South Side High School - Optimist Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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w THE OPTIMI S T SOUTH SIDE’S INFANCY K. Graham Huntington Editor-in-chief Optimist,” 1913-14 Ten years ago when I had the extreme honor of editing the first Optimist , I little realized that when the 10th Anniversary edition was published 1 would again have the privilege of contributing to its columns. It is. therefore, a great pleasure for me to give a brief outline of the beginning of our famous institution, especially for the information of the present student body. South Side High School became a reality, in so far as the student body was concerned, on the 8th day of September. 1913, when the numerous gleanings from Barringer, Central and East Side met for the first time, by order of the Board of Education, in the old Normal School building on Washington Street. The Standing Room Only sign was hung out early and naturally it was the poor Frcshies who were instructed to return later in the day. The rest of the student body was quickly and efficiently organized, but the lack of proper accommodations made it necessary to assign the Frcshies” temporarily to East Side. Studies began in earnest and things immedi- ately began to hum. South Side was an un- known quantity and it was essential that the school be placed on the map. Our first football team was organized under the direction of Matthias Nachcrcy, the first physical director at South Side. In the linkup was Schlcckser, Alexander, Makosky, Walkcnburg. Wacken- huth, Hewson, Huntington. Phelps, Zuckcr, King. Fava, and Iscnberg. who captained the team. This team had lots of fight and spunk, but met with disaster on every hand—no, not every hand because we did beat Irvington 14— 0. However if you recall the following year you will remember that this same team went through the season unbeaten, the only team scoring on us being Barringer in a tic game 7-7. During the month of October steps were taken to organize an editorial staff to publish a school paper. Examinations were held by the faculty for the various departments and the writer was the fortunate candidate for the position of Editor-in-Chief. Then the question of a name confronted us. Hundreds of names were submitted and after great deliberation on the part of the faculty and the editorial staff, the name Optimist was decided upon. The slogan which is still a part of your publication came from an expression in a speech by Dr. Kennedy when he was addressing the school. The Optimist looks on the bright side of life—the sunny side—the south side . Having duly christened the paper, the staff pitched in with all their might to make a win- ner out of it from the start. Late in November the new building on Johnson Avenue was com- pleted and the building was dedicated on the night of December 4th, 1913. at which time the first Optimist was placed on sale, a 4« page book, which was excellently commented upon by all of our exchanges The original Opti- mist contained all the departments of the pre- sent day paper—Literary, Editorials. School News, Athletics. Exchanges. Personals (6 pages) and many other interesting things. One of our exchanges, the Lowell , San Francisco, Calif., wrote of our first Optimist”: Vou are ‘some’ magazine! You have made a flying start, and here's hoping that you keep it up. But with such school spirit as you seem to have we know that you will . The Optimist” immediately took its place in high school journalism and the writer has watched its progress during the course of years with much gratification, and is proud to say that it has always retained its reputation of being a publication of high caliber. The editorial staffs from 1913 to 1923 are to be congratulated on their excellent work. After the Christmas holidays of 1913, basket- ball became the center of attraction in the athletic line. At that time varsity basketball was in vogue and our team went through a very successful season—yes, especially success- ful for we defeated Barringer twice. King. Fava. Huntington. Lcwandorf. Zuckcr and Hy- man composed the first team to represent South Side on the court. “Cavvy (properly known as Guido Cavallaro was assigned to South Side at about this time and immediately took over the directorship of the various varsity teams. We had a dandy hockey team that winter, also a fine track team and as the spring rolled around the candidates for tennis and baseball went to work. All these teams made good showings and let the world know that South Side would be a dangerous foe in the athletic world in a short time. Within the four walls of the building the school life ran along busily during the winter. The General Organization was organized with Arthur Thevcnet as its first president, Suzanne 29

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'SsTl THE OPTIMIST SOUTH SIDE’S FUTURE This article, by R. B. Menkes, is taken from the first Optimist, November, 1913. Hail to the future of South Side High School! A glorious future is indeed in store for the noble institution of learning which is a gift of the citizens of Newark to their posterity. We expect South Side to take the lead in every field! And why not? Have we not every impetus to urge us forward to success? With so capable a faculty, so co-operative a student body, such inspiring surroundings and environ- ments, success is inevitable. South Side shall excel in every branch of school life! First she shall achieve great re- nown for her high standard of scholarship; the school shall send out into the world scholars who shall attain great fame for their Alma Mater and for themselves, her name will become a universal password for athletics, under the guidance of our capable instructors, the standard of her organizations shall be recog- nized by the highest authorities to be the best, she shall enjoy literary circles, athletic clubs, de- bating societies, dramatic associations and other clubs that eventually rise with the growth of an institution, she shall have developed a spirit of democracy; her young men shall be of a chivalrous type—her young women of a gentle learning spirit. Our principal. Dr. Kennedy, will become famous as the leader of a model institution of learning, our teachers shall attain renown, their names shall be bywords of great minds, her student body shall be one of perfect harmony and concord—they shall achieve the highest standards and become the best citizens. Our students, when they are graduated, shall have become well acquainted with the meaning of Obedience, Truth. Honor and Perseverance. South Side will succeed—that is inevitable. Every knowing person of our city expects to see our school soar high above the older ones. We have every means of accomplishing success. So here's to the future of South Side High School! Long may the Gold and Black wave! May all her ambitions be realized! Success to South Side! • • • We are proud to say that the history of our Alma Mater has shown that the prophecy of the writer of the above article really has come true. South Side's standard of scholarship is higher than that of any school in the city and this high standard has gained renown for us all over the country. We arc known all over the metropol- itan district for our athletics, and we are ad- mired by every school in the United States for the character and ability of our graduates. Summer By Hclga Feddersen Summer has come, that season so dear, A little bird told me so; The berries and flowers are blooming. I hear And the rose-buds have started to grow; Blue and cloudless is the sky; The sun shines down on the earth. The daisy carries her head so high While the sweet red clover is filled with mirth At the pranks of her buds as the wind rushes by. The apple tree proudly displays her small fruits Which day by day more beautiful grow. And the little brook gurgles and laughs with the roots. And mothers the seeds which the farmers sow; Shy violets peep from under green leaves. The pansies flirt with the sun; Gay swallows are building nests in the eaves. While the butterflies have no end of fun Flying on bright wings which cheer everyone. SHI IlftV I You tveg UM 10 «N urn; Mt; no now rip ou tvtR an r» to us«m ? 28

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THE OPTIMIST ]W Bcckcr, vice-president, and Helen Scidman as wieldcr of the pen. The first entertainment. Trial by Jury,” was presented by the Dramatic Club, the cast consisting of Mary Potter, R. Graham Huntington, Jesse Allison, William Herman, Edward Mason and Herman Novich. The German Club presented “Jugcndfrcunde, a German comedy, and many other activities occupied the social life of the student body. An orchestra and glee club was organized under the direction of Leonard B. McWhood, who was the musical director of the school at that time. Debating and French clubs were formed and you can readily see that equal attention was given to every phase of the school life. Do not misunderstand and think that all these activities preceded studies in importance, for it was as necessary then as it is now to keep a proper standard in studies in order to take an active part in athletics and social affairs. I could write and write and then some and not tell you all the interesting things in connec- tion with the first year of South Side’s cxist- ance. I have before me the entire set of Optimists” which were published the first year and as I look them over my memory is refreshed to such an extent that I can almost see these different things I have mentioned happening all over again. I recall the many good times of ten years ago and the many good friends of the faculty and student body who helped make the first year at South Side a most interesting and pleasant one. May South Side have continued success and ever retain the same spirit which permeated its walls in its infancy. THE PAINTED LADY By Ruth Govicr There’s a lady in our household who is more than passing fair” With her eyes of azure beauty and her curls of golden hair. And her hands so white and slender, never made for work at all. But she’s just a painted lady in a frame upon the wall. Her gorgeous gown is silken and her neck is roped with pearls, And a comb all set with rubies is fastened in her curls. And she looks so very charming as you come in our front hall, But she’s just a painted lady in a frame upon the wall. But altho her jewels are many and her beauty is sublime. Her eyes arc dull and lifeless and arc not at all like mine. They never seem to sparkle, to laugh, to plead, to call. For she’s just a painted lady in a frame upon the wall. Oh. I’d rather sec the flowers and the buds that come with Spring. And hear the brooklets murmur and the robins when they sing. And to run and jump and frolic when the Springtime seems to call. Than to be a painted beauty in a frame upon the wall. But altho. my painted lady, you arc praised by all you know. You cannot feel the Springtime after Winter’s rain and snow, You cannot feel the sunshine or the raindrops as they fall. For you’re just a painted lady in a frame upon the wall. 30