Main Avenue High School - El Sombrero Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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A very interesting night was spent at Main Avenue by all who attended the Open House. Main never looked so festive and attractive. The front hall was filled with teachers wearing tags, on which their names were printed. Many of the pupils ushered our mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc., through the different buildings and introduced them to our old friends, the classrooms. At first one drifted (can such a term be applied to the bustling peppy crowd?) naturally into the aduitorium. Here movies were thrown on the screen and. in between, speakers for the Better Schools Amendment came on the stage to deliver their messages. Nearly the whole evening the lower floor was full and many seats upstairs were occupied. The business office, where Miss Gohmert. Miss Mayhew. and Miss Cook presided over the clicking typewriters; the botanical and zoological specimens with Miss Schultz in charge; Miss Stoddard's capable force of nurses and their demonstration of how to care for an invalid, and the heroic rescue of a drowning person; all these were features of the first building. On the third floor of the same building, the artistic ones, under Miss Mathaei’s directions sketched and drew' nobly. The posters that decorated the school bore evidence of their talents. The sole and main attraction of the central building was the library. Decorated with yellow cosmos, it was indeed an attractive spot. As usual Miss Hicks reigned supreme. The mysteries of the third building wrere too many to dwell on at length. Mr. May's chemical department and the cooking and sewing rooms proved especially fascinating to the crowd. Out in the automobile repair shop, Mr. Peavey’s class handled all kinds of insides and outsides of cars. Mr. Dwenger's tribe of automobile enthusiasts discoursed eloquently on their pet hobby. Last but not least, came the “eats. The cafeteria was open and it’s a safe guess that everyone paid a visit to it. Miss Johnson’s physical culture classes gave some folk dances, played games, and drilled for the benefit of the on lookers. Many of the prominent San Antonians were present, and expressed very favorable opinions of the school. We know that everyone had a good time and, to judge from the number of cars parked up and down Main Avenue, it seems that people knew' wdiat was in store for them. OCTOBER 29, 1920—FEB. 21 MONKEYSHINES On Friday night! At Mina Alvord’s house! The Febs of course! They were having a grand old time celebrating the ghostly night. Two grinning pumpkins, the one spelling Feb. 21 and the other M. A. H. S.. greeted everyone from the gateposts. And they were not the only ones; others vied with each other to see which could appear most grotesque. One could hardly believe that the merry group came from the dignified graduating class. After several games, the whole company adjourned down the basement stairs —12—

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The girls’ chorus rendered several pleasing selections and the orchestra, of which we are so proud, gave two splendid numbers. After these, Judge Brooks spoke. The last speaker was Mrs. McAlister. Her novel way of presenting the subject went straight to the hearts of all citizens of the Lone Star State. A noticeable fact of the evening was that there were great numbers of ladies in the audience. This certainly looked as if they were doing their duty as enfranchised citizens of the United States. OCTOBER 22. 1920 HALLOWEEN FROLICS JUNE MASQUERADE Such a good time! And, like lots of other good times, it happened in the halls of Main High. The Junes decided to turn into other people just for one night—and they did. Everyone from the Queen of Sheba to Faust was represented. The fun commenced in the third building, where a guessing contest held full swing; then the first building hall became the fashionable place and here the Queen of Sheba and Faust enjoyed some real live jazz. At the end of the fifth dance, the scene was again changed to the third building. After as much pie. apples, peanuts, and fruit-punch as those people stowed away, it was a wonder that the jazz could lure them on. But it did just the same, thanks to the unusually energetic spirits of these Junes. The prizes for the best costumes were awarded after a grand march. Mr. Curtis Meeks got the boy’s prize for a “gentleman from Seguin’’ outfit. He had created quite a stir all evening. Miss Margaret Green was the lucky girl. Her Indian costume certainly made a hit. OCTOBER 22, 1920—CONGRESS HAYRIDE After a snappy meeting on Friday afternoon, the Congress members adjourned in pieasant anticipation of the evening. At seven o’clock the whole “shooting-match’’ and some girls started on a good old hayride. There was, however, some delay over a girl, who refused to appear; and the party had to go on its bumpy way without her. They piled out at the Salado Creek on the Sutherland Springs road. Then the fun began. After a good supper, some interesting games were played round the camp-fire. The boys sang heart thrilling songs and the girls did their share of the yelling (they always do). At half-past eleven two truckfulls of tired but happy people arrived at High School. OCTOBER 23. 1920 DRAMATICS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS A Halloween dancing party is a very attractive way to entertain new members. The decorations were especially appropriate and artistically arranged. At the doors large Jack O’lanterns winked at the shy maidens and made all the boys jealous. The windows were hung in black and yellow crepe paper; beautiful ferns in the hall completed this pretty color scheme. However the punch bowl was the center of attraction. I arge baskets of golden cosmos decorated the table where it was placed. Besides the new members, there were present Mrs. Vodrie. Miss Pearl West. Mrs. Roberts, Miss Florence Bryan and Mr. Howard. —11—

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HUIiPACHE to be confronted on the landing by four pairs of gleaming eyes, apparently detached from any orbs. The guide informed everyone that the orbs belonged to members of the class, and that the person guessing their owners would receive a prize. This was only a part of the merrymaking, the rest of which would take pages to describe, but this much brands the Febs as an unusually peppy and original class. OCTOBER 30, 1920—A GHOST CONVENTION The Philomathean Debating Club held a Ghost Convention at the home of Miss Frances Smith in honor of their new members. The spooks were greeted at the porch by big spooky looking Jack-o-lanters, which leered at us in the most “skeery” manner. The guests were admitted after saying the pass word—“S-h-h-h-h! ” The only light in the house came from the fireplace, before which the most hair raising haunted stories were told. After passing around the articles which demonstrated the stories, and frightened even the boys, lights were relit and refreshments were served. Dancing was enjoyed to the music of funeral marches and later real jazz. NOVEMBER 9. 1920—INTERESTING ASSEMBLY FOR MR. SIMMANG At this assmbly, Mr. Howard introduced our visitor and told us a few facts about his life. He was a diplomat in Russia for a short while, and then was sent to Manchuria for a longer period. He came through San Antonio on his way to China, and stopped here, as attorney for the American Chinese Bank. He gave a very interesting talk, in which he told us a lot about Chinese and China. He also told us something about the attitude of the Chinese toward the United States, and assured the students that they could count on him should they ever need a friend in China. NOVEMBER 10, 1920 MAIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE WAR HEROES Main honored the heroes of the Great War, who sacrificed their lives for their country, with a very impressive ceremony. Mr. Howard opened it with a serious talk on the significance of Armistice Day. He then introduced Miss Olivia Baldesareli, who gave a four minute address on the same subject. Miss Baldesareli’s splendid articulation and musical voice are a constant pleasure to the whole student body. Paderewski’s Minuet was then rendered on the piano by Miss Lodovine Chester. She showed talent in her playing. After that, Mr. Werner Beckman talked to us. He is a graduate of M. A. H. S. and regards Main as the only school. He said that the first feeling that came over him on that first eleventh of November was one of exultation and pride. The next was a deeper sentiment of reverence for men who had the courage to fight for the right. The assembly was closed with one minute of silent tribute to the heroes.