Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

Page 20 text:

18 THE BETHEL HERALD consideration in having given us this brain food for from that day to this have we increased in knowledge and stature until now we have ranked as the most intelligent class graduated from Bethel Academy. Now after these days, it came to pass, on November the 5th in the same year, we had our first class meeting. While we were discussing important questions of the day, for we were all born politicians, the hungry and ill-fed Sophomores robbed us of our refreshments. In those days it came to pass throughout the length and breadth of our land there arose a great call for men to aid their country and the world in the cause of honour and justice. Unto this call eight of our number responded and were gathered in the ranks that marched beneath the American flag. The lives of all were spared. Three returned to our dear old class. In athletics our class was not the least noted,—two of our number being able to capture places on the second team in basketball. Then upon the annual field day. before a great host of witnesses, one of our number came out first in the mile run. Other things such as these, were characteristic of our class. In showing the school spirit our class was far in advance in that they contributed to the school department drive, the sum of $225.00. Thus ends the Freshmen year of the class of 1921. There being little of importance in the Sophomore year beyond the ordinary it will be sufficient to mention that Edmund Luff was chosen president of this year’s class. The most important social event of this year was the weiner-roast which was given in honor of the Juniors. Having much more to write unto you regarding later events we will not burden our readers with a lengthier account of this year’s proceedings. Ilowbcit when we had come thus far we met others who were toiling toward the same goal, and thinking us congenial company, they joined themselves to our number, and thus we began the famous Junior Class. Straightway we elected Ernest Has-selblad as our president and desiring to lose no time we immediately set about to show forth the quality of our class. From time to time, during the year, we assembled ourselves together for the purpose of transacting our business as well as for the purpose of maintaining a “party” spirit in the class. The most enjoyable social event of the year was the sleighride party which was held on a pleasant evening in February. On this memorable night, there was nothing to mar our joy save the loss of a goodly supply of doughnuts which were confiscated in a raid made by our worthy brethren, the Seniors, for which they paid dearly at a later date. Now there were certain young men in our class who were deemed worthy of holding the presidency of two of the most important religious organizations of our school,—namely, the 0. J. M. M. M. and the Missionary Band. These men were Bengt Anderson and August Berg. Our class has always shown intense interest in religious work as evidenced by the number who have applied themselves to active service of various kinds. In athletics our class has shone brightly. Barthel Jacobson was elected Yell Leader of the school. Four of our boys were decorated with B’s as a reward for their special merit in basketball. And it came to pass on a certain day in the month of May, that Bethel met Minnehaha for the annual field meet. The talent of the Junior class was displayed in the fact that Bengt Anderson came out first in the mile run and a certain young man named Omark came out first in the standing broad jump, while another designated by the name of Ragnar Wall carried off honors in the throwing of the shot-put. Again it came to pass on another day in May that the various classes were called upon to arrange for a special Bethel Boos-er program and low and behold! the platform in the auditorium was suddenly transformed into a clinic by the Juniors. There were doctors, nurses and attendants who administered to the various and strange ills of the patients. All that heard and beheld were amazed and astonished, when they learned that these ills were curable by entering some department or taking some course in Bethel Academy. Now when all this had been accomplished the starring event of the year took place in

Page 19 text:

THE BETHEL HERALD 17 present at the reunion, but who sent their congratulations and greetings were from: Alfred Nelson, judge of the court in his district in -Florida, who was detained by special session of the court.—dtagnhild Johnson now a prominent writer in Sweden, noted for her wonderful contributions to Swedish Literature, and Mary Johnson, traveling in Europe for the National Welfare League, visiting both Northern and Southern countries. A poem was then read, in honor of the occasion and after a thorough investigation it was found that Elsie Larson, now prominent short story writer for the largest and best magazines, was the author and who told of the start she got in her line of work, while serving in the capacity of secretary of the class. A banquet by far exceeding any ever given at Bethel was arranged under the supervision of iMary Peterson, now Mrs....... and president of the Home Workers Club; Mabel Peterson, who now is teacher in the Business College connected with Bethel, and Naomi Tornblom, a prosperous and happy leader in society circles but more renowned for her splendid cooking. At the table the request is given for toasts and a number of members respond.—Ragnar Wall, now I.D. head of the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Elmer Palm, wealthy banker in Buffalo, N. Y.,—Albin Norling, now Gov- ernor of Minnesota, and Gordon Bodien. world-known photographer, made famous by the new invention, the lens-less camera, recently placed on the market. Naomi Larson, officer in the International Sunday School Association, told us many striking incidents of her experiences as organizer of the Kindergarten Dept., and Edythe Bjorklund, entirely satisfied with her career as teacher, gave an interesting account of her work at iMacalaster College. Last though by no means least, there is also present, Amy Peterson, modest as usual, who has chosen the quiet walk of life, is not denied the happiness of life, Lut is probably more fortunate than her classmates. The entire banquet and reunion was proclaimed by all a great success. The meeting closed by singing the class sor.g led by our chapel leader Edwin Omark, and the memory of those happy times they have spent together as a class, the remembrances of which can never be erased. The memories of old acquaintance will remain to brighten the way of life and to lead, though sometimes through apparent failures but at last to complete victory when guided by Him who knows the way. May we follow in His footsteps and remain true and loyal to Him, to our ideals, our school, and to our friends in life. HISTORY OF CLASS OF 1921 By WALFRED JOHNSON Assisted by NAOMT LARSON And it came to pass in the year 1917, on the 26th day of September, that there came to the halls of Bethel Academy forfy-five new students who were termed, according to the language of school life. Freshmen. Thus it happened that the largest class in the history of Bethel Academy entered the corridors thereof on that day. As time passed and day was added unto day and night unto night we began to realize that some form of government was necessary in order that we might maintain our individuality and develop to a higher degree of civilization. The class therefore, organized with Arthur Peterson as President. Now in that day a proclamation was made throughout the school that all Freshmen were to he officially received into the school. Thereupon, on a certain Saturday evening, all were assembled together in the school auditorium, where we were royally entertained and thereafter wholesomely fed on oatmeal gruel and condensed milk, which will also be remembered as being part of the repast of the four Hebrew boys in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. We arc greatly indebted to our predecessors for their kind

Page 21 text:

THE BETHEL HERALD 19 the form of a Junior-Senior banquet. The feast, the decorations and the program were the most unique and extraordinary ever carried out by any class. The Seniors departed in good spirits and with kindlier thoughts of the Junior class. ■ Thus it came about that the time was at hand when we re-assembled in the halls of Bethel to complete our course. When the Senior class convened we numbered forty souls, but noticed that many new faces had replaced those formerly among us. On the 28th day of September in the year 1920, a class meeting was held in which wo elected August Berg as our chief executive and other worthy were elected who, together with various committees, were to direct the activities of the year. Now in these days, during the administration of “Augustus Bergus,” our worthy president, many things were brought to pass. As we continued in our way we felt the need of a faculty advisor who could tide us through our Senior year, and thereupon chose -Professor Henry C. Wingbladc, who has proven not only a trusty guide but a faithful friend and a wise counsellor. Although his English assignments seemed long and hard, and there was much murmuring among us concerning them, we now appreciate the value of the same and what the training has meant to us. Then, in order that, in the days to come ( LASS WILL OF The lawyer who drew up the following will was rather bewildered as to what he should do when he found out that there is not a sufficient number of Juniors to go around for all the Seniors this year. But he managed to wiggle out of the difficulty by deciding that no Junior—in order to keep him, or her, from getting “big-headed” —should receive more than one legacy from the Seniors. In this case, the lawyer said, the Seniors must pass on some of their heirlooms to the members of the lower classes. The last “Will and Testament” of the Senior Class of Ninoteen-twcnty-one,—the signatures being witnessed by Jake Rabbitfur and John Oatmeal,—reads as follows: — we might have something to remind us of the happy days spent together, we chose as our class colors, maroon and gold. We could think of no motto more suitable for our class than “Loyal and True” and purposed in our hearts to ever live up to our high ideals. This know also, that in these last days, although we were pressed by much work, we nevertheless, willingly partook in all the school activities; and not least in athletics for all but one of the members of the basketball team were Seniors. There has been little to mar the happiness of this, our Senior year, except the illness of two our beloved classmates, one of whom has been restored to us, and the other, we trust by God’s great grace, may also be permitted to be with us again. Now as the days are beginning to draw nigh when we shall leave our Alma Mater, we are glad that we can leave as a remembrance -to the school a most valuable and practical gift consisting of an electric clock system. We now therefore, beloved teachers and fellow students, look back on these Bethel years with mingled feelings of regret and appreciation;—regret that our parting comes so soon, but with the deepest appreciation,—first, to our instructors for all they have done for us in helping to fit us for life service, and also to the entire school family for their help and for the mutual friendships formed. SENIORS—1921 We. the SENIORS of 1921, do bequeath the following Requisites of Scholarship to the worthy followers in our foot-steps to wisdom: Bengt Anderson’s smile to 'Mickey. A lock of Goldie Putnam’s hair to Harold Martinson. Some of Ingrid Stjernstrom’s wisdom to Herb. L. Peterson. Arthur Erickson’s wit to Clarence Hag-strom. Ward’s Fordmanship to Anfin Erickson. Harry Lull dell’s tiny feet to Ernest Ell-strom. Edith Anderson’s winning ways to Patsy. Freedolph Anderson’s mathematical talent to Alex Souter.