Sophomore Class

Sophomore Class, Class of 1903, 1901 Scraps, Atlantic, Iowa
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History of Class of 1903

On a clear September morn, this is, we suppose it was clear, although the most of us were too excited to notice, we, the present Sophomores entered the Atlantic High School,--three score and seven strong. For the first few minutes we all felt rather homesick, but when we entered the assembly room and each of us was compelled to sit with some awe-inspiring Senior or similar monster known as a Junior, "homesick" was far too weak a word to express the feeling that took possession of us, for about at that time we began to show people that we were bashful. Still, as time trod noiselessly (?) by, we began to realize that we had some claim on the atmosphere of the room at least, and we settled down to learn many things which we had not known before.

A heavy gloom was cast over our class when death claimed one of brightest members. All felt the loss of a friend and a respected classmate, Elsie WHALEN. While we were studying Botany we took several long tramps in search of specimens. We also experienced one of the happiest weeks of our school life, when on a hayrack , we rode to Five Mile Grove for a botanizing expedition. Do we not remember, that, after hours of searching, some of us "lifted up our voices and wept," because we couldn't find Orchis Spectabulae? Can we not taste that lemonade, which, by the way, was all gone before we entered camp, and the supper which we ate with muddy fingers? Aye! And it was all because science had captured our hearts.

The first year of our high school work having ended prosperously, we began the next term as Sophomores, and this was where our trouble began; firstly, because each Sophomore seemed to be trying to conquer his "retiring" disposition, although up to the present writing, any one of us is apt to be caught slumbering--especially when there is any extra work to be done; secondly, because some of our number even dared to look upon the Seniors as they passed; lastly, things grew so bad generally that we obtained what politicians call a reputation. This was gallantly sustained during the Street Fair and Carnival, by a number of Sophomore lasses, who were connected with what was then known as the Tin Horn Brigade.

While studying Civics, we were allowed to visit a civil trial at the court house, and there we learned a great deal from observation. Who knows but that the inspriation gained on this occasion will cause some one of our number to become famous as a judge, a lawyer or a bailiff?

We still plod fearlessly on, with a competent corps of teachers who are ever willing to help us, and although at present we number only forty-two, we still cherish the hope, that, as some future time we may realize our fondest ambition and become as great and honored (?) as the present Senior class.

  Transcribed by Brenda Magee, January 2011, from Scraps 1901, pp. 43-44.

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