Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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Junior Yeaf Book JflW Jn Umortam Richard Edward Selby was born February 17, 1867, at Lovington, Illinois. He died March 3. 1909, at Momence, Illinois. For twenty-two years he had pursued the calling of teacher with ever increasing success and ability. Such, in barest outline, are the large facts of his life. But it is with something deeper than the mere success of his career as an educator that we who knew him well are concerned. The sum total of his character is best epi¬ tomized thus: u He was a man. One of Nature’s noble¬ men.” Through his kindly sympathy and genuine interest toward all with whom he had to deal he made his way un¬ consciously into our hearts. Prejudice and narrowness were things which he naturally strove to avoid, and how well he succeeded those who worked under him well know. He had a remarkable ability for hard work, which amounted almost to genius. Coupled with this was an unusual wil¬ lingness to work long and hard for ends which would not directly help him, but which did materially assist others. The teachers and pupils who did not love him were few, while the number of those who did was legion. We all felt that we had in him a reliable and genuine friend, a friend who might criticise severely when necessary, but a friend who had no other motive than our good at heart. With such a life and character it is no wonder that we cherish his memory so fondly and point so proudly to the good work which still stands. It is given to few men to leave so strong an impression on those whom he left behind as did Mr. Selby. His example now as in the past is one of those inspirations which help us on in our struggle for bigger and better things. P. S. Barto.

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k RICHARD EDWARD SELBY

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Junior Year Book History of the Year Book. The Momence High School Year Book is a book published annually by the students of the High School. Its purpose is to give an idea of High School life and High School ideals as seen from the view point of the student. Our Year Book, first published in 1900, is the first of the kind in the state to be edited entirely by High School students. The first two Year Books were published by the senior classes of their respective years and in consideration of the fact that they were edited by persons entirely inex¬ perienced in the art of journalism, they are remarkable productions. In 1903, owing to the stress of the seniors’ work, the task of publishing the Year Book was given to the Junior class. In 1904, with the advent of Mr. Selby as superintendent, a new plan for getting subscriptions was tried and found very successful. Leaders were elected from the Junior class and these chose sides from the whole High School. Then the contest began. At the end of a specified time the side having the fewest subscriptions to its credit gave a banquet to the other side. This plan put the Year Book out of danger of debt. For the Year Books of 1905, 1906 and 1907 prizes were offered for excellence in certain lines of work in the grades but in the later books this practice has been discontinued as this is a High School and not a graded school Year Book. There has been a steady improvement in the composi¬ tion of the books from the very first until now the glory of journalism rises to its zenith in our book. There have been good books and there will be others but never will there be one which will surpass the Junior Year Book of 1909. Leon Selby, ’10.