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

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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.

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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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 HUIiPACI NOVEMBER 12, 1920 THE FUNNY MAN, MR. STEWART SECOND NUMBER OF THE LYCEUM Those, who were not present on that particular Friday evening, certainly missed a splendid evening. Mr. D. A. Stewart was the attraction. He talked seriously and drew funny pictures at the same time. According to the Huisache Weekly, “One minute the crowd was shaking the walls with lauhgter and applause; the next moment the men were sneezing and saying that the room was mighty close. The girls openly dabbed their eyes with their dainty little handkerchiefs ' Mr. Stewart gave a short sketch of his life and made it very amusing. While he was speaking, he was always drawing a different picture. He drew, altogether, about fifteen pictures, and each one better than the preceding one. NOVEMBER 19. 1920—SOPH. MASQUERADE PARTY The Sophs entertained with a masquerade party at Old Hi on the night of November 19. Clowns, ballet girls, demons, and almost every character imaginable were represented. “Wink ’em” and other games were played. Refreshments were served in the cafeteria to this variety of Sophs. The Crowd then went upstairs to the main hall, where dancing was enjoyed. NOVEMBER 20. 1920—JUNIOR BARNYARD FROLIC The brightest star in the Junior “Social sky was the unique barnyard frolic. This affair out-shone the many brilliant events given by that class. The halls of Main never before held such a great number of country folk. Big farmers, little farmers, fat farmers, and skinny farmers could be seen gently whirling pretty innocent country maidens around wheat stacks, and carefully avoiding wild chickens, whose chief purpose was to make themselves heard. The stunts performed at this frolic will be a lasting memory to all fortunate enough to witness them. The tight rope walker exceeded our greatest expectations. The next stunt was historical as well as amusing. Before us was portrayed most vividly the ancient chariot races. We feel confident that had the young participants actually seen a race of this kind, they could not have shown it to better advantage. The red soda-water. sandwiches, and pickels fitted in remarkably well with the rest of the occasion. NOVEMBER 25, 1920—THAT EVENTFUL DAY Yes, Thanksgiving Day; but also the day on which the Feb 21’s goat disappeared. This noble goat’s name was Doc, and he figured in the game against Brackenridge. He survived and reached Main safely, only to be taken to his future home. Miss Mina