Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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THE SENIOR ANNUAL 23 the majority and it was decided to hold a dance on December 8, in the G. A. R. hall. The evening of December 8 was exceptionally warm, the thermometer standing at only 12 below zero. The seekers for pleasure arrived at the place appointed between the hours of eight and nine and when all were as- sembled, twenty-five couples were counted. The hall had been beautifully trimmed by a number of the seniors, and exquisite music was rendered by the orchestra, seated upon an elevated platform. The number of people present was just right for the size of the hall, which was not at all crowded, At about 2:30 a. m. the last of the guests departed for home, all assert- ing that the senior dance had been one of the most pleasant functions of the year. about +H tt te tteeeee THE SENIOR SLEIGHRIDE It being the custom for the Seniors to take a sleigh ride, early in January theclass of 1907 began preparations for such an event. ‘The day appointed was January 30 and the place Concan- non’s Hotel, Verona. Promptly at six o’clock on Wednes- day, the thirtieth, the seniors, with their friends and Misses Seely, Tobin and Elwood, as chaperones, gathered atthe Academy. A little later the three sleighs arrived and the jolly com- pany started on the journey. It wasa beautiful moonlight evening and every- one was in the best of spirits. After a pleasant ride of about two hours, Conconnan’s hotel was reached where all were cordially received by the landlord. After wraps were re- moved a short session of dancing was enjoyed while others, not caring for this, amused themselves with games. At the welcome call to supper all re- paired to the dining room where two tables were loaded with all of the good things. Many were the courses, but fi- nally they could eat no more. Some of the seniors instead of accompanying the rest to the dancing hall, disap- peared, and you will have to ask them what happened. At one o'clock load left for home, while the rest remained to en- joy themselves longer. the dances and great was the fun but at last the inevitable moment came and the sleighs arrived at the door. After all were settled satisfactorily they started. The mercury reached 17 degrees below but no one felt the cold, as the president and all will tell you. Home was reached about half past four. Although the hour was early the party found their home com- ing delightful. Certainly this great event far surpasses any efforts made by former classes or that will be made by posterity. one Many were Seeley E] wood A name with | Hughes many tails, +4 Jones Florence | Smith | Sellick | Waldo. Campbell’s Boswell—Ab. Orton. This English is a bore.—Denio and Oliver. Why is Sweet progressive? Be- cause he keeps well to the front (seat). Miss Tobin, in English ‘ Who did he fought?” Miss Seely, ‘‘Stooks, have you been asleep for the last ten minutes?” history, Miss Tobin, ‘‘ Thomas, refrain from your audible comments.”

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22 THE SENIOR was successful and unmolested and thoroughly enjoyed. In December we agreed to break the monotony of school life by holding adance. In G. A. R. hall we assem- bled and gave every one a pleasant time. Being more favored by the gods than our friends of 1906, we were able The trip Verona, where we to have a senior sleigh ride. was made to in- dulged in dancing and games. A good example was set ‘08, as we ar- rived home at a very proper hour. Thus the time passed until the speaking contest took place. We had always felt justly proud of ’07, but never aS much so as when we learned that the three winners in the contest were seniors. These events, with our school work, caused the time to pass so rapidly that we were greatly aston- ished when one morning we received invitations to the junior reception to be given in our honor. We then real- ized that we were indeed seniors, and not far from our goal of graduation. It is pleasant to look back upon the history of a class whose record has been as bright as that of ’07, but were we to mention all of its merits, we should need volumes. Our place we give up to 08, and we trust that it will be filled with honor. We know the history of the past of 07, and we hope that the future may be as bright. To the prophets we will leave the fu- ture, and as in the past, may our aim ever be ‘‘Virtute et Labore.” HISTORIAN OF ’07. social FHF tH HH tHe Perpetual motion — Bessie Mc- Laughlin. Miss Tobin’s encyclopedia of ready reference—John Parry. ANNUAL THE SENIOR DANCE ‘“‘At half after eleven, Meets the class of ’v7,” Said the principal shrewd, Who was in a tired mood. For this he must say From September till May, For in meeting's, this class No others surpass, A loud burst of laughter, Came shortly after, For the scholars all knew What the seniors would do. This announcement was given by the well distin- guished principal, who, it was appar- known voice of our ent, was thoroughly disgusted with the many meetings of the senior class. But the seniors were elated at the prospect of meeting each other again after so long a separation in that al- most forgotten place,—the algebra room. What took place behind the closed doors no one knew but the seniors, for they were very secret in their proceed- ings. However, one listening at the key- hole might have heard the soft (?) me- lodious voice of our honored member, Mr. Owens, as he “rose to a point of order,” or the wild whoops of a Savage as some unexpected pleasure was spok- en of. As everyone in the academy iS now aware of what took place in the meeting we will be pleased to acquaint the public with it also. Several as- piring seniors suggested that the class have a dance in December, this show- ing their originality, as none of the other classes before had ever had a dance in the middle of the year. Some of the more pious members objected to it as an undesirable means of en- joyment, but they were overruled by

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THE SENIOR PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST The Slingerland Prize Awarded to Miss Lillibridge; Prize, Orson George Riley; John Donnelly Second Third Flanagan. Anita Prize, The fourth annual Slingerland prize speaking contest was held in the assembly room of the Rome Free Acad- emy on Friday evening, February 16. Like its predecessors, it attracted an audience that required the placing of chairs to accommodate the number that more than filled the regular seats. For nearly half an hour before the opening of the contest Yordon’s Elite Orchestra with Mrs. M. D. the piano rendered several numbers. Vorce at pleasing Prof. H. W. Harris occupied a seat on the platform, and announced the speakers. The first speaker of the eve- ning was Albert William Orton Jr. His subject was Benedict Arnold, Pat- riot and Hero (Bachman.) The decla- mation is a strong one, detailing the events of 1775 leading up to the battles of Ticonderoga and Saratoga, in both of which Arnold played an important part. But it was at Saratoga, with Arnold leading the last terrific on- slaught, that defeat was turned into victory, and the men cheered him as the victor. The commanding officer, General Gates, sent a message to con- gress and never mentioned Arnold’s name in connection with the great vic- tory. Burgoyne made a final stand at Bemis Hights. While Gates stood there purposeless his men broke and were about to retreat when Arnold, an officer without a command, came to the front on a coal black charger, and calling: ‘‘Men of Quebec, face the other way and follow me,” led the encouraged men to one of the greatest ANNUAL victories ever seen. Arnold was seri- ously wounded there. From this scene the tale went toa very brief allusion of Arnold’s treachery. Mr. Orton told the story in a very pleasing manuer and was loudly applauded. The Union was the subject of the declamation given by Wesley Hochkiss Bronson. It was written by Webster and constitutes his plea for the preser- vation of the union and the restoration of the liberty for which our forefathers had fought and died. It was a strong arraignment of the falsity and impos- sibility of there being such a thing as a peaceable secession of the states from the union. miracle that could not come to pass. It was an im- That was a possibility, said Webster, for a person to sit down and draw up a line of sep- aration that would suit any five men. Mr. Bronson handled the declamation in a deliberate manner and was heart- ily applauded for his effort. Miss Helen Eugenia Sturdevant was the first lady speaker and had as her subject Scoville’s A Boy of Galatia. It told the story of a court day in Ga- latia when the family of a dead cap- tain of the troops, Milo, were haled into court for the non-payment of a debt of a half talent. The court gave them a year to pay the debt. One of the children, a boy of tender years, said he would pay it. He would enter the Olympic games and win the prize. If the debt were not paid the family was to be separated and sold as slaves. A slave, the son of a professional run- ner, volunteered to train the youth. The story told of the race and how it was won, and what honor came to the youth. It was very clearly and dis- tinctly given by Miss Sturdevant, who received hearty applause, Orson George Riley gave Watter-