From "The Yearbook 1915" -
Senior Class History
By the time the eyes of many of our readers chance upon these pages, the Class of '15 will have said farewell to Massillon High.
In these last few days preceding our commencement, we are far more concerned in thinking of the parting of the ways soon to come, than in recalling to memory our past achievements. Four happy years of High School life are just about over and two very important questions stare us in the face: namely, "What am I going to do now?" and "How can I bear to leave my old friends?" Surely these are sad enough to cast a shadow of gloom over the most care-free mind.
But, O reader, we do not want to trouble you with a page of sorrow! Let us rather tell of our achievements.
In the fall of 1912 the largest Freshman class in the history of Massillon assembled, and after solving the mysteries of matriculation and undergoing the scrutiny of our Superintendent and Principal, we were ready for our entrance into the tumult of high school life. As Freshmen we accomplished all that could be expected of us at that time, for, "Children should be seen but not heard," especially when their elders are around.
But our second year is not without the social side. We have had the reputation of having the most original class parties and entertaining the class in such a manner as not to become monotonous.
In our Junior year we gave a reception to the school which will never be forgotten. We have been prominent in baseball, basketball, football, and track work. But this year we have attained the height of our glory. One of the main reasons why our last year has been considered successful is because we have played so large a part in the orchestra. Our great interest and love for our school causes us to pause in the midst of our rejoicing an wonder what she will do without us. Who can take the place of Schroeder and Baxter in the orchestra? What will the football team do without Whitey, basketball without Hess; the coming annuals without Stoner's famous cartoons, and the many other organizations that will suffer similar loss? When we entered High School, we were the largest Freshman Class that ever entered, but best of all we have lived up to that mark and now we are the largest class that ever has been graduated.1
We will be remembered in history, in years long after the old building has fallen in ruins, as the first class to have been graduated from the new one. No, we have not forgotten the old place! How could we? For three years of joy, when we laughed and sang and scampered and frolicked in the halls of tradition, and on the campus underneath the old oak trees, will always be the fountain of retrospection and the spring of reminiscence.
This is the epitome of our achievements, as there is not space enough to tell of all our victories and few defeats.
The debt we owe to Massillon High and her teachers can never be estimated and will never be appreciated to its full measure. We leave the "Halls of Fame," knowing not where our course lies midst the troubles and responsibilities with which our path is strewn, may we go boldly on meeting them, strengthened by the knowledge we have acquired in our four years' sojourn among the renowned halls.
Farewell, old Massillon High! But not forgotten. May you receive your reward in years to come when your graduates have brought you fame from the big wide world.
—L.B. '152
--------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
1 - Counting the seniors in the yearbook, the graduating class of 1915 was 65 students.
2 - Believed to be Laura Bowers, Class of '15