Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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“Some are horn great, some achieve greatness. And some have greatness thrust upon them!” Horn great? Yea, for verily I say unto you that no such deed could have been wrought by mortals save through immortal gifts. Have we achieved great- ness? Undoubtedly. Why else this annual the first and finest ever produced by a Senior class of F. H. N.? Has greatness been thrust upon us? Methinks I hear the murmur of many voices saying: “Verily, we have not known such marvelous fame — no, not in Kansas counties.” We would not boast. Indeed, Modesty is the watchword of this Genial Three Dozen. Having talents, we dare not hide them, for they are not candles but elec- tric headlights which cannot be hid. Whom have we in our midst? None less than philosophers, statesmen, journalists, poet s and poetesses, speakers and soeak- eresses, actors and actresses, Schumann-Heinks and Carusos, artists and musicians, optimists and “possum ists,” teachers and preachers, missionaries and globe-trot- ters — what more, O insatiable ones, could ye ask? Say on, thou long and endless tongue, say on! Methinks I hear the still, small voice of a fearful Junior pipe in- sinuatingly to its neighbor that our nose is not intellectual. We don ' t suppose it is. Our brains are not in it. Long and earnestly have we considered the momentous question of whether or not to will you Juniors our glittering armor. At last we decided to let you crawl into it and rattle around as best you can. The glitter of its shining surface may reflect a certain glory upon you. You are welcome to the reflection. Strive to grow and fill our place. Take our example and make it your goal. You sigh and say: “We cannot reach it”? Browning offers you consolation: “All, hut a man ' s reach must exceed his grasp. Or what’s a Heaven for?” Strive to attain our height. Keep climbing and you may keep the point in view. To help you on your weary way, here are some suggestions, offered in a paternal spirit of kindness and altogether for your own good. We are like the telegraph, being “well posted,” so we speak advisedly : If you wish to be praised — die. To keej) from stuttering — don’t talk. If you wish to progress — keep going. To save your shoes — pick up your feet. To gain time — borrow a watch. We note that you are inclined to follow the first suggestion and win praise speedily by drowning in tears. We heartily approve. ’Tis a harmless death and is sure to firing about the desired result. Time and a natural modesty prevent our enumerating many of the things we have done, but here are a few. Let them satisfy you. We have shown you what true examples of honor, dignity, courtesy, kindness, sympathy, modesty, scholar- ship, tenacity of purpose and general perfection are. Recognizing true greatness when he saw it, Mr. Lewis elevated us to the first row in the balcony — quite in keeping with our dignity — for from that height we could look down on you. We have produced a set of graduates (with the help of the Faculty) who are well-rounded in an education which does not throw them upon the world as people who can do but one thing. Far from it. No bookworm and grind goes out under the banner of 1914 with the watchword “ Prospice ” held high before him. Page 32

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We go out with athletic honors — won from all the school. We leave here versed in language, high art, and culture. Not the least of that culture is the table etiquette learned at many a sumptuous repast given by various clubs of the Domestic Science Department. Ah, yes, we were put to the test, but who shall say we were found wanting? Did we not sit, well poised, on our shaking chairs while men, women, and children filed past us through the dining-room to “view the ani- mals at feeding-tirne”? Did we not sit in unruffled attitudes of calm and quiet while photographers cruelly called a halt in the middle of a bite and then shot us? Was that not bravery? The Seniors say it was bravery, and the Seniors are mod- est always. Was there ever a festive occasion at which the Seniors did not shine forth in all their jollity — at skating parties, picnics, thirty-foot bonfires, marsh- mallow roasts, holiday hikes? When there was a feast of wisdom, who presided? A Senior. When there came, loud and persistent, a call for a poem, a school yell, a musician, a singer, an artist, orator, or progressive candidate — who stepped for- ward and answered the call? A Senior. Yet the Juniors say we are not intellec- tual — as to our noses — but the Juniors are incompetent judges. They should wait till they reach maturity before they try to judge intellect by noses — then they’ll be wise enough, perhaps, not to try. What call do the Seniors issue to their followers? Reveille — Awake! Arise! There’s a difference between waking up and getting up. Heed both calls, fair Juniors. One honor is ours which comes to but one Senior class in the history of an institution. To us be the glory of wearing caps and gowns in the year which marked the independence of our Alma Mater. July the fourth and March the sixth now bear to us a like significance. Hence- forth, let that date be celebrated — not with explosions of gunpowder but with bursts of eloquence and enthusiasm on the part of the student body! If ye have school spirit and pennants, prepare to use them on that day! We entered under the old regime — in those years when a solid foundation was being laid for the years to come — in the pioneer days of a school which will some day be the greatest of the Kansas schools, and proud we are to have been students in those days! We entered under the seal of W. K. S. N. We pass out under the new regime through doors above which are written: “Fort Hays Kansas Normal School!” All honor to the old regime, all loyalty to the new! We would not leave without tendering our thanks and grateful appreciation to the Faculty for all they have done for us and offering humble apologies for all we have caused them to suffer. We are indebted to them for all we know. They beseech us not to mention such a trifle, but we feel in duty bound to give them the honor of what little there is. That Faculty — so easy to exercise, so hard to hood- wink — we salute you! So here ' s to our Faculty! The best, we say. That was ever found In U. S. A ! We bid them a fond and affectionate farewell. Years pass. Time ebbs and flows as does the life of man. We pause to pay tribute to one of our number who left our midst in her senior year and “passed to where, beyond these voices, there is peace.” “God’s finger touched her — and she slept.” Girded with strength, we pass from out thy walls, () Alma Mater, — not to defeat but to Victory! Farewell, fair Juniors. Weep not. “We pass — but shall not die.” Page 33