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

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Wlir Athrman

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 ©hr Athenian i HENRY V. PORTER Mr. Henry Y. Porter, the Principal of the Athens Community High School for the past nine years, is to leave A. C. H. S. this year to take the responsible position of Assistant Manager of the State Athletic Association. Mr. Porter is a man who truly merits any honors you might place upon him. He has been Principal. Coach of Basket Ball. Director of Athletics, Orchestra Leader, and teacher. He has done more for the community than any individual man, he has made many friends, friends who admire him, friends who respect him. and more than all. friends who love him. It is a very difficult matter to express just what is in our hearts when we realize that he must leave us. It is filled to overflowing with many conflicting emotions, love, admiration, respect, sorrow, regret, gratitude, and pleasure. Our love and respect as a group, and individually, is so deep that the result is intense regret. Ye feel much as a large herd floundering around on a vast range. leaderless. He has been our leader, at the head of every undertaking, with whom we have worked, played, studied, entertained, and quarreled. Tie has always been ready to advise us and settle our petty quarrels. Our gratitude for what he has done for us. as individuals especially, is uppermost in our hearts. What should we have done? Could we have accomplished so much and gone so far? The answer is obvious. Our own personal traits and talents have developed under his hand we act as individuals, think as individuals, and work as individuals, and not as a mass with only one mind. While he has developed our individualities, he has continually stressed the spirit of cooperation. When there is anything to be done which takes a group, such as the planning of a festival or carnival, or the cheering at a Basket Ball game, everyone pitches in with a will to do his part. When anything is staited it is finished, and if Mr. Porter is at the head it means success. We admire him for the man that he is. Every boy or girl has his set standard of an ideal man. 1 can say, with the backing of the student body and the community, that he is the embodiment of all our ideals. Only a few of his main characteristics which have endeared him to us can he listed. His enthusiasm is among the first. Whatever is undertaken, whatever is suggested or done, which will promote the interests of A. C. H. S. or the students, he will back, and give his advice and encouragement. When we need a new stunt for a program, or a way to make money, we go to him and he easily and quickly devises some original plan which Is sure to be a success. In his treatment of the students, whether under pleasant or unpleasant circumstances, he plays fair and square. He is honest with himself and everyone else. He is an untiring worker, never gives up. and never becomes “rattled.” He takes an individual interest in each of the students, and studies their characters. As has been said, his work in and for the community has l)een unsurpassed. e have yet to meet a more honorable and upright man. one who is loved and admired by all with whom he comes in contact. Our regret at his leaving us almost reaches the point of selfishness. In our hearts it is warring against the pleasure we feel at his success. We arc glad he has the opportunity but down in our hearts we would rather he stay with us. This spark of selfishness is forgivable, however, because of our sincere appreciation of what he has done for us and those who have already gone out into the world. At last we settle down to think of the future without him. to wonder what we and many others will do without him. He has been looked upon as “being a part of Athens.” and we wonder if we shall go on with our progress after he leaves us. We must leave that to the future, forget our own emotions, except that of pleasure. We must know that he could not go on with us forever, we realize that he will continue to grow and progress in life till he reaches the very top of the ladder of success. We. who have been under his guidance and instruction for four years, hope to carry on in our lives and develop the ideals which he lived and taught. With the approval of the whole student body. we. the Seniors, extend to our beloved principal and instructor. H. Y. Porter, our sincere and heartfelt congratulations. We hope that we have made an imnression in his life also, have helped, even in the slightest degree, to influence and mold his life into the success it is and will continue to be.

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GJhc Athenian CLASS OF ’28 On Sept. 4. 1924. approximately forty Freshes took their places in the northwest section of the assembly hall of A. C. H. S. They wandered about like little hayseeds in a large city, going to the wrong classes at the right time and the right classes at the wrong time, much to the disgust and chagrin of the upper classmen, and more so. to our own. At last they were initiated into the wonders of that great institution at the Freshman Reception, after which they really began their eventful career at A. C. H. S. They were now ready to settle into the routine of the school, and were soon showing the upper classmen and faculty that their aim was to make A. C. H. S. bigger and better. When they were well acquainted they elected as officers: Harold Prmim. Pres.: Clarence Smock. V. Pres.: and Carl Rath. Sec. and Treas. The noon i eriods were passed with x s and z s flying in all directions from the girls’ papers while the boys were having hot times in the Gym. Summer vacation soon passed and Sept. 1925 saw them assembled again and ready for whatever might come. They behaved very well for they were under the watchful eye of the dignified Seniors and the capable guidance of class officers: Pres.. Marjorie Agee: . Pres.. Lawrence Cline: and Sec. and Treas.. Rose Daley. Although reduced greatly in number they still took i art in all activities and held high standards in class work. Several of the boys were beginning to shine in Basket Ball, and a few girls in Reading and Vocal. Two very enjoyable events during the year were the Sophomore Party and the Freshman-Sophomore-Magazine Campaign Party. This vear was not one of entire happiness for one of their number, hdith Hill, was taken by death. She was loved and admired by all her classmates as well as by the entire student body and faculty. Sept. 1926. Ah. at last they were upper classmen! They settled in regular form in the back of the room. and. although their number had dwindled still more, they were right there on the siH.t to pull for A. C. H. S.. and boost her scholastic, literary, and athletic standards. This vear was indeed a busy one. Every noon one could see them bending over Comm. Arith. problems or firing History questions at one another. As was the custom, they gave a Junior Play, “Putting It Over Patty.” a Junior Party, and entertained the Seniors at a very successful banquet. Their talent along the literary line and in delivery was shown in the Junior Program, a help toward funds for the Banquet. Now they are Seniors and have almost reached their goal. The class cannot boast of a large membership, as only a few remain. They can well say that they have kept their ideals before them and have upheld A. C. H. S. to the best of their ability. The standard and ideal which these few have always followed is expressed in the old motto “ 'Tis quality and not quantity that counts.” The quality of this class is certainly one of which to be proud. This last year at A. C. H. S. has been filled with the important events of Senior life. The class has been the first to take up the study of the Literary Digest” in American History and Civics class. Following the custom set by last year’s class they are to graduate in caps and gowns. The class has spent a very profitable and very enjoyable four years in this old High and feels highly indebted to their principal and teachers, our parents and the citizens of this community who have helped to make successful school life possible. To them they extend their sincere thanks. It is with regret that thev near the end of their fourth year. They have become close friends and. somehow dread the time for separation, wondering when they shall all Ik- together again. They hope to all be drawn back some time in the future to renew their friendships. And so. they bid farewell to their dear old Alma Mater. A. C. H. S.. with the hope and confidence that the classes in future years will carry on the standards set by those of the past and by the Class of ’28. 192B .............................. Eleven