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

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KiyMA,U Class of June 1912

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Memory’s Urn When the sun has sunk in splendor, And the evening shadows fall, Tints of Autumn soft and tender Cast a radiance over all. Then the traveler, wrapt in sadness. To the sloping hillside climbs. When the Autumn winds are whispering: Breathing low among the limes. When, at last, he gains the summit. Gazing back across the plain Where some tiny hamlet slumbers, There beholds his home again. 'Twas at morn that he had left it And the parting words were said. But a day had passed between them : Yet, to him, long years had sped. Long and sadly stands he gazing On the toilsome path below. Here, the jagged cliffs lie naked; There, swift mountain torrents flow. Yet anon, beneath the hill top. Pleasant valleys catch the eye. For not all is rough and toilsome. It is not all parched and dry. Soon the purple twilight deepens, Darkness creeps across the lea. As the quiet undulations Rippling o’er a summer sea. And the traveler, turning, muses On the faintly pictured scene. And his troubled aspect changes To a calm and tranquil mien. So from thee, O Alma Mater. We must turn our loving hearts; While a keener note of sadness To our spirits it imparts. In thy corridors will gather Shades of evening deep and still. Rut the fondest recollections “Memory’s golden urn” will fill. 14

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Ct» 7 iX. cx Ttx a a X -o- X3A History of the Class of June 1912 Tho’ Walpole said, “All history is a lie,” and Frederick the Great when he wished his secretary to read him his history would say, “Bring me my liar,” I am going to try very hard to make this history tell truly the story of the June 1912 Class, and surely the truth concerning this class will not be disparaging. For unlike Louis XIV we need no false padding and high heels to make us greater, and better to look upon. From the beginning of our high school career, the June 1912 class has been marked as unusual. At our first class-meeting we were noted as different for we elected a girl, president. What an exciting, and also excited, assembly that was! And the enthusiasm that was present at our first meeting seems to have continued throughout the four years. June 1912 has had the usual activities—and others. When the class attained the dignity of Sophomores, in accordance with custom it gave the Sophomore Dance in the corridors of the school. Shortly after that was held another Sophomore Dance, a very informal barn dance. And who of us attending that festivity has forgotten it? In the third year of our existence, we held the Junior Prom, also in accord- ance with custom. But—we made money on it which was most unusual. Per- haps this was largely due to the committee that had the affair in hand. But in part it was the enthusiasm and support of the class that made the dance a success. And before this is printed the class will probably have held its last informal gathering, the Senior Dance. The first opportunity the class had in which to show its dramatic ability was in the Junior Farce. Tho’ there was no particular star, Violet O’Keefe, who had the leading feminine part, was especially good. The play was “The Twig of Thorn,” a story of Irish peasant life. Incidental music was a feature of the production. In December. 1911, we gave the Senior Play, “Fanny and the Servant Problem.” This was one of the most pretentious offerings ever given bv a high school class. And so well was it portrayed that the cast was asked to repeat it. As in the Junior Farce, no one in particular shone more brightly than the rest, but the parts were well assigned throughout the entire cast. The leading parts were portrayed by Mary Flynn, Walter Prien, William Miller, Evelyn Bloomfield and Mae Braggins. Both productions were carefully sup- ervised by Mrs. Ellis, who was assisted by Mr. Anihal in preparing the Senior Play, and both productions were successful financially as well as histrionically. Throughout the four years the class has been represented in every branch of athletics. The June 1912 men have been invaluable members of every team. Observing the teams of 1911-12, we can note the predominance of our class- men. And not only are the men active members of the teams, but many man- • io