Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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Class history of ’19 By Norma L. Weber Soon after nine o’clock on Monday morning, January 25, 1915, a loud noise was heard—the screeching of the great heavy door as it flung open, then a babble of voices, which was soon hushed as the little company of students neared the stairway which led up to what stood for the future to them, High School! They whispered to each other in tones of awe as they climbed the flight of steps which so many classes had climbed before. Students of upper classes were leaning over the balusters as the new class came up, ready to initiate the youngsters into the mysteries of high school. “Freshie, Freshie!” “Look how green they are.” The little Freshmen bravely stood the storm, and entered the vast assembly hall, where they amused the higher classmen by their childish simplicity. Then registration began, and oh, such a time! The now thoroughly bewildered Freshmen were taken to Room A, where Mr. True kindly assisted them, explaining “Whats”, “Wheres ”, and “Whys” that made their appearance. They were then dismissed, and everyone darted to the book store. Such a scramble and jostle! How very big it sounded to ask for books with such wonderful names as “Algebra”, and “Latin”. At one-thirty, the afternoon session began. The entire schedule was carried out in order to acquaint the Freshmen with the rooms, teachers,—and lessons. Many a Freshie made his appearance in a recitation room one period too soon, or stalked into a Senior class room, but the teachers were always on hand to help them out of the difficulty. Lessons were assigned—great long ones! The afternoon finally dragged to a close, and about forty-five weary children, who had just had a glimpse into the great future, lost no time in scurrying away from the building, feeling rather undecided as to whether they had really learned something new or had forgotten all that they had known. As the first day passed, so passed many others. After school one evening we had our first class meeting. Of course, the officers newly elected were quite embarrassed in their early attempts to carry out their duties, but they succeeded very well. Miss Anderson was selected for our adviser. She. too, had just arrived at Pekin High School, and with her sunny disposition and kind, helpful words she soon won the love of all the class. Only once in that first semester was the monotony broken in the daily routine of those cautious, earnest little workers. Our first party, a hard times” party, took place at the school on the evening of the ninth of April. That was, indeed, a joyful occasion. Such rags and tatters as appeared on parade that evening! All the colors of the rainbow were present in the most dazzling array of shades. Games were played until a late hour, when we were led to Miss Fleming’s Page :6 — The Pekinian

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31 n ftlemonam The Pekinian - p«gC 25 VERAH M. FLOWERS July 5, 1918

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room, which had been decorated so daintily in pink and white, our class colors. The pink and white ice cream, cake, and candy disappeared quickly, and, after a short time of play, the lights were turned out and the school was left in darkness while the tired but happy youngsters hurried home to dream of the pleasures of the evening. Never were hikes so popular as in the next year of our high school life. The first trip took us to Bailey’s Lake, where, down in a little valley, sheltered from the wind, we built a fire. As the gleaming flames died down and the embers glowed in the soft twilight, we roasted “weenies” and marshmallows and told stories. After school on the 22d of February, ’16, we walked across the river. We had stopped in at some of the stores on the way down Court Street to buy a lunch, and we found by the time we reached the end of our tramp that we had gathered together quite a feast (cookies, popcorn, candy, and salted peanuts). The crowning event of the year was the trip to Aydelott’s bungalow on the first day of vacation, the tenth of June. We gathered at Mineral Springs Park, and were traveling at a brisk pace at ten o’clock when an empty brick wagon went rumbling past. Some of the happy party hopped on and rode, while the rest hiked merrily on. We certainly enjoyed ourselves during the day and also the ride home by hayrack. We held the first party in the new building, September fifteenth. On the sixth of January we gave another party at which we wore costumes designed to represent the months of our births. We brought our baby pictures and had great fun guessing who was who. The prettiest feature of the party was the serving table loaded with goodies and lighted with tiny burning birthday candles, which was pushed into the room while the electric lights were turned off. Our dear adviser and friend had been given a bigger work far away from us. Though she hated to say “good-bye”, and we to give her up, it was her duty to go, and she went. We gave her a farewell party the ninth of October. After she was gone, we shifted from place to place without a leader for months. Then Mr. Berkema took us in charge, giving us his kind assistance. Miss Clem, the adviser of our sister class, is responsible for the success of the Junior Class play entitled, “The Blossoming of Mary Anne,” and also the Junior-Senior banquet. Our class has been made what it is and enjoyed its successes through her untiring work for us and with us. The last year in our high school career has witnessed four parties, one a hayrack party last fall, two parties at the school this winter, and a picnic on the Bluffs at Hollis. Miss Martin is our new adviser. She has been a faithful worker for us in the past few months. We have almost completed our journey. Graduation will soon be over, and we shall part to go down separate highways of life. We shall never forget those happy days together. The Pekinian — Page n