Ypsilanti High School - Ypsi Dixit Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

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books, and we even remember the time when “the powers that be’ had to decree that knitting should not be brought to school. In may we found ourselves without a principal when Mr. Morris left to take up work in the camps with the Fosdick commission. As Sophomores we were glad to find ourselves housed all together in room 221. We elected Fred Bergin president, and decided that this year the other classes should realize that we were in their midst. Ruth Wyckoff started us off bravely by winning second place in the spelling contest, and Robert Perry again came second in oration, but after these victories we decided it would be kinder to give the cup to an older class. Aside from the class party, which was even better than the one we gave the year before, and our chapel exercise at which we entertained with a musical program, we stayed quite modestly in the background as befits under-classmen. In the fall many of our boys had gone into uniform and we felt quite like a military academy. Another innovation was the student council which was organized in the winter. This year our work was somewhat broken up, although school did not close, because of the influenza epidemic. In April we were glad to welcome our new principal, Mr. Piper, after having been without one for a year. When we again “trod the halls of learning,’ this time as flighty Juniors, we began to realize that our high school life was half over and we had still much to accomplish. We settled in rooms 203 and 205 and soon found that Phylli s Clifford and several other class-mates refused to stay with us, apparently liking the Seniors better. After electing Glen Emery president and backing him with an able staff we started in with the intention of really getting the cup, and, of course, the other classes found us invincible. We won points at basketball, spelling and oration, and also got third place in the essay contest. It was a proud day when we tied our green and white ribbons to the cup. On the program of our Junior chapel we find numbers which were a forerunner of treats which we have often enjoyed since, among them a violin solo by Edward Mosher and some selections by a ukulele quintet. In the spring we again changed principals, when Mr. Grimes took Mr. Piper’s place. At last we found ourselves in that much coveted room, 209. At our first Senior class-meeting we set an example of efficiency by not only electing our class officers: President, Fred Williamson; vice-president, Alice Beal; secretary, Ruth Wycoff, and treasurer, Rolland Perrine, but by also making plans for the Freshman reception. Football had again taken its place in school and our athletes began to 22 (

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Senior Class History educators are agreeing that school is not only a place to learn to live, but is life itself. And thus we think as we look back over four years of high school. Our pleasures, our trials, our achievements, and our dis- appoi ntment—how clearly they rise before us. The lessons learned, the friendships made, these things form a part of our lives which we could not discard even if we wished. 4 used to be said that school was merely a preparation for life; now When the class of twenty-one first entered the High School building in September, 1917, we heard with surprise the upper classmen’s plaint (to which future years were to accustom us) “The Freshmen get smaller and greener every year.” Some of us may have been small, but green, never! At least we were quite sure that we did not show it. After some experience with the directions of the more or less well- meaning upper-classmen we finally found ourselves settled in our proper rooms, where we were taken in hand by Miss Steere, Miss Lich, and Miss Gieske. We all felt quite acclimated after attending the Freshmen reception, where the Seniors kindly provided us with clothespins for dolls; and after a chapel exercise in which the different organizations of the school were explained we were ready for anything. At our first class meeting we decided to declare for ““woman’s rights” by electing Phyllis Clifford president. Later we chose green and white for our | class colors. We Freshmen made no startling record in athletics, although on one memorable occasion our basketball boys did beat the Seniors. Our youthful debaters were promptly silenced by the Sophomores; and our only points gained toward the much-longed-for cup were the five obtained when Robert Perry won second placéd in the oration contest. We do, however, claim distinction on the score that we had, in our ranks, Camilla Strang, the only girl in Ypsilanti, and we think in Michigan, to win one of the Boys’ Workng Reserve badges, bestowed the next fall. The memories of our Freshman year are intermingled with those of war work. We remember the conservation appeals and smileage book campaign, the Liberty Day parade, in which we Freshmen represented the colonists, the day when German was banished from school with a bon-fire of text- 21

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govern us with glory F. Williamson, G. Haggarty, F. Hopkins, A. Goetz, and R. Perrine upheld our high standards in basketball. Ruth Wyckoff, Esther Field, Alice Beal, and Ada Boomer and other Senior girls proved themselves not far behind and our athletics helped us in the race for the cup. In October the Senior class secured Miss Hortense Neilson to read John Drinkwater’s play, “Abraham Lincoln.” This entertainment was successful financially as well as in the pleasure afforded. Fred Hopkins began our cup points by taking second place in the ex- temporaneous speaking contest. Ruth Ryckoff won in spelling and Grace Challis and Helen Rorabacher assisted her in getting all three places in the pronunciation contest. Apparently no Juniors dared pit their oratorical ability against the mighty Seniors, so, of course, those honors came to us; and in the essay contest, which ended the series, Helen Rorabacher took first place for the class of twenty-one. The green and white ribbons will adorn the cup for another year. Paul Ward was the only Senior to have a place on the successful school debating team. The Seniors, assisted by one Junior, celebrated the Pilgrim Tercentenary by giving “The Rose of Plymouth Town,” which was most successful. In May came the all-important Senior play, “The First Lady of the Land.” The chief parts were taken by Ruth Luscombe, Glen Emery, and Alan Wither- spoon, but, of course, it had an “all-star” cast. This, friends, is the history of the class of 1921. As we think of our work during the past four years we wish to thank the teachers who have helped us over so many rough places,.and whose co-operation has done so much to make our school life pleasant and profitab le. Our High School life is finished and the new life which is at hand finds us hopeful, eager, but yet “standing with reluctant feet,’ for we know tonight, as never before, how precious are the memories of dear old Ypsi High. 7 By Helen Rorabacher.