Waltham High School - Mirror Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

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14 THE UIIRROR to be left behind to become the most im- portant class in high school and yet with a sense of sorrow for those who were to leave us. The last day of school and ano- ther rest to be forced upon us. XYith sighs of regret we relinquished our beloved Books and loitered about the building, prone to leave it. But Lol much confusion, much smoke and flames! The hre teams were called and a crowd col- lected merely to observe the rites ac- companying the burning of the tackling dummy. A boyish prank yet a stunt to look back upon with a twinkle in one's eyes, for indeed, hasn't memory a sense of humor? At last, we came back one day, Seniors not only in title but in manner. High School was at last ours to do with it as we would. The first day no longer meant a mysterious ordeal to faceg we were fa- miliar old cronies of that beloved build- ing of brick, with its stairs and halls and rooms, and those goodly sentinels. called teachers, who stood in the open door- ways between periods. Here it is fitting to remark that the incoming Sophies im- pressed us as being, as a whole, most distressingly infantile. NVhat is this school coming to? This feeling of boredom, forced though it were. left us when came the exhilara- tion of our annual foot-ball season. Many of our boys were on the team this year and our noble captain and president, Ar- thur, had every reason to feel chesty over his band of snappy men. Rah's fe- rocious attacking powers necessitated the purchase of three extra dummies and on the whole it was a very good season, well attended: and as ever the team had the spirited backing of the school and city. lYe are proud of our boys. XYe elected- our officers this year ata well attended and orderly meeting. hav- ing felt the full importance of conducting our class business in a very parliament- ary manner. Margaret presided in the absence of Artsie, who was elected for the third successive time as President. Margaret Curry was unanimously re- elected Vice-President. Philip XYarren received the most votes for Secretary and Treasurer, and lYalter Pierce became auditor. In choosing Catherine Bigham as Athletic Representative we broke a long honored custom but we felt perfect- ly justified in making the change. You all know what Catty has accomplished during her three years and how well she has served as one of our lively little cheer-leaders. Our second big social event, The Sen- ior Dance, came almost before we real- ized it. Qnce more Chas. Cahill appeared in the role of chairman and with his well chosen committee completed all the de- tails of the affair. Qn December 19th, a large gathering of lValtham's gay young Lotharios and ladies congregated at Nut- tings' to participate in the festivities of a verv pretty dance party. Streams of American beauty and grey flung out their attractive lengths from the softly shaded lights, and the large white hall with its shining expanse of floor, its gaily fes- tconed walls, filled with pastels and con- servative blues, made a very charming picture. The music was perfect and as the papers say. A good time was had by all. lYe had to sell candy weeks af- terwards to make up the deficit but other- wise the Senior Dance was a distinct social success. As cold weather approached the sport enthusiasts were overjoyed at the pros- pect of having a skating rink on the Smith lot. The plan was realized and we enjoyed many a gym period on the ice. Many of us became skating artists, and those of us who fell, did not. A snap- py hockey team composed of boys held forth there until dusk on the fair cold days. Basketball was also holding its own in both the North and South Junior gymnasiums and our boys' -team played some fairly successful games in spite of the disability of their Captain, lValter Brinn. The girls also had their leagues and we Seniors. being Seniors, defeated the less experienced Juniors in the final contest. NYe also added another triumph to our season by defeating the Alumni five at a game held at the North junior High School. Miss Curran, our librarian, greatly sur- prised us by tendering her resignation. Her absence in the little room of books, of quiet pleasure and study, caused a feeling of genuine sorrow to come over those of us who had been familiar with her happy disposition. XVe tried to show in a small way our appreciation of her

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THE ITIIRROR 13 junior High School gymnasium became a place of excitement. The girls' leagues made a good showing although we were beaten by our snappy Senior Sisters, we did not succumb without a hard struggle. Qn one memorable Friday morning we were treated to a stereopticon lecture by Mr. Burke. His pictures of Europe were accompanied by his smooth flow of talk interesting and humorous, and made this little entertainment a very welcome di- version from the regular routine of morn- ing periods. Once more came spring with its dreamy daysg long sunny hours, when we would arrive at school in the morning with the green, dew-laden grass and foliage beam- ing temptation at us. Then we would sit through a sleepy study period with the windows open lis- tening to the birds singing. the hum of the machines from the building in the rear, an occasional shout from the street beyond, and the ever present chatter of those reciting before us. Oh! but it was hard not to depart swiftly via the open window. VVe would nod and stare va- cantly at our op-en books until the jar- ring clang of the period bell would bring us back to earth. Our Junior social once never materialized for the Drake the principal of the High School, occurred on for our affair.. His passing came as a blow to us all and, young as we were, we could not but realize and feel deeply the loss of one who had always been a Kindly advisor and leader of young peo- ple. It was not long afterwards that the mysterious hand of God took from us one who lives now in our hearts, Mr. Eaton, our principal. He left us suddenly after a lingering illness, which few of us we1e aware of. His kindly spirit and loyal friendliness had won for him the love cf all his students. Qur feelings at this time are best described by a Mirror editorial, which read as follows 1- XVillis L. Eaton has gone to rest. The love and respect of every one of us go with him. Through every moment of his life with us there shone a light of kind- liness, of uprighteousness, and of scrup- ulous regard for the interests of those in his care. Even while suffering the most cruel pain his mind was actuated with planned for, death of Mr. North Junior the date set that same purpose of dealing justly and wisely with everyone-. He had faith in Vvaltham High School, and as a result everyone of us had faith in him. He is gone but his work goes on. It is up to us to keep the school true to the high standard which he has set for us. NYe have not merely lost our principal: but we have lost Pa. The year was drawing to a close and there was much work to be done. Mr. Burke, ever amiable, willing and a hard worker, succeeded Mr. Eaton and with the interest of the students fore- most in his mind and a feeling of friend- ship for his pupils, he started on his jour- ney as captain of the ship. The season of bat, ball and glove was on again and much interest was shown by the student body during this very suc- cessful period under the leadership of Capt. Bevan Howe. The defeat of our worthy opponents from Newton was the crowning glory of the season and made a very pleasant conclusion of the spring sport. Now came our event the Juniors' own which we had regarded so en- Prom, viously the previous year. Charles Cahill very efficient committee trans- and a formed the Riverside Club into a beauti- ful ball room of rose and grey, with the class banners very much in evidence. I think we all must have gone to bed the evening before excited and brimful of rosy expectations about our blossoming out party. The evening opened with a modest but cordial welcome of the Sen- iors by Arthur Read, President. Robert XVard responded with a few hearty words of appreciation. Helen Sundquist then read the Senior class History, recalling many familiar events, after which Bevan Howe, Prophet, entertained us all with his side splitting vision of the future lives of our upper class mates. Wfoe be to any- one who took this prophecy seriously, though all were jokingly knocked, The rest of the evening was spent in dancing away those few precious hours, while many a gallant Romeo lost his heart to some resplendent Juliet. It was a part of our life long to be remembered and hash'ed over, as we girls would say. The last month was a busy one for the Seniors. Wie Juniors looked on not with sighs of regret, but more with a mixed feeling of siorrow and happiness. Happy

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THE MIRROR 15 helpful presence in the library by pre- senting her with an aquamarine ring. Miss Curran responded in her sweet man- ner and she left the school with hosts of friends behind. About this time Miss Hall took a much deserved rest and de- parted for Arizona for a real good time. She left with our very best wishes. NVe had two very welcome speakers at different mornings at assembly, one a woman from Amherst College, who re- counted some very interesting incidents of agricultural life. She visualized for us a life very different from what we would imagine as being associated with a farm- ing career. Modernism in farming meth- ods has done much to make such a ca- reer a very appealing study. The other speaker was Mr. Wlhitehead from Bos- ton University, who discussed the prin- ciples of business. His talk was amus- ing and beneficial. Wfith much suppressed excitement the leading event of our school life, next to graduation, was being planned for by Ture Lundell and his committee. Under Cover was chosen for the Senior Play and with Miss Chapman as coach we pro- gressed through the preliminaries of the try-outs, and the lucky chosen few com- menced rehearsals. The drawing room during these next few weeks was a place of paint, commotion and posters, com- plete and incomplete. However, Miss Burgess' pupils turned out a number of clever posters depicting scenes suggest- ive of mystery and melodrama. On the famous nights March 20th and Zlst, the South Junior High School was filled to its capacity, while the absolutely fault- less cast enacted a production of finished calibre before a Avery appreciative au- dience. Owing to fire regulations we were obliged to stage the play without scenery and without a curtain, but in spite of this handicap the Senior Play reflected much glory on the cast and coach. WVith the coming of baseball we began to realize that our high school life was nearing completion. The boys also form- ed a golf team, and were recognized by the Athletic Association. It seems now as though existence at the school were taking on a new aspect. Along with preparation for our last class social, anticipation of our reception by the juniors, and plans for Graduation Day in the hazy future, came class pictures. Seve-ral samples 'were submitted from photographers and it was finally decided to give the order to the Arlington Studio. As the proofs came to school each day, we enjoyed many a laugh of delight. Many were the exchanges and now we all have a choice collection of our school acquaintances. Qur last social was a distinct success. It was held on April l7th with Gerald Evans in charge of arrangements. The entertainment was most professional. The vaudeville acts certainly made a better hit than many of the performances we have listened to on those many Mon- days at the Hlaldorf. The social pro- gressed smoothly enough except when Mr. Burke, in an endeavor to find a seat, fell gently into the lap of some poor un- fortunate. No fatality resulted, however Wlill you ever forget the attempts at fe- line impersonation. especially Miss Clem- ents? The end of our journey is near at hand. Three years have gone by swiftly enough, yet much has happened. The waters have been a bit rough at times with stormy days of turmoil, and our ship has wan- dered from rits course into dangerosus waters, however outstanding in our minds, are the -days of sunshine and smooth sailing under blue skies. Now we are boy and girl graduates to be or not to be. VVe have all changed during these few years. Wfhere we were, on en- tering Wfaltham High School, curious, inexperienced, and carefree. we are now