Lake Benton High School - Bobcat Yearbook (Lake Benton, MN)

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School District No. 1 The first school district was established by the commissions of Lyon County, May 16, 1872. Afterwards, on January 2, 1872 the school district now known as Independent School District No. l of Lake Benton was estab- lished, this being the first district to organize and hold a school. The first building owned and used as a school house was built on the flat west of the villare of Lake Benton by a man named Coole, for a dwelling. We know but little of this man, but we can form some estimate of his character from the fact that when he left, he left instructions with two of his neighbors that if he did not return, his home should be taken by the school district for a school house. As he did not return this was done, the buildina being moved to the foot of the hill west of the village of Lake Benton. In this building was held the first public school in Lincoln County. Miss Diana Wheeler was the first teacher. Jennie Poyns was the last teach- er in the log school house. The next structure was a frame building, built by issuina bonds of the district. It stood where the Episcopal Church now stands. The first teacher in this school was George Durst of Tracy. School opened in the building on the nflatn in the fall of 1888 with James Ruane as superintendent. The first Graduation exercises were held on June 2, 1893. The class consisted of three members. The first class to complete a four-year high school course was graduated in 1903 and con- sisted of one member, Bessie Tucker. The district was orvanized as an independent district in 1903. Mr. E. A. Tasker served as the first president. In the year 1905 the school was recoanized as an accredited high school. The present fine brick school building, located in the east edae of Lake Benton was completed in 1918.

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Dedication The students of Lake Benton School are ever mindful of the important role the community citi- zens play in making it possible for our school to function. The burden of responsibility to provide an education for every child or our land rests with the common man whether he be a grocery clerk, bank teller or any other one of many stations in life. Many people come and go from our village each year. They all become acquainted with our school regard- less of their length of stay. Whether they are life-long or short-term residents we dedicate our yearbook to them. --To our 'readers '--the people of the Lake Benton community--- for their patience and kindness when the head- lines cry a defeat. for their loyalty and efforts when we ask for support. for their expressions of graditude when we achieve a victory. for the little things that mean so much. This yearbook of 1955 is gratefully dedicated.

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Education is a very personal matter. Every pupil must learn for himself. The good student, the av- erage student and the pupil who learns slowly are all entitled to the best possible opportunities for education. An educational system is more than brick buildings, good adminis- tration and interesting and success- ful extra curricular activities. The farmer of today must be well ed- Superlntemlent PPIHCIPHI Make the most and best of your- self as there is no tragedy like a wasted life--a life failing its true end, and turned to a false end. We at Lake Benton High School, may have aided you, guided you, suggested to you, and above all, may have in- spired youg but your true success must come from your own exertions. Your attainment in life will be pro- portionate to the effort you put f0I'tho ucated with broad training in many lines. In general, the management of a farm requires more knowledge and executive ability than does the management of the usual village business. The U. S. Chamber of Commerce found out, in a very recent survey, that business had developed to a point of F0 years ahead of education and that science had developed to a place that it has 70 years mmed- ucation. Education, therefore, must be defined: Nto give boys and girls suc- cessful experiences in solving the problems which are real to them here and now, thus preparing them to solve future problzms.n One can see, then, that educa- tion is a very personal matter. School Board Mr. Leo Schardin Mr. Lyle Trautman Mr. Thomas Kelly Mr. Floyd Petersen Mr. Arch Millard Mr. Oscar Trautman Supt. Lloyd Thorson