Independence High School - Orange and Black Yearbook (Independence, KS)

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Q T Interesting Bits of M. C. H. S. History CHASfDEHHETTIXTHEREPOBTER The passing of the Montgomery County High School will not be with- out regrets. This will be especially true among the hundreds of bright young men and women who have gone out from its portals equipped for life's duties, and who are today filling places of trust and usefulness. They will always recall how their first impulses to achieve were awak- ened and quickened there and the impetus was given to their ambitions to develop their talents. To each of them this school and all that it was to them stands out as one of the brightest memories in their youthful beginnings. It will, however, be some satisfaction to them to know that only the name will pass away, and that the institution will be retained with its influence for good augmented rather than curtailed. When the history of this school is written, what a monument it will be to Professor' S. M. Nees, who was its ,first principal and who has ever since been retained in that position without opposition or even an expres- sion of a desire for a change. The system of taxation by which the school was supported has been severely criticised and warmly defended, but the work of the school has met with an approval far more universal than that given to any other institution in the county. This is due to the unselfish, untiring and capable direction given to its growth and develop- ment by Mr. Nees. It is an achievement seldom equaled and never excelled. His position was not an easy one. The pathway of that school has not been strewn with flowers. Always a subject of attack from the taxation standpoint, around it have played political controversies, sec- tional animosities and all the bitterness that creeps out of the petty jealousies of ambitious cities in a rapidly developing county. Through it all Mr. Nees has stood at the head of the school, making it a stronger and better school each year, and always extending its sphere of useful- ness. It is an accomplishment that must now be of great satisfaction to him. He has performed a service to his community and to the young manhood and womanhood of this county that is invaluable. Best of all, it is a service that is appreciated by his fellow citizens. It has not been the fortune of many men .who have devoted the best years of their lives to a great public service to receive the plaudits and approval of their fellow men to a greater degree than will Mr. Nees. Due credit also should be given to the members of the Board of Trustees and the Faculty for the splendid and efficient service which they have rendered to the school and community. Members of the Board have been elected who were not in sympathy with the law creating the school but all have done their part toward making it one of the best high schools in the state. At all times the Board has stood for progress and has been willing and ready to provide the equipment and supplies which the institution needed. The Faculty has always been composed of the Seven M. C. I Orange cmd Black . l1921lV S. l i 1 . 4

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TROPHIES 1921

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M. C. H. b. U ?i gOrcrnge and Black N very best teachers that could be secured. The departmental plan is fol- lowed and each teacher is a specialist in the work assigned. To the high character of the instruction and the tlne influence of the Faculty much of the honor for the school's standing both at home and abroad should be given. Now that the school controversy has been amicably settled it will not be amiss to refer to the great value of the school. The influence it has exerted in educational matters cannot bc estimated .ii ngue-cs or out- lined in words. All that it has cost is but a small sum when you consider the rich dividends it has returned and will continue to return for years to come in character building and the development of useful and sturdy citizenship, nor the potent influence it has exerted in raising the stand- ards of all the schools of this county, including the rural schools and sev- eral city high schools outside of the county seat. The most persistent high school lzickerl' .must now admit that this school has set the pace for education in this county, and in the effort to equal it or exceed it all schools have been made better and stronger. . The law creating the school was passed when Hon. H. W. Young, one of the ablest editorial 'writers in the state, represented this county in the state senate, and Hon. I. B. Fulton, from northeast of the city, represented this district in the house of representatives. When the bill was introduced, Mr. Young' announced the fact through his paper and called for an expression from the people as to its desirability. He was flooded with letters. Among all the letters received there was only one protest and it was of a very mild nature. Under such circumstances the representatives naturally thought the people were in favor of the school. Personally, Mr. Young believed the ,school was a splenedid thing and always consistently defended it. But while the deemed this a political error, he Was satisfied the error was on the side of right and he was proud of the county high school. Mr. Fulton returned from Topeka to ind his neighbors, closest friends and former ardent supporters lined up in bitter opposition to him. He was a good man and a good citizen and 'the fact that he assisted in giving the educational advantages of this county a big boost will not stand as a mark aainst his good name even in the mem- ories of those who most severely condemned him at the time. The influence of the school has constantly widened and opposition to it long ago almost disappeared in the rural districts, because no matter from what locality a student came, he returned home a booster for the school. Where The Pictures Were Made All the group pictures in this year's book were made by the Scott Studio. The individual pictures appearing in the book were scattered among all three studios, Reinhards, Baughs, and Scotts. 1 Eight I 1 9 2 1