Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

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THE IONIAN 9 3 3 Class History • When (lie school hell announced the beginning of classes in September nineteen hundred and twenty-nine, the largest class of Freshmen ever to enter the Junior I ligh School filed into that building. ()ur class was so large that it was necessary to divide us into three groups. This, however, did not prevent us from having the traditional Freshman picnic at Woodard I .ake to finish the school year. The next September found us playing the role of humble Sophomores. We too were subject to the confusion and ridicule which all Sophomores suffer. We were so busy trying to make the Seniors believe that we really were important that we overlooked the election of officers. Nevertheless we had our class picnic at Baldwin Lake. As we reached the rank of Juniors we had overcome our fear of Seniors, so immediately we organized and elected the following officers: Gordon Benedict, president: Wayne Corey, vice-president; Calla Cobb, secretary: and Alexander Sibley, treasurer. We wanted to distinguish ourselves in some way, so we inaugurated the custom of inviting all the grades of the Junior and Senior High School to our Junior Parties. This experiment proved very successful. By the end of the year we had had enough experience to enable us to put on a Junior-Senior Prom, which the Seniors told us was most enjoyable. Before leaving school that year we selected our class rings, which gave us a goal to which we anxiously aspired. The year closed with a picnic at Baldwin Lake. We returned last September bearing the title of dignified Seniors.” Under the leadership of our officers: President, Wayne Corey; vice-president, Max Pierce: secretary, Jo Ellen Perry; treasurer, Calla Cobb; we began our Senior activities. Before the first semester ended we were working on the Senior Annual, determined that the financial situation should not stop us. (fur efforts were not in vain, for before long we had obtained sufficient orders to assure its publication. We chose the play, The Importance of Being Earnest” for our Senior production. This was presented at the Ionia Theater under the direction of Mr. Smith and Miss Burke. The Juniors entertained us at a very delightful Junior-Senior Prom on the evening of May twelfth which we shall long remember. We shall bring our social activities to a close with a class picnic. Class honors were awarded to Wayne Corey and Flint Watt. In this respect also we remained true to our desire to set ourselves apart from other classes. This is the first time in many years that boys have received the class honors. Extra-curricular activities have interested many from our class. Robert Campbell. Wayne Corey, Flint Watt, and Gordon Benedict were outstanding players on both the football and basketball teams, while others gained honor in baseball and track. The girls have upheld the banners of the school in declaiming and debating. Jane Kidder represented us in the sub-district declamatory contest and Gertrude Welker, as a member of the debating squad, helped to win the Free Press plaque for the school. The Melpothalian Dramatic Club, the French Club, and the musical organizations of the school have found much favor among both boys and girls. Members of our class originated the High School Spotlight,” and have continued as the editorial staff. From these many and varied experiences of all our classmates we can look to the future, confident of success for all. Helena Miller Page Twenty-five

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THE IONIAN I 9 3 3 Salutatory Friends: On behalf of my classmates, individually and as a group, I assure you that it is with the greatest of pleasure and satisfaction that we greet and welcome you on the Sixty-Third Class Day of the Ionia High School. You must know that we are mindful of the honor of your favoring us with your presence on this occasion. To our parents and our teachers who have labored and sacrificed throughout these trying times to aid and assist us in securing an education; to our friends who have encouraged and aided us by kind words and helpful suggestions; to the members of the Hoard of Education who have given unstintingly of their time and services without financial remuneration; to the tax payers of the district who have made it possible for us to complete our high school education. To all these we extend our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation. We realize that when we arrived in this world we were absolutely helpless, with no chance of making good without securing aid from others. It has been you—parents and teachers—who have trained us for this moment when we stand on a new threshold of life, about to enter another world wholly on our own. Perhaps at times we have caused you heart-aches and disappointments, but “To err is human” and we have profited from our mistakes and your sound advice. It has been a great source of confidence to us to know that if at any time we needed advice on our problems, we could come to you and be sure of receiving cooperation. Modern civilization, especially as we find it today, is a very good definition of cooperation. As we see the world, we note that each individual is dependent to a large extent upon others for food, clothing, shelter, and a livelihood in general. Each man has his own trade or vocation, whether it be law, labor, agriculture, teaching, or manufacturing, and he exchanges it for his own means of subsistence. This makes each one dependent upon the others. Likewise cooperation is one of the greatest and most emphasized efforts in high school—whether it be in the classrooms, in athletics, journalism, music, dramatics, or other activities that are open to the participation of all students. No one student can play a game, produce a play, conduct an orchestra, or constitute a class by himself. He needs the cooperation of both the student body and members of the faculty—their advice, different points of view, and inspirations. This spirit of cooperation is clearly represented here today by you. and in again extending a most cordial welcome, we wish to thank you for making this Class Day a success, and to assure you that it will ever remain in our memories as one of the happiest and most memorable days of our lives. Flint Clyde Watt Page Twenty-four

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THE IONIAN I 9 3 3 Prophecy • The winding thread of a river far below told me that the plane was nearing Ionia. Soon the huge airport came into sight, and the plane began to descend. We were nearly at the end of the journey. I was quite breathless, not only from the trip, but from a discovery I had made a few minutes before. The two hostesses on board had come up and said, “Hr, pardon us. but aren't you—? And then I broke in with. “Of course 1 am. And you are Pearl Petrie and Luella Otterbein.” I5oth girls acknowledged the fact. They also told me that right after graduation thev decided to stick together, even though they went to great heights. As soon as the plane reached ground, a porter rushed forward to adjust the steps and help us from the plane. That efficiency reminded me of someone,—Lee Mason, of course. Lee informed me that he believed in starting from the bottom, and he assured me he would be a pilot some day. 1 was wishing him luck, when the pilot came over to where we were standing, and immediately I recognized him as Lawrence Kress. Lawrence was still chewing gum. I thought as I left the airport that some of my classmates were getting up in the world. How that taxi driver went around the corners! 1 held my breath until we arrived at the Wait and Supp Hotel. As the driver got out of the taxi, 1 gave one look, and then 1 recognized him as Orson Coe. It was easy to see that fifteen years hadn't changed him much. Immediately upon our arrival, a tall dignified doorman came over toward the taxi. Resplendent in gold braid and a tall hat, was none other than Clarence Dolphin. What with his own height, plus the hat. Clarence was indeed a looked-up-to man. Close at his heels seemingly a midget by comparison, was a tiny bellboy. His reddish hair, and beaming smile told me he was Gerald Cox. Between Gerald and Clarence, I was ushered into the hotel with almost regal splendor. We walked across the lobby, and over to a beautiful desk. The clerk pushed the registration card forward, and 1 signed my name. The dignified clerk turned the card around and glanced at the signature, then looked at me. “Well, well.” he began, and then 1 recognized him as William Batson. '1 he girl at the switchboard, who had been busily occupied, both with the switchboard, and her gum, turned around, and proved to be Jean McGannon. She came over to greet me. It looked almost like a convention with five of us standing there and all trying to talk at once. The efficient bellboy soon picked up my traveling bags and said, “This way please,” so I followed obediently. The elevator was at our command, so we stepped in. The elevator boy. who looked very familiar, soon had us on the sixteenth floor. When be spoke I knew it was Lawrence Marion. Lawrence told me that his life was just a series of ups and downs, but be seemed to be very happy. As we went down the ball two maids were whispering and talking. As I passed they looked at each other in a puzzled manner. A few minutes after 1 had reached my room, a timid rap sounded at the door. I opened it and there stood the two maids. This time it was my turn to look puzzled for they were two more classmates. Frances Gallagher and’Mary Stedman. I learned afterwards from William Batson that Mary and Frances had proved so efficient and capable that they were the housekeepers of the hotel. From the excellent service 1 received they certainly are deserving of their positions. Pane Twenty-six