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

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THe SENrok ANNUAL 27 History of the Class of ’O0S Albert W. Orton, Jr., President Helen Sturdevant, Vice-President Amos Grimm, Secretary Marjorie Ellis, Treasurer T was during .the beautiful days of fall skills that I heard that I was to be our while I was enjoying the Cat- class historian. This region abounds in lanciful legends, so I took it as a matter of course when I heard of the wizard of the mountains who possessed mirrors of magic power. “Here is a chance to aid my memory in recalling our High School So I seized the chance He asked what period of time [ wished to days,” I said to myself. and sought the magician. see, and, upon stating my desire, he led me into a room and left me there alone. The four walls consisted of vast mirrors, differing from the ordinary kind in that they reflected no image. As I gaze wonderingly, the first mir- Here were a hundred shy little girls, with the primest ror changes appearance. of braids, and boys in knee trousers, who, from all back in the soothing presence of Mr. Very timid and insignificant they seem as they patter along toalgebra A few of the more bold lads dare to feel that they creatures of the same kind as the sophomores; but I see this the tub awaiting them outside on school grounds. At this point one of the little freshmen appearances, wish themselves Jarringer. class. are recklessness quelled in gives a tremendous jump in his seat, and, with a very red face, plunges deep into his physiology book, for there is the teacher rapping fiercely upon the desk to gather his wandering thoughts. The swiftly by and the next thing I see is the after- noon after Here panorama passes examinations. are the fortunate ones dancing around jubi- their delight ina lively way, but I see a lantly and showing most few with The fades from the first mirror doleful faces and heavy hearts. scene slowly and I turn to the next. Here comes our class, much diminished How ’ down upon the freshmen! in size. disdainfully they look The seed of genius has sprung up rapidly since the first year. There is Helen reciting amid the open-mouthed wonder of her class- mates. Here is Inza, amusing another And Leo, the lion, in knee trousers, is carrying the that mates may understand him as he recites. class by her bright remarks. dictionary so the rest of his class- Two others are coming to join us, Vera Rees and Marjorie Ellis, both looking as though they had left the Hubof the Uni- Rome! Our her de- parture from class, and I imagine that I verse and were now only in mischief-loving Dot is making hear, “‘Miss Ethridge, you may leave the room, since you have failed to remember that you are only one of forty-eight !” With this, the second mirror becomes blank and I the third. Here the Juniors, the girls with long hair done in most elaborate little puffs and coils, turn to come skirts, and and the boys in long trousers. But I see only one-third of the original number. ‘Two bridal pro- The brides are older members of our class who have chosen the path of wedded life to that of knowledge. In a few moments comes another ceremony, but of a kind cessions appear before me. there which brings sadness, for one of our num- ber is being carried forever from our midst. The algebra room, buzzing with excitement, This is the first class meeting of °08. The young orators, hold the exception of a appears. Gilbert Hughes and June Orton, their hearers, with few for whom it would be utterly impos- sible, speechless with their eloquence ! Here a scene of great beauty opens be-

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26 Tur SENIOR ANNUAL Base Ball Team of 1908 A. C. Raffauf, Manager. A. W. Noble, Assistant Manager. Parker Groff, Captain. ()S Monday, March 30, thirty-four stu- at the athletic field Six ing members of 1907 team. dents reported of these be- After three for base ball practice. weeks of nearly daily practice the team was chosen to play the first game on April 18, with Little Falls High School The team comprised the fol- lowing: McNamara, Fraver, catcher; Groff, ond base; Miller, third base; Sweet, short with Tedd, nam playing in the field. at Rome. pitcher; first base; Shelley, sec- Grosvenor and Put- After the first game, which resulted in a score of 10 to stop; 4 in our favor, the conditions pointed to a victorious season, and the prophecy effect. While they have not won an unusual number of has certainly gone into games, all the contests were close and the team showed the effects of strenuous coaching. Much Captain Groff for the benefit of the team and did unusual good consideration is due who labored incessantly work on the initial sack. Miller, a new man this year, succeeded third His was exceptionally good both at the bat in covering base. playing and in the field. McNamara pitcher’s box, was the mainstay in the and by keeping a cool head and using the best of judgment he has a record that some pitchers would be Owens and Plunkett also did good work when called upon. proud of. Sweet, one of our old players, improved a great deal this year, and has a good batting average. Shelley, our ‘‘freshman,” is a natural born base ball player. His snappy work in the field has caused many favorable comments about his work. Fraver, behind the bat, ‘into the air’? many has kept the team from going times by his encouragement, and has the best batting record of the nine. Putnam, Tedd and Grosvenor did great the field. made Putnam some work in great sensational catches, Tedd did good batting, and Grosvenor has the honor of going through the season without mak- ing an error. With closed field we Prof. the with such players in our base ball season Campbell’s words echoing in our ears: ‘ Pure athletics now and forever. ’ A Novel Awakener ( N the moruing of May 22, 1908, there occurred an event somewhat different from the usual happenings. For on this date many of the students were up bright and early to witness the arrival of Rob- circus. Among those from the Academy were Miss W. and Mr. O. who had planned the night before to witness bins’ this great event. If this was all there was to the romantic tale it would soon have passed into oblivion and never have reached this prominent space. But such was not the case, for on that morning an observer noticed Mr. O. at the early hour of 4:30 pulling on a string beneath a window of Miss W.’s boarding place on North street. The first not determine such an act on the part of Mr. O., but, James observer at could the cause —of upon inquiry, found that the other end was tied around Miss W.’s wrist, and the key, which was tied to the lower end of the string, was to keep it in place so that Mr. O. could have free access to it arousc Miss W. from and be able to peaceful sleep. A-o- “He has a good-looking face. G-i-m.

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28 THE SENIOR ANNUAL fore me. It is the reception given by our class as Juniors to the Seniors of 1907. But in an instant it is gone, like a lovely vision. Suddenly the study hall seems to trem- ble as if with an earthquake. The girls are filled with terror and a few are about to go into hysterics, but some one comes from the laboratory and camly assures them that Edell and Burton are merely amusing themselves with gunpowder and dynamite, and that all are safe except the two most closely concerned. Now 1907 our the commencement exercises of cross the mirror and I see one of own number called to share their honor by receiving the Davis prize. Atmost with regret I turn to the last mirror picturing the senior year of our noble class. Sixteen girls and three boys are all that survive from the original hundred. I remember that seventeen of our members have decided to graduate later, four found in other schools, and many are seeking their for- tunes in the business world. are to be But events come crowding upon each other, and I must name them as they pass. First to the Hallowe’en Party. The Seniors, with all their grav- ity laid aside, are frolicking about the large room in the Westernville canning factory. appear is The more fastidious members of the party—not all the fair sex, how- ever—seem to be arranging their locks before a bright tin pan. Now, the Aca- Leo Burton, who plays on an old basin with demy Orchestra, accompanied by a corn cob, begins, and there is a rush for partners. Next I see the Senior dance. Judging from all appearances the dancers do not seem to notice the difference and a sleighride. between it The Slingerland contest comes before me. The audience is breathlessly hang- ing on every word from the lips of our eloquent orators, Mr. Hughes and Mr, Orton, and our readers, Miss Waldo and Miss Smith. the decision. Now the judges are giving The face of every Senior wears a smile of satisfaction, for three prizes are taken by ‘08. And again they are having a triumph for Miss Sturdevant wins the D. A. R, prize. The next scene marks the close of High School days for the Seniors. I see them giving up their many follies. But sud- denly there arises from these the glori- ous banner of 1908! Soon they are bid- ding farewell to the Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen. The scene slips by swiftly and class day arrives. The Seniors are waiting with feverish anxiety to learn what the fates have in store for them, for upon these prophecies depend their future hap- piness. And now comes the night of Com- mencement, the goal for the attaining of which we have oft, with Milton, ‘‘out- watched the bear.” As our stately Sen- iors advance to receive their diplomas, I turn, expecting to see another scene, but the wizard again stands at my side, and, smiling, tells me that that is all, and my mission is accomplished. Historian OF ’08. The feelings of Mr. H-r-i- after the Utica foot ball game may be expressed in the words of the immortal Shakespeare: All hell shall stir for this.” He never did harm, that I heard of.— F-r- N-b-e. The young ladies of R. F. A. certainly have a great deal of school spirit as well as fine lung power. If you don’t believe it, ask some one that went to the Utica foot ball game.