Unity High School Class of 1919 Farewell Address

Unity Township, Clark Co., Wisconsin

Contributed by Unity Twp. Historian, Al Gurtner & transcribed by Ken Wood.

In the year of 1915, we the class of 1919 entered the Unity High School. The memory of that first day still lingers with us. Appalled by our new surroundings, how afraid we poor Freshmen were. Thirteen in number, we furnished plenty of amusement for the three upper classes for a time.

Conceit is the characteristic of every Freshman class, and we were no exception to this rule.

Upper Classmen

Orion Liebert, who was with us as freshman, proved to be very popular with the girls. His notes were enjoyed by those in the most extreme corners of the room. Esther Carlson and Essie Patrick were among the recipients of these missives.

Alois Hoffman could never be distinguished from a dummy only when someone accidentally nudged him. He would make known his presence with a scream.

Pearl Draper’s playing the piano while a freshman did much to harmonize the relationships existing between the classes, because when one of the freshmen was asked to play, how proud we were. We felt that the honor reflected on the whole class.

Irene McMiller upon entering the freshman class, realized her dignified position, and made her hair her constant care. She might be seen at any leisure minute primping. Unluckily the mirror at school wasn’t over and above large, so the other girls had cause for neglecting their locks.

Bernice Nelson, the comedienne of the class, was constantly provoking laughter.

Amy Cutts has seemed to enjoy everything in the line of pleasures, not favoring any particular one. Although she had been rather bashful about stating her desire, it had been generally conceded that her greatest desire was to have a beau.

Bashful Irene Tennis blushing cheeks, in her opinion, were something not to be coveted, but they seemed to create envy among her classmates.

Neal Browne’s genius seemed at this time to be along the inventional line. His absence from school, which occurred so frequently, could be traced to that same genius.

If ever a ridiculous contraption was seen coming down the street, it would require no close scrutiny to know it was Neal with one of the many of his new fangled inventions, such as an old stone boat with a pair of thills attached to it or a sulky made with a pair of baby buggy wheels.

Myra Messer and Lydia Justinan inclined to be pigmy stature, resorted to the wearing of high heels to elevate them to the average height of Freshmen.

All was consternation when ‘twas known that Vera Cook was to relate these Freshmen incidents. Being of a studious mind, it could hardly be expected that her mind could wander so far from her studies as to record any such frivolity.

During the Sophomore year, Orin Liebert was missed from our little band this year, everything passed serenely . Allen Paddock entered our ranks at this time but withdrew before the close of the year.

The Junior year found but eleven remaining, Pearl Draper having gone with her parents to reside in Madison. At the close of the year a new duty awaited us, namely the decorating of the High School auditorium for the Junior Prom. It was at the close of this year that Bernice Nelson decided to continue her High School course at Marshfield.

Our Senior year has been full of work and play, joy and sorrow; of work little need be said, while our joys and sorrows are what every Senior class experiences.

Our career has been a varies one as regards our teachers; first, our principal, Mr. Dietz, after being with us two years, left us and Mr. Hawkins took his place; Mr. Hawkins was principal one year when he was called to the colors and Mr. Nash was chosen to succeed him. Our assistants have been changed several times, Miss Burdick, assistant our Freshman year, was succeeded by Miss Thoma. As Juniors our assistant was Miss Johnson, and for the past year we have enjoyed with Miss Parks a respectful friendship that could not but come from intimate acquaintance with a woman of her learning and serious purpose.

It was in our Senior year that the members of the class appeared before the public as professional comedians in a comedy entitled “Professor Pepp.” Night after bight while practicing, students were forced from the main room and behind locked doors we rushed round Mr. Nash’s desk, attempting to frighten Professor Pepp with Russian Redeemers password “Bumski”. One of the most amusing incidents connected with the next few days after the successful performance was the girl’s inability to blush or turn pale.

Our Spring term has, as a whole, been uneventful, but in spite of lack of excitement our last few weeks together have been happy ones. We have thru hard work been able to raise more than enough money for our expenses.

Thus ends the history of the most remarkable class that has ever entered high school. For four years we have covered our selves with glory and tonight we stand together for the last time as a class.

Though not a thrilling history to relate to outsiders, every part of it is dear to us, and as we part tonight let us look forward to our alumni careers of ever greater glory.

Related Link

1919 School Day Activities