Mendota High School - Atodnem Yearbook (Mendota, IL)

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A MIINIIISTIRATIIQINI Dear Seniors: Good-byes are always tinged with tragic so- lemnity in that friendships built up by mutual good will and identity of purpose are broken asunder. l have said farewell to more than forty grad- uation classes, but somehow this is the most difficult farewell I have ever made. Perhaps it is because I have known you since kindergarten age, or perhaps it is because this is the last fare- well 1 will ever make to a graduation class, for this is also farewell to my life's work of provid- ing educational opportunities for youth. It has been my constant effort to provide the best opportunities possible for the youth of Men- dota in both the course of study and quality of teachers. Somehow or other, I feel that you will justify the faith that I have vested in you. Many times the immortality of teachers depends upon the fame of their students. I retire with the feeling that those who have passed through the portals of the Mendota High School are better citizens for having done so. My fondest farewell to all and my last wish for you is in this poem: 1 would be true, for there are those who trust meg I would be pure, for there are those who carey I would be strong, for there is much to suffer: I would be brave, for there is much to dare. I would be friend of all - the foe, the friendlessg I would be giving, and forget the giftg I would be humble, for I know my wealmessg I would look up and laugh and love and lift. For twenty-eight years Mr. Steele has headed our busy workers and has been the center of the schools activities. In these many years he has done an excellent job of keeping Mendota one of the best run schools in the state. He has been the connecting link between the school board and the school. Upon his shoulders rest the responsibilities of carrying out the policies set forth by the Board of Edu- cation. He has won many honors as being one of the most efficient and progressive adminis- trators in the state, and he is always working for the general advancement of education. He has dedicated his life to the education of youth. For these reasons and many more we will all be very sad to see Mr. Steele leave MHS. He has given the school much to be proud of, and in turn we are very proud of Mr. Steele. He plans on staying until September, and then he will go into retirement. Since this is Mr. Steele's last year with MHS, we think it is proper that the students be in- formed about a man We all should be proud of. A native of Indiana. Mr. Steele first attended a one-room school which did not offer the best MAURICE E. STEELE Superintendent of Schools Principal educational opportunities. Knowing Mr. Steele, we can understand that it Was his determina- tion which helped him succeed in spite of dif- ficulties. He was graduated from an academy in southern Indiana in 1910. From there he at- tended Valparaiso University where he re- ceived two of his five degrees. He was grad- uated in 1915 as class president With high honors. He then attended different schools such as the University of Chicago, Columbia Uni- versity in New York, and Oakland City College in Indiana. Mr. Steele holds five degrees, B.M., BS., A.B., Ph.B., and M.A., and has done addi- tional work on his Doctor's degree at the Uni- versity of Chicago. Mr. Steele was the principal in Grayville, Illinois, where he met his wife, the former Ruth Feller. He then went to Albion, Illinois, and later became superintendent of both these schools. Then, enlisting as a buck private in 1917, he was in the army for over a year. He earned a first lieutenancy and served as an instructor in the officers' training school at West Point. After the war, Mr, Stee'e went to Lacori, Illinois, where he was superin'endent for seven years. He then became superintendent of schools of Mendota and principal of the high school, having been selected from about 208 apolicants During these twenty-eight years many im- provements have been mado to our school

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BACK ROW: George Koerper, Edward Baker, Willard Deaner, Roy Doll, business manager FRONT ROW: lames Dubbs, M. E. Steele, principal, Laurence Watson, Harold Dean Absent when picture was taken, Dutton Gave SCIHIUUIL IBUARID Public education is a co-operative enter- prise. lt is distinguished by the united effort of eager students, qualified teachers, interested patrons, and board members who desire to serve their community. Fortunately, the Men- dota High School has been served by board members who were aware of the great con- tribution that public education can make to the individual and the nation. We salute our fine board members, past and present, and commend the foresight which has provided outstanding educational opportunity for the youth of Mendota. Many of the tasks facing a board are time consuming and require long hours spent in working, planning, and making decisions. Our board members, President Harold Dean, Ed' ward Baker, George Koerper, Laurence Wat- son, lames Dubbs, Dutton Gove, and Willard Deaner gave unstintingly of their time and effort. Thanks to their interest, We have one of the most beautiful campuses in northern Illi- nois, Other chores were the responsibility of seeing that We have a complete faculty and staff and providing a fleet of fine buses. The upkeep of the building itself and many other jobs, just as important, kept the board busy all year. The goal of these men has been to provide that We may become the better citizens of to- morrow. Our goal is to prove that they have not planned in vain, THEY SET TIHIIE IPJQILIICIIIES IFCDIR MHS

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MHS LOSES IITS system. Some of these are the addition of the cafeteria, the athletic field, the new Lincoln school, the high school gymnasium, the new Blackstone school, our guidance program at high school, our enlarged curriculum, the in- troduction of the Diversified Occupations course, and many, many more. Mr. Steele's objective has been to give every student the best chance for educational advancement pos- sible. Superintendent Steele has been an active member of educational groups since his first teaching job in Edwards County. He is a past president of the Illinois Division of the Illinois State Teachers Association, and has been president of the Illinois City Superintendents Association. Aside from his educational work, Mr. Steele has found time for fraternal and civic activities including interest in child welfare. He has been awarded the Silver Beaver, the highest honor that can be given a civilian in Boy Scout work. He is also a past president of the Mendota Kiwanis Club and a member of the Elks as well as several state and national organiza- tions. He holds an honorary membership in the Horace Mann League of America. He has been listed in Who's Who for many years. Mr. Steele has indeed fulfilled his life am- bition to help youth, as hundreds of graduates, past and present, can personally testify. Sadly we say, Good-bye, Mr. Steele, God bless you. 4444 44 Reluctant good-byes are also in order to our second gentleman from Indiana , Mr. Maun- tel, who is retiring this year after twenty-five years of teaching in Mendota. First as instruc- tor and then as assistant principal, Mr. Mauntel has carried a heavy burden throughout his years here. He has taken care of disciplinary problems, was Dean of Boys, was overseer in the cafeteria, and sponsored the noon candy sales. As an administrator, he helped organize schedules of classes and assigned their duties to the faculty. He was a senior adviser and was always ready with helpful advice and constructive suggestions. In fact, whether at a game, a party, or just every day in the halls, Mr. Mauntel was always on the job to see that things went right. Mr. Mauntel received his primary and sec- ondary education in Indiana. He did his col- lege work at Purdue University, the University of Indiana, the University of Michigan, the American University of Washington, D.C., and Oakland City College. In addition to his A.B. degree, he holds the degree of M.S. in Educa- tion from the University of Indiana. TWG TOP MEN Before coming to Mendota, Mr. Mauntel was principal in Winslow, Indiana, for three years. He was in the army during the First World War, and in the Second World War he was a Field Director of the American Red Cross. His travels in Europe and Africa gave him a rich background for his work as a social studies teacher. Besides his busy schedule at school, Mr. Mauntel has many outside interests. He has been active in local Boy Scout and Red Cross work. He participated in the activities of the American Legion, he was a counselor in Boys' State and very much interested in that work. Mr. Mauntel has hobbies of geology, miner- alogy, and photography. He collects books and stamps. He owns and manages a farm in Hol- land, Indiana, where he will live after leaving Mendota. Mr. Mauntel has taught many students, and he says he has enjoyed his work immensely. He leave with this closing thought: I have enjoyed my work in the past twenty- five years and will always have a feeling of interest for Mendota High School. I wish the students to uphold the principles set forth byw the school in the future as they have in the past, for some day they will look back to their high school days with respect and admiration. We are sure every student, past and present, will remember Mr. Mauntel with respect and admiration. His smile and helpful guidance will be missed greatly in the coming years, but we wish him the best of luck in the futuref 2 HARRY W. MAUNTEL Assistant Principal Dean of Boys