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

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL ™ a . Class History 1918 Officers President—ARTHUR C. LEVISON Vice President—Otto MUNSTER Secretary—-EMERALD SCULLY Treasurer—HaAROLD RATHBONE To write the history of a class becomes easy when it has developed its characteristics and shown forth its weakness or its strength. Then the historian can deal with facts and trace that individuality which distinguishes classes as well as men. He is not compelled to draw upon his imagination until, like Darwin, from unorganized matter he evolves a man. These general qualities, common to all Freshmen, are not wanting in °18, but it is of our specific characteristics and not of our general freshness that the world desires to hear. The historian of ’18 can not tell of years of triumph and academic honors nobly won. But as Freshmen we have some advantages. There is still an opportunity to gain reputation and redeem our past failures. In this respect we are the superiors of any class in the Academy. We may not be in all respects the kind of persons 1 7, °16 or 15 would have chosen for a Freshman class. We are much too clever and promising, but their opin- ion was not asked nor their wishes consulted. In athletics we have fully sustained our reputation (we had none), in base ball and foot ball we have material which will yet show its value. Although we did not succeed in winning the cup in the Inter-class Basket Ball League we surpassed the Seniors by far. In the Indoor Track Meet that closed the winter athletics we won a decisive victory over all three classes. Our hope is in the future; we will profit both by the successes and the fail- 27

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL Upon our return to school the next September the attention of all was turned toward foot ball. From our class came the mighty Sharrow and also the gladiators, Claribut and Clyde. After the January exams. Mr. Harris announced our second annual class meeting for the purpose of electing new officers. Mr. Barnard’s services had proven so satisfac- tory that we re-elected him. At a class meeting this Spring Mr. Barnard read to us the kind invitation to our class to attend the Junior prom. Many of us took advantage of our opportunity and were by no means regretful. Now our Sophomore days are ended, But at least there is for some, Time for fun and hours of study, In the two years yet to come. stands for Seniors and it may be seen, This is the class of nineteen-fifteen. is exams which fill us with fear, And the worst of it is that they come twice a year. is for Nichols, a very good scout, He knows mathematics and all it’s about. stands for ink, if you use it, take care, It is apt to tip over, then ill you will fare. is the letter which signifies oak ; This tree that we planted is not any joke. is for Rome where our school may be found, A beautiful city and very renowned. stands for students who study each day, But we always are happy in dear R. F. A. EV. i,

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THE 1915 SENIOR ANNUAL ures in the past. With glory before us and ruin behind, we trust that we shall pass through our next academic year with more flattering success. Our record may not be as high as 17 but it is pure and untarnished. To our superiors in age, besides being a great help in athletics, we were benefactors at the holiday season of the school year. For who had the good taste, and who could dec- orate as artistically as we? Last Christmas our class was called upon to use its skill. Early one morning some of the most prominent members were awakened by the call of the alarm clock. It would have been easier not to have heard the summons, but they knew that with them rested the artistic honor of the class. At 7 o'clock the select few were at the assembly hall making the walls again gay. Everywhere were masses of evergreen with red and white paper trimming. And the mistletoe with its pretty white berries was not missing from over the door until later when it ornamented many gay people. The older classmen repeatedly took advantage of the fair weed. “What wondrous life was that they led?” ““Why, the mistletoe hung above their heads!” The class of 18 has improved along other lines. When we arrived at the Academy we were considered very “‘fresh’”” by the Sophomores (indeed we were). At last the “‘freshness’’ passed away. We have done a bit better work than preced- ing Freshmen classes. Our conduct has been normal. ‘The names of the members have appeared on the detention lists less frequently than those of the upper classes. We are ably represented on the advisory board of the Academy and our representatives have upheld the honor of the class. Such has been our record. For our victories we desire no credit. Had we contented with abler opponents they might never have been achieved. As Freshmen we have been a success. As new duties devolve upon us we shall strive to meet them, that, when another year closes our historian may paint us in more glowing colors. et. Pe.