Kalona High School - Centerika Yearbook (Kalona, IA)

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Editorials The Folly of War What is war that some men seem to glory in it? Surely they know the horrors of war. Is it that those who cause war have forgotten the beauties and pleasant mem- ories of youth that they can so ruthlessly kill the youth that now have taken their places? We don’t know just what is in the minds of these men but I think that those who are responsible for war should rightfully be placed in the class with our most danger- ous criminals. I don’t believe that anyone will ever be able to explain just why the mass of people should be made to sacrifice their lives for the selfish motives of a few. Why is it, then, when a young boy who has not had a fair chance in life and not had a Christian home in which he should have gotten a good training, must always be pun'shed so severely for a mistake in life? Usually they are influenced by older and mcre experienced men who should rightfully be made to pay for part of the crime. I think all those put to death in prisons would probably have proved themselves worthy and useful if they had only been given another chance. In contrast to this pic- ture are the rulers and dictators who have proved, by their positions, that they have had this chance, and still go on unpunished for the killing of thousands of innocent people, young and old alike. War seems to be justified by the world today. Why is it that such a horrible and grim crime should be justified as something which must be in order to distribute land and establish justice throughout the earth? Today we have a good example of this fact in European countries. They insist that to have peace on the continent they must first have war to bring the people of one nationality together and prevent strife and envy among the other countries. To any- one who stops and thinks about it, it is obviously a very foolish idea. Is it justice when families are broken up and fathers and mothers who were once so proud of their children must see their young boys marching to the ‘‘march of death” and their little ones at home, killed before their very eyes? Picture the bloody battle- fields where the half-crazed soldiers slaughter each other in cold blood and go on care- lessly from day to day leaving their dying buddies lying by their sides. Also try to imag’ne the horror and fright ot the people in a blazing city after the bombing planes have finished their work for the day. Although the stories and pictures of war are horrible, I think it quite impossible for us, who are not actually fighting, to grasp the full meaning of the word ‘war’. Surely no sane person really glories in war! We probably know that as long as there is anyone on the earth, there will be fighting and strife among men. Although at times it seems very far off, we must all keep praying for a time in the future when there will be no war and the “war to end war’ will be over. —Assistant Editor. The Blessings of Adversity “Sweet are the uses of adversity’’—no, this is not misqucted, although most of us would naturally prefer “sweet are the uses of prosperity”. How often we hear people idly saying, “Oh, if I only were as prosperous as so and so!’’—or indulging in envious remarks about people who are only materially prosperous. Everybody shrinks from misfortune and adversities. Yet, isn’t it true that after- wards, more often than not, people say it was good for them? Suppcse a man with his heart centered on riches, by some misfortune, loses all his wealth. Proportionately, his character is enriched, unless there wasn’t the true fiber of character in him from the beginning. He now becomes rich in sympathy for other people and makes himself e, part or them. It ‘s said that the beautiful gem found in the ocean, the pearl, is not merely a natural form but is the result of an injury or scar in the oyster. The pearl is formed through the protection built up around the in ury. Why not build up pear's of purest sheen around the injuries we receive in cur life’s journey? Even physical injuries fit into this plan Quoting the “Nazarene’’—‘‘He that does nct suffer thinks he stands upon a mighty rock which he himself has raised. He (Continued on Page 7)

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Senior Class CARLEY JUNE ERB coo Ts Class President, ’37 Class Vice-president, ’39, 40 Centerika Staff, ’38, ’39, ’40 News Editor, ’40 Declamatory, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 International Student Society, 40 Music, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 Basketball, ’37, ’39, ’40 Diamond ball, ’37, ’39, ’40 “Ruth in a Rush,” ’37 “He Troups to Conquer,” ’38 “An Old Kentucky Garden,” ’39 “Dav'd Copperfield,” ’39 “Cyclone Sally,” ’40 ADA RUT H BRENNEMAN “Ruth” Class President, ’39 Class Vice-president, ’38 Declamatory, ’37, ’39, ’40 News Editor, ’39 Assistant Editor, ’40 “Ruth in a Rush,” ’37 “Prize Pigs,” ’38 “Three Taps on a Wall,” ’38 “David Copperfield,” ’39 “Cyclone Sally,” ’40 Centerika Staff, ’38, 40 International Student Society, 738, °40 Diamond ball, ’39, ’40 Basketball, ’39, ’40 MARY ELLEN SWARTZENDRUBER “M. By? Pianist, ’38, ’39, ’40 Music, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 Declamatory, ’37, ’39, ’40 Centerika Staff, ’39, ’40 Diamond ball, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 Basketball, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 News Editor, ’40 International Student Society, 38 Class Secretary-treasurer, ’40 erULhiein sae hushine ot “Prize Pigs,” ’38 “Three Taps on a Wall,” ’38 “Dav'd Copperfield,” ’39 “An Old Kentucky Garden,” ’39 “Cyclone Sally,” ’40 ALBERTA JANE HINCKLEY “Blondie” Canoga Park High School, ’37 Class President, ’38 President International Student Society, ’38 Assistant News Editor, ’38, ’39 Declamatory, ’39 Centerika Staff, ’39, ’40 “Prize Pigs,” ’38 “Three Taps on a Wall,’ ’38 “Dav d Copperfield,” ’39 Basketball, ’39, ’40 Diamond ball, ’37, ’38, ’39 RAYMOND D. MOORE eve sa Class Secretary-treasurer, ’37 Centerika Staff, ’38, ’39, ’40 Declamatory, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 “Tom Sawyer,” ’37 “Dress Reversal,” ’38 “An Old Kentucky Garden,” ’39 “David Copperfield,” ’39 “Sue,” ’40 “Cyclone Sally,” ’40 Diamond ball, ’38, ’39, ’40 Basketball, 738, ’39, ’40 International Student Society, 40 HELEN JANETTE SLAUBAUGH “H, Je Class President, ’40 Class Vice-pres'dent, ’37 Class Secretary-treasurer, ’39 Centerika Staff, ’38, ’40 Declamatory, ’37, ’38, ’39, ’40 International ,Student Society, 24 40 Music, 737, ’38, ’39 Diamond ball, ’39, ’40 “Three Taps on a Wall,” ’38 ‘Ruth in a Rush,’ ’37 “Dav'd Copperfield,” ’39 An Old Kentucky Garden,” ’39 “Cyclone Sally,” ’40

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Editorials (Continued from Page 6) does not see his brother—he sees only himself.’’—But not so after suffering. Let us briefly consider two outstanding “unfortunates’” who have turned their liabilities into assets—Helen Keller and John Bunyan. What greater handicap can there be than blindness? Yet, by the aid of her talented teacher, Anne Sullivan, Miss Keller made full use of her talents and now is an inspiration to thousands. John Bunyan was im- prisoned for his religious and political beliefs—the son of a tinker. This did not end his activity by any means. Instead of stagnation and silence he produced his famous book “Pilgrim’s Progress’’, which, in circulation, ranks second only to the Bible. Con- sider these lives and also other examples. Let us cease complaints and think instead of the sweet uses of adversity—for they are there. —KEditor, ’40. Class History In the year 1936 the good ship ‘‘Class of 1940” left port and entered out upon the Sea of Higher Education manned by a crew of ten. The captain, Carley June, was aided by first mate Helen, and second mate Raymond, and seven crew members, Ada, Mary Ellen, Betty Brenneman, Treva Beard, Dean Kesselring, Bertha Miller and Ellis Swartzendruber In the first year of the voyage members of the class assisted in the plays, “Tom Sawyer” and “Ruth in a Rush’. Dean, Treva, Mary Ellen, and Carley June represented us in basketball. The next lap of our voyage found only seven members on board. Dean and Treva boarded another ship and Ellis sailed away on a yacht for Florida. Bertha took a life boat for port, but Alberta Jane, who had spent her first year in California, joined us. The management changed hands with Alberta Jane as captain, Ada, first mate, and Betty, second mate. Our class again assisted in dramatics. Ada, Alberta Jane, Betty and Mary Elen helped with ‘‘Prize Pigs” and the whole class aided in three one- act plays. Helen and Betty placed first in their divisions in declamatory. Raymond and Carley June also participated. Since there was no girls’ basketball team, Raymond was the only one entering basketball competition. . The next year found Betty transferred to a ship ending its voyage a year earlier thu s leaving a crew of only six. Ada served as captain, Carley June, first mate, and Helen, second mate. The entire class participated in declamatory and presented “Cavid Copperfield” with the aid of a few others. Most cf the class also helped with the oper- etta, “An Old Kertucky Garden”. The entire class played either softkall or basketball, the girls helping win the county chamrionship for Center in softball The last lap of the voyage found Helen as captan, Carley June ,first mate, and Mary Ellen, second mate. At the beginning of the second semester Alberta Jane com- pleted her work ard entered the University of Iowa. The cas presented ‘‘Cyclone Sally” with the aid of a few cthers. All but Alberta Jane took part in dec’amatory, Raymond and Carley June placing in their divisons. Our voyage is almost over with May 15 the probable da-e of arrival and May 17 the day when we reach shore. —R. D. M. ’40.