High-resolution, full color images available online
Search, browse, read, and print yearbook pages
View college, high school, and military yearbooks
Browse our digital annual library spanning centuries
Support the schools in our program by subscribing
Privacy, as we do not track users or sell information
Page 11 text:
“
THE ORACLE. 9 ORACLE STAFF Editor-in-Chief: BERNARD C. MEADE. Humorous Editor ......................... DOROTHY B. PELLET Artist ........... .. DOROTHY B. PELLET Literary Editor ........ E. LOUISE ELLIS Athletic Editor ..., .. BERNARD C. MEADE Business Manager ............. .. ROBERT E. FENTON ' EDITORIAL. In the year 1900, the students of Watkins High School, headed by Frederick Johnson, the pioneer editor in W. H. S. who paved the way for other editors, edited a book known as the Oracle and each suc- ceeding year a publication similar to that one has been edited. For the past six years the Senior Class has had this work in charge and so it falls to cur lot as the Class of 1909 to try our hand as editors. We desire to thank our principal, our teachers and our underclass- men for the help that they have given us. We also wish to render our most hearty thanks to the Board of Education for their aid finan- cially. lt is useless for us to say more concerning this book for it will speak for itself as the public peruses its pages and so we leave it to you the outside world to judge whether our efforts have been a suc- cess or a failure. B. M. '09. H -littl- WATKINS, ITS SCHOOL AND ATTRACTIONS. On the shore of deep. sparkling Seneca, nestling in a low and lovely valley, lies the busy little village of Watkins. Sloping hills rise on opposite sides facing each other. green and verdant as if covered with the softest of velvet. Soft winds from the lake blow o'er it. and the sun's rays glimmer down with a bright and mellow radiancy between the lanes of the many maples and elms bordering every street. On the western slope. rushing down its rocky pathway, flow the wa- ters of the Watkins Glen. noted far and wide for its beautiful scenery. Indeed! who after once viewing the Rainbow Falls. the Cavern Cas- cade or the Curtain Cascade, dashing down their rocky caverns, re- flecting the rainbow colors of the sun. can ever forget this wonderful spectacle of Nature's handiwork. . Now, although one may very easily penetrate the mazes and view all the beauties of this miniature Niagara without a guide. yet one of the Freshies lacks this ability, and here, in some fairy nook or shady bower, our charming secretary is wont to be found initiating this wearer of the lavender into all the mysteries of the rippling falls, tperhapsi. From the observatory above, one may obtain the best view of the village and surrounding country. and from the1'e Watkins appears as
”
Page 12 text:
“
ltl THE ORACLE. a tiny forest. interspersed here and there with buildings. There, too. we may see the lake, gleaming in the sunlight, its color seemingly borrowed from the clear, blue sky above, its billows crested with white, and its waves dashing upon the pebbly shore. Perhaps next in attractiveness comes the little park, which, with its cool shades, rustic seats and murmuring fountain, entices the passer- by to forget for a moment at least his cares, and rest soothed and quieted by the soit peacefulness of his surroundings, broken only by the ripple of the fountain. Prominent among the recent structures of which the citizens of Watkins are justly proud, stands the Watkins high school building. This large and wcll-built edifice is especially noticeable on account of the spacious and well-kept grounds by which it is surrounded. The thickncss and fresh green color of the grass is due, partly at least. to a strange discovery on the part of the Principal, namely, that the grass wants to grow, and the infiiction of a fine on those hard- Iiearted beings, who do not sympathize with the grass in its determina- tion to grow. Watkins high school or Academy, as it was first called. came into existence in April, 1863, but at that time it contained no graduating course. ln fact, the first class to graduate t'rom the Academy con- sisted of only one member, Mary Minnie Freer, who was graduated in June, 18853. A. C. Huff was the first principal of the school, and he held his position four years, the school meanwhile gradually increas- ing in ability and size. Professor 'Huff's resignation was followed by frequent changes of principals until i874 when Samuel S. Johnson be- came the p1'incipal, which position he still holds. During the period previous to the time when Professor Johnson bc- eanie principal, there were only six grades below the Academy. and two years was required for a child to finish each grade, thus consuming as much time in the grades alone as is now spent in finishing the entire course, Academic work included. VVhen Professor Johnson be- came principal he set to work with his accustomed zeal and energy to effect a reform, with the result, that, at the present time, the work in the grades is completed in eight years and the work in the high school in four years. By this system, a child is graduated from the High School at the same age at which he formerly entered the Acad- emy, and this is done without the health of the child being impaired in the least. by the extra work. For many years both pupils and teachers worked to a great disad- vantage in small and cramped quarters until, in tl1e year 1898, the old building being destroyed by fire, they reestablished themselves in the new and spacious structure now occupied. In this building, a separate room is provided for the teacher of each branch. where he may impart knowledge to his pupils, unannoyed by any outside sounds or disturbances.
Are you trying to find old school friends, old classmates, fellow servicemen or shipmates? Do you want to see past girlfriends or boyfriends? Relive homecoming, prom, graduation, and other moments on campus captured in yearbook pictures. Revisit your fraternity or sorority and see familiar places. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Start your search today!
Looking for old family members and relatives? Do you want to find pictures of parents or grandparents when they were in school? Want to find out what hairstyle was popular in the 1920s? E-Yearbook.com has a wealth of genealogy information spanning over a century for many schools with full text search. Use our online Genealogy Resource to uncover history quickly!
Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? E-Yearbook.com can help you with scanning and providing access to yearbook images for promotional materials and activities. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. E-Yearbook.com will also publish the yearbook images online for people to share and enjoy.
