Athens Community High School - Athenian Yearbook (Athens, IL)

Page 11 text:

The Athenian 1925 Faculty Progress! Enthusiasm! Sincerity! Friendliness! Knowledge! And you ask where we get these things? The answer is simple enough. From our Athens Community High School faculty. And yet, in that answer so simple, is implied a feeling of understanding and a debt of gratitude. Where could we find a better personality, a better coach, a better teacher or a better principal than we have represented in our leader, Mr. H. V. Porter? Always willing to help one out of difficulties, and always ready to promote the interests of Athens Community High School in order that it may ever grow “Bigger and Better.” And then we come to our old standby, Mr. Augspurger, or perhaps we should say, “Happy.” It is from his profound stock of knowledge that he unravels the mysteries of science. The leader of our band, the group that puts pep and determination into our team and hence makes possible that long list of victories. We wonder where those deft lingered steno’s come from. To satisfy our inquiries, we look in Room two and catch a glimpse of that exceptionally pleasant individual, rightly named “Delight,” the student’s friend. Miss Jones, our patient instructor in Ancient, American, and Modern History has unfolded to us all the miracles of the past and present. However, she does not stop here, she explains the all-conquering Caesar and the civic government of our town, state, and nation. The Glee Clubs, and French and English classes would find themselves in a critical condition if that stylish little individual failed to show up some day. In Miss Fberspacher, we have a friend, always willing to help some one find a suitable song or always ready to aid someone in his French translation. Athens certainly had good choice when they chose Miss Stansell as their Household Art teacher. We need but visit the sewing room once in a while if we would he fully convinced that her pupils are becoming expert dressmakers. From the delicious odors that escape through the kitchen door we know that no banquet or reception at Athens Community High School could ever go wrong. As one of the directors of the Girls’ Athletic Association, she has helped make it a good organization. And now we come to our talented English teacher. Miss Drinkwater. It is through her careful explanations that the various classes expound the tragedies of Shakespeare and the beauties of other writers. In all school activities she lends her enthusiastic efforts. No program is complete without some of her numbers. To he in her classes is a privilege. One has the feeling that the chance to recite in her class is something of a favor instead of a request. Miss Ercel Falkins, mathematics teacher, public speaking director, play coach, girls’ athletic leader, pageant originator, pep meeting advisor, and exponent of all that has promoted progress in Athens Community High School, is leaving after four years of extraordinary service. Her pageant of Athens Community High School progress, her loyalty song, “Onward Athens,” her many beautiful folk drills given at athletic celebrations or literary programs, her girls' athletic association, the many elaborate original stunts she directed for tournaments or special occasions—these will live long in our memory. They are classics. They are built into Athens Community High School traditions, and as such they will influence the school for many years to come. From her we have imbibed some of the enthusiasm for the works of Edgar Guest, some of her love of the beautiful, some of her energy in outdoor sports, some of her vision, her pleasant disposition, her leadership. Next year she will attend college to take advanced work in her chosen field, and fortunate indeed will he the school in which she enrolls. Page 7

Page 13 text:

The Athenian 1925 Senior Class History The enactment of one of the greatest dramas in Athens Community High School history began September 7, 1921. Looking hack one can see about fifty noisy, frivolous pupils who entered as soon as the curtain rose. One after another filed to the enrollment desk, some boldly, others timidly, uncertain of what it all meant. As usual, a dozen or so Juniors and Seniors were on hand— presumably to welcome us, but in reality to look upon the “once a year scene.” A few days later we were stationed in the northern front half of the assembly where upper classmen as well as teachers could watch every act. At first they saw only our awkward movements as we passed from one classroom to another or the expressions of loneliness upon many faces, as though lost in an unfamiliar city. They marveled at the quantity. We heard more than one say, “What a hunch of Freshies—of all I've seen for four years they’re the greenest.” For a week we endured such remarks and then somebody came to our rescue—for a freshman reception was held Friday evening, September 16. On and after this memorable evening we felt we had become real members of the foremost institution of our community. As the year progressed our upper classmen began to see the quality which was intermingled with quantity. Among our classmates were found musicians, poets and athletes, as well as scholars. September rolled around again in 1922. This year we took our places with more confidence in ourselves. Our class was slightly reduced in number, but our ability increased. Surely this was recognized bv the older members of Athens Community High School for two of our members were given parts in the Junior play. Our class was represented in all the activities of Athens Community High School this season. In the fall of 1923, we again returned to browse in the field of knowledge. We had now become upper classmen and accordingly our place in the Assembly was no longer the front, hut the hack of the room where we could look upon the Freshies, as we had once been looked upon. Our main pride as Juniors lay in the activities of our boys in athletics. Like other Junior classes we too gave a Junior play and a Junior-Senior banquet. And now we come to the last act of our drama. We cannot boast of having the largest class of “real Porterites,” for some of our members have dropped out, others have moved away and a few are left as souvenirs of the class, so we are no stronger in numbers as graduates than the Class of '24. Nevertheless, we can feel that we have done our best in participating in the various activities of the school and in up-holding the standards and traditions of dear old “A. C. H. S. Our class has furnished the backbone of the Athens basketball machine. As we look hack upon our high school life we think of all the combined forces which have made this life possible. For the incalculable help we have received we shall forever he indebted to our efficient and willing principal and teachers, our thoughtful parents and the good will of the community. To all we extend our most sincere thanks. Most plays end either happily or tragically. Ours is a mixture of both. It seems tragical to us indeed to thus leave our friends and all that we have claimed as our own for four years at Athens Community High School, yet there is joy in the thought that we are equipped with enough to go out and partake of the opportunities of life as each one wills. With both joy and regret we depart, trusting that those who are left to fill our places, will in their turn “carry on,” as well if not better than we have.