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

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24 THE SEN OH OCCIDENT fialrMrtuni. As we are now about to complete our high school days, we look back upon the years spent here in West High, and see ourselves in our freshman year, green and frightened, as all “froeh” ought to be. We then recall our sophomore days, and laugh as we remember how sophisticated we thought we were. As juniors we became prominent in school activities, and longed for the time when we would occupy front seats in the middle section in assembly. Now that we occupy this position, we are reluctant to leave our dear Alma Mater and its pleasant associations, to again become freshman in college or in the school of life. We regret to leave these happy days behind us and to take up new and more difficult tasks. During odr four years spent here, we have gained from our worthy teachers much knowledge, which will help us to climb the ladder of fame, for we are a famous class. Although at times we have failed to accom- plish the tasks set before us by them, we realize that if we had obeyed their instructions we would be more able to use the great ability which one of our teachers claims lies hidden among us. As seniors we wish to heartily thank our teachers for helping to make us sedate, wise and dignified. We have appreciated, although it may not have been apparent, their attempt to lead us down the flowery path of knowledge, which we are now confident we can follow. We are sorry to leave our classmates, who have shared our displeasures as well as our joys. We value their companionship as we will no others. Although we are about to part, the memory of each one will remain with us. The friends gained in our school life are priceless to us. We have enjoyed their assistance in the classroom, and their society in our social activities. No doubt we have made many friends, whom we will be reluct- ant to leave. Our social life here has been of the highest type, and it is our schoolmates who have made it so. We are glad they have made our school one that we will be proud to graduate from. We sympathize with the inexperienced freshmen, although it is long ago since we first entered high school. The other classmen are antagonistic toward us, but the rivalry only makes school life more interesting. How could we have spent many tedious hours in study hall if we had had no genial souls to consult with concerning our lessons? How dull our classroom work would have been without the well meant humor of few of our clever friends! So we bid them a sad farefell and hope they will soon attain our honored position. The memory of our dear Alma Mater will always remain with us. Many times we will recall the classroom, where we have sat in suspense waiting for the teacher to call on us for the knowledge we have failed to gain; the study hall, where we have attempted to extract wisdom from Vir-

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THE SENIOR OCCIDENT 23 (CUtas tiitstnnj. jfntutar.n '19 The world has made history faster in the last four years than perhaps ever before. Not to be outdone, the class of January ’19, has set a pace that future classes will do well to approach, much less surpass. Indeed, more than one weary teacher has been heard to remark after a vain attempt to subdue some of our more ebullient members, A jack rabbit would have to grow wings to keep up with that class. It is four long years since a band of youth, intent upon the pursuit of knowledge, was lured within the portals of West High. The class of Jan- uary '19, was then born. And how short those four long years have been! From verdant Fresh to omniscient Seniors has seemed to take but a short time, though in the process our boys have discarded short trousers for McFarlin’s latest,” and squeaky voices for bassos, while the scanty pigtails of the girls have become the luxuriant tresses you now behold. Indeed, some of the boys have become men, and like Walter Taylor, first president of the class, are now in France wearing olive drab. Proud, indeed, we are of them, and though they will not graduate with us they will not be absent from our memories on that eventful evening. Those of us who remained at home, though not from choice, have endeavored to worthily represent the class in its various activities. Several interclass championships have fallen to our lot and we have been well represented on several school teams. Scholastically, too, we have won honors, and boast of such sharks” as Ethlynne Gillette, Le Roy Miller and Harold Strathman, whose statements the encyclopedias fear to dispute. Socially the class has a reputation second to none. The Freshman Reception, Sophomore Party, Junior Prom and Senior Dance will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to have been present. 1 he Junior Play, A Twig of Thorn, given in collaboration with the June Class, was marked by the clever work of Le Rov Miller, Carol Livingstone, George Brayer and others of the class, while the Senior Play so recently given was a sensation to those who expected an ordinary high school play. The Senior class and West High will part company, each acknowl- edving that it owes much to the other. The class of January, 1919, will always cherish thoughts of dear West High. Fkanki.yn Adams. F. Carleton Leach in Paradise—See his picture with three girls.

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THE SENIOR OCCIDENT ?5 gil, Aeneid, etcetera, the assembly liall with its grand rush for front sats, and the many times repeated words “Assembly is dismissed”; the corridors, where we have spent many enjoyable Friday afternoons dancing; and last, but not least, the clock in the office, under which countless times we have been asked to sit for punishment. Our training gained in West High will prove invaluable to us in the work we are about to take up. Nowhere else could we have received such instruction, gained such friends and such knowledge. So in parting we ask •our fellow students to keep up the glory of West High by retaining the fine school spirit they now possess. We wish you the greatest success, dear Alma Mater, and will endeavor to do our part to make your name famous. Farewell. West HighJ —Etiilynne Gillette. (Class $urm. Of classes east and classes west, •Of all the classes, this one's best; Our work we’ve done, no troubles brewed, And to West High our hearts are true. Mow, Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, all. As you our places in the hall Do take.—just think of us, And do your level best or bust. Just follow us in work and play And you will find that it will pay To show school spirit in every way And mind your teachers day by day. You’ve heard our history bright and fine Now watch us when in all due time Each of this class his brilliant future makes And of life’s blissful cup partakes. ' Oh Kids”—then you will say:— “Of classes east and classes west Of all the classes that’s the best. —D. f. Turner. A Freshman hesitates on the word ‘connoisseur.’ prof “What would you call a man that pretends to know every- thing?” Freshman’s Answer—“A professor.