Collinsville High School - Kahokian Yearbook (Collinsville, IL)

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. Id Ko IN OI § Great rolling hills— And broad, fertile plains— Soft summer winds— And cool spring rains. Noisy, hurried cities— Peaceful country towns— Smiling, friendly faces—-Seldom creased with frowns. All races, creeds and colors— Here ALL men are free— A place where people really know That word—democracy. The West may have her mountains— The East may keep her sea— And the South her grand plantations— But it's ILLINOIS for me! —MARILYN SKAGGS, Junior Class 19

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THE PEOPEE OF IEEIMOIS As I gaze from the window, I can see the gently sloping hills and rolling plains, two of the many attributes of Illinois. I say many, in that they are too numerous to mention here. Among these, and heading them, is the people. They are a proud but commonplace people, not unlike the people of the other 47 states, but yet different in their own way. They are all alike in that they are Americans. And as Americans, they go about their jobs, each performing their duties faithfully, and to the better- ment of their country, and of his state; yet they are different in their color, their language, and their religions. But whether Negro or white, Chinese or English, Protestant or Catholic, they are a people proud with one pride: pride for their country, with its mountains, hills and plains; proud of the men who fought, shed their blood, and died for it. Proud not least, for our great state of Illinois. —CAROL NICOL, Freshman Class IEEINOIS Illinois takes its name from the Indian word Illini, meaning man, and was the name by which the tribes originally inhabiting the present state were known. Illinois has long been known as the Prairie State. It is also called the Sucker State, a nickname usually traced back to the Galena miners of the 1820s. Commenting on the large number of men who came up to work in the mines, then left in a short time, the miners said they were like suckers which came up the river in the spring, spawned, and returned down again in the fall. Because of the central geographical location, and because Chicago—the second largest city in the western hemisphere—is within its borders, Illinois has become the hub of the continent. From its fertile fields come enormous quantities of farm produce, and from Illinois pastures and feed lots come livestock for feeding millions of people. From our factories, mills, and forests pours a flow of manufactured goods ranging from glass to railroad cars. Illinois is the greatest slaughtering and meat packing center of the world, and it leads the states in the manufacturing of agricultural machinery, candy, and com products. Chicago has long been one of the world's greatest grain markets. Rich in minerals, Illinois mines more silica sand than any other state, and is a leader in the production of coal and oil. Illinois is an outstanding cultural center noted for its museums, libraries, colleges and universities. Its historic shrines and science places also attract visitors in large numbers. 18 —LOIS BROWN, Freshman Class

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