Petaluma High School - Trojans Yearbook (Petaluma, CA)

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work in the world you may go along smoothly, holding your position by mere ly earning your wages. But the world is looking for the man who does not limit his output to fit his sal¬ ary. In the end that work pays best which promises no immediate return. Your services may be worth twice the salary you receive but you owe it, first, to yourself, and, next, to the world to work up to your highest pos¬ sibilities. It will save you from de¬ cay. As a last word to the class of 1904, let me repeat the universal truth that nothing in this world counts for so much as hard work. It has no substi¬ tute. Things to be desired don’t “just come” to us. The highest genius is capacity for work. Mollie’s gentleman friend on the ferry-boat was wrong, and he will not need to live long to find out his mistake. JAMES FERGUSON. CXass $04 By MISS MAE PURVINE. The class of 1904 upon entering the High School, numbered about nine¬ teen, but now upon this eventful day, the honor of graduation comes to only thirteen. Some have been enticed from study by the whirl of business, others by the charms of the country, and in one instance, the hand of Death struck down one of our sweet¬ est members, Agatha Erwin, who en¬ tered our class in January, 1901, and died in July, 1903. Ray Reynolds and Oliver Lafranchi have entered the business world. Mabel Carr is living with her parents west of town. Clara Ischer, who has been East for three years, has just recently returned to Petaluma. Naemi Raaf is attending the University of the Pacific at San Jose. Ottie Smith having graduated from Heald’s Business College is now a stenographer in San Francisco. Louise Wichman, who has been forc¬ ed to be absent for a year from school, will graduate in 1905. We enjoyed Lila Tomasini’s compa¬ ny, until last fall, but now she, as well as Ethel Healy and Vivian Evans are living at their respective homes in this city. Francis Mordecai, who attended the University of the Pacific, for a time, is also enjoying her coun¬ try home in Two Rock Valley. John Ivancovich is in Oakland. Thomas Atkinson is living in Santa Clara. Kostka Erwin is in a business house in San Francisco. Fortunately, the majority of our once promising class, have struggled to the finish and upheld the honor of “ ’04.” Lizzie Haran, although not enter¬ ing at the beginning of the term soon joined our jolly Freshman class and has accompanied us through our en¬ tire wandering. We have always found her a quiet, studious girl, will¬ ing to help anyone whom she could. Speaking of Miss Haran, suggests Ida Perinoni, Lizzie’s friend and compan¬ ion. Miss Perinoni entered the class in January, 1901, and has been a stu¬ dent of good standing, allowing no one to dictate to her and making her wishes quite generally known. Tonight is the second appearance of our class secretary and editor, Miss Ada M. Stone, who graduated from the commercial department in 1902, and returning has taken up the reg¬ ular High School course. A very

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7 Ko S ODsW x e far ADovk Members of the Cla s of 1904: A few days ago while crossing San Francisco Bay on one of the ferry boats I heard two High School stu¬ dents, of opposite sexes, talking about a young lady friend. The young wo¬ man asked: ' ‘Does Mollie still attend school?” “Yes,” was the reply. “Does she still get as good marks as ever?” “Yes.” “She must be awfully bright. Or, does she study hard?” “No,” replied the young man, “she never studies; it just comes to her.” The last remark is just what I ex¬ pected from the young man who made it. I was told several weeks ago by the principal of the school he attends that he will be graduated this month, but that he does not know what ser¬ ious study means. There is one great lesson which that young man must learn before he can amount to any¬ thing—that hard work is essential to success. I hope the members of the class of 1904 have learned that even genius is not a substitute for hard work. The belief that success will “just come” to a person is one of the most dan¬ gerous fallacies. I know of nothing that “just comes” to a man in this world but microbes. If he does not realize their presence and exert him¬ self he will die before his time. Just to the extent that he realizes the need of action will he defeat the purpose of the enemies which have attached him. They can be thrown off only by strenuous exertion on his part. The fallacy that desirable things “just come” to a person will expose the brain also to an attack of the deadly microbe. You have read in the college items in the daily papers of the result of such an attack. Per¬ haps you have seen it in the High School. I have. Short roads to learning have been followed, easy methods of memorizing have been tried. But these are like the quack’s remedies which are advertised to “cure while you sleep.” They are gotten up to deceive. The disease goes on just the same and proves fatal in every case. And yet there is a cure. This brain-eating microbe may be driven off—by work, hard work. Too often work is looked upon as a curse. We have blamed all our ills upon poor Adam and Eve because they ate of the apple in the Garden of Eden. But the wisest men of to¬ day look upon that event as a fortu¬ nate one for the human race, and consider Adam and Eve as benefac¬ tors. Work is a blessing. It is the only thing that stands between the human race and death—mental, mor¬ al and physical. Never be ashamed to be seen in your working clothes. Men or women who do not work be¬ come degenerates. You will meet them every day, though oftener in so-called high society than in the humble walks of life. Playing chess or dominoes or any other sim¬ ple game is a good way to spend an hour pleasantly, but the person who does nothing else is losing his grip. He is the least important member of society and the world can get along without him. He bears the sure mark of decay. Many students merely work up to the point of satisfying the require¬ ment for a passing grade. They are like the class of workmen who feel that they have done their duty if they have earned their wages, no matter what their power of production may be. Such a spirit is always danger¬ ous. You will be overpaid no matter how small your salary if you fail to do your best. In your practical

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9 I clever girl in all her classes. Miss Stone is best known as a debater. The class will never forget the part she played in the Junior and Senior debate, and probably the Juniors will also remember it. Beside her oratory and high standing, Ada has endeared herself to her classmates, by her sweet disposition and winning ways. Another member po has also ap¬ peared before as a graduate of the above named department is Walter Poster, our Vice-President. Mr. Fos¬ ter has won applause and deserves great credit as manager of the ath¬ letic teams. As a student there are few better, and it is to be regretted that there are not more young gen¬ tlemen of his character to raise the standard of our school. We have one member who is at least wonderful. This is none other than Miss Genevieve Martinelli. Al¬ though a merry fun-loving young la¬ dy, Genevieve has accumulated an enormous number of credits, but cred¬ its do not come with fun to which we all can testify and I am sure the fac¬ ulty will be sorry to lose a young lady of Gene’s studious nature. Miss Mar¬ tinelli is also our trusted class treas¬ urer, but as incumbent of this office her duties have not greatly weighed upon her. From studious, serious natures, let us find a contrast, which is not diffi¬ cult for in the character of Miss Nelly T. Burns, the void is filled. Nelly is always ready for a good time and her daring nature has often lead her into dangerous paths, but her erring foot¬ steps have been invariably checked before any serious crisis developed. Nelly’s witticisms have enlivened many otherwise dull occasions. Study has always been the least of her trou¬ bles, nevertheless Miss Burns has held responsible positions, being at one time secretary of the literary so¬ ciety of the High School. Miss Emma Hyatt has been with us only two years, having previously at¬ tended the Hanford High School, about which we have occasionally heard. Miss Hyatt’s talents as a leader were soon recognized and she was elected class President. Emma is one of our cleverest girls, but is more partial to fun than books, of course, I mean text books. As a debater and actress she is also quite distinguished. Miss Hy¬ att has been quite successful in jour¬ nalism, for she published a semi-an¬ nual edition of the “Enterprise.” It is hoped that the coming Seniors will follow this excellent precedent. Of course you have all heard of our celebrated athlete, Martin Poehlmann, who, in the course of his career, has won two medals as a sprinter and as a full-back in football has given op¬ posing teams much difficulty. Martin is famous along other lines. As a de¬ bater, the class could not have suc¬ ceeded without him. As would be ex¬ pected in an athlete, he has always had a great aversion for study, but he has overcome this tendency to the degree that he graduates tonight. Martin is, also, something of a jour¬ nalist. You may find his columns in almost any “Examiner.” We have been glad to welcome Miss Ruby McGuire into our class. On ac¬ count of ill-health she could not grad¬ uate with the class of “1903,” with which she had entered, but their loss has been our gain. Ruby is very fond of fun and this has brought the stern eye of the instructor often upon her. However, we are glad to notice that is has had no serious effect. John Lauritzen, who has served as President of the Petaluma High School Literary Society, is, also, a member of our illustrious class. John, better known as “Jack,” has been a faithful trainer on the gridiron and an ardent follower of the cinder-path, but has invariably met with an accident which has frustrated his most ambit¬ ious hopes. In the business world Mr. Lauritzen must surely succeed as he has twice had experience as bus¬ iness manager of the “Enterprise.” Not to be forgotten is Ray Corliss, the prophet. Mr. Corliss is noted among his classmates for his broad knowledge of history and the number of books he has read. He has enter-