Origins of the Saranac Lake High School yearbook

1926 Saranac Lake High School Track Team. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, April 11, 1992

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, April 11, 1992

Looking back at the origins of the SL yearbook

By JOHN J. DUQUETTE

The 1924 Senior Class was the last to receive its graduation diplomas from the old Main Street High School, which had served the area for 35 years. In 1926 the vacated school site was taken over by the Hotel Saranac which, in the year, was under construction.

The new High School on Petrova Avenue had opened and graduated its first class in 1925. In the fall of 1924 the transition from Main Street to Petrova Avenue had occurred, with the faculty and student body enjoying the more modern facility. Between these two academic bastions many of the teachers managed to teach two generations of pupils from the same families. Perhaps the best remembered among this group would be Superintendent Howard V. Littell, Senior Principal Eileen Benham, and Junior Principal Margaret Seymour.

The 1926 Saranac Lake High School Basketball Team from left front, Sidney Strock, "Red" Donahue, Bob Herron, Tom Kunz and Tom Wallace. Back from left are Floyd Ahern, Ray Horiowitz, [sic] and Ken Wilson.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, April 11, 1992
When the Sophomore Class from Main Street became the Senior Class at Petrova in 1926, a new student project was inaugurated. It was decided that a yearbook would be a worthwhile undertaking to commemorate this important phase of their education. As it turned out, the journalistic endeavor would develop into an annual publication still very much in evidence today.

Cornelius Carey served as editor-in-chief with associate editors Irene Fraleigh and Edward Toohey. Business manager was Leonard Lazarus and Kenneth Wilson was named faculty advisor. Together, with other staff members assisting, the plan began to take shape and after bouncing off a few suggestions, it was decided to name the yearbook "Canaras." It was quickly recognized that the title was simply Saranac spelled backward. Volume No. 1 was dedicated to Superintendent H.V. Littell and the format followed the traditional arrangement of individual photos of the members of the graduating class together with a list of their scholastic and athletic accomplishments. Each activity was given separate coverage and bits of humor offered a Class Will, a Class Prophecy, and, of course, the Class Superlatives.

Con Carey was certainly the most popular student, being elected Class President, President of the Student Association, and serving as manager of the football team. He also captured first place in the League Speaking Contest. (Little wonder that in later years he became a highly respected judge.)

During 1926 the school was blessed with a fine group of athletes that collected more than their share of winnings in both sectional and state competitions. The foot-bail team won all its games, with a total of 180 points and with opponents scoring zero! The basketball team also had, a fine season by winning the Adirondack Interscholastic League championship. Six members made up the speed skating team which won the sectional and state meets held at Malone and Saratoga respectively for a perfect season.

Spring brought forth a strong contingent of athletes that would show strong bids for the upcoming season of track and field. Local sport fans would long remember this 1926 season.

The first Canaras sought to capture not only the events of the Senior Class but also the activities and accomplishments of the entire student body. Juniors, sophomores, and the junior high school; students received coverage in both print and photographs. This primary publication initiated a continual process which has survived over the ensuing 65 years. Especially at class reunions the yearbooks come into play when alumni members can invariably overhear such remarks as "What happened to all that hair?" or "Have you put on a little weight?" or "My, but you were handsome then!" Those attending these affairs always come armed with their copy of the Canaras to compare, share, and "remember when." The yearbook has ever been a lasting link with those happy high school memories.

Among the many features to be found in the Canaras are the sections covering the various organizations and activities which represent a wide array of student participations. A display of interest or competence in any given field could place the individual in an extracurricular activity of his or her choice. Those who were musically inclined could play in the band or orchestra, while aspiring journalists could join the staff of the school paper, the "Red and White." For would-be thespians, there was a senior and junior play available and for the harmonious, a Glee Club. General assemblies were frequently held in the auditorium to not only offer a break in the routine but also presenting an opportunity for gifted students to entertain the entire school body.

Obviously the format for the Canaras followed other such publications put forth by schools and colleges across the nation. For the Class of 1926 a total of 39 seniors graduated and each was featured by way of a photograph together with a list of personal achievements. Listed alphabetically the class ran the gamut of A to Z — Ahem to Zerbe.

The Class Will was written by George Grabow and Henry Fadden with 43 recipients becoming heirs to assorted bequests ranging from radiolite lipstick (to Isabelle Ayres so that boys can find her in the. dark) to a job as usher for Jim Munn becase he wants to be a leading man in the movies. To Roy Wardner a case of Palmolive soap was willed so he can keep his schoolgirl complexion, and to Marion Benham one of Arthur Murray's lesson book on "How to Learn the Charleston in One Night" It would seem that George and Henry kept close tabs on their underclassmen.

The Class Prophecy was composed by Margery Hull who, in the personal achievement listings beside her photo, was noted to be "our most thrilling and romantic member. She could find something exciting in a geometry problem." Gazing into her crystal ball Margery could see Con Carey as president of the National Bank and Olive Lascore as the prominent leader of the American Social Service. Her next vision cast Leonard Lazarus as a prosperous purveyor of Trotty Veck Messages. (She was slightly off base with these two forecasts because in true life, by odd coincidence, Olive Lascore later became secretary to Beanie Barnet, who published the Trotty Veck Messengers.) Floyd Ahern was seen as coach of the Harvard crew while Ed Toohey's future would be spent as a Wall St. stockbroker. Derby Day in Kentucky would find Henry Fadden's horse running against the mount belonging to the Prince of Wales. So much for prophecies.

In addition to the debut of the Canaras, the year of 1926 witnessed several other happenings in Saranac Lake's history. Early in February World Champion Speed Skater Clas Thunberg of Finland continued his winning ways on the local Pontiac Rink. On the night of July 26 the old Town Hall burned and that same summer saw the end of the footbridge between Main and Dorsey streets where the downtown students could no longer use the span as a shortcut to the Petrova High School. On July 7 President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge arrived to vacation at the Summer White House on Osgood Pond near Paul Smiths. The president and first lady were frequent visitors in Saranac Lake and regularly attended services at the Presbyterian Church while crowds gathered at the door. Governor Al Smith also came in 1926 with the presumptive purpose of presenting Cal Coolidge with a free fishing license.

The Canaras could not cover most of these events since the book had to go to press prior to their occurrences. Commencement week began on June 20 with the Sacred Concert, and on Monday, June 21, the final assembly was held in the auditorium. Commencement exercises took place on June 22, to be followed by the Junior Prom on the evening of June 23. On Thursday, June 24, the seniors enjoyed their annual class picnic and, to complete the week's program, the Alumni Ball was celebrated on Friday, June 25.

Returning to the Canaras of 1926, one of the most popular features was the list of "Superlatives" which everybody was anxious to read, hoping, no doubt, to find a complimentary mention about one's self. Some of the familiar designations were: