiler factory or Penn station where 1 can understand what's coming off. I'm for a good show. Do you remember the White Slave, foe? Well, that's me. Wasn’t it nifty where the main lady spurned the leering villain’s gold and exclaimed with flashing eye, Hags arc royal raiment when worn for virtue's sake. The White Slave had this opera beaten to a pulp, and they don’t get you for three cases gate-money, either. —William Crane. Girls’ Literary Society Has 1-amoue Ancestry Although boys were originators, girls carried clubs through the years by Louise DuBois When the Madison High School Literary Society was founded in 1894, it had about fifteen members—all boys. Membership and activities gradually increased and in 1905 the Forum Society was organized. This group participated in oratorical contests and inter-society debates. The meetings of the Forum Society were held in the city hall while the new high school was being built, and heated debates and discussions played a major part in the programs. However, interest in the society waned, and in 1909 it disbanded. Through the influence of Principal fones, the club was reorganized in 1911. This organization, with a membership of forty boys, held meetings weekly at the boys’ homes. It had a threefold purpose: to give members an intelligent idea of problems of the day, to train them in the use of a library and in the arrangement of material, and to enable them to speak with liberty before an audience. Recommendation from the faculty and satisfactory trial work on two de- bates were required for membership to the club. Even after initiation anyone who proved undesirable was expelled. Their programs were interesting and varied. Topics were given on current events, and extemporaneous speaking contests were held. On alternate weeks there were debates on such timely subjects as woman sufTrage, coeducation, income tax, inheritance tax, government ownership of railroads, and the eight hour working day. Because of a heavier school program, and a more concentrated line of study, the club was again broken up, and has been extinct as a boys' organization ever since. It was not long before the girls took an interest in literature and formed a society called the Nautilus. A later organization, founded for the same purpose, was Philomathia. The objects of the Nautilus club were: to give the girls mutual help and improvement, to increase knowledge of literature and develop critical power, and to make literary knowledge tend to create character development. Miss Ruth Kentzler, dramatics director at Central, was a member of Philomathia Society, and much of the following information comes from her. This group studied the lives and works of famous authors and poets. Topics on these subjects filled the program. The early literary societies were taken seriously, and it was a great privilege to Ik elected to one, stated Miss Kentzler. Election of club officers was also an important event, because the offices took the place of our present day honor societies. Although interest in these clubs was keen for some years, they were again disrupted, and Central was without a literary group until six years ago when Miss Julia Tormey organized the present Girls’ Literary Society. Central J ournaliets I Ionorcil... (corn'd from page 22) magazine: because she has taken initiative in her writing on the editorial staff; because she has done it all with a smile. • Alida Ann Taylor, because she, too, has spent hours in soliciting advertisements to help pay for both school publications. Members were selected by Miss Beda Hand, editorial sponsor, and Miss Ann Junginger, business advisor, on the following basis incorporated in the constitution of the society: Candidates must be of junior or senior classification: they must be in the upper third of their class in general scholastic standing at the time of their election; they must have done superior work in writing, editing, or in business management; they must be recommended by the supervisor or by the committee governing publications: they must be approved by the national secretary-treasurer of the society. Olympic . . . (cont'd from page 25) burg. Illinois. In the year of 1922, he became head basketball and baseball coach and assistant football coach at the University of Iowa. This position he held until 1929 when he gained a similar post at the University of Southern California, where he is at the present time. In Dr. Arnold Jackson, affectionately known to his friends as Babe, we find the first president of the Olympic Club, the editor-in-chief of the 1912 Tycobcrahn, chairman of the From committee, secretary of the Olympic athletic board, and a prominent participator in scholastic affairs. After leaving Central, he attended the University of Wisconsin and the Columbia Medical College; he took his bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota and from there he went to the Mayo Clinic. In the year of 1921, he came to the Jackson Clinic to begin his work in Madison. In his medical career he specializes in diseases; his book, Goitre and Other Diseases of the Thyroid Gland,” is considered of high rating and he has in his possession letters of commendation from surgeons from countries all over the world. Johnny” Blied, during his years at Central, knew no equal in the mile race, so says a newspaper clipping. 11c won in every state meet lie entered and was winner at the Stagg's Chicago Interscholastic Meet. He was captain of the 1911 state championship track team. In football he played the position of quarterback; in the aforementioned TVeoberahn, John was credited with speed and grit and an enviable reputation shown by his ability to carry the ball down the field. He is now in business at the Blied Hardware Company on West Main Street. In the Town Gossip of several years past, is related the “Tragedy of the Unused Spoon, an incident in which featured both Barry and Blied. In the year 1909, the football team was promised, by a freshman girl, a seven course dinner if they would win the championship. Well, they won, and the girl was reminded of her promise. All the preparations were made for the dinner, and it was an elaborate affair to which the football team sat down. But the young hostess had forgotten to invite the “subs,” who, being slightly put out, stole the ice cream from the kitch- 30