Lena Winslow High School - Win Nel Yearbook (Lena, IL)

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0 Sag X N' Goins --f fnti' ' 9 The Twenfies In the twenties, interest in the school centered in the aca- demic studies. The student body was serious and appreciative of the privilege of attending high school. In an interview a 1928 graduate says, The emphasis was on studying and getting your lessons when I went to school. This alumnus also mentions the many chores including milk hauling with horses and spring wagon before school in the mornings. The subjects studied were arduous, including among others, advanced mathematics, physics, advanced civics, commercial geography, Latin, and modern and ancient history. The curriculum was intended to prepare students for further education. Six of the ten members of the 1924 class and eight of the 16 members of the 1925 class were attending college in 1926. They wrote letters back to school for publication in the Win-nel, they visited the school and spoke before the assembly. School recreation consisted of group singing twice a week at the opening exercises and competitive spelling between class groups from 1:00 to 1:15 each afternoon. Dramatics also played a very important role inthe school. Orations and declamations were presented in the county literary contests, with the 1927 and 1928 contestants remembered as a group of champions. One 1927 graduate had been in six plays. These plays were given at different places. For example, the 1924 senior play Am I Intruding? was given at the Winslow Opera House on May 26, at Cedarville on May 27, and in McConnell on June 4. These early Win-nels were partially financed by advertise- ments. Interesting ones include Blue Label Cheese, Winslow's Fa- mous product, and the Fuller Hotel's news window, featuring As- sociated Press news, changed three times a week. Class parties were big events-usually taking the form of a hike from the school to Cedar Cave and attended by all students and teachers. X. I l 3 . 1 ' q f 9 1 -6 1' ' I ' x 1 xx K 75 7 I me 1 'wi , Qi 14' , 'fax ' usher: I 4 I V I ,. - 4 1 4 'OGG :af J x7 V Q I 7 W I I 1 Ka-sans? 'J Q4 007g I' 94: ha NX. -N Q HQ- . -t sf Q ll I I f , Q

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1 Community High chool The next major change in the Winslow school came in 1921 when the Community High School district was organized. In front of the original brick building was built an addition to provide for an assembly hall on the second floor, two classrooms on the first floor, and a home economics room and inside toilets with running water in the basement. The building now came directly up to the sidewalk and over the familiar double front doors were installed two stone markers bearing the legends Public School 1902 and High School 1921. Mr. Henry C. Barton was principal at the time of the organization of the Community High School district. He served our school in a creditable manner from 1920-1924. In 1922 the first Winslow Community Fair was held at the school, with the proceeds being used to buy books to expand the school library in accordance with state recommendations. In 1923 a few taxpayers took legal action to question the formation of the school district but the Illi- nois Supreme Court upheld the district's legality, and from the fall of 1923 there has been continuously an accredited four-year high school in operation. Much credit is due Mr. Barton and the school board of his time for their labors in behalf of education in Winslow. This newly organized district with its expanded building was able to serve more stu- dents, especially at the high school level. However,in those days transportation was a formid- able problem. Most students walked to school, often considerable distances in bad weatherg many rode horses or came in buggies, wagons, or sleighs. For a long time Frank Staver's Barn served as shelter for the animals. Some students came to Winslow on the train, whose schedule between McConnell and Winslow was favorable to students for many years. In the year 1923-1924 A.E. Redmon served as superintendent. It was the graduating class of 1924 that voted to publish the first yearbook for Winslow High School, and for the title they coined the word Win-nel, made from the names of Winslow and McConnell. Winston Stewart was the editor of this first Win-nel, which was printed in the local Winslow Register office. This volume was the first factual information about the school available in print and picture form. In the fall of 1925 Thomas R. Pfisterer became superintendent.

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tudent Attitudes The attitude of the students toward their school was affectionate, almost sentimental. In the valedictory address at the 1927 commencement, for example, Arol C. McCaslin said: For our successful graduation, we owe much to you, dear teachers. We could have ac- complished very little without your guidance and instruction. But for your constant encourage- ment and assistance, when lessons seemed long and impossible, many must surely have fal- len. With much regret we part from this institution and its instructors. Many times, no doubt, we will wish for your advice to help us through some difficult problem. Our memories of you will always be inspiring, and will help to fill the vacancy left in parting. The board of education, as well as the teachers, was praised by the students. The 1928 Win-nel says, As a student body, we take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the loyalty and ever-increasing interest this board has shown in our behalf. We especially thank them for the improvements made in the building, for the excellent manner in which the building has been keptinrepair, and for the liberal appropriation made for needed equipment. fThe appropriation spoken of, the district budget for 1927-28, totalled S11,000! This covered the salaries of five high school teachers, the cost of supplies, and the high school board's share of the custodian's salary and maintenance of the building., The 1927 and 1928 literary contest team-a group of champions. Rebecca Coleman, Florence Dalrymple, John Bradford, Jr., Bessie Brandt, Josephine Kilian. 5 v E .l