Parsons High School - Norseman Yearbook (Parsons, KS)

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t V gf n KZ--- 'rFlS-'--ji Q5 c:N?3jx 6, ' -4 1? M S O N ,iGf'va'fffiQ'2,fd'ff315il,42 7 :L p fl ill he Last ords of I N Page 50 cz Skeptic 'KW elf p 1 9 EJ O ' CHAPTER I. The many people who ride in their aeroplanes daily or take week-end trips from continent to continent seldom think about their forefathers who lived in the years of 1900 to 1950. Indeed, few are even interested. But it is to a small group of these early people that we owe our progress. During the years from 1997 to 1999 much was done to discover the wonders of the early part of the twentieth century. Eliminating all the lesser genuises, we find that to a class of fifty persons, belongs the great honor of establishing the basis upon which our modern civilization is founded. When the coffins of these fifty people were unearthed, it was discovered that on the black cover of each was engraved the numbers 1-9-2-0. This puzzled the archae- ologists and even the most learned men were mystified. Then a young genius sug- gested that all the prisons be investigated, thinking that some of the cells might be numbered 1-9-2-0. Countless theories were advanced concerning the explanation of 1-9-2-0, each in its turn proving fallacious. At last some man whose name is unknown to history stated that 1-9-2-0 meant the year in which these fifty people were graduated from high school. His statement was ridiculed far and wide. Many satirical essays were written about this theoryg newspapers commented freely on it. This absurd statement furnished interesting material for the humorists of the age. Everyone laugh- ed, jeered, and mocked. But the learned men did not laugh, and after many heated debates and an inestimable amount of research work, this famous theory was authenti- cated. Great was the amazement of the general public. Indeed, it is very extraordinary that all these fifty celebrities to whom we owe our undying gratitude should have been graduated in the same class. l I I n u I ff,'--it Q ' fd. 1 as 2 -s L, :P QQ. I N ! 3

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A E The Last Words of cz Slzeptie PREFACE My physician tells me my days are numbered. But Iam not afraid. No, I am happy! Perhaps in the Great Beyond I shall find what I have failed to find on earth. All my life I have worshipped Success, thinking to find Happiness her Companion. Blind, stumbling cynic that I was! All who have read my essays, reports, and books have pronounced me great. They are wrong. My work brings no joy into the heart or home. Rather it appeals to the scientific world which is, after all, a cold and un- sympathetic one. Mark ye, then. Seek not Success to find Happiness, for Success's Hall is empty. Hark ye, while a disappointed old man relates to you the story of the Ulncomparable Fifty , who by their unselfish labor brought warmth to the heart, merriment to the eyes, and peace to the World. R. V. Courtland Professor of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. - - - -9 911111 4 I 'K f f ---,..-,! U U ,V :J f dl I rv, V 0 11, , 9- Af, 23' 'fl 'fa ff 1 af ff: XO. I -1 ' kigaivlx , ,fE'fbjo'!,lgE5l.gf new xx Page 49

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It is certain that many interesting facts concerning this class have been obscured by time. However after an incalculable amount of work a fairly accurate history of the class of 1920 has been compiled. These fifty renowned people entered high school in a class of about one hundred and fifty. Because they were small of stature, youthful, and unsophisticated they suffered unusual abuse and sarcasm which were thrust at them by their despotic upper classmen. The haughty Seniors asked the timid Freshmen if they had not entered the wrong building, mistaking the high school for the kindergarten. But these mocks and jeers could not disturb the calm spirits and peaceful thoughts of this class. They soon began to assail the forts of Wisdom, forgetting the tyrannical Seniors. The end of the year drew near. Many times was the pen dipped into the fatal red ink, and every student became tense with excitement-except the famous fifty. Some of the Fresh- men became desperate and left school. But the fifty with a tread of assurance passed the first crisis safely and became Sophomores. These unusual Sophomores early arrested the attention of the Faculty who decided to organize the class. Since they did not at first display brilliancy in high school ac- tivities, they were branded as stupid and unworthy of attending Parsons High School. Again by favor of the gods who are the guardians of talented youth, the fifty were spared from the dreadful scourge of the hated red ink. Thus they became Juniors. Because of their marvelous progress and originality the Juniors began to gain recognition. The Seniors consented to join the Juniors in a high school carnival. Later these good-natured Juniors decided to give the Seniors an elaborate banquet. In order to finance the banquet the Junior Pantages was planned. So great was their success that Mr. Ziegfield, of the Ziegfield Follies , obtained many of his ideas for the Follies of 1920 from this entertainment. For a third time Red Ink began her campaign. The sun frowned fiercely, the heavens thundered their omens, and all the earth trembled. But mark you! Provi- dence had again saved her favorite fifty from the frightful tortures of Madam Red Ink. And the third crisis was safely passed. As Seniors they were an admirable class. Never were they accused of tormenting lower classmen. Among their numerous activities the Seniors presented the Senior Carnival. As they did not care to have their novel ideas impersonated by such inferior actresses as Mary Pickford or Marguerite Clark, this time the doors were closed to all celebrated producers and movie directors. Toward the end of the year the lamentations of the lower classmen were heard, mourning the departure of the kind and benevolent Seniors. When this jolly class of fifty left the high school, many a heart gave vent to its emotions. 'tShall we ever again have such jovial and enlightened Seniors as our leaders? moaned a Freshman. Then quoth the entire school, Nevermore. Finally this class of 1920 left their first home into which they had brought peace, prosperity, and progress, journeying into the unexplored and distant ends of the earth. Q 4 0 ----,-.,,! ,J X M A v'1 . '- ' 1 ll 'Sp fl 0 - , ff' s... I HJ ' fv.c,. , 1 ' :. xO2',2'fQ4' . A N -f-. - lf- 3, 'Q , 'Q' 97 4- '34 g' 2 - -J. me - Q . l we - C-f9.,g5g,5- , V If v Ik Page 51