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

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 said sank deeply into the hearts of those who heard him. A better speaker could not have been chosen for the occasion. Miss Sarah Karcher next rendered the “Meditation from Thais,” on the violin. Miss Karcher has real talent and ability, as she has demonstrated several times when she has played at Main. The diplomas were presented by I)r. E. O. Evans; the scholarships, of which there were no less than nine, were given by Mr. Howard. Then the exercises were closed with a benediction by the Rev. Charles E. McStravick. JANUARY 28, 1921—CONGRESS BANQUET Here they were again! Those snappy members of the Congress Debating Club. And this time it was a banquet held at the Original Mexican Restaurant. The purpose of this banquet, which, by the way. is a semi-annual occurrence, was to celebrate victories in debate, declamation, oratory; to swear in new members; to bid farewell to old ones who are leaving; to get in touch with friends of the club. An unusually large number of Congressmen and their girl friends were present this time. Mr. Hofstetter was toastmaster of the occasion and he first called on Mr. Lewis for a toast on the loving cups the club has won. Mr. Frey next toasted the old officers, and Mr. Blair the new ones. After the new members had been sworn in, the meeting closed with some stirring words from Miss Combs, Miss Cleary, and Miss West, Mr. William Hankla, an ex-president, also gave a few words of praise and congratulations to his club. It was an all-round success and everyone enjoyed himself. FEBRUARY 3. 1921 An assembly was held to boost the Huisache and to present little gold footballs to the heroes of the M. A. H. S. squad. These little tokens were given them by the school in recognition of their splendid playing. In the nickname dialect, the receivers of the rewards were as follows: Bones (captain). Red. Cotton, Hokey, Archie, Mac. Rap, Bob, Willie, Johnny, Mamie, Cholly, Cotton 2nd, Bill, Terry and his Majesty, (the) King. FEBRUARY 25, 1921—PHIL. VAUDEVILLE The Philomathean Debating Club managed a real vaudeville, which was given in the form of a contest. The prize of ten dollars was awarded to the club of Main Avenue High School staging the best act. This performance was really worth-while event and deserved every bit of the support it received. All kinds of clever stunts were enacted on the stage. These were “A Winter Garden” by the Jeffersonian Literary Society; “The Tragedy” a wedding, by the Congress Debating Club; “An Evening in Mrs. Van Stufesant’s Home” by the Mark Twains; “1776-

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HVIlP-ACH tunity lo Rive the pennant back to the Junes. The honor of carrying it across the stage rested with Snowball, a very small bashful member of the colored race. After the assembly the school adjourned to the front yard to witness the burning of pink slips and other troublesome literature. To cap the climax of such a hilarious morning, two periods were omitted, and the student body went on its lunch ward way rejoicing. JANUARY 20, 1921 HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! This decidedly clever play was presented by the February graduating class. It was written by LeRoy Arnold and won first prize in a newspaper contest, to which plays from all over the country were sent. The characters in the play were admirably well taken by the members of the class. The most popular character was, perhaps Jack Crandel, which part was acted remarkably well by Mr. Harry Jersig; the heroine, Miss Hilda Schaezler. was an ideal one for the part; one of the cleverest pieces of character study was Miss Letitia Brown, really Miss Violet Smith, who wept and giggled in turn without difference of meaning. Among other characters worthy of mention, was Mr. Hooker; Mr. Homer Stevenson took this role very successfully. Mr. Hymen Plenn was an ideal son and brother; and won the hearts of the audience by his wholesome humor and desire to help his sister. Those who missed this play certainly missed a good one. The whole cast were called back again and again; and the play is mentioned as the very best a graduating class has put on in the Main Avenue Auditorium. JANUARY 26, 1921 FEBRUARY ’21 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES The night of the twenty-sixth of January was an important one for the members of the February ’21 class. The commencement exercises, one of the most solemn, and impressive ever held in the school, took place. The orchestra began with a selection by Massenet, “Scenes Pictoresques.” This difficult piece was rendered very well and deserved the rousing applause. Next came the Star Spangled Banner which the graduates sang. The presentation of the class by Mr. Howard followed. He said a number of very complimentary things about the class as a whole. Miss Ruby Perriman Hardin sang two beautiful selections, “From the Land of the Sky Blue Waters.” and “The Moon Drop Low;” both were enjoyed and appreciated by all. Dr. Rhodes introduced Dr. Bryan, who was the speaker of the evening. Dr. Bryan spoke on the “Meaning of Youth.” He talked fervently and impressively; and what he —19—

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 Hviip-ACHE 1921” by the Shakespeares; “Current Art” by the Art Club; “At Gray Thornes” by the Hayne Debating Club. All of these were just as clever as they could be and each received a burst of applause. Especially humorous was “The Tragedy” in which Mr. Curtis Meeks was the blushing bride and Mr. Joe Kingsley the nervous bridegroom. The marriage service beginning, “We are about to hitch a team”, caused much hilarity. The Fates seemed to favor the Art Club, for the vote was in their favor. Miss Natalie Forsythe announced the winner at the close of the performance. MARCH 1718, 1921—MAIN ENJOYS ART EXHIBIT A most interesting art exhibit was held at the school on Thursday and Friday. A great many local artist’s paintings were displayed. Lucy Maverick’s, R. J. Onderdonk’s George Benson’s, and Elizabeth Newton’s works all contributed to the completeness of the exhibit. There were several miniatures by Eugenia Price and Eleanor Onderdonk. Two busts by Elizabeth Eberle, a former student of Main and since a pupil of Coppini and Larado Taft, received a great deal of attention. Besides the originals, there was a collection of reproductions of works in European and American galleries. These were very popular, the room being always crowded. Nearly all the English classes paid a visit to this interesting display of art. Those, who didn’t go, missed something very worthwhile. MARCH 18, 1921 VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT GRADUATION This is the first of its kind to be held at Main Avenue High School. Six boys received their diplomas, as auto mechanics and machinists, from the vocational department. In the front hall hung a large photograph of the Buick touring car, which these enterprising boys completed from a dilapidated old one. Mr. Fox voiced warmly the praise of the boys, who performed such a commendable feat. The work was, with the exception of painting, done in the school shops by the boys themselves. The address was given by Mr. J. H. Holmgreen. president of the Alamo Iron Works, and concerned the need of a vocational school in San Antonio. Mr. N. S. Hunsdon, State supervisor for vocational education, delivered a talk on the Smith-Hughes bill and how it could help the vocational training in Texas. The exercises were enlivened by a violin solo by Joe Karcher, and a saxophone solo by Oscar Dewees. The graduates, having the honor of being the first to receive diplomas from the vocational department, were: Clarence Berger, John Boykin, Harold Eckenroth, L. B. Holder, Edward Dunkin and Lynn Allen. Long live and prosper the first to arrive! —21 —