Marion High School - Memory Kit Yearbook (Marion, IL)

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“Memory Kit” Staff - 1918 TO THE CLASS OF ’68 For the Class of '18 to have been invited to write a short commemoration to the Class of '68 on this, the 50th anniversary of their graduation from our High School, naturally arouses in every one of them a nostalgic sentiment toward these happy days we spent together those many years ago. The Class of '18 is most grateful for the remembrance and recognition you have extended to us as the class who originated and edited the first Memory Kit. We could regale you with the many stories of the usual uncertainties experienced by all pioneers who first tread the path of innovation. We appreciate that those who followed us through the years have so successfully nurtured and improved our initial efforts with the same affec- tion and dedication that was ours. The circa of our class was World War I, and thus the motif was expressed in the name Memory Kit,” in our class motto of 'Over the Top' to Win, and the martial escutcheon for our class ring or pin. Our Class of T8 can be aptly designated the threshold generation for we were all born shortly before or after the entrance of the twentieth century. We have lived through the two most catastrophic world wars, with the greatest destruction of life and property the world has ever suffered. Then, too, we survived the cataclysmic economic panic of 1929-34 with its resultant dislocation in all levels of our socioeconomic society. But free men, with their technological dynamism and resourcefulness, never faltered in their determination for recovery and restoration. We entered this world in the horse-and-buggy days and have participated in the astonishing achievements of this century of science, industry and inventions—from hydraulic to motor, to electric, and now atomic power—with an unprecedented prosperity unknown to mankind in his thousands of years of history. The material rise is only part of the story. There have been cultural gains as well, and we now live in an educational era. The kind and amount of education which fifty years ago would have led to success will not accomplish that result today. With the tapping of cosmic sources of energy you members of the Class of '68, with the en- thusiasm of youth, will accept your legacy and help make the future of our country more productive and glorious in the next fifty years than during the past half century. Amidst these sturdy times and thrilling events we, of the Class of '18, could wish we were younger, but inasmuch as we cannot be, we say to all of you that you live in this nation's most challenging period. A majority of our class will celebrate with you your Baccalaureate and Graduation services on June 5th and 7th—this sesquicentennial year of Illinois statehood. We all voice the wish and hope that your future days may be as happy as those which have reached a fitting culmination in the events that bring us together on these memorable occasions. GEO. W. ROCHESTER President of the Class of ’18

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Arno B ratten 1918 . . . and Principals Fifty years ago Marion Township High School stood on West Main Street housing only a few classrooms and teachers. In 1920 and in 1948 the school was enlarged to meet the steadily increasing enrollments. The township system was abandoned in 1951, and became Marion Community Unit High School. As Marion Community Unit District 2 grew, changes became necessary both in curriculum and buildings. In 1965 on land donated to the school system by Dr. W. W. Ritchey, a new high school was completed. With the addition of a new school the curriculum was changed from a 6-2-4 system to the present 6-3-3 system. The building occupied 50 years, with its additions, became the Junior High School, and the new building became Marion Senior High School. Without the continued and progressive spirit of our princi- pals from 1918 t0il968, the school system’s growth and devel- opment would not have been possible. Due to the efforts of Principals Arno Bratten, J. D. Brownlee, Allan R. Edwards, Fred H. Sheppard, William Bundy, and A. C. Storme, the educational program has been broadened to meet the constantly changing needs of the students. A. C. Storme, current principal of the school, who is largely responsible for the success of our new building and educational facilities, has recently been named as Superintendent of Marion Community Unit School District 2 effective June 1, 1968. So as the Fiftieth Anniversary Edition of the 1968 Memory Kit” goes to press, we learn of another principal’s departure and hope his successor can continue to meet the ever-present and constantly changing challenges he will en- counter at our high school. A. C. Storme 1968

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“Memory Kit” Staff - 1968 Armctta Corder Jim Pape, Advertising Patti Dungey Sophomore Class Editor Vicki Holmes, Jr. Class Editor and Feature Editor Linda Salzman, Sophomore Class Editor Speaking for the Class of '68, we look forward with anticipation to the presence of the Class of '18 at our Baccalaureate and Graduation exercises in June of this year. Although Marion Senior High School of 1968 is much different than Marion Township High School of 1918, we realize that the educational standards set by the schools have not changed. The progress achieved by past alumni has made it possible for our class to enjoy many modern facilities which were not available to you. For this we thank you, and we hope that we may follow in your footsteps to success in our future lives. PATTY MIFFLIN President of Class of '68 7