Prairie Du Sac High School - Prairie Pride Yearbook (Prairie Du Sac, WI)

Page 29 text:

CLASS HISTORY In one sense a history of the Class of 1904 seems unneces- sary, even superfluous. Its unusual abilities were so early ap- parent, its merits so obvious, and its reputation so well estab- lished in every branch of High School work, that at the present time a written record cannot be especially interesting; but in the years to come when we might else be forgotten, its history may serve as a model for the inspiration of youthful minds to a higher excellence, even as it has been an incentive during the past three years to all conscientious workers in our High School. We are all well aware that size does not necessarily add to the honor of any class, (as could be well illustrated by certain others which me might mention),—however, it is interesting to know that our now small class of twelve members was larger than any preceding Freshman Division. Of the original twenty- one members, ten dropped out the first three years, while one was added the fourth. Catherine Ryan, having noted the medi- ocrity of the present Junior Class, as compared with the un- common brilliancy of the Seniors, by dint of conscientious ex- ertions, earned a proud membership in our august body. Hers was truly a striking illustration of the old adage, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Everyone knows that it is a custom in our High Schools to use Freshmen as a sort of outlet valve, through which the more advanced students can give vent to their wit and humor. But in the Fall of 1900 the Upper-Class pupils found that they were without a subject, for the Freshman Class of that year was a superior sort, that took up its new duties w'ith an ease and nat- uralness that admitted of no criticism. Instead, upon hearing us at our first recitations, the manner of these privileged persons was one of suppressed admiration; and, as the years progressed and we remained untripped by the wily snares of our Mathemat- ical Instructor, and unbewildered by the endless variety of our literary work, they became astonised in such measure as to ap- proach awe. “Surely,” they exclaimed, “never class spake as this class!” Being such a remarkable collection of individuals, our ser- vices were, of course, in great demand. If the Debating Society was in need of strong, forceful debaters, plenty of material was

Page 28 text:

of a civilization is not the cities nor the census, not the size of crops, but the kind of men and women a country turns out.” To improve civilization and to spread culture there must be the means of popular education, and there must be the recognition of the value to be gained by spending the time and money necessary to get that education. The High School life does not consist in the mere learning of books. It is a training in character, and embraces all the larger life in the great outside world of action and affairs. It has its difficulties and its pleasures, its disappointments and its successes, its dark days and its bright ones, its anxieties and its hopes. It has its work-a-day life and its social life. It trains us to work together, to give and take in kindness, to guide and control our impulses, and to find out what we are and what we may hope to become. With these thoughts in mind we look back over our work, seeing perhaps even more clearly than when in its midst, the larger meaning of that which we tried to do. And now with the hope that you may enjoy with us the program we have prepared, once again I bid you a sincere and cordial welcome to this the closing hour of our High School career and the Commencement of the Class of 1904. Katharine Ryan.

Page 30 text:

found in our ranks. When particularly finished musicians were necessary, who so fit as several of our members? When any of the literary organizations required great executive ability1', must have a constitution organized and drawn up, or a program pre- pared, where could they find more competent helpers than in the ranks of the usually despised Freshman Class! When a search was made for efficient officers to guard the interests of these societies, where could more zealous ones be obtained than from the Class of 1904! Such has been our glorious record, and aside from all this, we also helped to develop a pleasant social atmosphere. To- gether with the Class of 1903, we began our series of inter-class parties, which were to last until the graduation of the latter, and which stood out as the jolliest functions of the entire school. Perhaps much of their interest was due to the pathetically ineffectual efforts of the rest of the school to interrupt and mar them. The fright of these disturbers, as they fled panic-stricken before the sure and close pursuit of the mighty classmen of 1903 and ’04 can be somewhat imagined from the fact that for days afterward, certain of these marauders wore a weary, hunted look, and evidences of nervous prostration prevailed, when broken windows, red-pepper, obstructed chimney tops, mis- placed steps, etc., happened to be unkindly mentioned in their hearing. Thus our school-life went on through the Sophomore and Junior years, characterized only by a still further strength- ening of our unusual mental capacity, the manifestations of which our teachers delighted to point out to astonished visitors. Then came the long looked for event of our High School career,—our entrance into the mystic realms of the Senior year and the enjoyment of its unlimited privileges. Now the honors and cares of this victorious year have passed away, leaving in their wake mixed feelings of joy and regret. Naturally we are glad to see our work finished and complete, but we also feel in the words of George Eliot,—“ 'Tis grievous parting with good company.” As we go forth to join the Alumni of the Prairie du Sac High School,—with the assurance that we leave “one of the few immortal names that were not born to die,” we hope that the Class of 1905 may awake and shoulder its coming yoke in as conscientious, if not in as capable a manner as the Class of 1904! Philip Meyer. J