Wyomissing Area High School - Colophon Yearbook (Wyomissing, PA)

Page 26 text:

.ig THE BLUE AND WHITE -,, ., . Class Prophecy At last my fondest. hopes were to be realized. I was to sail for China on Thurdsay as a missionary and, all my trunks being packed, I stepped forth on Sunday to gaze once more at the long familiar buildings and sights of Reading. I was to dine at the home of a former classmate, Mildred Hollenbach, who was now a pert little housewife who managed her home and husband in a most efficient way. Mildred and I chatted about the good old times in Wyomissing High and then wondered where everyone could be. Mildred knew at least where one was and' that happened to be Katherine Stoltz, who had also been courageous enough to take the leap into niatrimony and who too was employed in making a little home bright and cheerful. The time Hew as if on wings and accordingly I took my departure receiving a fond invitation to call again upon my return from China. Sunday Eve I spent in a very profitable way listening to the eloquence of Russel Fegley, now a minister of a large church. People dozed comfortably while Russel waxed more eloquent not noticing the seeming lack of appreciation. Monday I left for New York and on the train I found a paper edited by Henry Stetler, now a very brilliant editor of the Literary Digest. Thus surprised on hearing of another classmate I glanced at the striking headlines which read, Foremost Chemist Wrecks Half a Town, but Happily is Uninjured. Miss Ruth Mengel wrecks a town but discovers an explosive that will entirely devastate Germany, should we again wage war . Still wondering I turned the pages and read concerning the winners of the Champion Typing and Shorthand Contests, whom I found to be no other than Helen Grohs and Anna Henning. I was glad of this sucess for my old friends but a farmer engaged in his daily work, caught my eye and as I watched him I caught a glimpse of red hair and discovered him to be Elmer Keiser planting potatoes with a book perched on the planter. I turned once more to my paper and read that Hans Rahm was now in Congress arguing mightily with certain other Senators on Womans Rights. I paused to muse over the fortunes of my former classmates and, allowing my eyes to gaze upon the occupants of the car, saw Donald Ermentrout entering, loaded with bags and bundles of all description. He recognized me at once and we started to reminisce over the old days. He said that Max Reimer was now a forester striving hard to reforest the bad lands of Arizona, and that Sara Deck was teaching school in a nearby schoolhouse: also that Helen Dries and Mary Roeder were teaching at the old school in WYOFHISSIHQ. Donald had become a salesman for Fuller Brushes and advised me to take a few along as they might come in handy. As he was leaving he called back to me that john Vogel was now a constructive engineer and was thinking of building a bridge across the ocean. Arriving in New York, I made my way to the nearest subway. Even in my hurry I was attracted by the most awful shrieks. I glanced at the place from which the cries issued and on the glass windows was painted, john Specker, D. S. Painless Dentist. At least no one was being murdered, and I continued on my way, musing over the singular fact that the whereabouts r to remain at the home of relatives for the several days. In the evemng we went to the theatre to see Madam Neile in Ro meo an, Juliet. Never before was Juliet portrayed with such grace and effect as Cornelia Trowbridge portrayed her that night. Imagine my surprise at seeing her in this new role and I h t d t A as ene o her dressing room after the play. We exchanged queries and Cornelia told me that I should not of one more classmate was added to the list. I was Page Twenty-Two 'Q

Page 25 text:

THE BLUE AND wi-i1TE Q4- But there were obstacles confronting us. Due to the rapid growth in number of travelers to the land of learning, the then occupied building proved itself to be insuniciently large, and for the time being it was necessary to use a nearby church. Many were the hardships met and overcome with a smile-a smile because of the promise of a new and magnihcent building for the next year. There were new teachers, too-Miss Althouse, Miss Smith, Miss Nagle and Mr. Bowman. But in spite of all hardships this period was one of gayety and pleasure. Each pilgrim became imbued with the desire to trip the light fantastic toe and how we did dance. There were four parties given-each more splendid than the last. There was one at Hallowe'en-mysterious and full of the allure of the spook seasong one at Christmas-gay and festive, to which we came dressed in our very bestg one at Easter very formal but also very delightfulg and one in june as a farewell to the dear departing Seniors whose footsteps we were soon to fill. Besides these parties, two plays, in which some of our number were represented, were given. And so the third epoc of our journey drew to a close, and we were Seniors! What a world of memories and recollections the name holds! VVhat a year of happiness and pleasure that one was! How swiftly it passed! First, there was the long promised new building-a monument of perfection it seemed to us, with its individual rooms for the individual groups, its great Auditorium, its department for manual arts, its gymnasium. And there were new teachersfMiss Hummer for English, Mr. Haag for Latin, Miss Iliff for Domestic Science, Mr. Deidrick for physical training and Mr. Wfeiss for manual training. Besides there was a new leader over us all-Mr. Appenzellar who had come to help us and the other struggling bands to the wonderful land of knowledge. There were no new members this time to join us although four of our original band left us, much to our sorrow. This year, instead of seeming the finish of our journey, seemed but the beginning. So many new helds were discovered, so many new activities inaugurated. - This was the year of Athletic competition. Never before had we, as a group, felt so strongly the urge of class and school spirit. Several teams for the numerous activities were formed and although the crown of victory was not always ours, the knowledge that our representatives fought their hardest for us lessened the bitter taste of defeat. As an English project under the guidance of Miss Hummer the task of producing a class paper was undertaken. It was an amateur thing but it led to the desire for a bigger thing. lt was the seed from which a larger undertaking sprang-a class year-book, a record of our activities and in-activities, our deeds and misdeeds through out those four precious years. There was the question of financing this great project-and as a solution, a combination bazaar and track meet was held. A track-meet! What could have been more exciting for the younger pilgrims. What could have been more noisy! And combined with the shouts and yells, lcan still hear the voices of the hot-dog venders, the balloon sellers, the flower-girls! But in spite of all noise and clamor, the bazaar was a success and it furnished the means of beginning our year book. And so as our goal drew nearer, as the long promised land of learning grew from a thing of promise and hope into a tangible reality, we felt that we should like to tarry longer on the road- now grown familiar and dear thru friends gained and memories sown along the wayside. But the time was limited-no delays were allowed-and so, one day in june we entered the longed-for gates-wiser perhaps, because we had awakened to the realization that within those gates was not the ending but the commencement of a broader Field for the search of knowledge, of success and of happiness, 9 Cornelia Trowbridge. Page Twenty-One jill 'rl 'A V 1' l f 'ti

Page 27 text:

fi-EQ THE BLUE AND WHITE I miss going to hear the pipe organ recital given by Elizabeth Zug the following evening. Of course I did not miss that opportunity and went away from that recital with a new inspiration which only Elizabeth could have given me. Thursday dawned bright and clear and as the boat did not sail until the afternoon my cousin proposed that we see Ellis Island. All of which was very interesting but far more interesting was the fact that we found Robert Stroup chattering Spanish as an interpreter there. With a pang of regret I watched the Statue of Liberty and that far famed horizon fade from view and suddenly the world seemed to be but a wide expanse of water with only the setting sun in the distance. The evening came upon us quickly but it carried no more loneliness with it for I found on board no other than Irma Koch who was traveling for pleasure, and I found I would have a companion for the greater part of the voyage. The days passed, and on the night before we were to land we listened to a radio. Suddenly we heard a voice of such clearness and sweetness that we were very anxious to learn whom the voice belonged to, Then came the announcer's voice saying, Station XYZ. Miss Mildred Osman, pupil of Professor Sacrinion- cowsky, is now making her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. Miss Osman will now sing 'School Days', by request. As she sang my thoughts flew back to the days when Mildred's voice could be heard singing in the Kutztown chorus and I wondered if she, too, remem- bered, The next day we came in sight of the busy port of Marsailles. From there we journeyed north to Paris where Irma and I planned to spend a few days. Of course we had to go shopping and stopped at the most exclusive shop, whose window read in gold letters, Madame Fannie. Upon entering the blue and gold salon we were greeted by a most beautifully marcelled person. I stared very impolitely and thereupon this bewildering satin swathed person dropped her air of French pertness and drawled the same old drawl that we could never forget, Well, if it isn't the girls! My land, where did you drop from? We were entertained most sumptuously and went away felling happy to have found Fanny Laubenstein, now a most exclusive and fashionable modiste of Paris. That wasn't the last of her either for Fanny took us to the theatre where we had the good fortune to witness the dance of Mystery portrayed and interpreted most gracefully by Betty du Plaine, now the idol of Paris, who had literally danced her way into the hearts of the people. During our. sojourn in France we visited Cannes for a bit of a holiday. One can never forget the sights of Cannes for it is here that the beauties of France come to wile away the hours with pleasure. One of the sights we shall never forget was that of Francis Yost, bemonacled, and dressed in the very height of fashion, tripping along looking bored to tears. When he saw us the monacle dropped, also his jaw, and he gaped at us as if we were grotesque heathen from an unheard of land. ' He greeted us in a most effusive way and asked the styles of the folks back home. We knew then that he had not changed one bit and suggested that he enter the business with Fanny, as he might prove a most valuable asset with his knowledge of every kind of style imaginable. Before we left France we had occasion to witness some of the Olympic games there in full swing and the name on every one's tongue was that of our friend, Arthur Garner. At Shanghai, Irma left me to continue on her way and in subsequent letter, she told me that upon visiting the Philipine Islands she found Charles Hilton as a consul who was organizing a debating team of natives which challenged any team from any place. Now I knew where each of my classmates were and as I paused musingly, a voice broke into my reverie with: Come, Ethel, stop mooning in that corner and go to bed or you will oversleep and be late for school tomorrow. 'Twas mother calling and I sprang up scattering the new h ht f d h ll we a ,bad dream? t oug s o a very goo or s a s y . Ethel R. Ibadl' Page Twenty-Three 'I x .v.-.vs.-,....,........-.-- ,xx .- -' : I ', fmt- . 5' .W -Us ' , ' HQ ' 5 . , 5- ,E T ,,