Southampton High School - Sea Spray Yearbook (Southampton, NY)

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THE PARTING SHOT The Class History of 1914 Today, as you gaze upon these sedate, self-satisfied and perfectly com- posed Seniors, it will perhaps he hard to realize that four years ago the majority of them entered the Southampton High as fearful of teachers and the coming routine as any set of freshies. The first few days were spent in disposing of money for books, learning our doom as to classes and teachers, and (last but by no means least, in falling on the floor. The following weeks were little different from those of any first year in High school, and then as always the vacations loomed up as bright spots on the horizon. As graduation day drew near, we watched with jealous and longing eyes the preparations made to honor the graduates of 1910. On the night of the exercises we sat in our humble seats, and, open mouthed drank in all, vaguely grasping the fact that we too, some day should be similar objects of envy. The next fall we assembled again, and after the usual helter-skelter first day, settled down to work. The responsibilities of our Sophomore year sat heavily upon us. We soon lost these however, and became as carefree as any freshie. This light heartedness and light headedness followed us through all—even when we awoke to find ourselves Juniors. Not until Spring burst forth and with it preparations for Commencement, were we brought suddenly to earth. This hard dot was ours through the in- strumentality of the Seniors. Much there was to be done, and some one must do it. Who should it be? Why, the Juniors, of course! Since it was impossible to refuse, although it sadly hurt our pride, to say noth- ing of our fingers, to twist stems about to form their motto, we trim- med for Glass Day. Was it not, then, most unkind, after all our loving devotion, for these same Seniors on the afternoon of Class Day, to “knock” us so hard that we scarcely recovered in time to return to school next fall. We reentered school with much the same spirit as the rest of the pupils, but we were not destined to rest in quiet and peace. Our teachers lost no time in impressing upon our minds that we were Seniors, and must conduct ourselves as such in both work and demeanor. We must have been rather hard to impress for throughout the year we have been continually reminded of this same fact both in English and history classes. One dreai-y afternoon in the middle of the year the members of the Senior Class were summoned to a small room. Here our Principal awaited us; when the last one had found a seat, he broke the news—we must or- ganize! After giving us much valuable advice, telling us of a prize of- fered for the best essay by a Senior on Colonial Architecture, and of a proposed trip to Washington, and after directing the election of a chair- man, he left us to our own devices. Such a calm! At last our chairman spoke,—a president should be elected. The nomination was prompt, and the ayes unanimous. Our trouble came when we attempted to secure a secretary. We were overwhelmed with work; we scarcely could see our way through our required duties. How then should we be able to perform these added tasks? It was no more than naturali that the sweet and

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6 THE PARTING SHOT Editorial In one of our meetings, the question of a class memorial arose, and natux-ally the first thing that appealed to us was to give a play, a precedent long ago established by former classes. Many objections to this arose and were discussed at length until we finally decided to br«ak the custom, and print a book to defray the necessary expenses. As a result we have this pamphlet. In it we have endeavored to put such remembrances as will be pleasant in after years. We do not give it to you with apology, but with a hearty desire for your approval. Be- yond the memories which remain, this book w ill be the principal connect- ing link between the members of our class and between them and their high school days. Of necessity then, this volume should be a record of the pleasant incidents which have fallen to our share. We now place it at your mercy, hoping that all jokes will be received in the same spirit that they are given. EMMA BELLOWS. Salutatory We, the Class of 1914, extend to you, our friends, a most hearty wel- come to our last exercises as Seniors of Southampton High School. It is a source of pride to us to feel that the efforts of four long years of hard study have been successful. We have just gone through one of the hardest weeks ox our lives, and regents examinations are “has beens”; nut, now, with hearts llight and minds free from care, we shall endeavor to make this, the last afternoon that we spend here together, an enjoyable one in oi'der that we may, in after lxfe, look back to it with pride and pleasure. We are glad you are to spend this hour with us, and beg that you do not take offence at any of the things which may be said by us, but re- ceivc them as they arc given, in a good natured and friendly spirit. To- day neither principal nor teachers can reprimand us for our actions. It is our day, that of the class of 1914, and we cordially invite you to share it with us. BERNARD HIRSCHFELD. Miss Turnbull: “Leland, you were absent yesterday.” Leland: “1 know it.”

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8 THE PARTING SHOT obliging member should bravely take upon her shoulders this great re- sponsibility. Next we discussed colors, pins and the question of gradu- ation or a trip to Washington. It is perhaps needless to say the trip to Washington was our choice. Shall we ever regret this choice? No, never. Such a trip as it was! On the Monday morning of our Easter vacation under the able and kind chaperonage of our preceptress, we took the morning train. Arriving in New York, we were cautioned to stay together lest the well known intricacies and terrors of that city claim us, and were finally settled on the train bound for Washington. The boys, ably assisted by a certain principal, amused us during the whole trip, and did away with the monot- ony which characterizes every long journey. Our stay in the capital was filled with never-to-be-forgotten sights and experiences. Philadelphia, that city of brotherly love, was hardly less in- teresting. Always we walked with eyes turned to the sky, little regard- ing the obstacles in our path. It was, however, often necessary for us to look behind us for two of our number who were continually detained either because the sights were too interesting to leave, or because our rate of speed was too great. We were in constant fear of becoming separated from them, but by waiting for a littlle time at each corner, we avoided this calamity. In spite of the many places of interest which we longed to see, duty called, and all too soon we found ourselves homeward bound. The following week we again settled down to work, and prepared in earnest for those dread regents, attended various class and committee meetings, and did those many little odds and ends which come at the last minute. Today we look back with loving thoughts and great pleasure to the days we have spent in this, our High School, and wish that our coming “school” whether it be life-work or college, may be as dear to our memory. MARCIA R. GRIFFIN. United States of America, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow The history of this country, its settlement, growth and future, is of great interest to all American people. A comparatively new country, its past is a matter of record, and is not enshrouded in mystery as are the origin and the history of the countries of a more ancient civilization. This land, we know, was settled by a colony of self-constituted exiles who left their native land to find an asylum where they might enjoy those three inalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which they later embodied in their Dedlaration of Independence. This little band of exiles, landing on inhospitable shores, was augmented from time to time by others from the Old Country. Colonies were established further south by the Huguenots who were driven from France by religious intolerance. Our ancestors continued to spread out over the country, obtaining land