McKinley High School - President Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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THE AIiiTl.SAN 77 the cafeteria is an attraction to everyone for its good food and as a social center. u After Thanksgiving the snow comes and the indoor sports are in full swingg everyone is out to push the teams over the top and competition is keen. Christ- mas time is nearg the Christmas play is presented, everyone seems to feel the spirit of the season and even the faculty seem much lighter in assigning workg boys are anxious to complete little masterpieces of their art illltl the shops are a scene of great industry. Tl1e last day of school before Christmas has at length arrived and now a little surprise 'to the students, a 'tmovie' most iitted to the season is to be shown. As this announcement is made in assembly everyone appears to brighten and all faces glow. The last day of school is no longer just work, but has become interesting and everyone wonders when the movie will be shown. The afternoon session begins but the ringing of the bells call us to the auditorium. The movie is giveng the whole student body is together to the last minute before school is excused and after the picture has been shown tl1e principal wishes everyone the best of all Christmas times. Our next big event is McKinley Day, in honor of the martyred president. ,lt might also be called senior day because the seniors ofliciate and present the program. Everyone is to bring parents or relatives and some of the boys bring shy pretty girls who may later become relatives. The morning program is well balanced with singing, speaking and musical numbers. The exercises are finished and now the parents are shown about the building and are informed in detail about the shop the student using. Now lunch is ready, 'I said lunch! But lunch is a poor name for such a dinner. 'lf thus far the people have not been impressed, the dinner must surely have helped greatly to satisfy their feelings and at least one good impression is made. In the afternoon a musicale is given by the music department and a movie is shown. Members of the faculty have been presented to a great many parents, many friendships have been established and ideas and desires exchanged. Junior Day is the next attraction. This program is lighter than the one given on Senior Day, possibly because the Juniors wish to cheer up the seniors who will soon be leaving their Alma Mater because the end of the year is rapidly approaching. This day is siinilar in program to the one given by the graduating class with the exception that one or two students may be called upon to give honor to them, to address the juniors. Sometimes the honor is nobly acquitted and then again Knot so goodj. But the day is enjoyed by all, and at this time prospective new students for the school are warmly welcomed. Field Day at Erie Beach comes, everyone, young or old, seems to strike a happy medium and all are boys again. Vile parade proudly down Main street in our Sunday best with our band ahead gayly playing. Our hea.rts are light and we are out for a jolly good time, a.nd if anyone should ask us if we had a good time, we would show surprise. Graduation and becoming members of the Alumni Association now interests the seniors. The Alumni have a banquet for the senior class after which the association rcassembles in the auditorium to hear the special speaker of the pro- gram. Great interest is shown in the Alumni Association and many good times are had by the McKinley Alumni at their Alma Mater during the year. To become a member of the McKinley Alumni one must not only graduate but also pass the test which all good loyal Alumni members have been subjected to before being a. full life sized McKinley Alumnus. Our social life is so varied and fitted to school life that surely no one can say, McKinley is a dull place.

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76 THE ARTISAN AUDITORIUM FROM THE REAR The older boys have seen the need of some well organized social club and this organization is termed the Vocational Boys' Brotlierhood. To become a member of this club a student must have made a name for himself in some activityq passed in scliolarship and personality. The Brotherhood has had dances and stag parties and many things are learned about others wishes in meetings which sometimes become rather st1'ai11ccl because of dilferences of opinions. Another order which always has seemed a. little unearthly or underground is the Geeks To become a. member of the Geeks one must have qualiiied on the field of glory, that is, be a full fledged athlete and to have gained honors for McKinley. If any trouble arises or if any forceful hand to enforce obedience in the school is needed the Geeks are foremost in the fight to produce law and order. Wlicise names appear in the order's rollcall no one seems to know. This body of men, as they are all well porportioned, have shown themselves of great usefulness, leading the way to all newcomers and raising the standards of McKinley. Of course, as must bc expected at Hallowe'en time, a little play is offered by the Dramatic Club. These plays have always been a success and they are especially enjoyed if the action is spooky, rather mystifying and of such a nature as to instill a little fear of something supernatural. Tlianksgiviiig time comes and everyone is happy and expectant of good Heats. We are very fortunate to have, we think, the best cooks in town, not only in skill but a.lso in heart and we are always surprised at the various holidays to see special olferings of cakes, .ice cream a.nd puddiugs. 1 a.1n,sure

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73 THE ARTISAN 1 14 lm 1 Music ln looking back over the various activities of the Band and Orchestra for the past year it seems but yesterday that we had our first meeting and rehearsal in September and very littl.e longer than that when the Band was first organized during the week preceding Easter last year. We had plenty to arouse our interest and make us enthusiastic from thc very beginning of the school year up to its close in June. During the first week of school we members of the baud received the announcement that McKinley band was to play at the Broadway Auditorium during the teachers' convention held in November. This was a very difficult undertaking because out of the hundred who performed on that occasion sixty-six were beginners. lVe were fortunate, however, in having an enthusiast as our Principal and when he said he wanted the best band Buitalo schools have ever had we determined to give it to him. Under the direction of our great friend and leader, Mr. Carl NV. King we practiced faithfully and long. Soon the results began to show and in a few weeks we were actually playing diliicult music ensemble. This first engagement of the band at the Broadway Auditorium seemed to have paved the way for a busy season so far as the Band is concerned. Some of the engagements being as follows: Voca- tional indoor meet at the Broadway Auditoriumg P. A. L. indoor meet at the Broadway Auditoriumg Radio Concert over station YVMAK5 Concert before the Kiwanis Clubg Concert during the senior play at Bennett High Sehoolg Annual field day and outdoor track meet at Erie Beach. We, the members of the band, have received something infinitely more bene- ficial than could have been possible with any other activity connected with the schoolg that is the love and appreciation of good music and a lasting recreation.