Randolph High School - Vergisz Mein Nicht Yearbook (Randolph, OH)

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VERGISZ-MEIN-NIGHT ' the old adage, that a rolling stone gathers no moss, is not true in this caseg for if ever the High School had a Golden Age, it must have been during this period. The cause for success of the school at that time is well expressed by Judge Martin, who has said, High School in those days was in no way compulsory, but was attended only by those who had a burning desire to gain knowledge. However, this burning desire was not gratified so easily, for, as the early students trod the fiow'ry path of knowl- edge, they were confronted by many obstacles which are unknown to the students of today. The High School of the former period was not graded. Those wishing to attend, appeared the Hrst day to have the searchlight of an examination turned upon them to determine their eligibility. lf the student passed the examination successfully he was permitted to choose from the subjects offered as many as he could properly handle. Of course, he was then expected to burn midnight oil, and he had the privilege of attending school till he was either satisfied with his educa- tion or had taken all the branches given by the institution. Since the High School was not graded, a stu- dent may have attended five years, yet he was no nearer graduation than he was the first year, for he received no diploma or certificate for his work. Yet, as Mr. G. W. Brumbaugh expresses it, he did have the satisfaction of knowing that he really learned something. The school terms covered a period of only six months. The faculty consisted of only one per- son, and tho all the teachers were considerate, they were also, with- out exception, quite firm and al- ways demanded the goods. As to the pupils of this time, it may be said that they were specimens of that rare type who are not afraid of work. They had a purpose in life and they went to school in or- der to better prepare themselves to carry out that purpose. Very credible and commendable work was accomplished by the school during this period in differ- ent directions, but one phase some- what neglected was the literary field. Nevertheless some steps were even taken in this direction, and among literary undertakings may be mentioned the reading con- tests. These were conducted by Prof. S. A. Minnich and consisted of having each pupil read a selec- tion from some very dramatic piece of literature, then the school voted for the one whom they thought had read the best. Before leaving the literary ques- tion we may mention that in the first year of the High School, Mr. J. L. Heise gave a literary enter- tainment at Union. It seems that one of the boys, whom we shall designate as Johnny, had learned for the occasion the poem, Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight. How- ever, thru excitement or from some other unknown reason, when he appeared before the audience, his mind became a blank, and try as he would, he could not catch the miss- ing words. Poor Johnny took his -'Gig

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HOOL NDOLPH HIGH SC RA

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SENIOR CLASS Ray Heisey Harold Minnich Esther Leiber Leon Jay Dewey Woolery Fred Berry