Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

Page 12 text:

Twentieth Century Literary Society. by Ragnhild Jensen. October 27, 1911, is an all important date in the history of our school, as this marks the origin of that great educational institution, the 20th Century Literary Society. Having been organized, a constitution was drawn up, in which provisions were made for the manner of conducting elections, meetings, and programs. The purpose of organizing our society was to advance the moral culture, as well as develop our mental abilities along the lines of elocution, debating, and composition, and to cultivate a higher appreciation of music. We have attained our aim in awakening the hitherto dormant talents in our members, which if persistently cultivated, bid fair to unfold as accomplished poets, orators, editors and musicians, whom we feel assured will rise to the fame of Longfellow, Webster, Garrison and Bethoven, and spread a halo of glory around the name of the Twentieth Century Literary Society. Our society is as yet a new organization, but we have already begun to realize its benefits and advantages, and are grateful to the faculty who so ably and kindly assisted in the organization. We hope that this club, which has had such a glorious beginning, will follow up the ideal of its motto “Quod Faciamus Bene Faciamus,” and continue the good work untiLits influence shall be felt through the world. Alethenia Literary Society. The year 1911-12 will be remembered in the ages to come because it marks the ori¬ gin of the illustrious Alethenia Literary Society. At the beginning of this school year a committee appointed by the members of the society, met with the faculty and drew up a constitution. This constitution was es¬ tablished in order to form more perfect unison, and to promote the moral, intellectual and social growth of the school. The officers consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, chorister, pianist, critic, editor, librarian, sergeant-at-arms and censor. All of these offices are filled by members of the society except the offices of critic and censor, which are held by members of the faculty. The program committee arranges a program once a month, and each member is required to take part in these programs at least once during the term. This society does not exist merely as a pleasure, but it is a benefit and an improve¬ ment as well. We are becoming acquainted with the various duties and offices of an organization of this kind; and we all, girls as well as boys, are looking forward to the time when we can make use of our knowledge of voting by Australian ballot. Great ability in the literary work has been displayed by the society, and in addi¬ tion to this, extraordinary talent has been shown along musical lines. All the members of the Alethenia society have been faithful to their leaders and have striven, all during the year, to prove their motto, “Non videri sed esse.”

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The High School Faculty. Mr. B. J. Walters. Our genial Superintendent, Mr. Walters, came to us last year from Indiana, (but is unfortunate incident should not be held up against him.) He received his ele¬ mentary education in the public schools of Wood county, Ohio, and obtained his A. B. degree from a classical course at the Tri-State College, Angola, Indiana. He is striv¬ ing towards a degree at Columbia College, Hew York City, having spent several sum¬ mer terms at that institution. He has had many years experience as an instructor, having taught district school three years, two years Principal of the McGill, Ohio. High school, one and one-half years Principal at Berne, Indiana, and five and one-half years Superintendent at Warren, Indiana. While at Berne he formed the acquaint¬ ance of Prof. Winans, our former Superintendent, who was at that time Superintend¬ ent of the schools in that city. Mr. Edward E. Robbins. Instructor of Mathematics and Science and Principal of the High school. Mr. Robbins is a graduate of Warsaw, Indiana, High school and University of Indiana. He has had considerable experience in teaching, (the Momence students being respon¬ sible for not a little of it.) He has taught four years in district schools, one year in Marengo High school, one year as Principal of the Lexington, Illinois High school and one year as Principal at Clinton, Illinois. Mr. Robbins is a clean-cut man in every sense of the word, and has the respect of the students. The Board of Education has done well in re-electing him for another year. Miss La Rue Dayton. Miss LaRue Dayton, instructor in English and History, is a native of Paris, Illi¬ nois, where she was graduated from the High school, after which she attended the University of Illinois, receiving her A. B. degree in 1909. The following year she en¬ tered upon her career as a teacher, having filled the English and History position at Georgetown for two successive years. “When the law can stop the blades of grass from growin’ as they grow, And when the leaves in summer time their verdure dare not show, Then I will change the color I wear in my carbeen, But till that day, please God, I’ll stick to wearin’ of the green.” Miss Margaret Vanden. Miss Margaret Vanden, instructor in Latin and German, graduated from the High school at Gallipolis, Ohio, and then attended the Episcopal Boarding School in Ten¬ nessee. She took her A. B. and Pd. B. degrees from Hillsdale, Michigan. Thence she transferred the scene of he r labors to Stamburg, Michigan, where she remained two years, coming to Momence in the fall of 1911. Miss Vanden will probably be with us the coming year.

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An Appreciation. The staff of the Year Book wish to express their gratitude and appreciation of the patronage in an advertising way, which has been furnished them by the business and professional men of the city. This patronage makes it possible for us to furnish the Year Book from year to year. The advertising returns this year are perhaps larger : ' :.an any former year, for which we feel deeply grateful. X St if The students gladly welcome patrons and friends of the school to their literary programs. We have had splendid meetings and are being benefited more each time. The work is enjoyable and has carried us almost past the terrors of “stage fright.” S a For the twelfth year the High School Year Book greets the people of Momence and vicinity. It has risen from a small booklet to a book requiring a whole year’s v. ork. The purpose of this Annual is to show the public exactly the quality of work done in our High School. We, the Annual Board, wish to thank those who so willingly helped in making this a success. The number of books was four hundred. The staff decided to give five prizes this year, the fourth and fifth being copies of the Annual. Laurence McConnell, after selling 82 books, won first prize, Charles Tuttle -eeond with 69 books, Clay Hayden third, Fred Melby fourth and Beatrice Butterfield fifth.