Elmwood Community High School - Ulmus Yearbook (Elmwood, IL)

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THE ULMUQS I7 Senior Class History From a land where day was one of endless play, where games and toys were our instruments of living, we came to open the door of the kingdom of knowledge. We were a carefree band, mirthful and gay, for to us life was oinly play and we were the conquerors of play. O-ur chief, a short stocky fellow full of everlasting fun, the mightiest warrior of ovur realm of playland, called' our small band together and said, Vile have come to the place where we must conquer this kingdom of knowledge or cease to advance. It is hindering our pirogress. We have done every- thing within our realm that can be done. We must add this new field of knowledge to our field, or cease to wa.lk the path of life, With that he ordered us to arms and gave the command to charge. Among those war- riors that entered were Della Brown, Mary Demick, Willard DQFO1-d, Wil- liam Schenck and Millard Day. We were somewhat awed at first by the magnitude of this kingdom. We not merely met one army, but many, each after the other, and the O-ne last conquered seemed to invite another and stronger one to cope with our gained experience. We slowly gained victory after victory and time seemed our only check. The liquid voice of our mother tongue was a for- midable foe in itself, but we learned her ways. The great mathematical figure with his army was so thorough in his .systematic ways that it seemed,,complicating to us. But we gradually learned many of his meth- ods. The general with his army who knew every river and cliff on the globe led us into many new lands until we too became acquainted with the globe and became his equal. So each army made its defense. Each year of victory paved the way to another until we had been in the conquest eight years and were ready to enter High School., During this time we had gradually changed from a band into a class and had increased greatly in numbers. Those that had'been added were Earline Weeks, Margaret Seltzer, Irma Cald- well, Lucile Flint, Freda Bohrer, Elsie Manuel, Walter Dalton, William Jaques, Wesley Dawson, Harold Whitten, Cornelius Kemp and Harry Stotler. . On entering High School we were further strengthened in our forces by Margaret Ekstrand, Elva Wolford, Pearl Clinch, Leah Maher, Kathryn Cusack, Everett Epley, Paul Miles, john Vohland, John Cullings, Donald Schultes, Cecil Coon, Lester Turl, Floyd Brown and Robert Myers. During our stay in High School we gathered Doris Colvin, Dorotha Young, Edith Stevens, Donna Kirkbride and Ralph Melville. Thus strengthened, we felt fully equipped to enter our last four years of con- quest. The first year we finished with a triumphant victory. Every mem- ber of the class received unusually high grades and the faculty was amazed at our progress. The upper classes looked upon us with admira- tion for our courage in the confii-ct. The second year, we began to take

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18 THE ULMUS an active part in athletic work and ever since then have carried Elmwood High's ba.nner to victory. Let it be known that we were not always engaged in battles, far be it from us, gfo-r in the third year we grew into society. Having some mem- bers who were especially gifted in this line, we were looked on admiring- ly. We gave the seniors one of the most extraordinary receptions that was ever held in the auditorium., so they confess. The second member of our class had already a-ccepitdd the duty of matrimony, and what cla.ss can boast of more. Our parties were always scenes of splendor and fine entertainment but never lacked a touch of the scandal which goes with society. The fourth year oif our conquest found us. in a mo-re serious state This was our last year and we had grown attached to tfhis life of learn- ing. As soldiers we knew no other occupation. This fact seemed to grip all the class alike and the first step was to elect as new officers, Cornelius Kemp, Presidentg William Jaques, Vice President, and Margaret Ekstrand, Treasurer. We were not permitted to have any more parties because the Sopliomores grew jealous a.nd persuaded the faculty not to let us have any more. We began a great war on the morals and as soon as we graduate we expect to publish a great book on that subject to which each member of the class has contributed a part. The effect of this book will, we think, mean a great uplift to future civilization. Not only are we noted for this, but one of our class members has -com.posed a play. As soon as it is given by our class it will be put on by a company in New York. As we were finishing the first ha.lf of the year a shadow stole ac- cross our plath and in its place left a gap which willl forever remain un- closed. Such is the passing of one of our fellow clas-smen, Robert Myers, who died December 19, 1922. The class attended the funeral which was held at his hgonne four miles so-uthwest of Douglas, Friday afternoon, De- cember 22. We felt the loss of his fellowship deeply. As we were upon the last few days of conquest our former ohief, who had led us on to c011- quer this kingdom of Knowledge gave us the following message: As each closing day brings the lengthening shadows, as that sun which has lighted the course of dur minds for these years slowly sinks be- low the horizon, we hesitateg for the next step is higher than we have ever takenlbefore. We have been about this conquest for twelve years and have conquered knowledge thus far. If we have learned to apply our minds without the lash, if we have become a little more curious about this world and have power ton reason when the world is pounding down upon us and the air if full of activity, then indeed, we have become con- querors. We have copme to the place where our efforts will be futile un- less we conquer life. I trust tha.t through our union, we have felt U16 fellowship olf one another. The time has come when we must separate, for yo-u must gain the next victory with your own swordl. May these years have taught you to use it diligently. M. E. D. '23