Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-09

erage as most classes that entered the
high school. Still we had not imbibed
that spirit that can be noticed later on
in our school life. Thus ended our first
year.
"Then came the year for fun, which
is known in all schools and colleges as
the sophomore year. This is the time
when the inventive spirit begins to show
It's hand. Our class was not as poorly
behaved as had been the previous class,
probably because of the change in the
entire force of teachers The faculty
this year consisting Of 6. S. Ford as
principal, 7. w. Brazeau first assistant
and Geo. P. Hambrecht second assist
ant. The increase in the force being
another indication that the board motto
! ing the increase in the size of our heads
was striving desperately to furnish the
material to fill them. About this time
We began to look with longing eyes for
1898. Although this is the most discour-
aging year, we resolved to stick to our
books until we had finished. 1t was
this year that two we'll known characters
came to swell the number of this class
to sixteen: Archie Bulls from the ham
let of Dexterville and Miss Mamie
Molloy from farm near the city of
Dublin. You would not think to look
at them tonight that they were so fresh
from the farm. and yet it was only last
year that Archie, as he was walking
down the street with one other member
of this class, amused himself by reading
all the signs. and Miss Molloy was heard
discoursing to female side of the house
on butter making.
"Anyone who had dropped in on our
class in '94 and again in '95 could have
noticed one change for the better, that
was in our studying capacity. Still
there was plenty of ground for improve
ment Thus ended our second year in
the high school.
"Our junior year began with a faculty
consisting of G. S. Ford, principal; g.
z. Hambrecht, senior assistant, and Miss
LINDSAY as junior assistant. 1867
| witnessed a great change III our class
both mentally and physically. | will
treat these separately beginning with
matters intellectual. Our hopes for
graduation were quickened, it being
like an apple almost within our grasp.
We went to our work with renewed
energy, and each and every night any
one could distinguish a junior from the
others by the number of books he had
under his arm.
| The heights of great men, reached and kept,
Were not obtained in single fight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward through the night
-Longfellow.
! That foolishness and fun making that
had been ours for two years past had, !,
to certain extent, disappeared and a
dignity becoming junior was assumed.
[ won't say we were perfect, for a little
fun now and then is relished by the
best of men,
"Second, physically. Our statures be-
gan to increase-in places-begipning
with our feet. Many of us this evening
wear the same size shoe as during our
junior year, [ am sorry to say the same
is not true of our hats. In athletics
eight of the boys were members of the
football team of 1897, and three had
been in the teams of '95 and '96.
In our social world we began to be
the companions and friends of the SEN
iors, also being allowed the freedom of
the room. One great thing accom-
| plished was the organization of our
| class. This was to choose our motto,
colors, and to do many other things, the
| purpose being to tighten the work for
graduation, but, on account of the many
conflicting opinions, nothing definite
was done. Thus ended the third year,
we being used to usher out the class
of '97.
From the time our senior year began
there is noticed solemn dignity of
bearing that can only be borne by such
as are, or have been, seniors and grad
yates. Every spare moment is given to
serious thinking. Hence came the
change in the school faculty. G. S. Ford
became superintendent and one more
instructor was added to the force, in
| whose person we have Isaac Betten.
| The boys in this class could be seen
walking about in deep thought contem-
| plating the time when they will haye
reached the last round in the ladder Of
success; and the girls with solemn faces
discussing some metaphysical subject
with all the wiseness ST philosopher
The boys intent upon the presidenc
of the United States; each girl wishing
and striving to become a second Mary
Ellen Lease. But who can blame us?
Did not our instructors at one time and
another tell us boys that we might be
president some day? That office can
only be won by waiting and we stand as
good a chance as William Jennings
Bryan. But leave this question to be
solved by our prophet.
GA closer relationship is noticeable
among the seniors than in any other
class. This is because there is but one
short school year and we will be separ-
ated. probably never to meet again.
when March and April roll around
all preparations are begun for gradua-
ton. Committees must be appointed
| r