Ranchester High School - Rustler Yearbook (Ranchester, WY)

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THE SCHOOL YEAR AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE “RUSTLER STAFF” WE DEDICATE TO The quickly blushing “Sw et Alices” who “weep with delight” at his smile; “tremble with fear at his frown,” can’t bear being talked about, but who believe everything they hear . . . and . . . The rugged, hard-shelled rats who must be tomahawked before they can take a hint, because their consciences are numbed and their finer natures are buried deep beneath the callouses of indifference. This section, then, is designed to make as many people as pos- sible uncomfortable. If we’ve failed to insult you, we’re sorry, but it’s too late now. 31 HELEN KUKUCHKA. Editor

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Despite this, they give us an example of a working democracy excelled by none other in the world . . . For two and one-half centuries Switzerland has furnished the world with a great share of its watches. The first Swiss clocks were large tower clocks made more for their architecture than for their efficiency. During the Renaissance period the clock designs became smaller and smaller until they had a clock which could be worn on the wrist. They called this clock a watch. Watchmaking was begun in 1550 by a group of common workers in Geneva, the cradle of watch- making. and later the trade spread to Neuville and prospered in the Valley of Jura and most other parts cf Switzerland. In the 18th century Switzerland began mass production of watches. Profiting from the inventions pertaining to clockmaking through- out the world, the Swiss have developed a watch with efficient mechanism, unique engraving and exquisite style. Precision instruments, jewelry, and music boxes have long been representative of the perfection of Swiss craftsmanship. No other people have devel- oped this art to the extent the Swiss have done. Wood carving was started at Brienz by Christian Fisher and the industry proved so successful that it spread into Meiringen and remote mountain villages. Toys, flowers, animals, chairs, and wood objects of every description are made by the hands cf peasant artists. Numerous craftsmen are em- ployed in this art. Each year many people go to study the examples of old Roman architecture which are scattered throughout Switzerland. The famous monastery at St. Bernard Pass is often visited. For years monks lived there and it was there that St. Bernard dogs were developed for rescuing people who became lost in the mountains. The people of this country have a deep apprecia- tion for music of a wide variety. Beautiful Alpine music and ancient yodels originated in Switzer- land. Alpine music is sung in valleys by many voices which, when blended together, echo and re-echo through the valleys and mountains pro- ducing moments of enchantment Swiss atmos- phere has influenced many composers in their works, among whom are Wagner. Liszt, and Rossini. In the winter Switzerland becomes a spectacular playland for the world. The Alps are among the world’s best ski centers. Thousands of tourists each year are enrolled in Switzerland’s ski schools, where one can begin with the first principles of skiing and can continue to learn and obtain certifi- cates of the highest degree. Skillful skiing and ski jumping are achieved by artists in that field, through untiring effort and practice. Ice skating, too. is a popular art and pleasure. If one does not ski or skate, he may go for a thrilling toboggan ride cr leisurely jaunt along in a horse-drawn sleigh with the bells ringing clearly in the brisk Alpine air. Switzerlanders enjoy a game called Hornussen. a batting game played by opposing teams on ice. and tourists are fascinated by it. Many Olympic champions have been Swisss. and Switzerland al- ways has participants in the various events of the Olympic Games. Living peacefully in the turmoil of Europe, this remarkable little country continues her tradition of contributing immeasurably to the happiness and well-being of the peoples of the world. Like a lighthouse sending its rays over a storm-darkened sea. Switzerland, by her successful example, sends out the light of hope for democracy in the world. MARKERS AND MONUMENTS OF MY STATE OF WYOMING Representative papers from Ranchester Junior High School submitted to Sheridan Chapter D. A. R. Historical Essay Contest) Wyoming is often looked upon by the people who live east of the Mississippi as a distant place where nothing important happened. This is not true because Wyoming is the very center of the history of our west. It is where the Red Man made his last stand. Here the old land grants of Spain, France, and England joined. The most daring trap- pers and traders and many of the greatest explorers made our historic trails. One reason that so few people know this is that, until recently, little was done to mark the locations of the events that made an “empire” out of the west. I think the most interesting site that has been marked is Independence Rock, located in the Sweet- water Valley on the Old Oregon Trail. There are seven markers here, and at nearby Devils Gate, but they never could tell all the exciting and varied events that happened. More interesting than the markers are the hundreds of initials and names that the early trappers, scouts, travelers and army men carved there. The Historical Landmark Com- mission has indexed these names so we can find the ones we especially want to see. Although there are many places where early trappers carved names, such as Register Cliff, there is nothing like “Inde- pendence Rock” in the whole west. The historical societies recently have placed markers along routes of our famous trails such as the Oregon. Mormon, Overland. Bozeman. Cus- ter. and Bridger. There has been much interest in the reconstructing of some of the more important buildings. At Fort Bridgsr many of the original buildings are still standing and so a better job has been done. At the site of Old Fort Caspar the Natrona County Historical Society made a reconstruction. Work was begun at Fort Phil Kearny but there is much yet to do. The United States Government has made a National Monu- ment of Fort Laramie and when this reconstruction is completed it will be one of the best in the country. Sacajawea was one of the greatest women in history, but she was almost a forgotten and friend- less old woman when she was buried at the Wind River Reservation. It was Rev. Roberts who kept her grave from being forgotten. Finally, in 1931. a marker was placed there. In February of this year our Wyoming senators asked congress for $275,000 for a monument that would “represent the rppreciation of the United States Government “ I think no monument would be great enough to recall all of the brave things Sacajawea did. There is no part of this state that cannot be proud of some historical or geological site. Each ccmunity and school had its beginnings somewhere and I think the people of each town should mark these places. Even if the marker is small it will keep the location and event from being forgotten. Then, some day. the state may be able to help by replacing permanent and proper markings where they belong. Meanwhile, we should be thankful for the his- torical societies’ work. Each marker has helped us to appreciate more the great heritage we have in “Wonderful Wyoming.” —Joan Johnson—8th Grade 30

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The School Year as Seen Through the Eyes of the Rustler Staff THE “RUSTLER AWARDS THE POPULARITY PRIZE FOR 1949 “Just a good, busy boy”—that’s the summary and appraisal of the judges of the Rustler staff when they awarded to Dick Kramer, who had se easily won the Rustler's Wonder Boy contest of 1948. Coming to Ranehester from Sheridan in 1947, Mr. Kramer has shown almost daily improvement. Always, in the thick of the fight he could be found. It was he who al- ways spoke first—and last—in all his classes. “Keep your head, here comes Dick,” has become an R. H. S. epigram. We shall not list his activities; they are still being compiled. We urge you to arrange a meeting with this tudent who has, repeatedly, shown the greatest number of inclinations. We asked him for a modest statement. “Oh. yeah!” he replied. “When I first came to Ranehester I was pretty conceited, but they kicked it out of me and now I am THE BEST fellow in school. The RUSTLER awards the prize for the BEST ESSAY Of' THE YEAR”—Freshman girl wins prize of five gallons of Esso oil and mention in 1949 Rustler! “WORK HARD AND SAVE’’—ADVICE OF LOCAL MAN By JOAN FEIDOR I was frightened when the RUSTLER editor asked me to go down town and inter- view Mr. Marion Wondra, former Ranehester High School graduate and present oil mag- nate of Ranehester. I thought he would be gruff and too busy for little me, but he was just as sweet as he could be! “How is business, Mr. Wondra?” I asked timidly, thinking he would snap my head off. The General Manager of the Esso Oil Chain and Distributing Corporation said, “Very well, thank you.” “Have you any message for the students of R. H. S. ?” was my next question. “You bet I have,” he replied. “Tell them to work hard and save their money.” I bowed myself out and hurried away, thankful for this glimpse into the mind of this big man. And—I wasn’t a bit scared! Well, the RUSTLER has lots of free prizes left ovrr. sc we can give another prize for the second “Best Essay of the Year. “TSCHIRGIOLOGIES AND ARNOLDIS.MS By RICHARD REED. Sr. Few beyond our own circles know that among us there moves, daily, as profound a scholar as ever looked for an honest man with a lantern. His solid remarks have been taken up and repeated by his admirers who call his daily flow of wit “Arnoldisms.” Col- lectively his wise sayings are known as “Tschirgiology.” This will some day be -dited and sold to sponsor a foundation for enfeebled football players. “Where DO you get your ideas?” I asked him. “I don’t,” he replied, Ghandi-like. Seeing I did not understand, he continued: “On the shelves of R. H. S. there is a Montgomery Ward catalog. Even if they were too tight to give the “Rustler” an ad, I do study their “Ladies’ Ready to Wear” section and deduct the expressions on their perfect, unblemished completely-frozen kissers.” “Some of my finest deductions that have brought me one plusses in English, I absorb from “Life Magazine,” a tattered file of these can also be found at the R. H. S. Library.” “Do you really think these improve the R. H. S. educational program?” I asked. “Well, hardly enough to make the whob thing worth while,” he answered—thus cre- ating another “Arnoldism.” The author says much of his revelation and deduction can be summarized in his profound statement: “It can be done, boys.” The Arnoldism for October: “Somebody said the Andrew sisters’ hair looked like mops. That doesn’t worry us modern girls because we don’t know what a mop looks like anyway.” Arnoldism for Tom: “Your legs would be as long as mine if it weren’t for a couple of feet.” 32