Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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| o„==C===3=c=a ] | Class History fj □ By Howard Brooking. □ IU.--=---P---------C=3--3Dt—H N September (5, 1911, we, the ('lass of 1915, entered the Pekin High School to seek tiie knowledge that was stored up within its sacred walls. We were accompanied by two new teachers, Miss Toland and Miss Anderson, the latter of whom we chose for our class teacher. During our first year, we accomplished but little either for ourselves or for the school. We decided upon our class flower, the yellow rose, and chose purple and gold as our class colors. We also adopted the inspiring motto, “Seize the opportunity,” but whether we always lived up to it is a disputed question. Certain it is that we did not take as much interest as we should have taken in the various athletic and literary activities of the school. At the beginning of our sophomore year, we could see that our class had diminished in size. Nothing of much importance occurred during this year, but we managed to jog along pleasantly, finding a little sunshine now and then to brighten the daily routine. In the spring, two very enjoyable parties helped to strengthen the ties of friendship that bound us together and made us regret the separation that summer always brings. With the advent of September, we entered our junior year. With the knowledge we had acquired in our previous years, we were well prepared to carry out the work that was carefully planned for us by the faculty. But it wasn’t all work—there was just enough play mingled with it to keep “Jack” from becoming a dull boy. Early in the year we had the pleasure of being entertained at the home of Miss Ruth Ehrlicher. On February 14, a valentine party was enjoyed by the class at the High School. The great event of the year, however, was the presentation of the class play, “A Little Savage,” which occurred on April 2d and 24 at the Lincoln Auditorium. This was followed by a banquet given by the juniors to the seniors at Hackler’s Hall. On June 15, we celebrated the close of school and the beginning of vacation by spending the day at Copperas Creek Dam as the guests of the class of 1914. o J 1 n—in

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The Yellow Rose. “Yellow rose, O dainty flower, Chosen blossom of our class, Thy rare frangrance will grow sweeter As the many years shall pass, When in after days thy fragrance Wakes the memories we caress, We shall bless thy yellow petals And our days in P. H. S.”

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When we entered our fourth year, a new superintendent was at the head of affairs. Some changes were inaugurated and a few rules which had fallen into disuse were revived. To our surprise and dismay, an inventory revealed the distressing fact that there were some among us who were woefully short in the matter of credits. Classes were re-adjusted, an 1 it was found that out of the brave little ban 1 that bad entered so proudly in 1911, only twenty-three remained to uphold the purple and gold of the senior class. In spite of our diminished number, however, we succeeded in keeping up our spirits, and relieved the strain of arduous work by various social activities. On December 11, 1914, we were entertained at the home of Ralph and John Goar. The event was really in the nature of a Hallowe’en party, the class having carelessly negle te 1 to celebrate that important day. Among the refreshments served was that delicious beverage associated with old-fashioned Hallowe’en parties, cider, and two of the senior boys were openly accused of having partaken thereof so freely that there was none left for the witches. Needless to say that the accusation was unjust. If a senior is not wise enough to practice moderation, who is? Later, a one-act play entitled “An Economical Boomerang” was given for the benefit of the class. After the program, games, songs and refreshments held sway until the coming of the “wee snia’ hours.” No history of the Class of T5 would be complete without mention of the bobsled party. Twenty of us gathered at the High School, and started out for a jolly good time, and a jolly good time we certainly had. About eleven o’clock we stopped at the home of Wesley Maurer, where delicious refreshments were served. Then, fed, warmed and cheered, we returned to our homes with one more pleasant memory to bind us closer together. Now only a few weeks remain in which we may enjoy the daily companionship of those who have kept step with us during our High School career. These weeks are to be the most eventful of our school life. In June, we go forth to battle with the world, armed with the diplomas we have worked so hard to obtain. Whether we succeed or fail, depends upon the use we make of those talents which have been entrusted to us. But no matter what life has in store for us, our future will be brighter and happier because of the days we have spent in dear old Pekin High. Found in a cook-book: “Sit on the stove and stir briskly.”