Washington High School - Washingtonian Yearbook (Fremont, CA)

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upon the arrival of Mr. Kibby m 1920, an old printing press was salvaged, and the Hatchet was continued again. All down through the years The Hatchet has enlarged, progressed, and expanded under its very able editors and assistants. A student body organi2;ation was what the students in 1922 decided they wanted, and little “Doc Sweeney” was appointed temporary chairman until permanent officers could be chosen. The campaign was a hot one, as the Juniors wished to have one of their own for president, but the Seniors thought differently. Finally, after a heated campaign, Lewis Musick was unanimously elected the first Student Body President of Washington High. Soon after, the constitution was written through the combined efforts of the newly elected president, Lewis Musick; the English Instructor, Miss Thelma Thoming; and Coach Edwards. In 1924, the present building was completed. This splendid school was due largely to the efforts of Mr. Wright who labored tirelessly to attain it. Unfortunately he passed away about a week after the building was com pleted, but he had lived to see his dream fulfilled. Washington needed a gym, and one of the best in the state was the dream of Principal Hodges and the Board of Trustees, who spent much time plan ' ning the building, which was to fulfill the needs not only of the day it was built, but also of the future when the school would be larger. In 1930 con ' struction was begun and completed. No debts were necessary, for the build ' ing was paid for with the savings accumulated during the previous years. We are all proud of our gym, which has seen many happy gatherings. It

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of 16 to 0. Then a game with Lowell High of San Francisco loomed in sight—the winner to play Belmont for the State Championship. Friends of the team got the services of Jack Craig, famous U. C. end, to give the team some coaching. After two weeks of diligent practice the team met Lowell High in a game played in a sea of mud, which did not bother Washington for she was used to playing in this sort of field. Washington emerged from the mud as victor, after playing water-polo for most of the game. Then tv o more weeks of hard work, and the game with Belmont was at hand. The two teams played until exhausted; still neither team gave that added punch so vital in football. After the scoreless game, a second was arranged. This was a duplicate of the first. League officials refused when Washington tried to secure a third game, so Washington Union High tied for the honor of state championship. It was a fortunate day in 1905 when Mr. George Whitfield Wright came to our school. Finding only a college preparatory course, M r. Wright added the homemaking and shop courses and a commercial department to o m school. Mr. Wright was lovingly called ‘Trof’’ by the students who have many fond memories of him such as these: The football team had won several games and the boys were getting a little cocky. It was time for roll call and the students were assembled in the Study Hall. As Mr. Wright took roll, he quoted, as he so often did, from the Bible— ' Wherefore let him that thinkest he standest, take heed lest he fall.’ ” It was time for the World Series. The class in algebra was wondering why they should bother about X and Y, when there were such interesting things to think about as baseball. Mr. Wright quietly stepped into the room and wrote on the board N. Y. 6, Phil. 3, and with a twinkle in his eye went out without saying a word. Class and teacher smiled and somehow algebra seemed worth while after all.” The Hatchet, a two column paper, was the pride and joy of the students in 1916. The paper was due to Philip Griffen and Kelly” Wales and their adviser R. O. Moyer. The origin of the Hatchet is interesting. It was born in the library,” said Mr. Griffen, we wanted a paper, so we decided that Washington’s Hatchet might be regarded as an instrument used to bring deceit to an end. Therefore, we decided that our paper, the Washington Hatchet, should be an agency o be utsed to end and deceit that might crop up to keep truth from growing, so that the better growth might be in no danger of being crowded out. Secondly, it was something different with the necessary pep and life, just enough of a pu 2 , 2 ,ler and not too deep.” The Hatchet was published twice a year; but when the persons interested left school, it was discontinued.

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has given us much joy, and will give the students of tomorrow much pleasure also. The shop building was also erected at this time. Washington may justly be proud of her famous athletes who have brought honor to their school. Among them are Ezra Decoto and football players Larry Bettencourt, A1 Leonardo, Bart Thane and James and John Whipple. The baseball players include Fred Muller and Leonard Dondero. Judge Allan Norris was National Intercollegiate Pole Vault Champion. In 1931 Mr. A. J. Rathbone became principal and the last ten years of our school life have seen many improvements, both in the courses of study and in the grounds and buildings. At the beginning of the present administration, the Agriculture depart ment was placed in the school under the Smith Hughes Act. Since then it has broadened and improved in many ways furnishing some of our most interesting and useful courses. The homemaking department has been greatly enlarged also. The seniors learn now, besides their cooking and sewing, catering, house designing, and child care. In the languages, Spanish has been added and English has been greatly improved. Many courses of English are now available; such as English IV A —-preparing seniors for their college entrance exams. Public Speaking, Busi ness English, and English R. to improve the reading of the students. In general every department has been enlarged and improved to meet changing educational needs. Our buildings have been improved and added to also. Among the first improvements were placing of stationary seats in the auditorium, purchas ing of a fleet of buses, and the planting of lawns. Our excellent football field was added, and soon the softball field, equipped for night playing, made the athletic fields complete. Especially in these last few years have we seen many changes .We now have large bleachers, which seat three thousand and enable us to hold com mencement outdoors, a very modern cafeteria, and a well equipped Art Building. All in all, don’t you think we owe our trustees and our administration a vote of thanks for their great interest in us and in our school?