Page 16 - 1983 Wardlaw Hartridge
P. 16
12
The Twenties
After the cease of World War I, America sought to return to its pre war isolationist state. "Red scares” and the League of Nations seemed to
threaten us, but we managed to find our way back into our own obscure corner. Only the government re mained in close contact with the world, most of which owed money to the United States.
Before the war had ended, people became very patriotic and voted to pass a prohibition law. But as the twen ties progressed, people again became willing to drink - illegally. People, espe cially women, then became more dar
ing in other things. After gaining their suffrage in 1920, women flaunted their new indepenedence. Some women, the "Flappers,” helped name the decade "The Roaring Twenties” by bobbing their hair, wearing short skirts, smok ing and drinking. Later, the Flappers faded into oblivion when Prohibition
was lifted in 1933.
Since people began to enjoy new en
tertainment such as movies, jazz mu sic, and theater, they neglected to watch the economy. The government had no regulation over the businesses, so big "Trusts,” with callous disregard for the failing economy, bought as much as they could in order to build monopolies. Some people saw the re sult coming, but most were unprepared for the Stock Market Crash in Octo ber, 1929. It was this catastrophe that led the nation into another decade . . . this time, one of depression.
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war era. This class was instrumental in establishing the Wardlaw Beacon in December 1953, which became the first paper in school history to survive for more than several years. Originally established as a crisp and timely paper published every two weeks, it has developed over the years to become one of the top school papers in the state, thirty years after its first publication.
During this period Wardlaw athletic teams had difficult times because of the small number of students. However, they always competed avidly. Persistence paid off for the 1955 soccer team, which, after going nearly two seasons without a victory, burst forth with a splendid 6-3-1 winning season. In the late 50’s, with enrollments increasing, teams became more respectable, especially in soccer and basket ball. In 1958, J.V. soccer and baseball teams were formed, in addition to J.V. basketball.
One of the most lasting memories of the 50’s was the chapel service held each morning before the start of school. Mr. Wardlaw would stand in front of the chapel door and personally greet each boy as he entered the room. He sat in the middle up front, surrounded by his son Fred on his right and Ralph Harris on his left.
Fred would read a passage from the Bible while Harris would make all the announcements of school business and call upon coaches, faculty members and students for other news.
Usually 10-15 minutes in length, chapel would occasionally be extended several minutes if Mr. Wardlaw had something serious to say to the boys. W ith the eloquence of a ChurchiH,
t
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During the 1920's the school grew steadily in both size and accomplishment. Several of the men who would later purchase the school from Mr. Wardlaw in 1959, were students during this period. Charles Detwiller, who was the prime mover of that group, was the associate editor of the Wardlaw News.
Held's flaming youths, with char acteristic costumes and slouches
Mildred Carson, H.S. '29, also remembers the "respectfully chorused 'Good morning, Miss Hartridge,’” as well as the fact that "one girl was expelled for bleaching her hair." She also recalls Miss Hartridge’s huge Great Dane, Mars, who used to leap into the back seat of her sedan without needing to have the door opened for him.
A 1917 policy to give students "as much freedom as is compatible with sound scholar ship" had been translated in 1923 into a stu dent government and an honor system, in 1925 in to the first Hartridge inter-scholastic hockey game (a l-l tie with Miss Beard’s School), the 1924 Hart and Ridge logo, the 1926 trouncing of Kent Place in hockey 5-0, followed by the 1929 advance in the sports schedule to two outside games.
Baring a shocking amount of anatomy for 1920, winner and runners-up at a California beauty contest pose nervously.
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