LOG OF THE CLASS OF ‘37

The class of ‘37 started on their high school educational voyage in September 1933. It was quite a different experience from any previous one so it took a few days for the newness to wear off. Admiral [Harvey A.] Krall with the assistance of Commodores [Mabel E.] Munnell and [William E.] Crowell did their utmost to make the beginning an enjoyable and pleasant one. All were satisfied except, possibly, when classes changed and we new passengers, called Freshmen, had to keep from under the feet of the Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

When the routine had become fairly established we elected our class officials who were as follows: President, Howard Narlee; Vice President, Martha Robinson; Secretary, Mary Barnes; Treasurer, Joe Nelson.

When the close of the first six weeks rolled around some of us decided the voyage was a little rougher than we had anticipated. 

We were introduced to the Mercer High School parties when the Sophomores entertained at Halloween. 

In the spring we were well represented at the annual Music-Literary Contest. 

A grand exhibit, representative of all classes, closed the schedule of activities, and school closed with a picnic at Cascade Park. 

After a three-month vacation school again convened in the little red boat. The Freshmen of the past year moved up the ladder a step and called themselves Sophomores with Miss Robinson and Mr. [James A.] Patterson as commodores. When roll was called it was found that several of us had strayed. 

Our newly elected officers for the second year were as follows: President, Howard Narlee; Vice President, Donald Black; Secretary, Leona Klumph, and Treasurer, Robert Richardson. 

In keeping with precedence, we Sophomores entertained with a party at Halloween. Without exaggeration, we think the party was the tops. We introduced a modern orchestra in place of the traditional canned music. 

In May we again took part in the Music-Literary Contest held at Greenville. The voyage ended with an enjoyable picnic at Memorial Park, Grove City. 

Although the third year of our voyage was’ more difficult than the preceding two, it seemed to the Juniors one of the most enjoyable years of our educational program.  

For our officers we chose the following: President, Donald Black; Vice President, Jesse Reznor; secretary and Treasurer, Martha Robinson. That year we had Miss [Bessie M.] Miller and Mr. [Charles] Hettinger, our commodores to thank for helping to make that year a success. A few months after we started on our voyage we presented a mystery play entitled THE BAT, under the direction of Mr. Hettinger. The next event of importance was the receiving of our class rings. Our excitement was boundless. Then came the Music-Literary Contest at Sharon with our mate Bob Richardson capturing first place in U. S. History. 

In April our fellow passengers participated in the Follies, a most exciting and enjoyable performance, which proved to be the most successful show ever given on the showboat. 

In May we gave a Junior-Senior Banquet in honor of the visiting officers and passengers. THE LIGHTHOUSE TRAGEDY was pantomimed. The Banquet was declared the most enjoyable social function of that trip. 

On the third of June our voyage of the year ‘35 and ‘36 was completed. 

The fourth year we started on our educational voyage under Miss [Louise F.] McClellan’s careful direction. The first real event was the election of our leaders for the oncoming year, and in fact, for many years to come. Robert Richardson was chosen as president to lead us in our activities as a class. Margaret Nelson was allotted the magnanimous task of managing our finances, James Stranahan that of officiating in the absence of the president, and Elizabeth Dillon that of class scribe. 

The event that gave most of us a great thrill was the receiving of our Glee Club pins. Even though the excitement was not quite so marked as on that memorable occasion when we were yet Juniors we received our class rings, yet it is nothing to be slighted. The pins and rings will probably be treasured long after we have slipped away from the port called “High School Education.” 

Later in the year we began making plans for this, our class book, and for our Commencement Program.

Our next big undertaking was the Senior Play entitled WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? This caused many of us to rush hither and thither to accomplish successfully the ends for which we were striving. It also caused some of us to attend classes for which, sad to say, we were not thoroughly prepared. How exasperating all this must have been to our teachers! 

In the early spring the Music-Literary Contest held at Greenville took the attention of some of us, with various members of the class competing for honors in different subjects. This event has and will probably continue to have a great attraction to the students of Mercer High. We were well satisfied when Bob Richardson and Jim Stranahan came through with first honors. 

             LEONA KLUMPH

                ELIZABETH DILLON

                DOROTHY EBERLE