Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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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

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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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cTIt.£ Qoaen.non.-Qenen.a A at One Prize Award Story by FRANCES STEEVES A feeling of unrest was in the air. Dr. Rolfe sensed it as he leaned wearily over some drab, uninteresting-looking papers. Something was definitely going to happen! As the young doctor sat at his desk thinking, he compiled these facts. Two years previous he had been sent to China to a new hospital. At that time all things looked bright, but since then the money from America had stopped, the hospital had run down, anci the facilities were not good enough to accommodate all the sick that really needed help. But there was one hope. If the Chinese government could be convinced that they should construct a hospital, all would be well. That would, however, take a lot of convincing. Doctor Rolfe knew that if he could arrange an interview with the governor-general of the province he might stand a chance of getting his hospital. The governor-general was a snarling old man who did not grant much of his time to anyone. However, he finally consented to see Rolfe. providing Rolfe be at the residence at exactly one o’clock. If the doctor did not appear at the specified time he would forfeit all chance of getting an interview or a hospital. He could not fail to be there. Doctor.” spoke a wavering Chinese voice from the doorway, you are not forgetting that you have an appointment at one with Governor-general Meng San?” 'No, I m not forgetting,” came the listless response. Koa, the faithful old Chinese woman, who had been staunch and loyal to the hospital despite the lack of money and medicine and the prevalence of sickness, threw a questioning glance at the doctor. She left the room slowly, remarking as she went that she would have the doctor’s coat ready for him when he went. Elizabeth Rolfe, coming in the door at the same precise moment, nearly col- lided with Koa. Elizabeth was the doctor’s older sister. She was a capable woman and now she came in with a cheery smile and a rousing call to her brother. Lizzie,” Gordon Rolfe began, do you feel that torturing sensation that some- thing is about to happen? Thirteen