Americus High School - Indian Scout Yearbook (Americus, KS)

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Annual Staff Editor Harvey Simpson Business Manager JOHN Brinkman Assistant Business Manager--------------------------Roy Jaqi'ITH Secretary-Treasurer---------------------THELMA GaITHKR Foreword With a full realization of its faults and imperfections we, the Senior Class of '2.1, present as a token of remembrance, this our first “Memento. Wc have compiled this book not with the idea of creating a masterpiece, but for the sole purpose of recalling in after years fond recollections of high school days, and that indescribable something we call “High School Sjririt.” If such vivificat ion of high school days should be yours, the mistakes we have made will he as nothing and “The Memento” will have accomplished its purpose.

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DEDICATION Tu A. H. S., which has bu n our greatest help in the past four years and which has given us knowledge which will help us in the coining years, this volume of the “Memento” is dedicated.

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History of Americus High School Emerson said, “An Institution is but the Shadow of an Individual,” and when the educational institution of a community is analyzed; its progress is marked at intervals down through the years of its history by the unstinted effort of individuals, whose public spirited service and self sacrifice have stood as great trees rooted to the rugged mountain side of society holding back the great avalanches of ignorance and sin that if unrestrained would rush down and cover up the fertile fields of culture and refine- ment so essential if a Community, State, or Nation may hope to meet its sacred obliga- tion to each generation that comes upon the scene of its action. A. H. S. has its roll of loyal characters numbered among its graduates as well as those in official positions, from time to time and limited space prevents a list of them to be given. To say that the High School work of Americus Schools began at any specific time would be an impossibility since for several decades a few subjects of high school grade were offered, but the beginning of a four year high school course dates back to 1910-11 with a Senior class of three, a Junior class of two, and a Faculty of two teachers in- cluding the Superintendent. One High School teacher was added in 1915 and the course of study enlarged to provide for Home Economics and Normal Training; the following year the fourth teacher was added to the High School faculty and also the fourth teacher in the Grade department and the present building erected, thus placing A. H. S. in a class with other schools of its size so far as faculty and building were concerned, however the classification was not changed by the accrediting authorities of the State, until the policy of the Board of Education for the past two years was ac- cepted by the State Board of Education and at present A. H. S. occupies the highest rank of its history. As a modern high school is, comparatively, a new idea in this community we realize the future will demand much more careful study from the individuals of the Americus community, than the past, and no doubt the challenge will be met by the loyal people of the present; the type of whom has always been willing to sacrifice personal feelings and interest for the welfare of the school. The one who did more in starting the movement for the present type of school to serve the Americus youth is Mr. J. C. Anderson, who was never too tired to give of his strength and mind, unstint- ingly for the uplift of the school. Also Mr. L. K. Hunt has been a faithful supporter and together with Mr. A. C. Boman deserve the honor for establishing the Vocational Agriculture department, which has attracted wide attention from educational observers. While this school stands as a monument to the effort and sacrifice of its friends, yet it is more than that; it is the means for intellectual and social freedom where one may learn to realize more fully his responsibility and opportunity as a citizen of this great Republic and to contribute to its perpetuation as a self respecting Christian people. P•» 6