Marine City High School - Mariner Yearbook (Marine City, MI)

Page 25 text:

19 2 2 iiiiiniiiiiiniiifiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiititiiiMiiiiiiiuiiiii 19 2 2 MARINER lllllllllllllllllilllllllllilllllllll OUR CLASS HISTORY Marian Burrows and Eleanor Smith Jt was in the early fall of 1918, that Alma Mater gazed wearily upon the four small boys that stood before her. Her gaze softened and her heart swelled with pride as it rested on the smallest child, “1922.” He was a lad of perhaps fourteen years, with soft blue eyes that twinkled with laughter, and a broad, high forehead, above which an abundance of dark brown hair curled gently backward. His mouth was rather large, but well proportioned, and his chin denoted a decidedly strong character. He was somewhat tall for his years, and gave one the impres- sion of future size and strength, but especially of intelligence. When his older brothers strutted boldly into the Senior High, leaving him alone and uncertain which way to go, Alma Mater, with an affectionate smile, came forward, and taking him bv the hand, led him upstairs to the Junior Assem- bly Room, where she found him a seat into which he settled contentedly. As he gazed around at the other assembled grades, his eyes wide with intelligence. Alma Mater predicted great things of him. Mow swiftly the days, weeks and months flew by for little “1922.” The weeks brought endless classes, one after another, the months, tests, of which he had a very great dread; but he still faced a more profound dread in the semester exams, which like a phantom looming up in the distance, was paralyzing him with fear. A mighty struggle ensued, but when the horizon cleared it was plain to be seen that his artful dodging had won him the battle. Encouraged by the continual praise of Alma Mater and her assistants, he faced a new problem with undaunted courage. It was indeed a huge problem for so small a boy to tackle. It was none other than the settlement of petty grievances which had arisen between his older brother “1921” and himself. I be duel was a difficult one. He struggled with his brother in a Flag-rush and a Tug of War, but the victory having been announced in his favor, he eagerly turned his attention to sports and social activities. These pleasures were greatly encouraged by Alma Mater as a diversion from the daily grind of study. Little “1922” entered into the course of events so whole- heartedly that he scarcely thought of the rapid advance of finals that would soon overtake him. But the awakening came quickly, and the sight of the phantom with whom he had struggled before stirred in him a desire for success. He delved into his studies with renewed vigor, and when the exams finally appeared, the phantom passed him by unnoticed. Soon Miss June arrived with her mysterious lures for small boys. The swim- ming pool with all its fascinations seemed to call little “1922,” but he was still held by unbreakable bonds -the receiving of the verdict on his first year of high school. At last the day came when he was free to follow his own desires and the call of vacation, and lie eagerly passed from his first year of high school into that enchanted land where he was to spend two long months. The fall advanced, and school days returned all too quickly for “1922.” What a remarkable change the summer had wrought upon him. He had grown like a weed and also had attained much of the Red Man’s hue. His other brothers, with 19

Page 24 text:

PAYNE SAPH Business Staff ; Class Pres. ’21 ; Football ’20, ’21 ; Y. M. C. A. Enjoying the present day is my motto ' FREDERICK HOLMES “Belief is not a matter of choice hut of con- viction ' OUR WATCHWORD FOR THE FUTURE “Let me but do my work from day to day, In field or forest, at the desk or loom, In roaring market place or tranquil room. Let me but find jt in my heart to say, When vagrant wishes beckon me astray — 4 Phis is my work ; my blessing, not my doom ; Of all who live, I am the due by whom This work can best be done in the right way.’ ” — Henry van Dyke. 18

Page 26 text:

19 2 2 MllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltHIIIIIII M A R lltlllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllH I N E R - 19 2 2 wonder, observed his attitude of superiority, but there was a reason for his pride; it was to be his first year in Senior High. Still greater was the amazement of his teachers, for his mind had broadened to such an extent that he now realized the importance of his studies and turned to them diligently. Many long evenings did he spend in company with his Modern History and Geometry texts — his greatest trials; indeed, if it had not been for the patient help of Alma Mater, he would have given up in despair. On, on he plodded through the ever-shortening days, each bringing nearer mid-winter and its continuous round of pleasure, d his year “1922 ' ’ took a prominent place in social activities, do- ing his part in entertaining and accepting with pleasure the invitations extended to him. To be sure they were numerous, for hardly a month went by without leaving pleasant memories of its many parties. Not only parties but also athletics held his interest. Eagerly, with eyes full of hope and admiration, he watched the games progress, hoping that some day he might himself be a participant. With this aim in view he faithfully attended both practices and games until, near the end of the first semester, he was awarded a place on the second team. As a result of “1922’s” diligence, when the mid-winter examinations drew near, he saw only the shadow of th formerly dreaded phantom, which glided by, leaving the highest of traces, and even these were forgotten in the increasing tumult of the second semester. Social activities, studies, and sports kept him busy, but soon interest in these gave way to baseball and track. Closely following these fascinations came Sopho- more finals and the rush of Commencement. At this stage of his high school life “1922” was informed of an old tradition which made it his duty to decorate for his older brother’s Baccalaureate Service. This done, and having won in a slight stru £gl e over finals, he was again free for two happy months. August the 30th — . ith a gasp “1922” looked around him. Autumn days were ushering in his third year of high school. But he was all too anxious to re- turn. for he realized that this year was to have a great influence on his future life. He also anticipated many social activities in which he had a very great interest. Thus it was with renewed vigor that he again entered the high school and started to work with a will knowing that he would be well compensated for his efforts. The first social event that claimed his attention was a Hallowe’en party given at the McLouth Hall for the entertainment of his brothers and himself. This was in the form of a Masquerade, and many different characters were cleverly repre- sented. Next came basket-ball, which he carefully interspersed with hi’s school work, so as not to devote too much time to either. 1 his year he was again to take a prominent place in basket-ball, baseball and track. In fact, the whole year was so crowded with events that it closely resembled a pre-arranged progitim instead of a regular school year. Shortly before the close of the first semester “1922” was requested by his older brother, 1921, to have his picture taken for the Senior Annual, which was being rushed to completion. When this was accomplished he had time to listen to the warnings of Alma Mater, who, anxious for his welfare and success deemed it wise to remind him of the nearness of semi-annuals. Heeding her warnings, he made hurried preparation, and passed with fair success. 1 he first few weeks of the second semester passed quickly and with no event of importance, but one morning “1922,” starting to school, heard the sound ot the hre whistle and, thinking this sound more attractive than that of the school iiiniiiiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! 20