West High School - Senior Occident Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Class History If anyone had been near the old High School on Fitzhugh Street one bright sunny morning of September, 1904, he would have noticed a class of exceptionally bright faces come up the walk and enter the school. Here, for the first half of the year, we were all alone, and when the next freshman class arrived we were well acquainted with the school and her customs and we could laugh at their mistakes. At the old school we spent many happy days, and it was not without regret that we separated, half going to the East High School and half to the West; but we soon forgot this in the beauties of the West High School with such a fine man as Mr. Weet as principal. During the second year we all applied ourselves diligently to our studies. Yet even then we were a help in athletics with Mr. Ball and Mr. Smith in foot- ball, Mr. Sterling in basketball and Mr. Uderitz in track. Then came the third year. We were the first class ever to give an informal “Prom,” and in proof that it was a success I will say that it has been followed by both the Junior and Senior classes. It certainly was a great suc- cess, and everyone there spent an enjoyable evening, much more so than if it had been formal, as it enabled all the class to go. Next came the Junior Farce. “The Last Rehearsal” was without doubt the best ever given, and one that coming years will have to work hard to surpass. It was successful from the financial standpoint as well as the dramatic. Another custom instituted by us was that of having a Junior Occident, which the Junior Class this year fol- lowed, and it is probable that the succeeding classes will do the same. Let us hope so. It is a good custom, and relieves the editors of the anxiety and worry for one month. Also during our third year many famous athletes were brought to light by means of the interclass contests in which we carried off the honors in basketball, track, hockey, baseball, and we also had a debating team which was more proficient in arguing than those of other classes.

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SENIOR ANNUAL BOARD

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By the fourth year we had increased in wisdom and stature, and were well able to undertake the duties of a Senior. One of the duties is to support the different athletic activities, and we surely did our share. In football there were Mr. Uderitz, Mr. Ball, Mr. Smith, Mr. Long, Mr. Lee and Mr. Lehnen. They say cheering wins one-quarter of the game and actual playing the other three-quarters, so we must have helped many a game to he won, as the cheer leaders were both from our number, Mr. Nixon and Mr. Dorkey. Then in basketball Mr. Sterling and Mr. Uderitz, and in track, the captain, Mr. Long, who was the ‘.‘saving grace” in so many meets, were of our number. Of man- agers we had many, and they proved themselves very efficient. Mr. Sterling, the treasurer of the school, so handled the money that we not only paid the debt of the preceding year and the new ones which were incurred, but made one thousand one hundred dollars for the Athletic Field Fund. In the musical clubs we were so well represented that I cannot enumerate all. The Senior play, “The Lady of Lyons,” exceeded our highest expectations, and everyone played his or her role well. Our Senior dance has not yet taken place, but we feel sure it will be a fitting end to the social functions of the year. Now, as we are completing our four years, which have passed only too quickly, it is with a sigh and yet a smile. A sigh because we have spent so many happy and profitable hours under the protection and guidance of the West High School and a smile because we long to do greater deeds, so that we will be deserving of such an Alma Mater. May the classes to come be as fond and proud of her as we are and always shall be, and may they always seek to elevate her standard. Ada C. Carson, Historian.