Milford High School - Oak Lily and Ivy Yearbook (Milford, MA)

Page 16 text:

THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. 14 Editorial. In preparing this issue, the Commence nent number of the Oak. Lily and Ivy, the various editors have made a brief review of the progress and ad vance- ment of the Milford High School during the pist school year. This is the only issue of the Oak, Lily and Ivy published this year. In September the student body decided, due to the great expense incuireJ, to discontinue the school annual. But at this phase of school life, the time of graduation, it seems but befitting that pages of review should be prepared which would relate our past pleasures both social and scholastic. Consequently the old custom of a commencement number will still be adhered to. The present school year has been highly successful. Yet the war has thrown its far-reaching tentacles into our very midst and it was with the keenest regret that we heard the news of Mr. Fitz Gerald’s departure for ser¬ vice. Mr. FitzGerald’s untiring efforts of the past three years have won for him the love and respect of every member of the student body and his absence is keenly felt. The vacancy caused by his leaving was filled by Mr. Thomas J. Quirk, one of our alumni. Success has greeted Mr. Quirk on every hand, and we extend to him our heartiest thanks and deep appreciation for his untiring efforts to make our school life happy and pleasant. To the Freshman class, upon whom the honor of Milford High rests for the next few years, we give our kindest greetings. If they could but sur¬ mount the hill of time that confronts them and gaze upon the future what would they find ? Would they see happiness and victory as their rewaid or despair and defeat? That question can alone be answered by Time. But to make the reply one of happiness and victory for the Freshmen there must be diligent study and conscientious application to school work. The attitude assumed now by the Freshman toward his studies is the answer to the ques¬ tion of his future success or failuie. Each freshman should consider himself a necessary part of the school life He should not work for himself but for his school. Make a solid foundation now of the fundamentals which will uphold all future study and do not give way to your burden. In fulfilling this task of upholding our school’s standard the underclassmen have the best wishes of the Seniors. John Francis Grady. x w Prophecy of the Class of 1918. Peace once more reigned over the world. The wicked had been over¬ come: the righUous had prevailed. The down trodden nations had been raised by the hands of humanity and the earth rejoiced in its calm. On my return fjom Poland wheie I had been helping in the work of re¬ construction, I was passing through southern Italy intending to embark soon for home. One day, while making my way through a little wood, my atten-

Page 15 text:

THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. J3 bers of the Junior class. We organized and elected our o fficers on the fif¬ teenth of November, 1916, with Elmer Nelson as president; Jessie Henderson, vice-president; Lester Shea, treasurer; and Margaret Cronan, secretary. It was our first experience of voting, and we re3ill that one of the girls asked if she should sign her name to the ballot. One member who entered with us, Rose G.igliardi, completed the necessary work in three years and was gradua ted last June with the class of ’17. At that same graduation we were happy to learn that Francis Gaffny was to receive one of the Patrick Peace Essay prizes a varded at that time. At the outset of this year we suffered the loss of our principal, Mr Fitz¬ Gerald, who w is called to the country’s service. Mr. Quirk, chosen acting principal in his place, has won the gratitude an l appreciation of the entire class for his unfailing courtesy and sincere interest in all sdi ol activities. We also missed two of our classmates, our president, Elmer Nelson, and William Sprague, both of whom enlisted during September and are now fight¬ ing “over there”. At a class meeting in October, George Luchini was elected class president to fill the vacancy left by Nelson’s departure. In February two more of the boys went away. Chester Avery and Arnold Davis were ad¬ mitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This spring the class was highly pleased over the appointment of Thomas Raftery as a student at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland This year a change was made in our rhetorical program. Instead of speaking in Assembly hall once during the year, we spoke once a month in our home rooms, having optional rhetoricals weekly in the hall in preparation for a prize speaking contest which was held December twenty first in the school assembly hall. The first prize for the girls was won by Anna Calabrese, and that for the boys, by James Catusi. On April the twelfth our class held its Senior Hop in the Town Ilall. The evening w’as greatly enjoyed by the many guests and we realized fifty - five dollais from the affair. Our Senior Play took place two weeks later on the twenty.sixth of the month, when a very pretty colonial drama, “A Rose O’ Plymouth Town,” was presented in the Opera House. The proceeds of the play were two hundred and sixteen dollars. During the third Liberty Loan drive, themes written by Hazel Clarridge, Alice Cairoll, John Grady, and James Zurlo were chosen for their special ex¬ cellence to be read at exercises given in the Assembly hall The writers were awarded diplomas signed by Secretary of the Treasury .McAdoo andcountei- signed by Principal Quirk. For our class colors we have red, white, and blue ; for our flower, the sweet pea, and for our motto, “Impossible is Un-American.” As we look back tonight through the smiling vista of our four happy years spent under the tender care of our dear Alma Mater it is with a icluc- tant yet pleased satisfaction that we turn our back upon it all to face an al¬ luring but unknown future. Esther A. HASKARn.

Page 17 text:

THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. J5 tion was attracted by a huge vine-covered mound on one side of which I found a sizable opening. Being of an adventurous nature I pushed aside the brush and hanging vinrs and stooping a little forced my way in. It was very dark at first but as my eyes became accustomed to the darkness, I foiin l myself in a huge cave with smooth, flat rocks here and there. A slight breeze entering the cave caused a rustling sound and at the same time raised into the air numbers of dry, withered leaves. When they had fluttered to the ground struck by their uniform size and color, I picked up a few and sought the light. On examining them carefully, to my surprise I could disc- rn definite lines of verse apparently written in Latin. It suddenly occurred to me taat I mu t be at the ancient oracle of the Sibyl, a prophetess of old who dwelt in a cave and gave her answers to those who came to consult her concerning the future from the leaves she gathered from the floor of her abode. Returning into the dim light I gathered all the leaves I could and on translating the words oa each, they seemed to describe so appropriately my classmates of 1918 that I saved them and I am going to read them to you now. With cuily lock and rosy cheek Miss Wade trips gaily down the street, Proving to soap dealers, short and tall, Lai kin’s brand is the best of all. The Post can boast of a reporter sane Whotd ts the column of “Mildred Champigne” From childhood Marcia had shown a desire That the name of Cook with fame should retire. In the attractive garb of a Red Cross nurse, With the purpose of quenching the hunger and thirst Of a lonely soldier or sailor lad. Waits Louise Daniels, willing and glad. . In a May-basket factory, with paper and glue, Clad in overalls fancy of green silk and blue, Work faithfully, joyfully, day by day, May Minon, Libby Carr, and our friend Helen Ray. A suite of rooms on the broad highway : The manicuring parlors of Lester Shea. He thinks great attention to stage folk is due, Such as Margaret Cronan, and John Giady, too. Poising with ease on a white charger ' s back On the tips ol her toes with the greatest of knack, In tights and a short and full-ruffled skirt, Rides Katherine Lester, a famous expert. Harvard has filled its vacant chair. Louis Vesperi is president there. And Wellesley boasts of a gentleman prof., In Latin Karl Roberts with glory has taught!