Van Wert High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Van Wert, OH)

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a I -'- Z-,,,-Z' wg- 1 1 ,661 1 I C ' fi fx 67755 y ,F 9 .f S is rj X1 W :si -rl x . J I . That year we had a shortage of Y. W. C. A., the library and the M MORIES No, It Is Not a Class History VVAS in the picturesque autumn of 'I7 when the leaves on the trees had turned to a beautiful golden brown and everyone was happy and glad to be alive. Before any of us realized it or were ready for it. the long looked for day came and we were entering this wonderful temple of learning as very green had many parties and and timid little freshmen. During this year we one memorable day we had charge of chapel. coal and for several weeks we had school in the courthouse. And some of us poor little freshies didn't know where the Y. XV. and the courtroom were located. so, of course. wc wandered astray. Sophomores-My! that's a big word! VVe felt just a little larger than the word, too, and didn't we lord it over the freshmen though? lfverything went peacefully except that there were many cases of that dreaded disease. the Flu, among our number. That year the exams were optional. and as you may guess. we were very glad. Scarcely anyone felt the necessity of taking them. Because we had not attained the intelligence and dignity of Sopliomores. the faculty asked us to put on a chapel program. Outwardly indifferent, yet secretly glad to show off our bright and talented members. we graciously condescended to do so. The boys of the class seemed veritably to grow up over-night. They put on long trousers and felt as old as grandfathers and as proud as George XVashington himself. There was a change in the girls too: did they not take off their hair ribbons and comb their hair somewhat on the order of mother's coiffure? After Christmas vacation it seemed but a short time until spring fever spread rampant among the entire High School. so naturally. we sophs didnlt escape. It was along about this time that a great event happened. Dan Pennell and Claude Hines were paddled: wasn't that exciting? VVho do you suppose paddled them? Mr. johnson. of course. The new term found us sitting near the high and mighty Seniors. A few days after school opened and everything was running smoothly Xlr. liarns told us that we were going to organize literary societies. Fiach class was divided into two clubs. The class of '21 called themselves. respectively. the lYohelos and As You Like Its. Competition ran high between the two clubs. lfach one was always inventing some scheme by which it could get ahead of the other club. The As You Like Its first, however. sent out invitations to a backwards party 11

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- ,,.? 1575? . 1 I I- ' ' 'fi 6 F iiii B Qur High School IIE advantages that our high school affords are many. Few of these have we missed throughout our four years, and having enjoyed these privileges, we shall look with reverence back over our school events. Although these advantages have been many, we feel that some of them f 't': e , I may be improved and more added. Individuals may ask: VVhat are the advantages that your High.School affords? Few high schools of our size have a Y. M. C. A. and a Y. NV. C. A. or a public library where one may further his education. Few have as modern a building, as good an athletic field and as beautiful a campus. . Then what do we lack? In our four years training we feel that the spirit of the school, scholarship and the athletics might be improved which, with the advantages that have previously been mentioned, would go to make Van Wert High School one of the best and largest high schools in the United States. School spirit is the one phase of school life that insures success for all school activities, entertainments and athletic enterprises and the good old feeling deep in our heart that you are a part of that high school. Better scholarship throughout may be obtained by co-operating with the school officials. VVith all courses under the departmental heads, better results may be obtained. Every member of the high school should participate in all interschool activities, thereby bringing honors to our school that will place it above all others in the high standards of scholarship. Our many institutions may be used to advantage in obtaining these ends, Showing interest in athletics is another method of placing the school high in the estimation of outsiders. Une may ask how athletics may be made better in our school? This question can be solved by having members of the various classes participate in all interclass activities, thus affording material to represent us in interschool activities, and by using the opportunities our Y. M. and Y. W. afford. To reach this one goal let us work, members of the high school, faculty and alumni, until Van VVert High School will be the best and one of the largest high schools in the United States. 10

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girl..- mfgf. x x Vi llqxwil J I ! I in ' I .-. an which was to be held in the gym of the Y. VV. This came off after mid-year exams and was of course a joyous one because-well, who does not know that grand and glorious feeling which comes after the last exam has been taken? The big event of the junior year was the junior reception. For this occasion the gym was very prettily decorated in Japanese effect. One feature of the evening was the japanese play, O joy Sanf, which was well presented and enjoyed by all. Wasnyt Helen Perry a cunning little wife and didn't Ben Schmidt play the part of the gallant husband well? Everyone pronounced the play a great sucess. The end of the year brought final exams, but they were optional- thanks to the smallpox scare which required that everyone be vaccinated. We were a mighty sorry bunch and declared that we'd rather take ten examinations than one vaccination. Everyone was nursing a stiff arm and yelling at anyone who came near, f'Watch out for my arm l VVe were mighty glad for more than one reason when school closed. Alas! the last year of our High School life has come. 'We find ourselves i11 that long hoped for and anticipated place, Senior section in the Assembly Room. We are both happy and sad and we feel just as we did when we were Juniors. However, the other classes look to us-the high and mighty Seniors-for guid- ance. We have but one desire-to graduate. The mid-year exams have passed with a few of our number troubled. However, they have a chance of making up the work and going on with us. At last the Senior girls have come into their own and have a basketball team. Of course we can't expect it to be a winning team because we haven't had much practice. Sorry to say we have had some fights over class colors. The fact that there were a few bloody noses and some black eyes was not the worst of it, a few of the boys are minus the round sum of ten dollars and costs. The Oratorical Contest was held March 18th in which Emma Dixon carried off first prize, Claude Hines second, and VVilson Clark third. VVe are hoping that Emma will bring back the honors when she represents us at Lafayette. Because this must go to the press, I must forecast some of the events. The big thing in the Senior year is the class play, which as you may expect, when presented by such talent, will be a huge success with a full house both evenings. Our last parties will be numerous and gay since they will be the last we shall enjoy together. Last, but not least, will be the Junior Prom, which will be a lovely occasion we know, for when it comes to parties, you'll have to Uhand itll to the Juniors. As Seniors we have spent four happy and useful years together, We owe much to the teachers who have so ably trained us and fitted us for the mastery of the problems which we shall meet in the great world of industry and business. VVe take this opportunity to give them our thanks and appreciation for what they have done for us. RUBY FRICK. 12