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

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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

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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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10 the kyote kindly counsel, and the able instruction of the Faculty have made all rough places smooth. “1908” is not obliged to borrow good characteristics or have its virtues un- duly extolled, she has made a record of which she is justly proud, and one can- not hut recommend her to the consideration of less brilliant classmen—“1909 for instance! The march of the “Ten” holds the same place in the annals of the Hillings High School as does that of the “Ten Thousand” in the records of the Greeks. They have paved the way for other exiles! hat they have done can be done by others! They leave a “Rich” legacy, the high standard of scholarship which they have upheld will prove an inspiration to all who may follow! “When can their glory fade? O, the great record they have made. All the students wondered. Honor the record they made!” Much more could Ik' said about the greatness of “1908” but I prefer that her works speak for her. What a variety of great characters she possesses. There is George, the renowned scientist, William, the great athlete, Ray, the silver tongned orator, Helene, the charming linguist, Grace, the expert ac- countist, Ellen, the poet laureate, Flossie, the brilliant student, Hazel, the ver- satile genius and Etta, the gav butterfly. The class of “1908” has overcome all obstacles, she has conquered every- thing, but unlike Alexander, she is too manly to weep. Through them a halo of glory has been cast about the Hillings High School and from its portals they go forth to give others the Umefit of their knowledge. “The tissue of the life to be. We weave in colors all our own. And in the field of destiny We reap as we have sown.” —Marguerite Wilcox, ’08. TIIE TRUE AMERICAN Our forefathers came to this new land to enjoy the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity. When they landed on Plymouth Rock they erected their log cabin, cleared the timber from the land, and at once es- tablished their homes. They were happy. They enjoyed life because they knew that they were under freer skies. Each was king within his own palace. Many were the hardships and great was the suffering they endured, but labor here has always found its reward. In the end this people were victorious over the land. They hazarded their lives and their all in the great struggle of the American Revolution to keep the land in which they lived free from the dic- tation of the English crown. With these people there was no class distinction. There was no upper class as distinguished from the rank and fife. They were all Americans striving for a common cause. Freedom and liberty were more dear to these {ample than their own comforts. They were true Americans. A question has arisen in the minds of thinking people of late year®.