Emporia High School - Re Echo Yearbook (Emporia, KS)

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Of the Activities of the Emporia Senior High School 1944 VIRGINIA JENSEN, Editor . JAY SOUTH, Business Manager SYNOPSIS It began on a sunny September day in 1943, and the action of the play missed not a beat from first till final curtain. The action took place in the Senior High School-in the laughter filled hallways, the friendly G. R, room, in the sleepy study hall, and buzzing classrooms. September 7th, the first day of school, saw sophies finding their way to new lockers, new rooms and teachers. Juniors joyously greeted friends they hadnlt seen since May 26, or the day before. Seniors practiced a haughty air, relishing their newly-acquired superiority. The first week of half-days flew by, and teachers finally memorized facesg and seated Johnnie and Sallie on opposite sides of the room! The next weeks travelled faster and faster- Home work became routine fand don't do it tonight if you can put it off 'til study hall tomorrow!j. During September the different clubs got under way, and Hi-Ya Fun Week launched the G. R. year with parties, picnics and get-togethers including a songfest. A Hi- Neighbor party with dancing, ping-pong and a refresh- ment bar ended the first week of playtime afternoons. The first assembly of the year outlined the activities and aims of the school year. John Rees, president of the Student Council, extended an invitation to the new stu- dents. Four hundred fifty students purchased activity tickets, and the pep club practiced cheering after school, in prep- aration for the first game of the year-with the Topeka But, sob! Emporia Highls gridmen were out- Redskins. weighed, and the first game was a defeat for lf. H. S. The initial assembly of the year introduced E. H. S.'s as baton twirlers, quartettes, dramatic skits, tumbling acts and a mock football game poured from the chapters of a huge book on the stage. The last exciting pages contained the cheerleaders, directing cheering and and leading in the school songs. Approximately 325 candles lighted the Junior High auditorium when the Girl Reserve recognition service was held. Helen Graves, graduate, gave a talk on l'Building for Tomorrow, the theme of the year. Freda Ames ex- plained the symbol of the Girl Reserves while the girls lighted their candles on the stage. activities, I' L The first all-school party October 15 meant lots of fun in the form of dancing, tennis, ping-pong and refresh- ments to a large number of students despite the group that went to the football game in Topeka. Members of the home rooms chose their representa- tives to the student council for the year. The home room schedule followed the same plan as the previous year. Scairdy cats, and also those who wanted to enjoy the dancing and games attended the all-school Spook-Spree on October 29. No spooks or witches were allowed at the party, of which admission was the purchase of a war stamp, to boost war stamp sales. Many students saw the captured Japanese submarine on display on Commercial, before attending the party. An Armistice Day program November 10, with Major Matthew J. Shevlin of the 84th College Training Detachment as talked about the cadet program general. November 3 brought to the polls the highest percen- tage of students ever to vote in the class elections of Emporia High. Six hundred nine votes were cast, and voting took place in the east and west ends of the gym balcony. The campaign was a lively one, with posters on the bulletin boards, and across the library windows in the study hall. Classes were headed by Bon Donnellan, seniorg Philip Jensen, junior, and Jim Benfer, sophomore. Thumbs Up, an all-school play, was presented November 19 before the largest crowd to see an all-school play since 1929. The three-act comedy was well received by its audience Cof courselj and its timeliness made it especially interesting, since it had to do with the black market, war workers, spies, and the war effort. Rev. Orlo Choguill of the First Presbyterian Church was guest speaker for the G. R.-Hi-Y Thanksgiving pro- gram. Bob Richter introduced Reverend Choguill, who talked of this country, its beginning and foundation with relation to God. Devotions, a choral amen, a talk on the history of Thanksgiving, and the singing of America, the Beautiful, by the audience, made it a very impressive and enjoyable program. Outstanding actress! Roses and gardenias and sweet- peas to the lady! Freda Ames was elected best citizen among the E. H. S. senior girls in the annual Good Citizen- was given in Assembly speaker. Major Shevlin and the Air Corps in l

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PROLCDGUE As the 'I944 school year draws to its close, it marks the thirtieth year that classes have been held in this building, construction of which was started in 1912, and classes convened in the building Sep- tember, 1914. This building has sheltered many students and has witnessed their different ideas. It has known two great wars and from its interior have come the boys who have fought and shall fight to keep all that this building stands for alive. Many changes have been made since 'l9'l4 and many more will be made in the future to keep up with the changing times. The only remains of the old Garfield Building are the bricks and the bell which make the monument I-n the front lawn. lt has seen the beginning of romances, the start of careers. Boys and girls have found their interest in life and graduated from its doors to be- come great and famous men and women. SETTING

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ship contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American W Revolution. Qualities taken into consideration were de- pendability, courtesy, leadership, patriotism, and many t others of which lfreda proved herself as president of the Ciirl Reserves. Any old tags or botttles? This was the cry from door to door as the city-wide salvage campaign was under- taken by limporia's city schools and grease, rags, metal and paper were the main objectives. The F. li. A. boys divided lfmporia into wards, and collected metal which had been placed along the parkings. The money received lircnn the sale of salvage was put into an li, lf. A. loan fund, available to li. li. A. boys to help them on their farm projects. ilihe Student Council sponsoted the jeep jump, held December 3 in the ,junior liigh gym. A bouncin' jeep was stamped on each hand as it entered the building Qhuh?j and admission was the purchase of a war stamp. Lillie Mae Shelton Howard gave way with ther solid boogie woogie, Cow fiow Boogie, and a favorite blues singer, il revia Shelton, added rhythm to the floor show, with At Last. Bob llonnellan was master of ceremoniesfnuff said. XY'ith only one day left in the Buy a jeep campaign. llmporia lligh's students proved their patriotism, and re- membered Pearl llarbor by purchasing almost S500 worth of bonds and stamps. On December 7 students and teachers reached the goal by purchasing enough bonds and stamps to buy a jeep, and exceeded last year's campaign astragt-a ntees-ary rtqnirement in obtaining a Special 'lircasury Citation from the State NVar liinance office Keep 'tm lilyingl 'l'wo clothes barrels placed on the front halls were quickly filled by generous and thoughtful students. The drive was nationfwide, and the clothes were sent overseas for the relief of war torn countries. lleclt the halls with boughs of holly! before the Christmas holidays ye olde school building was dressed up in true Cihiistntas spirit. Colored lights on at huge tree in the main floor corridor blinked at students as they entered the building, and the smell of cedar promised a vacation not far off, 'lihe only thing lacking in the Christmas spirit was a few sprigs of mistletoe in some darl. corners-l ilihe eighth annual Christmas pageant was given in the dimly lighted Cfivie Auditorium on December I7. After weeks of hard practice the 600 city school students perfected the program and made it more beautiful and meaningful than ever before. Choirs from grade schools. ffiilllffllllctl IIN PKIKQA' ij L41