Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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the fact that the Assembly Hall is still to be completed, or the gymnasium is in various stages of construction, or such and such a part of the school is not yet finished, so we may assume that the pupils were probably not working under the best of conditions, and consequently the publication of the school magazine was perhaps not quite such an efficient job as it might have been if conditions had been better. In the class census of former years we find the usual distinguishing character- istics of the pupils and their ambitions, which has seemed to last, in one form or another, through many years of school magazine publication. Also, it was the custom to include in the magazine the class will and prophecy, which I think would be a very interesting and profitable feature to include in the graduation issue of today, for the revival of pleasant memories for the graduates in the years to come. The usual reference to dates, girl friends and boy friends was as prevalent then as in recent years, perhaps even more so in the arly 1900 s, for one issue went so far as to list the girls and boys with remarks recommending them or not for dates - a very efficient date bureau, I should say! ! Thus after reviewing Golden Rod’s past and present. I have reached the fol- lowing conclusion: Today we owe the fact that our school magazine is ranking among the best in the country and has won so many prizes to the industry and hard work of Golden Rod staffs of the past forty-five years. We may criticize and laugh at their early efforts, but we must bear in mind that they were pioneering in that field of endeavor, while we, profiting by their experiences and mistakes (and also copying some of their brilliant ideas!), in addition to the comparatively small percentage of our own progress for just one year, obtain the glory and recognition. Also, that the Golden Rods of former years set such a high standard of achievement, considering the time of their publication, that it has made us work mighty hard to surpass their records, — thus the superior magazine of today. But lest we grow too smug over the fame of Golden Rod of 1936, let us realize that we are but paving the way for more remarkable issues to come, who in turn, we hope, will appreciate the contri- butions we are making to their success. So here’s to bigger and better Golden Rods, and may the future find intact, the same lofty ideals and praiseworthy work that have always been the outstanding characteristics of the Golden Rod. Eleven

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appear very comical. We can apply this observation to the 1936 edition, in which humorous references are made to various students and events, which to future readers not in the know will mean nothing. On the other hand I discovered several witty poems and short sketches in the early copies which were exceptionally clever, and a few excellent cartoons, thus eliminating any excuse for smugness on our part in thinking that our humor greatly surpasses that in preceding issues. In the very early part of the 20th century, sports appeared to be as prominent in school activity as they are now considered. Approximately half of the majority of editions was devoted to the various branches——accounts of the games played and members of the team. In reference to pictures in the first Golden Rods, their scarcity, of course, dimin- ished as the years progressed, but the few early photographs there were are espe- cially interesting to note. The pupils look perhaps slightly older than the modern senior class members, though I imagine that is partly due to the style of clothes worn. I particularly noticed the seemingly obligatory costume of all girls—the muslin blouse and dark skirt—and even the boys’ high collars tended to impart an air of worldliness to their wearers. Perhaps it was the fashion in those times, but I observed that the majority of girls and boys in their pictures wore a serious expression, while in the 1936 editions smiles seem to be quite in vogue. Is this another instance of the comparison I drew in the first paragraph between the high school students of yesterday and today? While turning over the pages of the various copies, my eye many a time picked up the name of some teacher still helping Quincy’s younger generation on to bigger and better achievements, and, in another light, I also saw the names of several Quincy teachers themselves included in the graduating classes. Even the Thalia Club can trace its existence back to pre-war times, and Orchestra and Band are not such recent contributors to Golden Rod news. Also, the Exchange and Alumni departments of the magazine have been a standing feature almost since the first issue. Thus, much of the material contained in our magazine of today has formed a basis for comments in many preceding years. We must not fail to remember that the high school referred to in, for instance. Golden Rod of 1912 is not the building we know, but rather the present building known as Central Junior High. In some of the earlier numbers we see mentioned Ten

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 eanA o|j Qa£cJen (Rad! By FRANCIS SALTUS (A section from an essay submitted for the contest judged worthy of honorable mention for its human interest.) Three generations of pupils of Quincy High School have been contributors to the Golden Rod, members of the classes of 1897, 1917 and 1936. Twenty years have intervened between each contribution. Grace Cain, class of 1897, the author s grandmother, attended the old high school on High School Avenue. In the Golden Rod for March, 1894, is a contribution of hers entitled “The Bell.” The author s mother. Doris Condon, class of 1917, attended the high school on Hancock Street, now the Central Junior High School. In the January. 1916 issue of the Golden Rod is a story by her entitled “Biscuits.” And now. in the anniversary number of Golden Rod, is the author s contribution to keep the Golden Rod tradition in the family. In order to give the reader some idea of the Golden Rod of forty years ago some of the highlights of the March, 1894 issue will be given. The copies were five cents apiece and were published once a month. In the column titled Locals” were the following: «— ” I he young men ought to know better than to pull the duster to pieces in order to get a button-hole bouquet. Are they trying to be Oscar Wildes? A remarkable incident: Once upon a time a pupil subscribed to the Golden Rod and paid his subscription without being asked for it! — “We wish to remind the young ladies that the oven in the Hall is not a radiator. Please refrain from giving it any more friendly kicks.” In the same issue in the prize contest, four dollars was given for the best translation of Vergil's “Aeneid and Caesar s “Commentaries on the Gallic Wars” which were written in Latin. Prizes were given for the best essays on “A Day in Merrymount Park,” “The Practical Value of Schools to a City and “Why I Wish to Take a High School Course.” To illustrate the value of the Golden Rod as an advertising medium, Williams’ Jewelry Store, Pettengill s Jewelry Store and the Granite Shoe Store, which have advertisements in the March, 1894 issue of the Golden Rod, also have ads in the latest issues of Golden Rod. 1 he “ ads” of I albot and Foy, to mention two, that appeared in the 191 3 issues of the Golden Rod also appear in the latest issues. 4 4 The Golden Rod staff is deeply indebted to Miss Coulman, who gave so much of her time in helping students gather the material to incorporate in their essays. We thank you. Miss Coulman. The judges for the essay and short story contest were Mrs. John Mahoney, Constance Viner, Amelia Acebo and Fanny Szathmary. The staff wishes to thank Mrs. Mahoney for the services which she so kindly rendered in judging the material for the contests. — The Editor. Twelve