| The Senior Class of 1902, the first graduating class of
the Ontario High School after it was separated from Chaffey College, desiring to
show its superiority and seniority, decided to publish a class year book. The
name selected for this publication was the "Fasti." The Class of 1903,
being small and feeling unequal to the task both in finance and
experience chose not to publish a year book.
The next year, 1904, the question of class book publication
was brought up again and discussed. Finally it was determined that their ability
and money were great enough to both give a play and publish a book. These
responsibilities greatly increased the prestige and honor of the class of 1904.
This class kept the name of Fasti; a name which has remained ever since. The
collection of Fasties from 1902 to 1923 has formed an interesting source for
school history and comparison of Chaffey's growth.
The name "Fasti'' is of old, and classical origin and is
very appropriate. There was no regular day in the Roman calendar, like our
Sunday on which all business was stopped. Many scattered days, however, were
sacred to the gods or to the veneration of ancestors, or for feasts, games, and
religious ceremonies. During the year there were from sixty of these days, in
the time of the republic, to one hundred and thirty, in the time of Marcus
Aurelius. On these occasions no business was contracted or carried on; so they
were called "Nefasti." The others, workdays, were called ''Fasti."
Then all business houses, schools, banks and lawcourts were open. Soon the
name ''Fasti'' began to be applied to such businesses that could only be
transacted on these days. The names of the public officials, religious
festivals, times and place of games, and all noteworthy events were recorded in
the Fasti. The Fasti was in fact, a sort of public business calendar.
This name, therefore, is very appropriate for our own
publication. For in it are recorded all school activities; Athletics,
Organizations, Debate Music, Art, Literature, in fact all social and academic
news and honors.
Through the ensuing years the name has remained individual
and unique. No other publication is known to have this name. Different numbers
have been edited each year: the "East-lndian," with its pictures of
the TajMahal and other Indian views and characteristics, the
"Spanish" with its wealth of Spanish girls, toreadors, and exotic
beauties; the "Mission'' number, with old California Missions; the
"Persian,'' showing all its splendors and clever drawings; the
"Hawaiian'' with its drawings of palm thatched huts, and coral strands; the
''Oriental'' and its Geisha girls, pagodas, coolies, jinrickshaws and
teahouses. Many other numbers were also published. Each one was better than
the last; with funny jokes, well-written stories, clever drawings, snapshots,
and pictures. Each year the ''Fasti" has become more interesting, beautiful
and worthwhile. Now the book is one of the best published by any school. |
