Parkersburg High School - Parhischan Yearbook (Parkersburg, WV)

Page 28 text:

.CCEL Q-SS HIST RY! Twenty years have passed since I was graduated from dear old P. H. S. and yet the contents of this Memory Book bring back very vividly the glorious days of those four years I spent there. ' Ah! Here is a picture of our so-called influenza class. ,The same young hopefuls who were graduated from Junior High on that bleak and cold February of 1919. Though, however bleak the weather, we Were not daunted in spirit, and, young hopefuls that we Were, we entered P. H. S. along with the rank and file, only as poor, little green freshies by the high and mighty Sophomores. Why, here is dear Elizabeth McCluer, familiarally known as VVee, Wee, with her crown of golden curls caught by .a pirky bow, and here is long-legged Bill Higgins, clad in knee trousers, looking as awkward as he most likely felt. Who is this shy and serious- looking little fellow, beside him? Ah! That's Harry Holliday, who became our Senior' Class President. This picture of our Sophomore English CIR Party which was held in the Gymnasium under the delightful pervision of Miss Stewart recalls a very happy evening, spent in playing games and performing various stunts. How well I remember Our Romeo, James Feeney, looking staringly at pretty little Gertrude Ruppel and Mildred Martin, as quiet as Il' Pensorosoj' thinking of one Philip Jenkins. Here are some of my friends over in this corner of the picture, Mary McClung, Julia Welch and Doris Keenan, what a difference. From scared-looking, little pig-tailed girls they have developed into regular Happers with even shorter dresses, their tresses bobbed and elaboratly curled, and the first appearance of powder on their noses. Ah! What is this-a picture of that nightmare of a Junior- Senior Banquet. Our class, by this time, had attained the exalted position of Juniors and had eagerly looked forward to this impor- tant event. How I remember what a wild time We had to get someone to be our sponsor and receive guests and people to make toasts. Oh! How furious some of the class were when they arrived at the banquet only to find that the seating plan had been changed and they were not to sit by their Romeos. But in spite of the ups and downs, the banquet proved a glorious success. In this picture of the State Champion Football Team of 1921 are many members of our class of Whom we are justly proud. Here is Captain McHenry, who rarely missed kicking goal, and the fieet halfback Julian Murrin, usually the star of the game. There's Johnny Hushion, how I remember those long, drawn out speeches in Chapel, and there's Hobie, Prince of Belpre, with his shock of hair decorating his forehead, and who's this,-why none other Twenty-Six than Chunkie Murrin, I wonder if he still uses the polished lan- guage he used on special occasions when talking to Miss Bonnie? Oh! Here is our Freak Day Picture! What happy girls and boys We were on that day, garbed in Fairy Tale costumes, raiding the rooms and chasing madly through the corridors. Our Freak Day Program held in the Auditorium, which portrayed Hans Ander- son's much loved fairy tales, was conceded by many to be the best program in many years. Well, well, who are these? None other than our an- cient order of faculty. This sweet- faced lady is Miss Dora Rogers, who was an endeared member of the faculty for nearly a score of years before our class came under her supervision. The excellent English used by our generation is due to her kind and careful attention. Here, I notice a cheerful face-who can it be? Why, Miss Bess Anderson, of course, who always had a smile for everyone. Will I ever forget how she toiled long and hard, taking time from her own interests to help our Senior Class in its innumerable difficulties. Here beside her is our beloved sponsor, Miss Bonnie Kerr, whose sweet and gentle manner endeared her to everyone. Oh! There's C. J. Quick, though a professor of physics and mathematics, at heart a real wizard and magician. Well do I remember one day in Geometry Class when he gave us a demonstra- tion of sword-swallowing much to the delight of those who hadn't their class work prepared. I see here, standing side by side, Miss Merriman and Miss Cox, who struggled hard to make Latin and Spanish perculate through our dull craniums. The prominent igure in the front of the picture was the honored principal of Parkers- burg High School, Mr. John Stewart. This last picture is our Senior Class of seventy-one august-look- ing figures clad in cap and gown, looking serious and dignified. Their happy High School days which were filled with work, struggles and much pleasure, were over and they were then ready to enter college or the business world. To us were given hands to do Beautiful things, lovely and true. To us were given feet to tread Down lowliest paths-love spread. To us was given one great mind To help dumb beasts and all mankind, To us was given one great God To know and love and always laud.

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GLASS P QPH GERTRUDE RUPPEL, FRANCES KINGSLEY, PAUL REPS. Imagine the scene-a long white beach over which blow cool, re- freshing breezes from the sea. Every thing is quiet save for the sound of the waves as they dash against the shore. It is the hour when the beach is practically deserted. Picture me sitting in a com- fortable chair dreamily watching the sea. Suddenly my thoughts drift back to P. H. S. and my old classmates. My memories are pleasant. At least they seem memories at first, but suddenly they appear real for lo, and behold! before me stands Jessie Bailey. She is at the Camden Theatre, owned by Gail White, singing the leading part in the opera Poor Butterfiy, accompanied by the renowned pianist, Miss Mabel Grant. In the background as a safeguard for her most precious jewels stands Maurice Beren with his assistant, Fred Summers, the house detectives. Two ushers, whom I recognize as Bernard Devlin and Williard Huggins rush forward to restrain the untimely mirth of Valmer Prince. Finding persuasion of no avail, they are forced to rely upon the services of Officer Red Smith, who obligingly shows him the way out via the back door. In the audience seemingly unobvious of the disturbances around them are Elizabeth McCluer and Jim Feeney. They are excused though, for their inat- tention since theyfare on their honeymoon. Gene Knight and Bill Jonas are now shifting their way through life. I-Iow's that? Oh, that's easy. They're scene-shifters. They appear on duty now. I find myself gazing along with thousands of other excitement seekers watching two tumbling, twisting fellows whom I guess are wrestling. I recognize the victor, Roland Hoben- sack, as the crowd carries him by on their shoulders. One little man jumps up and down in his joy and excitement and upon investigation I find him to be Robert Stewart, the famous wrestler's manager. It is also amusing to watch our class Hirts, Virginia McKitrick and Eva McDonald trying to outdo each other in vamping this famous man. Now bring on the scene shifters again. Here we have Merle Casper pondering over a little book which upon closer observation Twenty-Eight proves to be a Cicero pony which she has written and is dedicating to the future students of Latin. She was not content with helping her own classmates but must necessarily assist those who will have no Merle Casper in their class. And, too, there is Va. Swearingen, successor to the History teacher, whose absence is due to the fact he has finally succumbed to the charms of Ruth Holstein. Several others have also been unable to leave their Alma Mater and we find them teaching the following subjects: Madaline Davis, in the place of Mr. Steele, teaching Bookkeeping, Catherine Watson, Ancient Hisory teacher, Frances Wise, a demure sewing teacher, Va Lyons, head of the Commercial Department, and Hattie Matheny, a second Miss Rogers. They are all under the supervision of Miss Eliz. Marsh, who now holds the most honorable position of Principal. Cheer up, girls! You can't all get married. Next scene. Ah! at the theatre again. But this time Birdie De Vaughn is seen in the stellar role in the Demi-Vamp with Chester Stephens as leading man. It is also the first appearance of Paul Reps and his Saxophone Orchestra. One of its most noteworthy members is my old friend, Mary Jane McClung. Why, Mary, how do they do without you in Elizabeth? Madge Davis is also present with her husband Chappie. It seems they are happily married. Yes, happily, except once in a while when they quarrel. Dear me! Here is Elva Snyder, too. It seems she is also married. Why, Elva! How could you? If I remember cor- rectly, you once signed a paper resolving never to have anything to do with the opposite sex. Mildred Hiehle is selling a wonderful reducer, using her own slim figure as an example of after-taking. On the other hand we find Va. Johnson ever ready to helpf those slendor ones who would be fat. The scene changes. I see a beautiful church. Miss Rachael Knowlton is singing At Dawning or Oh, Promise Me, I can't