Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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159 COMMENCEMENT NUMBER, 1914 Cast IHUI anil (Irstamrnt nf tljr (Claim of HU4 By Helen Ludlow. We, the Senior Class of Paxton High, now domiciled in the beautiful city of Paxton in the dear Old State of Illinois, being of sound and disposing mind and memory (at least so we hope and believe), and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory existence (in fact having an abiding conviction that we are face to face with impending dissolution) we therefore make, publish, ordain, and declare this to be our last will and testament. First.—We order and direct our executor herein and hereafter named, to pay up all little items of indebtedness, that we may leave (including all moral obligations that we may owe to our fellow-students and classmates) at once upon our demise. Second.—We give and bequeath our instructors all honor, blame, and lesponsibility for orr demise- same to be divided equally and impartially among them. Third.—We give and bequeath to the Class of T5 our beloved comrades and one-time fellow sufferers, Chester Wesslund and John Watson, with the request that they be tenderly cared for in their last days. Fourth.—We give and bequeath a dozen boxes of pink violet-scented stationery to Lucille Moore for the purpose of sending to Melvin semi-weekly. Fifth.—Neta Rollins bequeaths her absorbing interest in Howard Wylie to some real nice Junior girl who will take good care of him during next year. Sixth.—“'Ginger” Cruzen bequeaths to Florence Martin her irrepressible good humor, with the advice to “Look upon the bright side rather than the blue.” Seventh.—To “Goat” Archer, Herbert Swanson bequeaths his indescribable good looks, with his best wishes. , • Eighth.—To Marie Newman, the Senior class bequeaths the marve- lous powers of Merlin, with the request that she use them wisely. Ninth.—Edla Johnson bequeaths her rich, melodious voice to Mamie Finch. It will be of great service to her in the recitation room. Tenth.— Miriam Rockwell bequeaths (with deep regret) to the Boston Art Museum, the secret hieroglyphic table which has been in her use during this year. It will, no doubt, be handed down through the ag s as a curio. Eleventh.—Mary Greenan bequeaths her reputation of being the Irish beauty of the class to Flossie Steele. Twelfth.—Bess Bear bequeaths to I aVern Arch r her legitimate excuse for habitual tardiness. It is such a convenience. Thirteenth.—“Pinkie” Me Quiston bequeaths to Harold Anderson some of his privileges in the Assembly. But—let him remember to “be moderate in all things”, as the old saying goes. Thirteenth.—Signe Olson and Ruth Lindgren bequeath to Gladys Bobo and Birdie Sackett their Senior dignity.

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 158 A ?Iuirt ffiiatarif nf the (EIuub nf 1914 On an early day in September, 1910, the class of 1914 numbering forty-five exceedingly fresh Freshmen, entered the Paxton High School. Of this number, thirty were the immediate product of the eighth grade, then taught by Miss Carrie Malone, a most excellent teacher, and a graduate of the Southern Illinois State Normal University. The remaining fifteen came to us— and they were the freshest of the fresh (some would say the most verdant of the verdant) from neighboring villages and country schools. Two additional students entered the Class of 1914; one, Bes-ie Bear, from Ludlow, as a Sophomore from the Ludlow High School; and the other, Neta Rollins, entered the class in September last, having completed the first three years of her High School work in the Kankakee High School. These additions to our original thirty members gives a total of forty-seven, twenty-six of whom are now scheduled to receive their diplomas on May 29th. The above figures indicate that twenty-one persons who have at some time or another been members of the class have either removed from Pa' ton and are attending school elsewhere, or have become otherwise engaged. (The word “engaged’! as here used is to be taken in its general sense.) An examination of the records indicates that at least three are attending school elsewhere and will graduate this year, also. Five others are still in school here and elsewhere, and will doubtless graduate next year. One of the remaining fifteen is married, and the others are “engaged” as Indicated above. We are sure that we cannot be accused of undue boasting when we here record that perhaps no High School class has ever had as many of its members prominent in athletics as has the Class of 1914. It is a record of which our boys may well be proud. Chester Hammerlund played on the baseball team each of the four years during his High School course, and three years on the football team. lErnest .Vlattinson played three years on both the football and baseball teams. Herbert Swanson, two years on the baseball team and one year on the football team; Walter Larson, two years each; Austin Sandstedt, one year on the baseball team; Carl Fagerburg, one year on the football team; Albert Overstreet, four years on the baseball and three years on the football team. From the above it will be seen that only three of the boys of the class failed to take prominent part in these athletic interests. If space limitations did not forbid, a great variety of interesting data reflecting the various athletic, literary and educational interests of the members of this class might be presented. It is sufficient to say that in every high school activity the Class of 1914 has had its prrminent representatives. All this but faintly indicates what may be reasonably expected from the members cf this class as they take part in tse larger activities in the life of the world beyend these school days. May the good work we have done serve as an example and an inspiration to the three clascss which are following us toward the goal which we have now all but reached. It is not without some feeling of sadness that we are to leave these halls and the campus and the teachers, as well, who have known us for these four precious years.

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 160 Fourteenth.—To John Watson, Walter Larson bequeaths a comfortable cradle with a mosquito netting and sun-shade. “Nosey” realizes that sleep is a necessity for growing children and that a cradle would be a great luxury. Fifteenth.—Einar Lindstrom bequeaths to Laura Hammerstrand his musical abilities. Let her use them to soothe her class when they are weary with labor. Sixteenth—Austin Sandstedt bequeaths to Gladys Corbly a wagonload of chewing gum. It relieves the monotony of school to always have a supply on hand. Seventeenth.—Maud and Prudence Rotramel bequeath to Ruth and Ruby Flora their agreeability. Eighteenth.—The Senior Class bequeath to “Percy” Jackson the sum of one dollar, for the purpose of paying a heavy bet, which he owes. We also advise small Junior boys to use care in betting on dangerous subjects. Nineteenth—To Laura Strong, Marian Rideout bequeaths her giggles and incessant chattering. Twentieth.—Ernest Martinson bequeaths to Gladys Kellogg his wonderful bass voice. Ernest's voice is the admirr.tion and pride of the Senior class and the Juniors should fully appreciate this bequest. Twenty-first.—Anna Erickson bequeaths her boisterousness to Agda Anderson. Twenty-second.— Bessie Greenan bequeaths to the Juniors separately and jointly her permission to speak in the assembly at least once every period in the day. Twenty-third.—Ruth Cade bequeaths her good spelling grades to Marie Barnes. Good spelling is considered quite an achievement, as Mr. Bainum says. Twenty-fourth—To Mary Hagens, the Senior class bequeaths a half hours’ leisure each day, with the advice not to take five subjects next year. Twenty-fifth—Ethel Wright, the Senior star, bequeaths her hours of study to Ethel Kelley. It takes study and a great deal of it to attain to a great educational height, and it is the admonition of the Seniors to the Junior class to follow in their footsteps and become students of note. Twenty-sixth—The Seniors separately and jointly bequeath to the members of the Junior class their recognized class spirit. In no other class is Hie spirit so prominent and all will agree that a class without this characteristic is dead and inactive. So, in closing, the Seniors bequeath to their heirs and successors, the Juniors, their loyal class spirit along with their 1915 pennant which was so ruthlessly snatched from them in a moment when this spirit was especially predominant. Lastly—We nominate and appoint Mr. Bainum to be executor of this will, and request that he may be permitted to qualify and act as such, without bond. In witness whereof we have on this 23rd day of May, 1914, set our hands and seal. (Signed) CLASS OF 1914. Sealed, passed on and di-infprted by thp City Council.