Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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THE SENIOR CLASS.

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32 JUNIOR YEAR BOOK. HISTORY or CLASS OK 1903. Dear Juniors:— It is a very difficult and serious matter to write the history of the seniors. If we really told all the truth about the wonders we have accomplished, we know you would very much dislike publishing it because of the contrast yours would make with it. Some one who ought to know has said, that “we were about the brightest class that has been thru the high school,” but we are not conceited in the least. Indeed, considering the circumstances, we are very modest. As a rule, too, we are an industrious earnest, conscientious class, and we have never done any¬ thing worse than stop a clock or short circuit an electric bell. Most of our pre¬ meditated pranks have been done as a class, so that our friendly, but order-loving teachers might not bring discomfort to the instigator of the rumpus. For ex¬ ample, in the first year we had a habit of attending in a body every funeral that we could possibly claim any interest in. We never had to make up lessons missed while attending church so part of us went as a mark of respect to the deceased and the rest of us went along for a vacation. We would not tell about this conspiracy for fear it would have a corrupting influence, but we know the present freshmen are too wisdom loving to desire a vacation. The public is well informed as to our early career, for it was plainly tho briefly told in the “Year Book for 1902.” Since that history was written, our accomplishments have increased in the usual geometrical progression, with r = 2. Certain latent qualities have been developed: being the highest class brings out a certain air of mastery which if not indulged in to a superlative degree produces accuracy, punctuality, method and executive ability. By our course of training in grammar and composition, we have developed such remarkable beauty of expression that we verily believe Mrs. Kallander has us write essays so she can have the fun of correcting them! We tried to present to you the principal facts in the life of each of us, and ordered a biography from each member, but, unfortunately, nearly every one of these papers fell into the hands of other seniors, so they became sadly distorted. It was discovered that one of us was born in 1790 and plowed and husked corn when but two years old. One of the girls commenced to talk at birth and to dance at three months of age. Another girl claims to have descended from a sunbeam. The “gift of gab” is quite common, and beauty is so common it is almost overlooked. Mattie, Carrie, Dena, Esther, Edith, Ivy, Edna and Niles, Varnum, Sarah, Bonnie, bless her, Marion, Flora, Frank and Blanch. This is the class of seniors sober Whom you all love and respect. All their ways could not be nobler Their records show not one defect. Seniors.

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JUNIOR YEAR ROOK. 35 ORATORICAL CONTEST. The third Annual Oratorical and Declamatory Contest was held Friday eve¬ ning April 24th, 1903. All the selections were rendered with perfect ease and grace, which was the result of excellent instructions and preperations. The Orations, which were three in number, were such as the competitors might well have been proud to deliver, as they were wholly the results of their own efforts. Miss Sarah Hanson was the successful Orator and received a very beautiful cup with the following inscription engraved upon it, “From old-time pupils, the Citizens of to-day, to the Momence High School Oratorical Associa¬ tion April 24th, 1903.” The Declamations were well delivered and showed undoubted talent in that line existing in our High School. Miss Ina Hess received first honors and was likewise presented with a beautiful cup bearing the following inscriplion, “Presented to the Momence High School Oratorical Association by well-wish¬ ing Citizens April 24th, 1903.” The several selections of music on the program, w ere well received with great appreciation and applause by the audience. Miss Griffin, upon behalf of the citizens whose liberality had made the prizes possible, presented these cups to the Momence High School Oratorical Associa¬ tion and to her earnest words, Varnum Parish as President of the Association, made a graceful and appropriate response. - Everything went off smoothly and all united in making this event a decided success. PROGRAM. I Orchestra. II. Invocation,..Rev Palmquist III. Quartette, . . IV Orations. 1 “The Coming Climax,” 2 “The True American,”. 3 “American Influence,”. V Instrumental Duet,... VI Declamations. 1 “Kentucky Belle,”. 2 “A Telephone Romance,”. 3 “As the Moon Rose,”. 4 “Prayer of Rehoboam,”. 5 “The Unknown Rider,”. VII Violin Solo,. VIII Presentation of Cups to the Association, Response,.. IX Orchestra. X High School Chorus. XI Presentation of Prizes XII Benediction. Carrie Spry, Marie Wennerholm, ...... Lenoir Pifer, Leigh Kelsey. ..Lloyd Crosby .Sarah Hanson .Varnum Parish ...Esther Gray .Mrs. Kallander .Virgie Tabler . . . . .Bonnie Weaver .Floy Brown ..Laura Brady ..Ina Hess .Julius Blanke ........... Miss L. Emma Griffin .President Varnum Parish Rev. Seaman