Watkins Glen High School - Senecan Oracle Yearbook (Watkins Glen, NY)

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THE ORACLE. 7 MISS HAWES. Miss Julia M. Hawes has had charge of the training class work three years, and each of these years has been marked by increased efficiency. Miss Hawes is a progressive teacher, and one who has power to impress her pupils with the importance of thorough training. It is impossible for those who are under her supervision to do halfhearted work. The influence of her thoroughness and enthusiasm makes her pupils strive to attain the highest results. The excellent work done by Miss Hawes lias received the high commendation from the Training Class Inspector, and it is to be hoped that Watkins High School will be fortunate enough to retain her for many years to come. But Miss Hawes is more than a “teacher,” she is a true friend. Her charming personality, and the humor, which never degenerates into the unkindness of wit, have won many friends. All who know her have been helped to higher ideals and worthier ambitions; and the influence of these things will remain. G. M. R., ’03. 7 7 MISS JENNIE MAE HARING. This is Miss Haring’s first year as one of our teachers, but in that short time she has won many warm friends and has proven herse'f a capable and efficient addition to the faculty. She graduated from this school with the Class of ’98, after which she spent a year in the Training Class. The past three years have been spent in teaching—two years at Enfield, Tompkins County, and one year at Pine Creek, Orange County. She had just begun a year’s work at Alexander, Genesee County, when the position here was offered her. Miss Haring has charge of the English and History courses, and from her success it can easily be seen that she has at least one forte, and delights to act as a sister to the younger boys. M. A. B., 03. When the faculty dies and goes to Heaven— If enormous sins can be forgiven— They'll swear “ Prof.” in as a sub for Peter, (Who could they get with expression sweeter) To stand and watch the golden gate And seize the wretches that come in late. “Report!” he’ll cry in that old way; You’ll know him if you chance that way.—Ex. Take care of the pennies and the dollars will soon take care ol you. Pcnna. Punch Bowl.

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6 THE ORACLE. PROF. JOHN BEERS. Prof. John Beers, our Vice-Principal, hails from LeRaysville, Pa. He was graduated from Candor High School in’95 from which he went to Collegiate Institute, Towanda, Pa. He was graduated there in ’97 and then entered Syracuse University where lie pursued a classical course and graduated in ’01 with the highest honors. In September of that year became to Watkins High School and now has charge of classes in Foreign Languages and Geometry. Mr. Beers has demonstrated a thorough mastery of his subjects and by his interest and untiring industry, has been able to skillfully conduct his pupils over the stumbling blocks that have confronted them in their attempts to acquire a knowledge of foreign languages. He has taken a lively interest in athletics, having helped organize our efficient basket ball and base ball teams. Mr. Beers, during his stay among us. has won many warm friends who wish him the greatest success. L. W. F., ’03. MISS GAYLORD. Miss Carolyn B. Gaylord, Preceptress of Watkins High School and Patron Saint of the class of 1903, is now nearing the end of her fourth and last year with us. Throughout the whole of her work here, her success has been such as no other teacher has ever excelled. Possessed of an excellent college education, with the knowledge of how to use it to the best advantage, her efficiency in the class room has been well recognized from the first, while her sincere interest in all matters, literary, athletic and social, relating to the welfare and progress of the school, has won her a place among her pupils which few teachers are fortunate enough to attain. Sweet in disposition, tactful and becomingly dignified in manner, well-read and popular—surely an ideal teacher, did not circumstances fix her vocation otherwise. Until the past year, Miss Gaylord’s work in the High School has included both English and Scientific subjects; but last fall, much to her own delight and that of all so fortunate as to be pursuing any of the Sciences at that time, she was relieved of the work in English and left free to give her whole attention to the line of study of which she is so fond and in which she is so ably prepared to instruct. The regard in which Miss Gaylord is held by the members of the Senior Class was conclusively brought out when they conferred upon her the highest honor in their power, and with unanimous voice chose her as their Patron Saint—the first that Watkins High School 1ms ever known. Among all her friends, none can go beyond them in sincere respect and affection; and assheleaves us in response to a claim which we recognize as even stronger than our own. she is followed by the love and best wishes of the class of 1903. wherever her future course may lie. M. N. S., ’03.

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8 THE ORACLE. SENIOR. BOAST. ONE year ago a class was organized in Watkins High School, the members of which called themselves the “gay young Juniors” of 1902. There were fourteen of them then, and though during the transformation into “grave old Seniors” their numbers have shrunk to nine, this loss seems but to have increased the class spirit and strength ened the bonds of class friendship. Though perhaps not as dignified as tradition commonly requires, the Seniors of 1908 are second to none in loyalty, aspiration and honest endeavor. While the Latin motto selected by the class is translated ip the words “Step by Step.” there is also a Bible verse which well expresses the attitude taken by the members on all occasions—“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine own lips.” In accordance with this principle, it is not our intention to dwell with self-complacent egotism upon what must be already apparent to all the world—namely, our past glories; but, rather, upon our possibilities for the future. That the class of ’08 has outdone all previous ones, even the self satisfied “ naughty two,” in scholarship marks, is indeed something to be proud of; that it is the first ever to have chosen a Patron Saint (a choice made, moreover, with never a dissenting voice—a circumstance hitherto unheard of in class meeting) is an unmistakable mark of progress; that the majority of its members lies twofold with the genus femina is another source of superiority; but it is not in these facts themselves so much as in what they would seem to promise for the future that the true value lies. That any of our band will startle the universe with wealth of achievement we scarcely dare hope, but that each will find his own particular place and fill it better than anyone else could do. we sincerely believe and trust. And if, perchance, a single genius should bloom from among the nine members, the remaining eight will know no prouder moment than when they say to an admiring public: “I was classmate with that person, back in the old High School, in 1908.” Our Senior year is nearly over. The time to which we have been looking forward ever since the “verdant freshmen” days has come and is npidiy passing away. How the High School is to keep on its foundations after we are gone is still an unsolved riddle; but even as the United States still stood after Washington’s withdrawal from public life, so Alma Mater will not be allowed to perish even when the most steadfast of her children have left her forever. What little we have been able to do to keep her honor bright we have done; and this charge, a legacy to us from the class of 1902, we in turn pass down to our Juniors, who. however wild and irresponsible at present, will before long be obliged to assume all the care and dignity which now is ours. Before we do this and pass into the Alumni Hall of Watkins High School we give three cheers and a tiger for her Seniors—past, present and future. M. N. S . ’08.