The Orient, Bay City Eastern High School 1916

History of the Class of 1916:

We, the class of 1916, have now successfully completed our High School course. Our "success" did not "happen," but was gained by the united efforts of the class, together with the advice and assistance of our honorary members.

Just four years ago we entered Old Eastern a "bunch of frightened Freshmen;" now we are leaving as a class of dignified Seniors. Although we have decreased in numbers during these four years, our class spirit has increased with each year. We are proud of the work we have accomplished and think that we are justified in our pride.

The time, during our first term of High School life, was spent in study and in trying to avoid the pranks the upper classmen persisted in playing on us. We are sorry to say that some of our number even found their way (with the aid of a few Seniors) to the hay market tank, but then we consoled ourselves with the thought that our turn was coming to annoy some other poor Freshmen.

During the second term of our Freshmen year we decided to prove our importance in the school life of Eastern, by doing the hitherto unheard of thing, organizing in our Freshmen year. We proved our capability by electing the following officers:

President, Carter Miller;
vice-president, Margaret Goeschel;
secretary, John Kerr;
treasurer, Esther Buck;
sergeant-at-arms, Ramon Dixon;
editor, Curtis Gustin.

Under the leadership of these able officers and with Miss Edwards, our honorary member, to help us, we progressed rapidly. A constitution was soon drawn up and work began in earnest. We had a banner made in our class colors, green and white, and held a ceremonial and enjoyed a picnic supper (even if everyone did bring cake or fruit) in Miss Edward's room when it was raised.

According to our constitution at that time, our officers were elected for one term only, so at the beginning of the new term we elected new officers. We name the following with pride:

President, Chauncey Waltman;
vice-president, Fern Newcomb;
secretary, John Kerr;
treasurer, Josephine Litchfield;
sergeant-at-arms, Charles Kay;
editor, Curtis Gustin.
As Fern Newcomb left school, Marie Bertch was eleced vice-president. What wonders we did accomplish even if we were "mere Freshmen." We kept the other classes busy trying to keep up with us. Our progressive dinner, which was held at the homes of Chauncey Waltman, Margaret Goeschel and Carter Miller, was a great success (as far as the dinner part went, anyhow) and who doesn't remember the good time everyone had at the class picnic at Wenona Beach?

Thus our first year went by rapidly, and we soon found ourselves Sophomores. With our new title came new duties. Early in the year, we elected the following officers:

President, John Kerr;
 vice-president, Garnet Gates;
treasurer, Clarence Moulthrop;
secretary, Josephine Litchfield;
sergeant-at-arms, Ramon Dixon;
editor, Morgan Ramsay.

About the middle of the year Garnet Gates resigned her position as vice-president, and Norine Whitehouse was elected to fill her place. Although we were very sorry to lose Miss Edwards at this time, we found Miss Sites and Mr. Royal all that could be desired in the way of honorary members.

The first social function of the year was a party given at the home of Norine Whitehouse. Later on a sleighride was given, after which the class went to the home of Josephine Litchfield where lunch was served and incidentally a marriage performed, uniting two of the members of our class.

Then came the climax of our year's work, the Sophomore Circus. A one-act comedy, "Tangles", was the big feature of the event. The cast was composed of Margaret Goeschel, Esther Buck, John Kerr, Carter Miller and Walter Richardson. The success of the affair was beyond our expectations, and we were now able to refer to our treasury with pride.

At the close of the very successful year we took up our new duties as Juniors. We began work early by electing the following officers:

President, John Kerr;
vice-president, Norine Whitehouse;
secretary, Clarence Moulthrop;
treasurer, Josephine Litchfield;
sergeant-at-arms, Charles Kay,
editor, Lois Harding.

The first social event was a delightful class party given at the home of our president, John Kerr. All of the talent (which is considerable) that is in the class was employed to help furnish amusement for the evening. A small admittance fee was charged so as to add to our treasury. The aim of all our previous efforts was to gain sufficient funds to give the Seniors a suitable Send-Off. So with the end in view, a number of candy sales were given, and then the Junior Play. We, the class of originality, decided to depart from the old custom of giving the play in the school auditorium (which is hardly worthy of the name) and with the consent of the faculty, "A Rose O' Plymouth Town" was staged at the Washington Theatre.

The cast was composed of Muriel Lambert, Norine Whitehouse, Lois Harding, Irene Benson, John Kerr, Charles Kay, Clarence Burgher, and Clara Hamill. It is needless to mention the success of this play, for we were well patronized by the public as well as by the students. As we now had a full treasury, we were able to give the Seniors a fitting Send-Off. They were not only entertained with the customary dance at the Boat Club, but they also enjoyed , so they said, a picnic at Wenona Beach.

This event closed our Junior year, and we found ourselves stately Seniors. As usual, we began work early by electing our officers. The following was the result of the election:

President, Wm. Favorite;
vice-president, Margaret Goeschel;
treasurer, Josephine Litchfield;
secretary, Lois Harding;
sergeant-at-arms, Percy Strudwick.

The time had now arrived when we intended to let out the rest of our pent-up wrath caused by the treatment received when were Freshmen, by making life miserable for the Freshmen then entering Eastern. But, alas for our hopes it was rumored that there were to be no Senior privileges, and thinking that by conducting ourselves in a sedate and orderly manner we might get them, we refrained from molesting the Freshmen. But all of our good behavior was wasted, for that dreaded announcement came just the same, and we didn't even strike, but settled down to work for the good of the class.

Social committees were soon appointed, among which were the party committee and the dance committee. Mrs. Spiesberger kindly opened her home to the class for the party, which was well attended, and a good time was enjoyed by everyone. Perhaps those boys who were beguiled into taking a ride in Junior automobiles and taken somewhat beyond their destination did not enjoy the first part of the evening, but then the last part made up for any previous discomforts.

It was decided to make the annual Senior dance a Senior-Junior affair, and we are proud to announce that this was one of the few dances in the history of Old Eastern that has been successful, financially as well as socially. The remainder of our year was spent in studying and making plans for Commencement, which promises to eclipse all other such events. Our success has been due in great part to the efforts of Miss Sites and Mr. Royal, who have worked with us and advised us, and we cannot express our appreciation for what they have done for us.

It is with a mingled feeling of joy and sadness that we realized that our course is now completed - joy at the completion of our work; sadness at the breaking up of friendships formed during our school days. It is with deep regret that we leave Old Eastern and thus close our history.

Venette M.Sites
Herbert D. Royal
Frank A Gause, Superindentent of schools
Norman Bert Sloan, principal
Clare Hamill, editor-in-chief
Morgan Ramsay, business manager
Curtis Gustin, art
Alice Hamilton, literary
Clarence Moulthrop, athletics
Ruth Chapman, Art
Fred Hare, asst. editor
Irene Benson, exchanges
John Kerr, athletics
Harriet Gustin, literary
Allen Correll, jokes
Ernest Higginbottom, Seniors
Lester Rich, Business Adviser
Lewis Chapman, Snap Shots
Margaret Goeschel, Society
Berta Wells, Literary Adviser
Ella Bernthall, sophomores
Wellington Ureh, Juniors
N.B. Sloan, Chr. Advisory Bd.
James Kay, Council of Thirty

Class of 1916:

President: William Favorite
Vice-President: Margaret Goeschel
Treasurer: Josephine Litchfield
Secretary: Lois Harding
Sergeant-at-Arms: Thornton Strudwick
Honorary Members - Miss Sites and Mr. Royal

Seniors:

William Lewis Chapman
Florence May Butterfield
Allen C. Correll
Mary Maxine Dardas
James Hazelton Abbott
Irene M. Benson
Leonard Mueller
Helen Esther Buck
Ramon Dixon
Ruth M. Diebel
William Perrin Favorite
Flora Mae Fenska
Curtis S. Gustin
Maragaret Dewitt Goeschel
Florian Howard Hiss
Agnes Melicent Frost
Joseph Gordon Jackson
Mildred Charlotte Hartley
Charles Kay
Erma J. Hellmuth
Charles Clare Hamill
Lois Christine Harding
Ernest K. Higginbottom
Alice Hamilton
James Martin Kay
Alma Marie Johnson
John M. Kerr
Mary Frances Kosmider
Floyd Wallace LaRouche
Muriel Ruth Lambert
Ralph Beckwith McCartney
Sarah Josephine Litchfield
Leo Nelson Payette
Vernice Matherson Orner
Morgan Ramsay
Jane M. Ringle
Clarence Arthur Moulthrop
Irma Margaret Miller
Harold Eugene Walton
Gustave Adolph Nelson
Floyd Charles Reinke
Frieda Amelia Schmiege
Elmer LeRoy Simpson
Loretta Marie Slachcikowski
Earl H. Spiesberger
Thelma Esther Turnbull
Percy Thornton Strudwick
Charles Warren Thornthwaite
Elmer Frederick Young
Clarence E. Burgher
Myrtle Donahue
Arthur Vallander
Norine Whitehouse
Louis Carl VanBuskirk
Florence M. Yeoward

Junior class:

president: Lee McCabe
Vice-president: Louise Tromble
Treasurer: Ferris Warren
Secretary: Vesta Sayles
Sergeant-at-arms: Wellington Urch
Honorary membes: Miss Paine and Mr. Rich

Sophomore class:

President: Guy Wedthoff
Vice-president: Hazel Gates
Treasurer: Edward Davidson
Secretary: Ruth Chapman
Sergeant-at-arms: Joe Simpson
Honorary members: Miss Liskow and Mr. Culp

Contributed by Carolyn K. McGrath she is willing to be contacted regarding other information or pictures contained in the yearbook.