Allen Township Centralized School - Dixie Yearbook (Van Buren, OH)

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LEN TOWNSHIP CENTRALIZED SCHOOL-19 I Senior Class Prophecy UST at the close of day as the sun was slowly sinking beneath the western horizon I felt weary because of graduation week. Vlfishing I might think and dream, I sank down in it big' chair. Almost instantly it seemed as though I Was carried away by swift wings and placed down by a body of water whose extent I could not guess but where waters washed strange lands. I walked down the shores and entered a forest so dark I could only see the outline of mighty trees and in the distance could hear the breakers dashing upon the rock bound shore. Feeling that I was now in the land of perfect rest, I sat down upon the soft moss to con- template on my surroundings. yVhile thus in perfect repose I heard a rustling sound. Soon there appeared be- fore my eyes a phantom form saying, Ile not afraid, I am the Spirit of Prophecy, the Angel of things to come. VVith her mystic touch she rolled back the curtain of the dim Beyond and permitted me to gaze down the vista of things yet to be, that I might behold all things that are, transformed into all the things that they should yet become. Then pointing down the long avenues in the strange land she said, Now your eyes are open and the future is made clear to you. Prophesy to the members of the High School Class of 1924 what things shall come to pass in their lives as the years roll on and the sands of life run out.'i As I looked into the land of the future, I could discern moving among the dim shadows of the people, the familiar faces of those fair and radiant beings who were my classmates, now charged and transformed into citizens of the great outside world. In the distance I behefd a great building. Rising from my mossy seat I sped thither to see what it might contain. I soon found that the -Spirit of Prophecy had eliminated both time and space so that what seemed moments might be years and what seemed rods might be thousands -of miles. As I entered the building, I found myself in a strange land and among strange people. A brightly dressed guard, bowed low as I entered and I asked him to show me the master of the house, He took me through long marble hallways where walls were richly carved, and hung with the most beautiful pictures. We entered a splendid room which was furnished with all the things which could be pleasing to the eye and bring comfort to the body. We approached a shining desk at the far ei1'd of the room when from behind us arose a young lady who was arrayed in all the splendor of the Queen of Sheba. As I approached her I fairly screamed, l Louise DeRodes- Yes, there she was, having realized her highest ambition to become the head ot a great school in a foreign country- I could stay but a few minutes to listen to her story of struggle and splendid success, for there were many more to see. My prophetic eye suddenly caught lsight of a great crowd that was rapidly filling a building ii, a large city. NVfth much difficulty I pushed my way through U19 Yhfllng- Then I learned a man was on trial for his life. As I approached the court room I heard the voice of a prominent lawyer pleading the cause of a prisoner at the bar. There were many tear-stained faces before that passionate pjleat for life 21115 liberty was ended and the jury filed -out to consider the vlerdict. Almost 'mmediately it returned and the foreman said Not guilty. 'Phere was :L .wild scream as the mother of the liberated boy rushed over to the brillialft lawyer to thank him for his splendid service, Vvhen he stood a shout went up from the crowd and as he turned to bow his acknowledgment, I recognized him as James Fisher, our Orator of High School days. Here the scene changed and I entered a great building where a splendid orchestra was entertaining a large audience. VVhat place is this, I asked the usher who showed me to a seat. This is the Edwards Institute of Music. That is the manager leading the orchestra. She employs dozens of teachers and has many hundreds of students. Sihe is a musical business wonder. As the music ceased I grabbed her by the hard, and sure enough, it was .luanitn Edwards. She led me to the group of players and there I saw Grace Mitchell, Iva Schwab and Harold Hartman. She told me that these were three of her best teachers and that she was very proud of them. When I had recovered from my astonishment I said, Do you krow what has become of Hesse Stallhohm? 'iOh, yes, she replied, She is the head of the English department of the State University, which is located not far from here. I will take you over there and see if she will remember you, I closed my eyes for just a second to help collect my thoughts. When I opened them l was in a place I had never been before and my friends with whom I had just spoken vanished from my sight. I looked around and saw that I was in 2. large and wonderful beauty parlor. I wondered Why I had been brought here so I ...-.-...-...-.......-.-........-...... ......-.. 1-, -.,.., -.-.-. - :- - I' aurteen

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LEN TOWNSHIP CENTRALIZED SCHOOL- 192.4 History of the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-four T was in September, 1920, that our class composed of twenty-two members first entered High School. XVe were called green by the upper classmen at that time but probably there was sufficient reason. The majority of us were small, the girls wore short dresses and.the boys, knee trousersg but we WGFS Very ambitious and eager to learn. After attending High School for a week, we were given a reception at one of the country homes a short distance from town. XVe were terribly frightened over the inia- tion, but afterward, an enjoyable evening was spent, Most of us were very timid and many times we failed to report at the Assembly Hall for study along with the upper classmen. It always seemed more convenient to remain in the Freshman room. On occasions of this kind the teachers found it necessary to demand our attendance and finally our timidity was somewhat over- COITIE. One of the greatest events of the year was the Inter-Class Contest in which we took part with much. enthusiasm. Although we failed to win we were proud to have the honor of displaying more pep in yells and songs than any of the other classes. Before the close of the term we lost a few members who found it necessary to move with their parents into other communities. but we still had the largest Fresh- man class in the history of the school. After vacation, we entered the Sophomore class with great eagerness. yVe no longer cared for the little Freshman room but were willing to take our places in the Assembly Hall. Our motto, VVork and VVin proved its worth that year inasmuch as we were victorious in the Inter-Class Contest. For this reason, our class orator. James Fisher, and our quartet composed of Juanita Edwards, Iva Schwab, Bessie Stallbohm and Louise IQeRodes, were chosen to take part in the County Oratorical Contest held at McComb- This we also won with great honors for the school. At the beginning of Olll' Junior year we realized that more responsibilities were ours to assume. Also our studies were more difficult compared with those of pre- vious years, On December 15th we rendered the play entitled, A Strenuous Life, which was successful in all respects. In fact it was appreciated so much that we were asked to repeat itg but after due consideration, we decided in the negative. On May 10th we entertained the Senior class of 1923 at a delightful banuet in the school dining room. The 'LLittle Symphony Orchestra from Findlay fur- nished music throughout the evening. At the beginning of our Senior year, we each possessed an air of dignity. VVe were ready to begin the last part of the journey that would place us Out of School Life and into Lifes' School, VVe had a greater feeling of personal responsibilityand a. desire to make the most of every fleeting moment. VVe learned that the talent of success is to do well everything that we attempt without a thought of fame. The class was represented in the boys' basketball team by Harold Hartman, James Fisher and Lester Ensign: in the girls' team by Burnette Burrell and Louise DeRodes. Each took an active part and displayed considerable ability in the games as well as loyalty to the teams. Again we were successful in winning the annual inter-Class Contest of April 3rd. Not only was our average grade higher than that ot the other classes, but each of our contestants won first place. Consequently our school was represented in the County Oratorical Contest held at the Findlay College Chapel on April 11th and 18th by the following: Bessie Stallbohm, Juanita Edwards, James Fisher. Iva Schwab, and Louise DeRodes. On May 16th we will present the play entitled Pol1yanna with the intentions of giving to the public an enjoyable evenings entertainment. ive are also contem- plating taking a trip to Niagara Falls shortly after the close of the term. After the Commencement exercises of May 22nd, we will step into the arena of active citizenship and try the realities of the practical world for which we have been preparing. VVe fully realize that, Labor is life 'tis the still water faileth, Idleness ever despaireth, bewailethf' Our members have decreased until the final number of those who are to receive the honors of graduation is seventeen. But each of us have a strong determination in our minds to VVork and Win. LOUISE DE RODES -x- -- V - :----- f- - V fa- Thirteen

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ALL EN TOWNSHIP CENTRALIZED SCHOOL- 1924 went over to one of the girls and asked who the manager was. Much to my surprise- she replied, Miss Nelly Brandeberryf' She showed me to her room and there I found my classmate as young and beautiful as when we were in school together. But the crowded city vanished. I stood lookirig M H SUHHSQ D19-tf01'm and wondered what it was. Suddenly there was a whirling sound and an aerolilime gently settled on that platform. A dozen pair of hands commenced taking off the mail bags, and I realized that this was the trans-continental air mail service. In a couple of minutes the exchange was made and the big wheels commenced to turn. Then I recognized a familiar face in the pilot house and shouted, Loy-Loy Powell, at the top of my voice, but the noise was so great he did not hear ,me. He was soon but a tiny speck far up in the sky as he sped away to the next station, three hundred miles to the west. Next I stood before a splendid home Sul'l'0l,1l'ld9d by a large orchard and fertile fields as far as the eye could see, I rang the bell and anxiously wilifed U' filld 0'-it who the owner of such a home might be. As I stood there wondering, the door opened, and I beheld a tall, graceful man whom, inspite of his long beard, I recog- nized as Lester Ensign. When we were comfortably seated in the parlor, I asked him how he had ?lCCl1l'l'1Uli1l9d such wealth. He said, he had developed a seedless blackberry which had brought him his fortune- After congratulating him on his success, I com- menced to inquire about our ,scattered class- Have vou heard of Burnette Burrell? Yes, he replied, You remember she went to Cleveland on leavirg High School. She was very successful in Nurse's training and has been recently promoted to matron in the new hospital, the largest in the world. 'Buss' 1Donald Hartb was always a smart chap. What do you know of him? VVhy, he became 21 civil engineer, and because of his wonderful work, his rame is spoken with much pride, not only by Americans, but by foreign people as well. Where is Fat 1Leonard TroutmanJ? Nearly a year ago I met him and he is working for the betterment of all humanity. New York. Certral lines. down and what is he doing? He was alw2lYS chap and led the High School yells, Well-he politician and makes notable speeches in all parts told me about his work. I-le too He has become an engineer on the Did Marion Smith ever settle proud of his voice when a young is making use of it now. He is a ot' the country. Clifton Mygrart has a strange story. He was disappointed in love, left his home and became a wanderer. He traveled from place to place, in several countries but at last settled down in a quiet and beautiful home. Later, he recordled the story of his wanderings in books, which are fast becoming famous the world over. 1 thmlght I had foufld 2111 my classmates and was proud to find them in such high positions in life but was astonished to fiitd that none of them were married. when I remembered I had forgotten Lenore Trout. I asked Lester about her and he informed me that she had married a very prosperous man and was now living in one of the most beautiful homes in the city of New York. I was about to set forth on my journey to go to her home when the Spirit of Prophecy suddenly rolled down her mystic curtain and the future was forever closed to my eyes. Awakening I realized that it had all been a dream but my next thought breathed a hope that each of us would really fill our places in life, worthy of the preparation and days spent in the Van Buren High School. -FLORA AVSENBAUGH. CLASS OFFICERS . LESTER ENSIGN - - I'rexideut CLIFTON MYGRAN1' Vice President JUANITA EDVVARDS Treasurer Bessie STALLBOHM CLASS COLORS Cardinal and White - - Secretary CLASS FLOWVER Red Carnation 4.--W., L-.-.,,, .. ,,,.. -----...-- . ..-Q-e-fm . -f........,: , ,-- ..-up Fifteen