Billings Senior High School - Kyote Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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14 T IT E KYOTR reign of the “gentle Dove,” that a hand of thirty-seven exiles from the grades stood More the gate of the Land of Knowledge and demanded admittance; no cause for fear had they, for they were led by “M illiani the Conqueror, and ill their midst was “George the First ' and “Grace, the Fair. As the march of an advancing army is heralded by its successes, so the valiant deeds of these fair lads and lasses had preceded them! Many tales had been told of their famous record in the Grades; of the din- ner given so successfully on Feb. 20th, the proceeds of which were devoted to the purchasing of magazines; of their splendid rendering of “The Merchant of Venice” on June first. With such harbingers, no wonder the gates swung wide open, and they were joyously received by the Faculty and admitted into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hillings High School. They were surprised to find that far ahead of them, on the Royal Road to Success, were other travelers who looked scornfully upon them, who joked and jested at their expense, but “1908 was above paying attention to such trivial matters, and moved steadily forward with the intent hope of reaching its destination without delay; even at this time, they had their joys and triumphs and often displayed signs of future greatness. Onward they pressed, overcoming all difficulties, until at hist they came to a peaceful valley in the summer of 1905. As Freshmen, they were undoubted- ly a success; nothing could excell the gall of William, the meekness of Etta, or the greenness of Woodson, and are not these the predominating qualities of the verdant class? But gradually they lost their emerald tint and took on the modest, but firm demeanor which has characterized them ever since. One sad instance marked this year. It was when the “Reaper of Death en- tered the ranks and took Mildred Durbin, their beloved classmate, from their midst. In her death each mourned a true friend. “There is no death, the stars go down To rise upon a fairer shore, And bright in Heaven's jewel crown They shine for evermore.” After the refreshing influence of three months' vacation, the courageous army resumed its march; a number of the band were missing, for some had wandered off into the wilderness and failed to return; but reinforcements came with “Don. the Brave, “Flossie, the Gentle,” and “Hazel, the Gay. Many adventures were encountered in the Swamps of Mathematics, but “George, the Wise always came to the rescue, and led them forth in safety; often were they lost in the “Mists of Latin, but “Helene, the Clever held high the gleaming lamp and safe at last were they. As Sophomores, they had gained in the knowledge of the world, they forgot to he afraid of the “Powers that Be, and failed to run upon the approach of Superintendent Brother! On rare occasions, they would smile at one another during study periods and Etta May even went so far as to whisper while Grace, it is said, wrote a note! When the bugle .sounded in 190ft, it was found, bv roll call, that the ranks of 190S had materially diminished. The “Gentle Dove” had flown and

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THE KYOTE 13 PRESIDEXT'S J I)DRESS Fellow Students, Friends, and Patrons of the Billings High School: As President of the class of 1008, I extend to each and every one of you a most hearty welcome. We are glad to see so many here to witness this faithful frag- ment of '08 pay a last tribute to these lie loved walls. We can not hope in the space of a few hours to tell you what these last four years have meant to us. I)o not expect it of ns. Those of you present who have been through it all: through the struggles, the good times, the days of hcaped-up lessons, the days of care-free picnics; through all the ups and downs, and especially those of of Senior year—-will, I am sure, have hut to call upon memory to appreciate our feelings and what lies behind them. To those of you whose Class I)av is in the future, I can only say, “May you come to it safely and with as much joy bv the way as is compatible with the gaining of knowledge and the ideals your instructors hold up to you.” Is the high school not like a large family? Do we not as brothers and sisters, 1909, 1910, 1911, toil along shoulder to shoulder? But all families are eventually separated and it is time for 1908 to make a final bow. It is hard to realize that we must leave. We have gone almost unheedingly along an appointed path and now we must enter upon some road of our own choosing. Today, Alumni, we bring to you not a large band but one full of an energy and perseverance sufficient to make up for any lack in mere numbers. This you cannot help but appreciate when you have listened to my classmates, for whom I now make room. Once more—a most hearty welcome! —Will McKenzie. '08. CLASS HISTORY OF “IMS'' We meet today to celebrate the end of school days and to hail the begin- ning of serious life. We naturally have more interest for the future than fur the past, yet it would never do for the brilliant achievements of the class of “1008 to go unrecorded. M'is a difficult task under any circumstances, to write a class history, hut when one attempts to do justice to such an extraordinary class as “1908'’ one approaches the subject with fear and trembling. At first it might seem strange to some that I, who only became a niembei of the class the last semester, should lx; chosen “Class Historian,'9 hut when you consider the matter, I am sure you will agree it is not odd but right, for me to chronicle the deeds of “1908. Is it not a fact that many of the great histories are written, not by the men who lived in the period described, but by men who lived long ages after? Is not John Fiske's history of New England far more widely read than that of W illiam Bradford? Seldom is the historian person- ally acquainted with the men lie describes, nor is he a participant in the events he pictures hut he draws his knowledge from research, based upon study, ma- terial relics, and observations. Is it not likewise then fitting, that the history of 1908' should lie written by an observer rather than a participant? It was in the twentieth century, fourth year, during the second year of the

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THE KYOTE IS I lie “Gracious Clark stepped forth to lead “On to Victory. It was en- tirely unnecessary for this valiant army to hoist its banner of purple and white to tell the weary travelers ahead, and those even in the distance, that now, they were Juniors, for already their great achievements were the talk of the High School. Their early years had been devoted to study but now they branched out into the field of athletics and of oratory. Was it not the great powers of William that won for the B. II. S. great renwon upon the gridiron? And was it not the oratorical genius of Kay that plaeed Billings high on the the rounds of success in the debating field? The first issue of the “Kyoto was published during this year and it was “Don, the Knight,” that carried this paper suc- cessfully forth and placed it on the lofty pinnacle of glory it holds today. Twas in the fourth month of tin reign of “Clark, the Gracious,” that several menders of the hand lx gan to deal too freely in red pepper, and hence it was necessary, for a time, to dispense with the presence of some of the brightest of uve sterner sex.” “1908” was as successful in her social undertakings as in other fields; the party given in honor of the Seniors on May 24th has never been excelled in point of decorations, in number of dainty maidens and gallant youths attend- ing, and in the sparkling quality of the leverages served! At last the dream of years was realized; proudly “1908” stalked into the “Land of Knowledge”—Seniors. No Roman senators ever bore their titles more gracefully than did they. Under “Snell, the Commander” they marched with full share of Senior pride and conceit, but with ranks somewhat dimin- ished. “Woodson, the C harmer,” had sought eastern pastures, Cupid seized Grace Mason and Myrtle Tschudy. Household Cares claimed Anna, while the Newspaper World captured Don: but what was lacking in quantity was made up in quality. No one ever thought seriously now of questioning their superiority for it was a self evident fact that “1908” was an exceptionally brilliant class and ihcv were held in great reverence and awe, two of the underclassmen in partic- ular seemed to realize the great Ixmefit to lx» obtained from companionship with these Seniors and were constant in their attention upon Hazel and I lelene. The historian always endeavors to give the details preceding some mighty struggle and the causes which lead to it, but 1 have no such task, for the mem- bers of “1908” have been such devoted worshippers at the shrine of Peace and Harmony, that there have been no contentions nor brawls; few classes have passed five years under the same regime, hut such is the record of “1908; it was in 1903 that Will McKenzie was elected president, George Hubbard vice president and Grace Awe treasurer, and ever since have filled these stations with great credit; all class meetings have been harmonious, even the class emblem, a ring, being selected without gnashing of teeth! Faulty, indeed would the account be, if it failed to give aught touching the members of that “August Body” under whose direction their march has Ihhmi made. To them is due the hardest trials and some of the deepest pains of the “Ten,” but to them is also due their proficiency. The willing advice, the