Kingman High School - Oracle Yearbook (Kingman, KS)

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l adis D How Times Have Changed By Lucille Erhard Ding, Dong! the sound of the bell was heard at 9:00 otclock as the students of Kingman High School of many years ago marched into the school building. The day was opened by the regular morning exercises which lasted only one- half hour. It was a devotional and music service to prepare the students for their day's work. The music was conducted by Mr. Oscar Capps. Not having an opportunity to choose their course, the students attended their classes in the following order: The freshmen usually took English, Latin, Algebra and Physical Geography, sopho- mores took Ancient History, Caesar, En- glish and Algebra, first semester, Plane Geometry the second semester, the junior classes were: Solid Geometry, English III, Cicero and Physics, seniors studied Vergil, Botany, Geometry, and American History. The monotony of the morning was broken by a session or recess at 10:30 until 10:45. Various games and sports were played during this short period. The curriculum wasn't very large and the studies were limited. The faculty was made up of three teachers and a superintendent who taught a class. The freshmen classes were distributed over a full day period ending at 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon, while the jun- iors and seniors were dismissed at noon, the sophomores attended only in the af- ternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 o'clock. If a student's grades and deportment were high enough, he was exempted from the six weeks' tests. Athletics were few, but the clubs were well organized, with a large participation. An athletic association was organized in 1905-06. Track appeared to be one of the most outstanding activities. the team winning many honors and trophies. Foot- ball was played well and the class of 1906 brought home the bacon several times. This team has been one of the most outstanding winning teams since the game has been played in K.H.S. It won all the games that season except one, and it was lost by a small score. The team's captain was Joe Yeoman. Not much interest was taken in basketball until later years. The girls played in- ter-class games, but the boys didn't play any matched games. The games were played out of doors on the iield where Kingman vs. Cleveland--1 907-'08 the Hobson home now stands. This cczurt was built in 1907, and this year two games were played with Cleveland, one being won and one lost. ' The literary societies were one of the important factors of the school. There were two societies, the Promethian Liter- ary Society, and Athenian Literary So- ciety, which were made up of all the class- es. The freshmen gave recitationsg sophomores, essay and debates: juniors, debates and orationsg and the seniors, orations. The presidents of the societies were: Paul Hall, Promethian: and Fred Hurd, Athenian. The Cragun Prize Ora- torical Contest was first held in 1900. Many of the students participated in this and won prizes. The Y.W.C.A. was organized Septem- ber 17, 1908. The membership consisted cf people who were in school and some who were not. The dues for the entire year were twenty-five cents. Besides this, the girls had a plan of systematic giving, each member paying a certain amount which she had pledged for each nwcnth. Miss Alta Gorman was the presi- dent. The Y.M,C.A. was organized in the same year. It was run practically on the same principles as the Y.W.C.A. John Lindholm was president. None of the school activities or parties of any kind were held on a school night, leav- ing only Friday and Saturday nights for them. The junior-senior banquet was super- vised and paid for by the school board. They always served them at one of the hotels until the spring of 1908, then the banquet was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Hay. Gene Harlow was the toastmaster and Frank Yeoman gave the welcome address. A three course dinner was served by the junior class of the school. The banquet was held the night after commencement. Each junior and senior could invite a guest regardless of his class in school. Glee clubs were not considered so im- portant a factor in education then as now. So whenever any music was Wanted for any entertainment the entire student body would participate. There were no Inter-Scholastic Contests in Fine Arts. This was probably due to the fact that the majority of the students attended school in the morning, and another rea- son was that the people couldn't travel fast enough from the towns because the 2 horse and buggy was not so fast. In the year 1908, the Board of Educa- tion decided to add to the regular course ia business or commercial course which should be completed in two years. The course was only experimental, but prov- ed to be a great success, and is now established permanently in the school system as a four-year course. The stu- dents of the department enjoyed the same athletic, literary and musical priv- ileges as the other students in the school. Twelve students enrolled in this class, but only eight completed the course which consisted of spelling, pen- manship, shorthand, typewriting, com- mercial arithmetic, commercial law, busi- ness English and bookkeeping. The faculty members and school board thought the situation over and found out that some of the girls might be house- wives and cooks some day so a cooking class was added in 1911. Lessons were sent out once a week from the Kansas State Agricultural College. A report from each club, stating the number of suc- cesses and failures on each lesson was sent to the teacher of the Home Econo- mics Department of the Agricultural .school each week. The Oracle was first published Janu- ary 31, 1908. It was semi-monthly with Clark A. Wallace as the editor. The subscription price was thirty-five cents for the remainder of the term, if paid in advance, fifty cents if not paid by May 1g single copies five cents. 'fThe Naught Eight, the first county high school annual was published by the senior class of 1908. Clark A. Wallace was the editor-in-chief and had four as- sistants. Lewis C. Doyle was the busi- ness manager. The annual was dedicated to the Honorable School Board of District No. 1 by the thirteen members of the sc-nior class. The Kingman City High School ceased to be with the year of 1907. A new building was erected, and the high school became the Kingman County High School. The first annual commencement exer- cise was held Friday evening, June 5, 1908, at the opera house. The enrollment of the class of thirteen members consisted of four boys and nine girls. Three of the boys turned out to be three of the lead- ing business men of the city. The girls are not so easily located, because they liave either changed their names or ooks.

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I 193 I 'IEFIEHEIIEEZ EH LA QECIELJEEI I 1931 I And Another Year Passes By H. H. Halbower Many years have passed since that day in 1888, when the first class was graduat- ed from the Kingman City High School. They have been years of change and ad- vancement, years of growth and develop- ment. , Each yea r ' has seen some added improve- ment in the system. From . a two-teacher ' system exist- ing in the same building as the grades, has been de- veloped a sys- tem with sev- enteen teach- ers. separate buildings, and thousands of dollars worth of equipment. The three-year course has be- come a four- y e a r course. The old Eng- lish and Latin courses are no I more, and in their places we find five separate curricula withneight departments of work. Extra-curricular activities have been added and inter- scholastic competition extended. Today a student may choose of dramatics, plays, sports, music, or forensics to sup- plement his classroom work. Each year becomes a part of the past. The successes, the failures, the hopes and ambitions become a part of that pat- tern which is woven through time, and becomes known as the history and the tradition of a school. Each class and each individual helps build this tradition. This year 55 seniors join the list of 1,235 seniors who have in the past built the traditions of Kingman High School. Their opportunities have been greater oe-cause of the traditions which have been handed them. It is to be hoped that these seniors have measured up to the standard of achievement, and in turn have helped in the upbuilding of the school. And it has been a successful year. Our athletic teams, in every sport, in a broad held of competition, have won more yea mes than were lost. In debate and in niusic we have won state-wide recogni- tion. We have consistently ranked high in scholarship. In the presentation of our plays, our operetta and our publica- tions, a high degree of excellence has been attained. The general morale of the school has been excellent, and the stu- dents have exhibited a fine spirit of sportsmanship. May the seniors of today be proud in future years of the part the-y played in keeping up the traditions of Kingman lligh School. Table of Contents Page And Another Year Passes, Mr. H. H. Halbower ............ ,.,.,,, 1 In Dad's Day, Lucille Erhard .,,.......,.,,,,,..,, .,,.,.. 2 Just Any Day in School, Hester McKenna ,,,,....,,,,,....,..,..,,,.,. .3 From Gridiron To Cinder Track, Eugene Sutton, Earl Hoffman, Eugene Clark, Charline Harner ...,.... 4 Much Ado About Nothing, Viola Hodge .................,.,,..,,.,,.,.,,. ,,,,,,, 6 We Present the Class of '31, Margaret Warnberg ,,..,.,,.,,,,,,.. ,,..... 7 'tDere Teachers, Pauline McCartney .......,......., ,,,.,,., 1 1 'tBesides Seniors We Have, Bernice Forney ,.,,.,,,.,.,,,,,,,..,.,,,,,..,,,.,,, 12 It's Always Fair Weather, Ruby Dutton, Margaret Warnberg .... 13 Outside The Classroom, 14 16 Ruby Dutton ....................,.,... .,,.,... 'tHumor, Staff ,,,,,.,.,,....,..,,..,..,,,., ...,,,,, Cover Design For twenty-four years these old stone steps have resounded to the passing of students' feet. The arched portals have echoed back the voices of happiness and youth. In years to come what wouldnft we give to enter here again! The Oracle Staff Editorial: Edlt0I'-111-Clfllfkf ..,.,,,,,,.,,,,,,, Ruby Duttgn Associate Editor tMake-upj Pauline McCartney Associate Editor fCopyJ Bernice Forney Department Editors: News ........................ Margaret Warnberg Society and Organizations McKenna SPOYJCS ............................ Eugene Sutton, Eugene Clark and Earl Hoffman. Exchanges .................... Lucille Erhard Features .................... Dorothy Stormont Business: Business Manager ............ Bill Marcum Advertising Manager .... Oren McClure Circulation Manager .... Charline Harner Typists: Vera Fox, Rachael Hoover and Char- line Harner. Reporters: Cula Lindt Naomi Millard Elsie Crandall In preparing this 1931 magazine edi- tion of the Oracle we have endeavored to compile a magazine that in a measure, at least, would reflect the activities, achieve- ments, and school life of K.H.S. It has been our aim to give to the faculty, stu- dents and friends of our school an in- teresting review of the year that has passed. Our wish is that in the distant future when these leaves are reminiscently turned, only the fond memories of the years we spent together at Kingman High School arise. It is with the hope that the second edi- tion of the Oracle Magazine may prove a worthy memento of their days in King- man High School that it is respectfully dedicated to the members of the class of 1931. Watson Weniger Vera Fox Charline Harner Oracle Staff 1930-1931

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.lu t A Da in School How Students Are Uverworleea' By Hester McKenna Friday morning, May 8, Paul and Jim met in front of Beckett's. It was almost eight o'clock, and they were rejoicing over the fact that it was Friday, and that they had only two more weeks of school. They were glad also because it was the last day of school that week. But deep down in those boys' hearts they were not glad, for they hated the thought of losing their friends, the seniors. Let's go to school, Jim, I have to read my sociology lesson, said Paul. They walked up the street to school and their conversation drifted along, and finally they ended up by talking about their grades. They opened the door and there was an announcement on the bulletin board which read, 'Not So Fast,' SR. Class Play at High School Gym to- night. t'Oh! Paul, let's go to see that. I heard that Bob Eson could certainly play his part. In fact I guess everyone has his part well, said Jim. Another announcement read like this, Scenes from the Senior Play will be given in chapel this morning. This of course pleased the boys very much. They walked down the corridor and went into the study hall so that Paul might read his sociology lesson. About 8:10 a group of real merry-makers came into study hall. They also we1'e rejoicing because of school being out in a few vleeks. They planned a picnic for that evening after school. Of course Jim :-n'l Paul were listening while they were planning the lunch because, well, they were just ordinary boys. At 8:20 the bell rang and they both went strolling down the hall and into Mr. Kaufmarfs room for geometry. This hour seemed like only a few min- utes, for both the boys had their les- sons and could Work almost all the prob- lems. At 9:20 the bell for second hour rang. Jim said, I must be on my way to En- glish, but I'll see you in chapel. Jim ren up the stairs to the English room and then he saw Maxine Clark, coming from D. S. with a bunch of cookies. He stopped her and relieved her of part of her burden. Meanwhile Paul had gone up the stairs in the opposite direction to type- writing, and of course he missed meeting Maxine on a morning such as this. But of course, Jim had never told Paul of meeting her almost every morning, and that this was his reason for using the north stairs, exclusively. As they promised, they met in chapel and sat together. They thoroughly en- ,v.v.v.,VV,.v.v.v.v.v. - - A - - .v.v.v.'.v.v.v.'.,v.v.v., i l Study hall two hours a day? What evil hath the curriculum wrought! At that. they look as if they enjoyed it. Mr. Cottle seems to he preparing his usual fine les- son in sociology. Or is he thinking of last night? The geometry class is hard at work. Even Mr. Kaufman seems to be work- ing. The gym class prepares for its setting- up exercises. Mr. Skelton coulIln't get in the picture. The gym and the high school remind us of good times. L.v.Y.v.'.'.'.'.v.v.v.v.v.-.v.v.v.v.v.'.v.v.v.v. - A - - .v.v.v.J 3 joyed the skits from the play and were more anxious to see the play that night. At 10:55 the bell rang. Mr. Halbower called for announcements, and they were then dismissed to go to their third hour classes. Paul went to sociology, and Jim to world history. In their own estimation they had their lessons almost perfect. Later Jim said to Paul, Girls certainly are dumb. Paul naturally asked, Are you just now finding that out, and how did it just happen to dawn on you ? Jim replied, Well, today in history class, Florence Erhard said Japan is in the United States. At 11:55 the bell rang and school was dismissed for the noon hour. At this time the boys went home to partake Of their noonday meal. At 12:45 they were again in front of Beckett's. They walked up the street as hundreds of others were doing. In front of the building they were stopped and asked to pose for a few snapshots that the girls wanted of them. At 1 o'clock the bell rang for the fourth hour class. This hour Jim and Paul had study hall. Jim sat there day dreaming for a while, and finally he went to sleep, and had to be awakened by Paul so that he would not be tardy to his next hour class. All this time Paul had been doing some real studying for a quiz in American history which he had next hour. Jim had another hour of study hall, and at this time he began working on his theme for English. He was becoming deeply interested in his subject when the bell for sixth hour dis- turbed him. All this time Paul was in history class taking his quiz in which he received a grade which according to the bell curve put him on top-or in the middle-depending on how you look at it. Sixth hour, Jim had Spanish and be- cause the class had their lessons so well, Miss Back told them about Mexico and some ofutheecustoms. They enjoyed the talk very much and the only thing they regretted was that the time was too short. V Paul had study hall sixth hour ano worked on his theme for sociology. The 4 o'clock bell rang, and the boys went to town to meet the Gang going 011 the picnic. They came back to town about 7 o'cl0ck and neither of the boys had a starved look on their faces. At 8:15 the boys were sitting on the sixth row in the gym ready to See 9-Hi hear everything. They enjoyed the Play very much, and decided it was one of the best plays they had ever seen. After- wards the boys were heard singing as they walked down the street, Just An- other Day!