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

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156 THE SENIOR OCCIDENT a motor truck for Base Hospital Unit No. 19. In this way we have tried to combine our service with our own and the community’s amusement. Although we are but few in number, still we have been well repre- sented in the various school activities. In athletics we have been notably conspicuous in the persons of Donald McKie, Earl Reed, Francis Daniels and others, while Roberta Jennings, Roy Miller, Ferdinand Powell and Basil Moore have held up our honor in literature and art by serving the OCCIDENT to the best of their ability. Strange though it may seem, the boys out-number the fair sex on the Honor Roll, which brings out the truth that the boys will by some unaccountable reason, prove themselves just the least bit superior to the girls. But by no means is the entire ability of the class centered in the Honor Roll, for every member of the class is far beyond the lower classes of the school in intelligence. So therefore do you children who remain in school to complete your small store of knowledge, look to the example of the illustrious class of January, 1918, and profit thereby. ROSWELL, R. MARSHALL. What ho! Draw near! What have we here? A creature new! Is’t from the zoo? But why so queer? Methinks for sooth It’s Puss in Boots, In stories told, Or knight of old, Who stalks so bold. A word, my friend, Will quickly clear Your wonderment, So listen here. A damsel fair Is passing there About the streets, You’ll see she sloshes, For on her feet She wears galoshes! —MILDRED SMEED.

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THE SENIOR OCCIDENT 155 Class Officers Donald McKie - Franklyn Burke Alfred Sproat - Dorothy Wetmore - President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Class History Mark Twain has said that, “A lie if repeated often enough is history,” to which we heartily agree—at some times. Rut on the other hand, his- tory may also be the true story of the affairs of mankind in general, and of this class in particular. And although we do not think of contradicting that famous humorist, still we have decided to moke this exposition as true a history as the memory will permit. Four years ago we entered into a strange world. At first we were somewhat disappointed when the teacher did not ask us to remain after school and wash the blackboards, but later on. much to our sorrow, we found ourselves staying after school, but not to wash blackboards. Four years then seemed to be ages away, but they have passed in a very short time, and now that we are leaving these dear old halls, we are all hope- ful that our brief sojourn here has been one of value, both to ourselves and to our Alma Mater. Having completed the organization of the class in our first year, we were then well prepared for the events of the second year. In this year we held one of the most successful Sophomore Parties ever held in this school. Dancing and a most wonderful track meet were held in the corri- dors. Many times during the year the members of the class were called upon to assist in school activities, and at all times did they respond to any call for support. Entering upon the third year of our school life we found ourselves more deeply involved in school activities. During this year two events took place which tended to add more glory to the name of the class. The Junior “Prom” which was held was one of the most brilliant affairs in the history of the school. Departing from the time-worn custom of giving a single play, we staged a remarkably successful performance, consisting of four playlets written by members of the graduating Senior class. Thanks to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Ellis, Ferdinand Powell, Michael Crino and many others, the affair was a great success, and in- cidentally the treasury of the American Red Cross was enriched by a neat little sum. This fourth year has been the most successful of all. Although the numbers of the class have been greatly depleted because many of our boys have answered our country’s call for men. nevertheless, we have accomplished many tasks. The Senior Dance was very successful, in spite of the war conditions, and again the devotees to the pastime of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle enjoyed an evening long to be remembered. Again throwing aside the customs of the past we ran a vaudeville (or perhaps it’s vode-ville as Ruth Patrick and Dorothy Wetmore persist in saying) performance for two nights, the proceeds of which were used to purchase

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THE SENIOR OCCIDENT 157 Class Prophecy The following article appeared in the Accidental Accident” during the month of May, 1923: PEACE SHIP TO SAIL. The “Fifty-Seven” to Embark. Noted Financiers on First Cabin List. May 30.—With minds crammed with conciliatory ideas, peace dele- gates under the invitation of Mr. Franklyn Burke, the manufacturer of the famous floating fish food, sails next week for Mexico. First cabin list is as follows: His Highness, The Earl of Reed, Mr. Ferdinand Powell, member of the staff of the “Accidental Accident”; Roy Miller, manufacturer of war munitions; Roswell Marshall, historian of the trip; Reta Eyer, the editor of “Eat and Grow' Thin,” with her agents, Ruth Sibley and Isabelle Lanson; Vera Wibur, the famous writer of free verse; Ruth Heckel, the most wonderful diver the world has ever produced; Maude Kahler and Maude Shone, agents for the 20-Mule-Team Borax; Mildred Smith, cham- pion exponent of Speech Arts; Roberta Jennings, superintendent of schools in New York State; Ruth Rahn, a missionary to Africa; Homer Lewis, inventor of toothpicks for horses; Donald Houghton, maker of soft drinks; Emilie Isler and Ruth Loomis, ballet dancers. After reading this article I laid the paper down and allowed my mind to drift back to January, 1918. I was soon aroused from my reverie by the postman’s knock. Much to my surprise I received an important looking letter from Mr. Franklyn Burke, inviting me to join his peace party. As soon as possible I completed all preparations for the journey and on June 2, I left Rochester for New York. When I reached Albany I was obliged to transfer to a different division of the railroad. Just as I was mounting the steps leading up to the train I heard a strangely familiar voice calling: “All aboard for New York, hurry lady!” “Ralph Eckhardt,” I shouted, “whatever are you doing here?” “Just waiting for the stock market to go up,” he replied. At this point he rushed to the assistance of an old woman carrying two band boxes and a bird cage; and my train pulled out. The next thing I re- member u'as the conductor shouting in my ear, “Fares, please.” I looked up and recognized Marguerite Vanderpool. She smiled in a sheepish way and I said: “You are doing active work, aren’t you?” “Sh,” she answered, “I thought I would like it, but one is so con- spicuous on a train as a conductress, so I’m going to get off next week, with the excuse that I’m to be married, but I haven’t got tbe man yet. As soon as I reached New York I went at once to the harbor and here joined the first cabin list. On June 4, amid great cheers the “Fifty-Seven” sailed out of New York Harbor. Three guns were fired in our salute. For the first three days there were no meetings held on board the ship. The reason for this was the calm condition of the water, Ahem! even the strong-minded superintendent of schools in New York State, Roberta Jennings, was scarcely able to eat her usual hearty meal. On the fourth day Mr. Burke called a meeting and many speeches were made. During the thrilling talk given by Frederick Haines who never swears, Mildred Smith interrupted.