San Joaquin County CA Archives History - Schools .....School Notes, Lodi Union High School 1916 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 25, 2007, 1:25 am SCHOOL NOTES EDYTHE KEAST. '16 The first social event of the year was the Freshman reception given in the gymnasium on October 22. The decorations were in keeping with Hallowe'en. Big jack o'lanterns peeped out from among the yellow cornstalks and grinned unmercifully at the poor little frightened Freshies. The Freshmen were given the seats of honor and listened to an address of welcome from our Student Body president. James Kilgore, president of the Freshman class, swore with his hand upon a piece of ice to abide by an Oath of Allegiance which was several yards long. Two of the Freshman boys entertained us with whistling solos after they had eaten a dozen crackers. Miss Reed and Ila McIntosh both rendered vocal solos which were greatly enjoyed. After undergoing a mock examination of the "five senses," the Freshies dived for apples, blew out candles and had their fortunes told. At a late hour a dainty luncheon, consisting of apple cider, sandwiches, pumpkin pie and apples, was served in the dining room. We all had the "time of our lives." At the first of the term Monday mornings were given over to yell practices under our able yell leader, Sherwood Spurgeon. When he left, we lost some "tall" yell leader and contortionist. He has had several worthy successors: Carroll Duff, Walter Tindell, Howard Remick, Frank Carpenter and Lloyd Vizelich. Some of the most interesting Friday morning exercises have been presented by the Freshman English class and the German classes. The main feature of the Freshman entertainment was original ballads read by the respective authors. The German classes presented a morning of song. Six compositions of "Du Bist Wie Eine Blume" were rendered in the form of solos, duets and quartets. The gymnasium class delighted us one morning with a pretty drill in which they showed skilful handling of their wands. Ralph Parker gave us an interesting report of his Eastern trip. The Agricultural Club gave us two entertainments which were greatly enjoyed by all. Our usual Christmas program, which was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. was given before vacation. The main number on the program was a reading of Van Dykes' "Story of the Other Wise Man," by Miss Mayne. Musical numbers were rendered by Miss Reed, Hazel Overholtzer, Alice Keast and Mr. Fred Keast, Jr. The Christmas program was a great success in every way. On February 12th the Senior English class rendered a Lincoln program under the direction of Miss Mayne. Several students told of his life and deeds and others gave anecdotes by and about Lincoln. Patriotic songs were interspersed. On February 22nd Miss Wright addressed the students. She gave an interesting sketch of the life and character of Washington. We have been very fortunate this year in having prominent persons of California speak to us. Stitt Wilson addressed us in September on the "Care of the Human Being," dealing with the culture of the body, mind and soul Come again, Mr. Wilson. In February, Dr. MacClaren of the Ellison White Chautauqua appeared in costume in an impersonation of Robert Burns. On this occasion he interpreted "The Cotter's Saturday Night." At a later date he returned and gave "Tam O Shanter." Dr. Seaton of the College of the Pacific gave us a very interesting and instructive talk on the "Advantages of a College Education." He particularly emphasized the advantages of a small college. He made such an impression that some have already decided to attend the college he represents. Dr. Rheinhardt addressed the assembly on March 23 She chose to speak on Shakespeare, this year being his tercentenary. The students are loud in the praise of Dr. Rheinhardt. One afternoon in March Professor Labadie read the poetry of some present day authors. The setting for most of the poems was in French Canada. He also read Robert W. Service's "Sam Magee" which the students greatly enjoyed. We are indebted to two of our townsmen for instruction on practical subjects of the day. Senator Stuckenbruck spoke on "Legislation." His talk was so interesting and so clearly presented that the students are sure that they could put a bill through the legislature if they were called upon to do so Postmaster J. M. McMahon addressed us on the "Parcels Post System." He gave us some very interesting facts and precautions. We all enjoyed his talk greatly. The West Family came to us one morning before Christmas and gave us a splendid program. We were all very much pleased with their music and extended to them a hearty invitation to return. Probably none of our morning entertainers have been more enjoyed than the Fife brothers. They presented a regular Lyceum program. Mr. Clyde Lee Fife introduced the members of his party who rendered the following program: A selection by the orchestra, with Ernest West as accompanist; Mr. Robert Fife, reading; Mr. Earl Fife, cornet solo; Mr. Fred Kuhn, violin solo; Mr. Robert Fife, slide trombone solo. Two weeks after rendering their first program they returned with one member in addition, Mrs. Bess Fife Brooks, who played the drums and bells in the orchestra and several solos on the marimba-xylophone. On April 7, Professor H. K. Basset of the University of Wisconsin delighted the assembly by recounting three fairy tales that we had almost, if not entirely, forgotten. His chief aim was simplicity. He proved a most charming entertainer and instructive speaker. On May 11, Mr. Will C. Woods, State Commissioner of Education, visited our schools and later spoke in the assembly in a most gracious and complimentary way in regard to our school and its work. The Lyceum course has been a greater success this year than last. Each of the entertainers was an artist in his respective line. We are assured that next years Lyceum will be even more of a success than the Lyceum of this year. At the beginning of the school year, the Senior girls gave a candy sale in the lower corridor and secured enough money to buy a large picture for the Senior English room. They purchased a beautiful photograph of the Fine Arts Building. The Junior girls followed the lead of the Seniors and had a candy sale at the basket ball game with Oakdale. They applied the proceeds to the purchasing of a Navajo blanket for the teachers' rest room. The teachers are very grateful to the Junior girls. At Christmas time the school participated in contributing to the poor of Lodi. An abundance of clothing and toys was donated as well as eleven dollars in cash. If the students had visited the homes where their gifts were left they would have been well repaid. March 30 was tag day at school. The Senior girls took this means of raising money for baseball suits for the school team. But one day was not enough, so March 31 was tag day downtown. More money than was necessary for the suits was realized, and the next question for the Seniors was, "What shall we do with the money which is left over?" The shop boys have contributed a great deal to the school this year. They have made bins for the cooking room of the cafeteria, tables for the dining room, tables for the typing department, a blackboard for the Glee Club, Greek benches for the Senior play and a windmill for the Junior operetta. The cafeteria has been very ably managed by Mrs. Asa Villinger and Miss Mabel Jones. The test of good cooking is in the eating and the eats that they prepare are certainly great. Come and sample their cooking if you have any doubts. On the evening of Friday, May 19, the members of the two upper classes came together for the last of the interclass festivities. It is customary for the Junior class each year to entertain, at a reception, the graduating class. The students assembled in the gymnasium where the first part of the evening was devoted to games. The gymnasium was very attractively decorated, the colors of the Senior class, black and gold, forming the color scheme. Large willow branches were used effectively for the greenery. The Indoor Trackmeet. which was the chief of the games, afforded amusement not alone for those who participated in the feats but also for those on the side lines who represented two opposing colleges. Another enjoyable feature of the games was the huge Spider Web which had been spun over the greater part of the building. Upon following up a thread of the web each Senior found a small souvenir and a card attached bearing a prophecy. After other games, the students went into the auditorium. The vaudeville stunts, presented in the Orpheum style, were the surprise of the evening. The program consisted of: 1. Mutt and Jeff. The fun makers. 2. Hawaiian Troop. Singers of Hawaiian melodies. 3. Demise of Senior Class. A pantomime. 4. Vocal Selections. 5. Illustrated Poem. 6. Burlesque. After the vaudeville came the three-course supper served in the cafeteria by the Junior class, assisted by girls from the Freshman class. The decorations here carried out the same color scheme. Small pennants formed the favors and two large pennants adorned the tables. Toasts and musical selections were rendered during the supper and between courses. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" by all present, concluded an enjoyable evening. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Tokay 1916 Published Annually Under the Auspices of the SENIOR CLASS OF LODI UNION HIGH SCHOOL Lodi, California File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/sanjoaquin/history/schools/schoolno305gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 10.0 Kb