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

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL Class History 1916 Officers President—S. HARRY BEACH JR. Vice President—MARIAN E. BEACH Secretary—G. MARION STRANAHAN Treasurer—MAURICE SMITH Confused shrills, shrieks and roars set our heads spinning and slightly dampened our fresh and ardent young natures that first day in the Academy’s hall of learning. But with stout hearts we braved the tumult and serenely took our places. A deafening burst of ap- plause! The before mentioned craniums, already crammed to the bursting point swelled yet more. Our worth was already appreciated. But alas! to what miserable insignificance did we shrink under Professor Harris's piercing eye as we vainly endeavored to “‘get his point! Spare us the relation of Miss Seeley’s humiliating English marks and Miss Higham’s lectures on conjugation and culture. Enough that by All Fools’ Day the last lingering traces of verdure left us and we ap- proached June regents in humbled and subdued spirits. Our efforts were rewarded when we entered in the Fall as learned Sophomores. Now was the time to prove our superiority over the newcomers and we took advantage of it. Through our untiring zeal 1917 gradually learned a proper respect for their elders and betters. Our influence was also felt in athletics, for not only did we cover ourselves with glory (and considerable grime) on gridiron and diamond, but also showed our loyalty on the sidelines. 23

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL we were Ward(ed)well. As we had defeated our opponents, we took possession of their settlement. Some of our brave warriors, however, had become so attached to our first settlement that they decided to remain in those humble seats. We received many new members into our tribe at our new settlement. One day one of our members found a Li(e) on wandering in the woods and captured him. Our Tanner wished to preserve its skin but the Parson(s) claimed it was cruel to kill him and would be better to place him in Daniel's den. Because of the resignation of our first chief, we elected a second one. You can ask Iona How well he filled the office. As we had en- tirely exhausted the means of subsistence in our settlement, during our stay of twelve weary moons, we were forced to move to a more fertile place. We discovered. a deserted village with only a few inhabitants, who seemed to have had strange experiences. We were told then that in order to keep pace with neighboring tribes we must hold a big pow-wow. We gave our neighboring tribes the best pow-wow ever given by a tribe. One of our members took a Dot for a partner to this pow-wow. Our author Scott now came out with her best work, namely, ““The Discovery of Perry.” Then arose a religious movement by Martin and as a result one of our tribe became a Christian. As every well educated, well organized, nation rises to eminence over its weaker, ig- norant brother nations, so the class of 1915 has climbed. If you have followed the his- tory closely, you know that we have reached our last settlement and are now Seniors. We now number sixty-four, although many have despaired of keeping up to the pace set by the class of 1915 and have been content to be numbered among our lower successors. Some of our members have chosen to follow the lure of the pocketbook rather than intellect. One following the example set by a member of last year’s class put to practical test the motto of our Revolutionary ancestors, ‘In Union there is Strength. ” Death removed one from us in his Freshman year. As Seniors we have followed precedent much better in work and sport. The rec- ords of our honor students are high among such records. Two of our members carried off the first and third prizes in the Slingerland this year. We have planted a tree and given a class memorial, a picture of St. Gaudens’ statue of General Sherman. We have danced in Westernville on Hallowe'en, at the Masonic Temple during the Easter holidays and with the hospitable Juniors in May. We invite you to come to Seegar’s after this entertain- ment is over and see how well we do it. You may not have a chance to see our president lead a grand march with the winner of the first prize in speaking but there will be com- pensating attractions. I should like to tell the glories of these and other festivities but space forbids. The editors of the Annual, those hard-working Seniors, who have prepared such a literary treat for you, will surely be pleased with your best patronage. Between the covers of this unparalleled production you will find the wittiest jokes, the best pictures, the rarest descriptions and histories, which have never been equaled. We now look forward to commencement with highest hopes and pleasures. As we leave this Academy, we will ever maintain that the class of 1915 is the class of classes. Mi WII, Sa 22

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL Through the maze of irregular verbs, obtuse triangles and puzzling dates of ancient history we forced our way and once more wrested victory from examinations. No longer were we despised underclassmen but noble Juniors. Up to this time we had modestly kept in the background merely holding meetings for the election of officers. Realizing our importance it occurred to us during the course of the year to compose a document never before evolved by a Junior class of the R. F. A.— namely, a Class Constitution. Our remarkable foresight perceived the value of such an instrument in knitting us together in closer bonds of union. Moreover, the business in- stincts of some of our members pointed out that, by certain provisions contained therein, Prom. assessments might be more surely forthcoming. This achievement alone would be sufficient to send the name of the class of 16 ringing through the centuries. It was by no means, however, our only deed of note. The reception to the Seniors was without doubt (until the lights went out) the most dazzling event of its kind in the annals of the Academy. It was succe ssful in every way, the proceeds surpassing the highest amount ever netted. Memorial Day found the Assembly Hall transformed by the diligent efforts of some of the class into a veritable floral bower. Others of its members contributed their ser- vices to a most enjoyable program in honor of the day. At present we are growing thin and burning the midnight oil in anticipation of the approaching conflict. But a short time remains before we will be occupying seats in the Senior aisle. Then assuredly will we look back with satisfaction upon our brilliant career as students in the R. F. A. E. F. M., 16. One’s imagination can travel on and on touching every phase of life and every con- dition of existence without using up all the possibilities offered in this wonderful Field of Science. If you are not handsome at twenty, strong at forty, and rich at fifty—you'll die silly, weak, poor and homely.