West Side High School - Legenda Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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could they decide otherwise? This was one of the last meet¬ ings of the society during that school-year, the interest had been kept up by good programs and there was always a good attendance. At the beginning of the next school year, the girls de¬ cided that the name Dewey Do was not dignified enough. Many weeks were spent in a vain search for another, when a happy thought came to one of the members, and the present name of (Jill ' s Augustan Literary Society was adopted. As they had disc ussed all civil and moral questions worth discussing, they took up a different line of work, the study of the lives and works of famous authors and artists. Then the work went along smoothly and well, until the girls awoke to the fact that their members were dropping out and no new ones were coming in. A contest for membership was started. New members fairly poured in, freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Then the mock trial came to take up every one ' s attention. Three girls and three boys acted as lawyers. They acquitted themselves well and an innocent man was set free. This brought some money into the treasury, which the girls invested in two beautiful pictures for tin Sophomore room, which were greatly appreciated. Meanwhile the contest raged hotter and hotter and almost all of the seats in the Sophomore room were filled by members of the (J. A. L. S. At the same time, the Lyceum was having a contest and the two societies decided to share money, members, everything, and have a ban¬ quet together. This especially pleased the boys, because they did not know what they were going to do without the girls. The time rapidly approached for the grand banquet and tin membership roll of the 1. A. L. S. reached eighty. On the night of the banquet there were about seventy-five young- ladies present, all in pretty, light dresses, and about thirty young men, some awkward freshmen being noticeable among them. After a bountiful repast, we listened to six fine toasts and then spent the remainder of the evening in dancing. In the fall of 181)1), tin meeting was called to order the second week of school and twenty-four members responded

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HISTORY OF THE G. A. L. S In the spring of the year 1808, when the sun was coaxing the flowers to appear, and green leaves to bud, when all nature was preparing a new green robe for herself, something hap¬ pened in the West Side High School. The girls were as¬ sembled in knots around the school grounds and Professor Sage had to take many names of even dignified seniors be¬ cause they sat on the steps to talk. The subject of their earn¬ est conversation was a literary society. The girls of the class of ' 98 were the ones who originated the idea, and when a girl of the West Side High School gets an idea, she always carries it to a finish. On all black-boards was found the inscription: “All in favor of having a girl ' s literary society, please meet in 10th grade room.” About twenty-eight stayed, some out of idle curiosity, a girl ' s own characteristic, others because of interest in the society to be formed. This meeting was pre¬ sided over by Miss Gertrude Storch. A committee was ap¬ pointed to draw up a constitution and one to find a name fine enough to grace such an honorable society. The constitution was drawn up, but, before it could be signed, a name must be found and search as the girls did, none could be found that exactly suited. Just at this time the whole world was ringing with the glorious news of Dewey’s victory at Manila. This was just what the girls needed. The club should be called the Dewey Do Club. The first president was Miss Norn a Tausend and hers was a very responsible position. We might almost say that the future success of the society depended on the first few meet¬ ings. The principal work done was debating. By this time the wise Lyceum had become aware that there was another literary society in the high school beside themselves, and, being sure of an eas y victory they challenged the Dewey Do Club to a debate and looked forward eagerly to a time when they could prove themselves lords of creation by carrying off all the honors. How easily the girls won! As a matter of course the judges decided that women should have the right to vote throughout the United States. How

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to roll call. This same faithful few have made the society what it is today by their pluck and perseverance. The affairs of the society are now in a prosperous con¬ dition and it has recently presented the eleventh grade room with a beautiful picture. There is a contest for membership now going on and we wish the society success in all its plans for the future. A f 4 nrm