Camden High School — February 1926 Yearbook

In the spring of 2008 Henry Goldstein, a graduate of Camden High School's Class of 1954, contacted me about the high school year book of his father, Morris Goldstein, a lifelong resident of Camden city and Camden County. He was kind enough to donate the yearbook and also an 1953 Camden High School yearbook, which will be reproduced on this website in their entirety.

This 1926 Camden High School Yearbook belonged to 1926 graduate Morris Goldstein (p.57), 1906–1999. Morris was a varsity letterman (p.107, front row, 3rd from right). His friend Benjamin Asbell, who later became a prominent Camden attorney, is seated front row right. Morris, known all his life as “Mush,” was captain of the CHS track team in his senior year. He lived in the city of Camden from birth until 1972, and resided in Camden County until his death in 1999.

He married Evelyn Bilkis in 1936. They were married for 59 years, until her death in 1995. Together, they had three children:

Henry Goldstein: Camden High School, 1954; New York University. B.A. 1958; Ph.D. University of Iowa, 1962. Currently retired and living in Dubuque, IA.

Martin (1943–present): Woodrow Wilson High, 1962; Rutgers Camden B.A. 1966; M.D. University of Montreal 1983. Currently practicing medicine in Montreal, Canada.

Dorothy (1949–2007): Woodrow Wilson High, 1967; R.N.

This yearbook is donated in loving memory of Morris Goldstein by his son, Henry, June 08

Camden High School has a long and distinguished history. Many of its graduates went on to careers in public service in the city, to success in business, sports, and in the arts. As time goes by, I will be adding pictures, news articles, and other material about Camden High School.

Phil Cohen
May 30, 2008

Realizing the satisfaction that pleasant memories bring, we, the members of the Purple and Gold Committee of the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-six, issue this book with the hope that it may be a constant reminder of our Alma Mater, of the happy years spent within her walls, and of the companionships which must soon be broken. May it be a never-failing source of enjoyment which will increase in years to come when memory alone is the only connecting link with the past. Justly proud of our class, we dedicate this book as a permanent record of its accomplishments.

VIRGIL E. STACKHOUSE, Chairman
SAMUEL GODFREY, Ex-officio
MABEL BELL, Vice-Chairman
MARSHALL DELAMATER, Advertising Manager

A real purpose in life lifts a man or a woman out of himself and gives him the power to do his best. There is no higher purpose in life than the will to be of service to mankind. The world needs men and women trained not for private gain but for public service.

— CLARA STEWART BURROUGH, Principal

TO
MISS GLADYS ELEANOR WILLIAMS
Teacher of Mathematics
The Purple and Gold
is affectionately and respectfully dedicated by
The Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-six

JUNE SECTION

CLASS COLORS: Red and Gold

CLASS FLOWER: Violet

CLASS MOTTO: “Scientia est potentia” — “Knowledge is power.”

President’s Message to the Graduating Class

DEAR CLASSMATES:

It does not seem possible that we have spent four years in Camden High School and that now the time has come for us to leave. So interesting and delightful has been our stay here that the years have passed swiftly—so swiftly that we can scarcely realize that we are now standing at the end, casting a loving glance backward. A sadness creeps into our hearts when we think of breaking off with all these dear associations. We are loath to sever the ties that for four years have bound us to our Alma Mater.

Though it all has been very dear to us, yet the time has come when we must enter the larger world for which we have been preparing. We shall encounter many difficulties that will require perseverance to overcome. But we shall be brave, trusting in the thought that we are fortified to meet whatever comes. The lessons of courage, industry and truth, learned within the walls of our Alma Mater, will be our help, our guide, our inspiration.

May we all in future years remember the debt we owe to our beloved Alma Mater! Whether we enter the business life at once or continue our education in a higher institution of learning, may we ever keep in mind a loving memory of our companions here and all these cherished associations! May it be our greatest desire to do honor to the name of Camden High School and the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-six!

SAMUEL GODFREY, President

February Who’s Who

Most Popular Girl…CATHERINE HICKEY

Most Popular Boy…ARCHER MERRION

Prettiest Girl…LILLIAN LEWIS

Handsomest Boy…EDGAR GRAHAM

Best Blusher, Girl…EVELYN BEITH

Best Blusher, Boy…LEWIS TOYE

Cutest Girl…KATHERINE MORRIS

Cutest Boy…DANIEL SMITH

Most Affectionate Girl…ELIZABETH HOLLINSHEAD

Most Affectionate Boy…ARCHER MERRION

Best Natured Girl…THEODOSIA WILSON

Best Natured Boy…MAX LEWIS

Most Bashful Girl…MARY JUKES

Most Bashful Boy…LEWIS TOYE

Class Athlete, Girl…GERTRUDE POWELL

Class Athlete, Boy…NORMAN ANDERSEN

Class Baby, Girl…KATHERINE MORRIS

Class Baby, Boy…SAMUEL COMFORT

Most Dependable Girl…ELLA WILKINS

Most Dependable Boy…VIRGIL STACKHOUSE

Biggest Giggler, Girl…EDITH TEITELMAN

Biggest Giggler, Boy…BENJAMIN SAVALOVE

Class Juliet…MILLICENT TAYLOR

Class Romeo…RICHARD FISHER

Most Studious Girl…HELEN ROORK

Most Studious Boy…ABRAHAM GREENBERG

Class Scribe…DONALD TUTTLE

Class Poet…MILTON PHILLIPS

Class Artist…OLIVE BREWER

Class Musician, Girl…MARGARET RIGGS

Class Musician, Boy…GRANT HARDEN

Most Stylish Girl…NORMA BACHMAN

Most Stylish Boy…JOSEPH MEKSA

Most Ambitious Girl…ELIZABETH JACKSON

Most Ambitious Boy…VIRGIL STACKHOUSE

Class Jester…DANIEL SMITH

Wittiest Girl…GLADYS NEWMAN

Wittiest Boy…DANIEL SMITH

Noisiest Girl…ANNA FOX

Noisiest Boy…DANIEL SMITH

Probable First Bride…IONA DENNY

Probable First Groom…LLOYD MILLER

June Who’s Who

Most Popular Girl…RUTH VAN HEKLE

Most Popular Boy…SAMUEL GODFREY

Prettiest Girl…HELEN HOLL

Handsomest Boy…JAMES BAYLIE

Best Blusher, Girl…MARIE LIEBICH

Best Blusher, Boy…FRANK LANDOLT

Cutest Girl…DOROTHY HEWETT

Cutest Boy…LOUIS SOISTMANN

Most Affectionate Girl…HELEN HOLL

Most Affectionate Boy…FRANKLIN JACKSON

Best Natured Girl…RUTH VAN HEKLE

Best Natured Boy…RUSSELL EATON

Most Bashful Girl…HILDA WILLIAMS

Most Bashful Boy…LOUIS SOISTMANN

Class Athlete, Girl…THELMA SUYDAM

Class Athlete, Boy…EDWARD SALINE

Class Baby, Girl…LENORE KENNEDY

Class Baby, Boy…MALCOLM GILL

Most Dependable Girl…RUTH VAN HEKLE

Most Dependable Boy…RUSSELL EATON

Biggest Giggler, Girl…ROSE KUTNER

Biggest Giggler, Boy…BENJAMIN LEVITZKY

Class Juliet…HELEN SHIP

Class Romeo…ANTHONY GRICCO

Most Studious Girl…DOROTHY CLINE

Most Studious Boy…WALTER CLYDE

Class Scribe…PAUL HATCH

Class Poet…DOROTHY CLINE

Class Artist…CARMEN CAPUTI

Class Musician, Girl…ETTA STROM

Class Musician, Boy…JACK FERREN

Most Stylish Girl…KATIE SEGAN

Most Stylish Boy…CARMEN CAPUTI

Most Ambitious Girl…DOROTHY GRIMSHAW

Most Ambitious Boy…EDWARD WOZNIAK

Class Jester…ARMOND INGRAM

Wittiest Girl…RUTH SHAW

Wittiest Boy…EDWARD O’BRIEN

Noisiest Girl…HELENA SPAETH

Noisiest Boy…GEORGE TARTAR

Probable First Bride…ETTA STROM

Class Orator…FRANK LANDOLT

Most Dignified Girl…MABEL BELL

Most Dignified Boy…PAUL HATCH

That we were an unusual class was evident from the first. We were not overcome by the customary awe so common to new arrivals, but we regarded our entrance into Camden High School as something to which our new Alma Mater had been looking forward to for some time. Our immediate predecessors, the Twenty-fives, had hoped to gain some sport at the expense of the newcomers, but they soon discovered that the supposedly green ones were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Of the upper classmen we saw little—their hours having been arranged differently from ours. Because of this we were not constantly reminded of our lowly status and so we were free from that humble appearance characteristic of the ones who had gone before us. Again I repeat that we were a most extraordinary class.

Our first year at Camden High School passed quicker than was desired. Though a Freshman occupies but a humble position in this world, yet we enjoyed privileges which were the envy of those above us. While the upper classmen were fuming and fretting through long hours of examinations, we took life easily, not mindful of the days when we would no longer be immune.

Of our becoming Sophomores, little can be said. It was not accompanied by pomp or ceremony. Our rosters took a change for the better, we were becoming acquainted with the various associates who made up our school life, members of our class were trying out for the teams—in every way we were showing signs of becoming one of the greatest classes that ever went out from Camden High School. In this manner did we strive forward to our Junior year.

Our term as Juniors was of more importance than we realized at the time. It was then that newcomers from an outlying school joined our ranks. Some of our fellow classmen had followed the primrose path and awoke to find themselves in a different class; others had been transferred to different schools.

Then came elections. It befell that our choice of class president went to Sam Godfrey, that of vice-president was the good fortune of Ruth Van Hekle, while our desire for class secretary was Dorothy Hewett. Carl Dellmuth was presented with the honor of being the keeper of the class treasury. The school in general decided that our taste in class officers was a most satisfactory one.

We had our Senior Party in the Fall. Under the chairmanship of Jack Ferren and with the aid of Miss Williams, the committee arranged an enjoyable evening. The gym was tastefully decorated and a genuine jazz band supplied the music. After the “eats” confetti was thrown about and dancing was once more in order. It was a most successful affair.

The day after the Christmas play was given the ‘26’s held up their end admirably. Thanks to the Song and Yell Committee we not only had original song words, but original tunes as well.

During this term two innovations were made known to us. First, that the regular examinations would give way to comprehensive tests, with no exemptions, with the regular class work going on as before. Second, that thereafter there might be a February commencement. The ‘26 February class was given a choice and they wisely chose to hold their commencement separately.

The commencement was held on January 28th in the evening. It was a brilliant, well-attended affair and a fitting inauguration of mid-year commencements. The class itself is worthy of mention. Out of a class of 80, 12 were honor students with Lillian Lewis and Abraham Greenberg as recipients of highest honors.

In the month of March we held two of our functions. The first was a debate in United States Mine Control. A team of girls opposed a team of boys. The boys (the negative) won. The second was the dinner-dance held at the Walt Whitman Hotel. It was the last social affair of the class. The big ball-room of the hotel was fittingly decorated, the dinner was excellent, a great many were present and a “good time was had by all.”

Soon after this, announcement was made of Senior honors. Dorothy Cline and Paul Hatch received highest honors.

The ‘26’s contributed to the ‘27’s Junior play by working on the committee and by making up a goodly portion of the audience at the two performances.

After the ten weeks’ reports were handed out, one could readily see in the actions and words of the ‘26’s that they realized keenly how close was the time for their departure from Camden High. Some looked “blithe and debonair.” Others looked sad and depressed. All knew that their days as students of Camden High were numbered.

It was with a deep feeling of regret that we watched the weeks glide by and commencement time draw near. But though we have now graduated, there is still something to look forward to. They say that history repeats itself. We are sure we can wish no class anything better than to repeat the history of the ‘26’s. Let us watch and wait and we will see the old familiar years repeated in the actions of some future class of Camden High. But meantime we can be taking our places in the world courageously, always remembering that

There is a destiny that makes us brothers;
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.

ABRAHAM GREENBERG
HAROLD SCHULTZ

TO WHOM IT CONCERNETH:

Be it known unto all men that the class of NINETEEN TWENTY-SIX, realizing its days are numbered and having been pronounced sane by four alienists and insane by only three, does hereby make and draw up this, its last will and testament and declares null and void any previously existing document or spoken wishes.

It is our express command and desire that our possessions be received with gratitude and proper respect.

In view of these facts, we bequeath the following:

First: Our sincere affection and gratitude and greatest respect to Miss Burrough for her advice and help during our four years in Camden High School.

Second: We wish to extend our thanks to Miss Williams for her sponsorship of our class and express the hope that this book may be worthy of dedication to her.

Third: To Mrs. Bates, our deep appreciation for her unceasing efforts and invaluable aid in making this book possible.

Fourth: Our indebtedness to Miss Wilson for her work with our class in musical and dramatic activities.

Fifth: Upon the Faculty we wish to bestow all our wild guesses and original ideas which made marking our test papers such a delight.

Sixth: We leave some of Frank Landolt’s cheer leading ability to Charley Eichel. His blushes we bestow upon any pale young lady who does not know of a good brand of warpaint.

Seventh: We give to Spare Ribs our love and hold him up as a model of school spirit.

Eighth: Our Senior dignity and our cherished (?) books, we leave to the 1927 class. May they handle them with due reverence!

Ninth: Being generously disposed, we reserve for every girl of the 1927 class a large portion of Ruth Van Hekle’s charm, tact, sympathy, and popularity. We’re sure there is more than enough to go around.

Tenth: Russell Eaton’s good nature and executive ability we bestow upon the next president of the Student Government.

Eleventh: To our future pianists, we give some of Margaret Riggs’ talent.

Twelfth: Paul Hatch’s dignity we leave to the 1927 boy who aspires to be a judge (or anything else equally impressive).

Thirteenth: Tony Gricco’s athletic prowess we bequeath to Mitchell Mozeleski with the wish that he repeat our victory over Atlantic City and win the championship.

Fourteenth: To the “rookies” goes our forgiveness for all the times they pushed us and stepped on our feet. We exhort them to study diligently and cease from ringing the fire bells, and desire that they may increase in wisdom and stature, particularly stature.

Fifteenth: We pass on to the 1927 Purple and Gold Committee the memory of our struggles in getting ads, selling cake, collecting money, pictures, cuts, write-ups, rhymes, activity slips, faculty picture, and those glorious but fleeting dreams of a Charleston contest. We add sincere wishes for their success.

Last, but dearest to us, our places in Camden High School in the auditorium, in classrooms, school activities and teachers’ interest, we leave to those who follow. When the halls of Camden High School resound no longer to our voices and our successors have taken our places, we trust they will have the same pleasant associations, friendships, and memories that the 1926 class have had.

All other property and talents undisposed of we leave to Mr. Fox to be used as he sees fit.

And we do hereby constitute and appoint Mr. Mitchell Mozeleski sole executor of this our last will and testament.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our name and affixed our seal, this twenty-fifth day of June, Anno Domini, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.

SIGNED The Class of 1926

Witnesses: I. M. Dum
U. R. Tew