Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

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No class history is complete without due praise of the athlete, and the class of ’21 has been especially favored in this respect. In every line of athletics members of this class were found in the front rank. During the past four years, out of our class of 51 students, 12 boys and 7 girls have taken active part in some form of athletics. Many have been the battles gloriously fought and won for the honor of the Blue and White. Out of the four years of our high school life our basket ball girls have won the county championship three times, thus placing the shield permanently in the possession of our Alma Mater. The boys, too, in our four years, have made a record well worth while, having won the football championship twice and basket ball championship once, and winning the annual field meet by a big score. Then, too, there were the social activities of our school days, necessary to happiness in every walk of life. Each year added its list of parties and social gatherings. Although a fewer number were held during our Freshman days, still they mean much to us. Our Sophomore year saw more parties. Prominent among these was the class picnic at Baldwin lake. In our Junior year the climax was reached. We had roasts, hikes, maple sugar parties, and just parties, each with its never-to-be-forgotten incidents. The last event of the Junior year was the picnic at Crystal Lake. During our Senior year we had less time for social functions, but those we had were well worth while. The result of these parties has been to make fast life- long friends. But our pleasures were not in parties alone, for our societies played a big part in our school life. Of these are the Athenaeum, a girls’ literary society, to which nearly all the girls of the high school belonged and of which six members of the class have been officers. The Health and Order League served as a great help in the physical development of the girls of the school, and our class has furnished two presidents for these organizations. One of the largest events in the year of these societies was the girls’ conference, held on the campus of the Ionia High School, May 21, 1921. Delegations from all the high schools of the county were present, and a great deal was learned along educational and recreational lines, from the many well- known women who instructed us. It was the first conference of its kind in our city, and the girls of Ionia High School are proud to have been the first to start this good plan, which we hope will continue in the future. The boys’ society, the Phalanx, added much along literary and debating lines for the boys. Two members of this class took their places on the debating team and during our Freshman and Sopho- more years two of our members won first honors in the declamatory contest. One of the most popular events of the Senior year wa3 the class play, “At the End of the Rainbow.” It was a splendid success socially, financially, and demonstrated that the class of ’21 had mem- bers possessing real dramatic ability. We feel that we have accomplished much in the last four years,

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Class History Mildred Vohlers Memories! How they come steaiing back no matter how hard we strive to drive them away. Let one little thought of the past enter our minds and, in spite of everything we can do, other thoughts will come, bringing visions of yesterday as clearly as though they had happened today. When we of 1921 turn our thoughts back to September, 1917, it is with many and varied feelings. That date marks a distinct epoch in our lives, for it was then we entered High School, coming at last to a full realization of our dreams. In that September one hundred students entered the High School, the largest class ever banded together for work, play and friendship in our beloved institution. We were not to be disappointed with our High School days, for they were full of activity. In that first year great advancement in learning and true scholarship was made. The title of “Freshman” was bestowed upon us, but most of us failed to appreciate it. Everything was different and those who came through that first year were certainly capable of finishing the course, for it was found to be no easy task. Some dropped out, others fought a losing fight, while those of us who succeeded in finishing the course are prepared to reap the reward. With the pleasures of summer still fresh in our minds we came back to the High School in the fall of 1918. Our prospects were bright, for we were ready and eager for our school-days tasks. As president of our Sophomore year we chose Arleigh Wingrove, who proved an able leader, and when in June wre saw another class graduated from the High School, we seemed nearer than ever to our goal. Then came the Junior year, with its problems, joys and possibil- ities and each year seemed more promising than the previous one. The first and most difficult days of our course were over, and we were to make the final attempt. During the Junior year Clare Wheaton was chosen President of the class and many were the good times under his leadership. As our third year drew to a close our thoughts turned more and more to the future, and as our horizon was broadening we could see more clearly that goal towards which we were striving. Just one short vacation period, and then those who had enough wit and perseverance became full fledged Seniors. Willard Meader proved a capable leader for our Senior year, which has proved the crowning one of our High School life.

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and although it was up to each of us, by earnest striving, to succeed, still we have been more certain of success because of the inspiration of our many friends. Our Wednesday morning assemblies have accomplished much in this respect, for college presidents, professors, lawyers, ministers, doctors and business men in their talks have urged us to seek the worth while things of life. Even greater than these, however, have been the influences of our instructors. More than one pupil, almost ready to give up the fight, has gone on because of his teacher’s encouragement and has realized success at last. They have had no easy task instructing us, and though at times it has required courage and self-sacrifice we have never heard them complain. When the time came to give the honors to the students of the class who attained the highest average for the four years of their high school career, it was discovered that fifteen students were elig- ible for the Senior scholastic honors. This is an exceptionally large number and we are indeed proud of the brilliant work of our colleagues. The class of ’21 is in reality a war class, for we entered school in the same year that America so nobly took up her part in the world war. And so while thousands of brave American lads were laying down their lives for us, we were at home doing as best we could our small part. When the call for the Victory Pledge came the class, then in its Sophomore year, gave two hundred dollars. Through the Patri- otic League also a good work was carried on, the girls in this league doing everything possible, from knitting to making scrap books. So, as we look back over the last four years we find that this class has been in every type of High School work and play. Nor will the accomplishment of our efforts ever leave us, for here have been laid the foundation for future success, and lifelong friendships have been formed. And now the class of 1921, the proudest class which ever graduated from dear old I. H. S., is about to say goodbye, and as we leave we are determined to keep our motto always before us: “The Horizon Widens aa We Climb.”