Wells College - Cardinal Yearbook (Aurora, NY)

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1915 A complete history of the class of nineteen fifteen, recounting all of its struggles and achievements, its work and its play, its varying emotions during the process of evolution-such a history would fill volumes. In this short space I shall have to pick out only a few vital and significant facts, the greater movements which have marked the course of the class up to the present day. First, a word as to the character of the members. They are a hardy, vigorous race, well-known for their independence, democracy, and progressiveness. They came in the fall of 1911, swooping down upon the inhabitants, literally in hordes, but they met a sharp rebuff from a pugilistic band of natives in the Sophomoric territory nearby. Nothing daunted, however, they summoned their courage to meet the attacks, and with violent force or cool strategy they came out glorious victors in almost every struggle. They floated their colors from the tower, they elected capable officers, they won the tennis cups, and before the Christmas holidays they had completely crushed the ambitious and haughty members of 1914. It was very evident that they would e'er long be one of the great powers in the college world. But alas, at this auspicious moment there broke out a fatal epidemic of examinations, and black melancholia settled over the entire region. But at the end of this terrible siege, after ten long days of mental torture, the class of 1915 presented an Opera at the Recreation Party, which would have astonished any audience. It was really an excellent production. As an unprejudiced chronicler, I assure you there never was a liner. In May of this same year, occurred the Freshman Banquet. This also was a brilliant affair, and for the first 46

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QEX 1915 Florence Browning, . Margaret Crossette, . Mildred Johnson Devine, . Marion Doughty, . Katherine Douglas, Laura Edwards, ' Frieda Gutstadt, . . Virginia Thomas Hawkins, Gertrude Hobbs, . . Inger DeCue Howe, . Mary Catherine Jardine, . Donine Vera Jones, . Helen McGregor, . Esther Reinck Man, . Evangeline McNaughton, Rena Beatrice Merrell, . Elsa Sara Munday, Kathryn Vernon Seep, . Louise Ingalls Wells, 45 . Scranton, Pa. Muskegon, Mich. . Huntley, Ill. Aurora, Ill. Ogdensburg, N. Y. Cxford, N. Y. . Ithaca, N. Y. . Media, Pa. East Liverpool, C. Phelps, N. Y. Rochester, N. Y. Marcellus, Mich. . Springfield, Mo. Columbus, O. . Smyrna, Turkey Hallstead, Pa. New York, N. Y. Titusville, Pa. Los Angeles, Calif.

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time in history, the virtues of the class were recognized and given due honor by other members of the community. Commencement followed soon, a time when our sub- jects distinguished themselves by their general uselessness and hilarity. They were deeply impressed by all the exercises, however, and if they had had any doubts about their loyalty to Wells, they lost them then. Freshman year was over for 1915, but every member felt a thrill of pride in Alma Mater. At the beginning of the new era, September, 1912, we find our old friends migrated to the territory of the Sopho- moresg while their land has been seized by a semi-barbarous race, the class of 1916. These new people were, at first, inclined to assert their independence. But the restless energies of 1915 were roused by the impudence of the new- comers, and before long the latter were completely cowed. Their morals are quite improved now, and they suffer very little molestation as long as they keep out of the way. The pre-dominant interest in the minds of all just now, is Sophomore Play. The cast has been chosen for Tre- lawney of the 'Wells', and I am informed by one of the committee that in trying people for parts, they were astounded at the talent displayed. The play is open this year, and we trust will be a great success. 47