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

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL — Eee loyalty to our school can best be shown in service to our country. Earnestly believing this we have given what ordinarily would be our memorial fund to Patriotism is very strong in this class. One of our classmates, John McGarty, is now in the navy. One-fourth of the boys in the class are in the farm service. Almost all of the girls of the class are helping in the making of Red Cross supplies. To leave R. F. A. without a word of appreciation to the faculty would stamp our class with unpardonable ingratitude. Our debt to them is greater than mere words can ever repay. We are bound to them by ties which passing years can not destroy, the unchange- able bonds of affection, which have been growing stronger through each of our four years together. The ties which have joined us to our fellow students will long be strong, but, in the heart of each one of us, there will ever be treasured the grateful memory of the able instructors who have guided us through these four critical years of our lives. We are now at the end of our days in R. F. A. Before long we shall take our places in the various walks of life, some to the actual work of life, some to preparation for greater service and some to higher education. Whatever brightness R. F. A. has received from the class of ’|7 is simply a sign of the future illumination that will be hers when the members of this class shall have taken their places in the every day world. Upon the arrival of that day, R. F. A., resplendent in the deeds of her illustrious sons, will stand high in the educational roll of honor. —L. W. G., “17. ACADEMIC HONORS. CLASS OF 1917 Class Examination Final Average Average Average First Honor (Valedictory) Janet Gregg MacAdam = 92.85 90.80 92.17 Second Honor (Salutatory) Clayson Wheeler Aldridge. 90.44 87.28 89.39 Third Honor Tom Holden Barnard Si ee 86.21 88.60 Fourth Honor Harry Louis Segal 89.14 81.94 86.74 Fifth Honor Thelma Frances Foote 88.52 82.35 86.46 Sixth Honor Albert Robert Reese 86.31 81.11 84.57 Oratorical Honor Tom Holden Barnard 2 ent 93.25 Recitation Honor Janet Gregg MacAdam. 93.75 WINNERS IN SCHOOL CONTESTS Gretchen E.. Dillenbeck a First Prize Girls’ Slingerland Margaret L. Wallis ew a Ts ousmeecond Prize Girls’ Slingerland Thomas Francis Wheeler ut ist Prize Boys’ Slingerland emia Tx Tne Pik pail. y= a Second Prize Boys’ Slingerland Clayson W. Aldridge First Prize Davis Essay Contest, 1916

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL nn nn eee U UE yEEyEIDEEIEIE EUS SEI ESSE CLASS HISTORY—ANNALS OF ’17. CLASS OFFICERS 1917 TOM H. BARNARD, President JANET G. MacADAM, Vice President HARRY L. SEGAL, Secretary WALTER A. JUERGENS, Treasurer In September, 1913, the Muse of History started a very important work. In that mem- orable month he first took quill in hand to start recording the activities of the class of 1917. Since that time he has written much to our credit and but little to our debit. The time is too short to quote much from his bulky volume of our records, but even in these busy joyful times we can look back over the four short years R. F. A. has been graced with our pres- ence. As Freshmen we truly were prodigies. We first entered this room amid tremendous cheers. How well did they recognize us as worthy members of R. F. A. But on the sad morning after, we were told that cheering the latest greenness was simply a time honored custom. But for all our callow youth we were not inactive. Just before Christmas we decorated the study hall in a way never before attempted. We found it a great success. In athletics, Victory has always been our hallmark. While Freshmen our class team won the Spalding basket ball cup. Again as Sophomores and as Juniors we came out ahead in basket ball. Always, since the day of our entrance, has our class been well rep- resented on the foot ball, base ball and basket ball teams. At the last day exercises we were patronized by the departing Seniors. At that time we could not see that Seniors were greatly superior to Freshmen. Now, strange to say, our views on that subject are completely changed. Regents seemed to hold few terrors for us at the close of the first year and few were left behind to despair their fate in the class of 18. As Sophomores we even surpassed our fine record as Freshmen. We were conspic- uous because of our good work. In 1915 we did more than our share in contributing members for the various teams. Then, too, in our Sophomore year we were looking about for some new way in which to improve. September, 1915, found us as Juniors, our ranks depleted but little by the onslaught of the Regents. As Juniors and Seniors we have been the social leaders of the school. April 28, 1916, is a date made memorable by the work of our class. On that day we gave the best prom ever attempted by a class of R. F. A. As Seniors we were able to give a Hallowe'en party that has set the standard for years to come. In January we held a very successful sleighride. Our Last Day Exer- cises were of a kind hard to surpass. In the two school contests we have always been well represented. In 1916 members of this class wer e awarded both the Davis prize and the first Slingerland prize. In this year’s Slingerland contest certain of our classmates won the first prize for boys, the first prize for girls and the second prize for boys. We of the class of ’17 have established a worthy precedent in the giving of our class memorial. In place of adding to the already plentiful decorations of this building we have devoted our memorial fund to a better cause. In this time of the nation’s need we feel that 27

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL SENIOR HALLOWE’EN Hallowe'en parties may come and go, but the Hallowe'en party staged by the Class of ‘17 will live forever. And why shouldn't it live? When, in the bright years to come, will another class have the ingenuity to originate a party to rival that memorable one on that bright October evening? What night of extreme pleasure and enjoyment will ever surpass the one spent by the happy Seniors when, accompanied by their fair maidens, they rambled to the distant suburb of Westernville, where in Liberty Hall they held a dance unequaled by any held by any previous class. Who will ever forget the glad times, the glorious hours, the entrancing emotions that were visible on that delightful occasion? Who can not recall to mind that eventful ride, snugly and comfortably seated in spacious lumber wagons, made luxurious by new-mown hay? What gay visions will rise before those who remember the scampering rush for the door, the warm welcome accorded each and every one by the committee, the expectant walk to the dance hall, the entrancing strains of delightful music, the smooth transition from envious onlookers to interested participants ? Perhaps we have said enough. It would be wise to close our chronicle now, inas- much as we excited a feeling of envy in those who were unfortunate not to attend, and a pang of regret, yet one of fond remembrances, in the minds of the happy couples whe adorned the dreamy village of Westernville with their inspiring presence. Farewell to you, O coming Seniors, profit by the worthy model set you by the Class of 17 and you will never end your thanks to us. —F. J. L., “17. SENIOR SLEIGHRIDE A short interview with the weather man. The magic name “‘Seniors”’ is mentioned. and the finest night in February is placed at the disposal of the class of 17. Thus it was on this memorable night in February occurred the festive Senior Sleighride. As I ponder deeply for a moment it faintly comes to me that the Junior Class strongly desired, not to say intended, to have the contemplated scene of our festivities. But, as usual, while some people talked, 17 acted, and Liberty Hall was placed in their hands for the evening. To say that the prospects for the long ride were fine is to put it mildly. The night air was crisp, and the snow crackled’ merrily under foot as the happy couples flocked to the meeting place, R. F. A. The moon, which had been veiled for nights past, loomed gloriously into full radiance and enlivened the scene. As the clock indicated that the time was 7:25, the sleighs arrived, much to the delight of the prospective riders. Again the far-seeing Seniors submitted a plan of campaign which demonstrated their ingenuity. A sleigh was provided exclusively for the Juniors and the Chaperones, all of them. Croesus cracked his whip and we were off in a cloud of snow. The ride was per- fect. Everybody was happy and contented. An investigation conducted by the Com- mittee to ascertain whether or not the Chaperones were comfortable was abandoned as a certainty, for the sight of one of them above the heavy blankets was a rare occurrence. At length we arrived—length 13 miles—and everybody helped to wake the little town up from their peaceful slumbers. The piling out process was a hurried affair, and a general rush was made for the Hall. The gate tender, ticket seller, bouncer and card index started business, and he was kept busy. 29