Stevens High School - Red and Black Yearbook (Claremont, NH)

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10 THE RED AND BLACK SERIAL NO. 1 DAVID BOWEN MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT NO. 1 The History of the Class of '39 INTRODUCTION The writing of history is one of the oldest intellectual pursuits of mankind. The motive is simple enoughg not only is it gratifying to a certain natural egotism and curiosity, but also is it not true that such a knowledge of the past generally explains later outgrowths and develop- ments? Historians, as a rule, begin their works as far back as they are able to trace, basing their information on a wide variety of critically examined sources. In this present under- taking, however, neither space nor time permit such a careful and minute examination into sources, nor lengthy a narration of the deeds of individuals in the manner of more conventional historians. A few years ago, some one hundred and thirty little children came into this world. They grew, as do all children, went to school for the sole purpose of becoming presidents and treasurers, and graduated from Stevens junior High School the proud sons and daughters of equally proud fathers and mothers. Let us follow the fortunes of these promising youngsters through four very eventful years of their lives. CHAPTER ONE With September of 1935, a new freshman class Calaslj introduced itself to the rhythm of the tirst day in Senior High School. I say alas for the Sophomores surely wreaked vengeance on those poor mortals who bore the down-trodden title of Freshmen. Yet they, those unfortunates, were to open the eyes of all by their superior intelligence, their greater working ability, and by their several geniuses! They were even able to survive the rebuffs of domineering upper-classmen, to suffer their formal reception, and to emerge from the turmoil unconquered, though somewhat subdued. Funny how uneventful one's freshman year is. Yet such was theirs. They did give a play but. for the most part they busied themselves becom- ing weathered in the ways of their new environment. CHA PTER TWO As Sophomores, it seems that the trials of their first year hardened their inward feelings for less favored ones. At any rate, the Freshmen of '36 suffered ten-fold the injuries which those of '35 had received. Yet. in a way the new Sophomores made up for their ill usage of the newcomers by letting them in free to the freshman reception Cwoe unto those who failed to take advantage of this kindnessj. '

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R 0 ,1. Qui' ' 4,1 - A ,o Wo ,r THE FACULTY OF STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL

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THE RED AND BLACK ll Having finished that part which was their duty, a search was made for something else to do. Light things couldn't be considered, so they pondered. Of a sudden the idea came that Stevens lacked a newspaper. Of course there was the Daily Eagle , but one couldn't put gossip in that, so, a tremendous advertising scheme was put into effect. Result: the Stevens News was begun. The collecting of news occupied the better part of the remainder of that year. Enough time was taken out, however, to help in the colorful Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Mikado CHAPTER THREE True, isn't it, that in school months simply fly by until the first thing you know you're a junior with only two years to go. So they now found them- selves. Most of them had begun, by this time, to realize that the age-old adage time and tide wait for no man was, after all a pretty good observation. Though letting few chances for fun slip through their fingers, the members of the class of '39 did buckle down a little harder on studies Cat least during the first few marking periodsj. This year a marked success was made of Patience, Its cast included several of the class of 1939. Nothing was too great or too small for their nimble brains. The football season over, they proceeded to climax the occasion with a dance. Like those other things in which they lent a hand, the Football Dance was extremely successful. Then, too, some of the players made honorable mention and All- State team. Then the Junior Prom! Elaborate were the decorations and joyous the occasion. All agreed that it was the best prom they could remember-and well it should have been. To have seen some of the boys balancing on the top of a shaking stepladder, reaching up to grasp the lights. just for the purpose of dimming them with blue paper, was a spectacle in itself. But the most won- derful thing of all was Gordon MacAdams' crystal ball which hung from the center of the hall. From its top to the four walls of the gym was hung a ceiling of blue crepe. Shining from advantageous points about the hall were spot- lights designed to refiect multi-colored lights from the turning ball. Did we say turning? It turned but a dozen times or more and stopped for the rest of the evening. Not so the fun, however-for that continued long after the ball stood still and even into the following morning, for some. The music festival at Nashua was quite an event. The band, resplendent in its new uniforms, did exceedingly well, to say nothing of the chorus and orchestra. CHAPTER FOUR W'ith three well spent years to support their records, they tried to live, for the most part, on their past. Days passed quickly. American History wasn't the only class in which serials failed to appear on the specified date. Well into that year, a Student Council was proposed. Officers were elected and a few bits of work were done. Perhaps the best thing about the Student Council was the chance it offered for discussions. There were many lively ones.