Camden High School — June 1929 Purple & Gold Yearbook

About two weeks ago I was contacted by Steve Silver, who was kind enough to donate this yearbook and the January 1930 Camden High Purple and Gold yearbook to the website. The book is presented here in its entirety, with hyperlinks to pages within and outside of this website.

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
April 28, 2012

This book of memories is presented to the June Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-Nine, by the Purple and Gold Committee, with the hope that it will long remain one of its fondest possessions. If it will recall the pleasant days spent in Camden High, we shall feel that our efforts have not been in vain.

Present this record of our class with the sincere desire that it will be a cherished and loved possession forever. When in the future we shall look at this journal of our school days and recall these happy associations, we shall know that our efforts were well worth while.

HERBERT C. LINTHICUM, Chairman
A. ORAM DAVIES, Ex-Officio
LENORE MOEBIUS, Vice-Chairman

JUNE SECTION

CLASS COLORS: Maize & Blue
CLASS FLOWER: Tea Rose
CLASS MOTTO: To be Rather Than to Seem

DEAR CLASSMATES:

Classes have come and gone in Camden High School, now it is our turn. We must leave the place that has meant so much to us. How we shall cherish the friendships and the pleasant memories: snapshots here and there; a group strolling in the park, 'talking' of everything, anything; the fun in that one class; close, hard-fought games,—everything. Assuredly we are bound here by many, many ties.

When we first entered Camden High School we were soft clay, set upon the High School wheel. As such we had no regular shape nor form, no definite purpose. However, as the three years began to pass and the wheel to turn this shapeless bulk began to assume certain regular lines and to take on the form that it would have for the rest of its life. After a while in this process of molding, the individuals began to appear. Some large, some small, some fine in design and beauty, others more roughly formed. We were being shaped into definite, clear-cut pieces that had certain set purposes and uses.

Now, finally, when the time is spent and the work of the wheel is done we are being sent into the cooler world to harden. This will be the final stage, the crucial test. How many will survive this last trial? How many will come out unscathed and unharmed? But whatever comes, whatever is in store for us, let us try to remain intact and unbroken. May we all come through this final stage whole in beautiful symmetry that will be an eternal credit to the Camden High School seal that is set upon us.

A. Oram Davies

In days of yore the youths of the land were required to obtain the Sacred Sheepskin before they were invested with the titles of Lady and Knight. This parchment was the reward of three years' diligent toil, sacrifice, combat, trial and tournament. This is an old tale, but recently discovered, of “Ye Quest of Ye Sacred Sheepskin by Ye Valiant Twentie Nynes.”

* * * * * *

In olden tyme there gathered at the foote of Mount Learning, neare faire Camdene towne, a goodlie companie of sturdie squires, and faire damsels. Each was mounted on a sturdie nagge, which bore a nayme that well described its rider. One squire did ride Couragge, another Gudewit, and another Thynkrite, while the damsels did ride such beasts as Fairspeche, Grayce, and Truwyrd. These youths did bear implements of battle with which they hoped to meete and overcome the obstacles that would cross their paths. This gathering of youths had for long dayes awaited the late ones to joyne their companie, that they in a bodie might together starte the journey to the summit of Mount Learning. The roade to the summit was Longe and winding. There were manie Hamlets through which the companie would pass and in each they would learn something of the knowledge that it would offer them. Some of the villages they first did meet were Algebraefield, Byologietowne, and Geometrievale, the laste a land strange in its formation, for it was of sharp, poynted figures. At laste the trumpet did blow three loud blasts and the companie did eagerly move forward on the greatest conquest of the daye.

The firste year of the marche the youths were knowne as Roukeyes, which means unlearned and careless. They did ride for manie moons.

Their first tryle did come when they did reach a deep and turbulent stream, inhabited by all manner of living creatures and plants. In this stream dwelled a huge monster dragon, yclept Byologie.

The squires and damsels did build manie boats and did set out to cross these troublesome waters. Twining plants and crawling things did clutch at them and did seek to hold them back. The sturdie squires did fight well with their trusty swords and did at last slay the fire-belching monster, that did rear its head from out of the waters. Only a few were lashed into the steaming water, there to perish. This first danger passed, they did rejoice and continue on their holy quest.

When a squire or damsel did fail to heed the learnings of an hamlet they must needs remain at the scene of their faylure to await the advent of the next crusade. Thus some were dropped by the wayside and only those of stout hearte and quick wit did continue.

As they did proceed, they came to Music Glade and there did encamp. As they did sup the Queen of the Saxes, Mistress of the Glade, did greet them entreating:

“Call ye young bards of great talent, come and joyne our bande of minstrels and make joyful music with instruments.”

Manie were they who did joyne and pass full manie dayes with music making; all of them were richly arrayed in garments of royal purple and fine gold.

As they did again resume their marche, under the leadership of Sir Doram Avies, who had been chosen commander of the crusade by reason of his merit, they did come to Vocal Lande. This was a Lande awesome in its effect, but different from no other in its appearance. It was here that each squire and fair damsel spake in a Laude voice before the Supreme Vocal Judges. This was one of the simplest, but most nerve-wracking trials of the journey. The Goddess of Lucke was, however, with the crusaders that daye, for none did fail and the Supreme Vocal Judges declared them all worthie to pass on.

And as they did ride, the season of Jousts came in the Lande. However, the squires were inexperienced and did fail to make any impressive recorde worthie of a shield in the Trophy Hall of Mount Learning Castle. But the aftermath of the Joust of the Burge of Collarwoode is worthy of mention. The tournament was held before the eyes of the Highest Potentate of Collarwoode and Collarwoode was fairely declared victorious, fourteen spears to Mount Learning's none.

Evening did fall on the encampment and the squires of Collarwoode, in search of a trophy as a remembrance of their victorie, sought and did wrest from Mount Learning's camp the two favorite insignia standards of the chief warriors. This did greatly enrage Mount Learning's followers, and mounting their chargers, they did hasten upon the camp of Collarwoode, only to be turned back in despair by the Knights and Guards of the Burge. Thus did the crusaders disconsolately leave Collarwoode.

But as they did come upon Danzeville their spirits did brighten for there awaited at a Knighte Clubbe of far renowne a revelry of great joy. There did play the hottest of musicians especially prepared for the occasion. From the beams of the roof of the clubbe did hang manie varicolored balloons and the room was right merrie. Thrice did the hour glass run dry e'er the revelry ceased, and then only at the tolling of the curfew bell did the merriemakers depart.

Again the journey was resumed and the next encampment was in a woode. Around the fyres that night, certain chosen minstrels and damsels performed a playe whose tytle was “Ye Most High Lineage.” The country folk from far around did come to witness this performance, and it was so well done that where'er the crusaders did go they were reminded of the playe in the woodes.

But merriment was not the only feature to be met. A grave adventure was to be undergone in the near future, namelye that of Physics Canyon. As the crusaders did approach the mouth of the Canyon in the Mountains of Dire Perils, they did buckle on their swords and clad themselves in the heaviest of armor. Then, surrounding the faire damsels, they entered to conquer, come what might. As they rode, giant Formulas did clutch at them with their tentacle-like armes, Symple and Complicated Machines did seek to entangle the hoofs of the sturdie nagges, Volts and Amperes did make many a squire drop his sworde in sudden shock, but they did fight on and on, and did finally reach the ende of the canyon where they, in an exhausted state, did pitch campe. The roll call was taken and it was found that a few had been dragged from their nagges and were missing. These would have another chance to fight their way through when the nextte crusade should pass that way.

The crusaders did ride for dayes and nightes and did finally arrive at Ocean Side, where a Tournament was arranged between the squires of Ocean Side and the squires of Mt. Learning. The lances were polished to their greatest keenness and as the bugle did blow the two settes of squires did charge one upon the other, urged on by the cheers of their damsels. The contest was furious but as the dust settled it was found that fourteen of Mt. Learning's squires were as addle and Ocean Side had none. With this score was Mt. Learning awarded the victorie for the first tyme in three years.

Following this tournament the crusaders made merry at a ball of untold splendour at Ye Whitman Hostelry. The most famous of lyres did playe their sweetest songs for the dancing of the squires and their fair companions. Manie were the feet that were trodden on that nighte.

This greate event closed the merriment of “Ye Quest of Ye Twentie Nynes.” The crusaders left Ye Whitman Hostelry, all with but one vision before them: that of the Sacred Sheepskin which was to be won only if they withstood the severe questioning of the Sages of Exam Castle on the Summit of Mount Learning. For five months they did ride and did studye, asking deep questions and giving worthie answers one to another. At last one day the forward guard did sighte the lofty spyres of Exam Castle. The crusaders did ride to the outer edge of the moat of the castle and there did pitch their tents. They clad themselves in their humblest of garments and one by one, as a page did call their names from the battlements, they meekly entered the walls, proceeded to the inner gates and were finalie admitted to the Holy Court of the Sages where were the keepers of the Sacred Sheepskins. There the Sages did long and painfully interrogate them, and did pass final judgment on the young, proud squires and the blushing, trembling maidens. Five dayes did this ordeale continue, at the ende of which tyme the youths waited, lips drawne, faces blanched, nerves tense, to see, to heare, if the long-sought-for Sacred Sheepskin was to be theirs. As the trumpet did sounde the high no one the Sages did file majestically, serenely, into the judgment seat. Ye Most Highe and Mighty Sage arose and spake saying:

“We do find the entire bodie of the crusade of the Valiant Twentie Nynes worthie of receiving the Sacred Sheepskin. I do, therefore, hereby bestow upon each of ye the tytles of Lady and Knight.”

As each squire and damsel, or rather Lady and Knight, for such they were now, received the Sheepskin, they returned to the camp, mounted their nagges and hurried triumphantly down the Mount, and thence home.

So did ende the crusade of “Ye Valiant Twenty Nynes,” and highly prized were the Sacred Sheepskins that they did receive, for they became as passports into manie realms of power and adventure in later years.

* * * * * *

This tale was discovered, revised and arranged by the following:

ROBERT GELSTON, THEODORE LYNN,
MARJORIE THOMSON, EVELYN TEITELMAN.

ON LEAVING this beloved institution of learning, we the June class of nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shed many big, salt tears. We're a sentimental lot, and we feel, probably more than the underclassmen do, that our graduating is a serious loss to the school.

We are generous too, and since we see some needs which only our mature minds are capable of understanding, we gladly present these suggestions and donations to our associates, to be handed down to their posterity and posterity's posterity.

An example has been set us which we wish to acknowledge with gratitude. It has been an example of straight thinking, broad-mindedness, good management, conscientious effort, fine taste in all things. This is a mark for all of us to aim at, and the bestower of it is Miss Burrough, to whom we all bow in acknowledgment as we say good-bye.

We really don't like to part with Mr. Trembath, but since we must, we now deliver to him a large package labeled “Respect and Appreciation.” We suggest that the '30 class present him with an amplifier megaphone to use at the games because he's about the only one who seems able to give an enthusiastic cheer when the team is playing a losing game.

Miss Ruth Carey has our lasting gratitude for her splendid work in helping to give us our cheerful lunchroom. And shall we ever forget our classes in American History? Who else could have made the subject so interesting? Then, too, she has been an invaluable aid during our Student Government administration. Altogether we feel we owe a great debt to her.

To Miss Wilson we leave for her enjoyment the inspiration which she has doubtless gained as she gazed upon our beaming faces in the front rows during the hymn each morning.

To Mr. Danaher of the science department, we cheerfully present our laboratory experiment sheets, so that when he becomes a retired scientist he may get them out, all yellow and frayed with age and sit and chuckle to his heart's content as he does now when he marks them.

To the Glee Clubs we leave the instruction that they present Mr. Haley with a steel baton, thus preventing the frequent tragedy of a shattered one.

To Carroll Mish, editor of the Record, we leave congratulations and a suggestion: How about second place next year, or could it be even first place? Make the staff work even harder than we did! But no! that would not be possible.

To David Dare, the business manager of the Record, we give a typewriter, an adding machine, and an automatic collector of delinquent advertising bills. With all these helps and Dave's well-known ability, the Record finances will surely flourish.

To Bill Palese, the captain of next year's football team, we give the fatherly privilege of chastising severely every member of the team, managers and all, with a stout barrel stave, if the Collingswood affair isn't settled to the satisfaction of the Alumni.

To Jim Ross, we present a nice feather mattress to carry with him in basketball games. We think it's much more comfortable to fall on one of these than on that hard gym floor.

We present Clara Herbein with Kitty Fisher's weeps and wails, sighs and sniffles, sobs and smiles,—in general, an actress' paraphernalia.

This class is thinking of installing a number of revolving discs on the gym floor for those playing opposite Blaker to stand on, in order that they may keep an eye on him. It's a habit of his to run circles around the man playing him.

We take Davy Lutz's fighting spirit and distribute it evenly among the members of next year's football team. Thus we expect to see some unusual football.

To Reds Newmeyer, one of our famous men, we bequeath the following things: An algebra book with the answers in the back of it. Some of Bertman's “physique.” The hope that he will not sprain a ligament or pull a tendon while in the performance of his duty as cheerleader.

The class heartily endorses Henry Pohl's restrictions of the use of the pole vaulting apparatus to pole vaulters only. As a reward for his efforts we present him with all of the poles that are split by falling from the rack. He can amuse his grandchildren with them instead of with the proverbial watch.

To Joseph Foley, our own Lindy in looks, we give the advice that he go into aviation, make a big reputation, and, in due course of time, get married to a diplomat's daughter.

We are installing in the lunchroom a “mechanical man” so regulated that he will tend to the Orthophonic, allowing the same record to be played not more than seven times a period, water the flowers on the tables, launder the doilies, and forcibly deliver any noisy student to the office.

We give to Ethel Garwood a supply of hockey sticks, enough to last her throughout an entire season.

We are giving to Josephine Witkowski a complete new basketball outfit because we think that as fine and speedy a player as she will surely need it.

To the next Purple and Gold Committee we extend our sympathy. They'll need it. We're sorry we can't leave some of our excellent literary material behind us for their use. We could come back and give you a hand with it but we (on the committee) expect to die from nervous breakdown during the summer. So do your best, children.

To Mr. Fox, our popular custodian, we solemnly extend the sole rights to all stray dogs, cats, mice, gloves, hats, old socks, broken pencils and pens; disabled books, smashed furniture, and Freshmen found wandering on the premises. We hope he will keep and cherish them in memory of the Class of June, '29.

We freely present these things out of the goodness of our hearts and we know that the generosity and thoughtfulness of our class will long be remembered with appreciation.

Committee on Gifts and Messages
JESSE MOORE — KATHERINE FISHER — DANIEL ROSENBERG

Dreams we dreamed in our high school days,
Ships we sailed in a thousand ways,
Castles we built that towered high,
Fancies we cherished as time flew by,

Ever we longed for these days in June;
Now that they're here, 'tis all too soon,
We must put aside those visions fair,
For Duty is calling us everywhere,

Come, Twenty-nines, sing together once more!
A song ere we part! Sing as never before
That Song that in loving remembrance we'll hold
Lift high heart and voice in "The Purple and Gold"

— LLOYD STEPHAN, 1929

The following students were members of the Class of June 1930, listed in the June 1929 yearbook:

The Associate Alumni of the Camden High School welcomes the Class of 1929 into its membership, hoping that the noteworthy achievements that have characterized the Class during the past four years will be continued in the Alumni Association, whose aims are to advance the cause of education and to co-operate with our Alma Mater in all of its undertakings and to stimulate the social relationships that are so essential to the welfare of our organization. We sincerely trust that the Class of 1929 will join with us in attaining these aims.

The Purple and Gold Committee dedicates this page to those who have advertised in this book. The Committee urges all students and friends of the school to extend their patronage to the advertisers whose names appear in the following list: