Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

Page 15 text:

Letters from Teachers. Dear. Pupils of Momence High School: Little did I think last spring that I should be so far away from Momence this win¬ ter, but here I am and I’m very glad of this opportunity to send my greetings to you all. There has not been one w hom I have not thought of and wondered about. I can picture you in my mind however. Shall I tell you what I see here? First of all I imagine last year’s happy-hearted Juniors treading the halls with dignified step, not giggling, not w hispering, but conducting themselves in every way as Seniors should, and acting as a. model of propriety to all. Next the studious Soph¬ omores (or part of them) are busily rushing around regretfully neglecting their work for the more serious task of getting up “the best Year Book that Momence H. S. has ever published.” The Freshmen of last year I do not see so distinctly, so I cannot tell whether they have been able to attract any more boys into their class, nor w r hether they are as meek and good as ever, but I hope so. As for myself, I have been working hard and yet enjoying myself too. When I hear of the zero weather in the East, I wish you could all be out here. There is no de¬ nying that California has a wonderful climate. The coldest weather we have had— 35 degrees—was during the holidays, and I was in the southern part of the state at that time. It w as colder than usual even down there, and the orange crop suffered in consequence. We had almost a month’s vacation at Christmas, so I spent a week with some Illi¬ nois friends near San Diego—just seventeen miles from the Mexico line. On the way back I visited another Illinois friend at Los Angeles, and while there attended the famous “Tournament of Roses” in Pasadena on New Years’ Day. I made the whole whole trip by w ater—1250 miles in all. Was I seasick? Well only for about five or six hours, but that was all I cared about. We were in a storm—“the breaking waves dashed high”—and so did we. The ocean was a beautiful sight for awhile. No doubt it w as, afterw ards, too, but its beauty didn’t appeal to me. But the South, with all its orange groves and vegetation which is more luxuriant than here, can not equal Berkeley, in my mind. To me, this is one of the most pic¬ turesque spots on the coast. Situated as it is, opposite the “Golden Gate,” between the bay and the hills, the location is ideal. The house in which I am staying is built on a hill, and as our room faces the w est, we have a magnificent view. On a clear day w e can easily see SanFrancisco and very often look out into the ocean. Lately some of us have been taking long walks on Saturday or Sunday afternoons 1 ack into the hills, and they are perfectly beautiful. It has rained just enough to start the grass and wild flow 7 ers everywhere. This month has been just like April in Illinois. The rainfall is now over six inches below the average for this time of the year, so the people are becoming very anxious. My work has been, and is still, very hard, but I hope to receive my Master’s de¬ gree in May. I have already received a teachers’ certificate which is good anywhere in the state. One course which I am taking is very interesting and very valuable, but the other is just as uninteresting and unvaluable. By a law which is as unchangeable as that of “the Medes and Persians,” however, I am taking it much against my will. There are a great many interesting things I could tell you about this part of the country and its people, but I fear that I have already taken up more than my share of space. Wishing you all success, I remain your friend and ex-teacher. Evelyn McKinnie. 2624 Virginia street, Berkeley, California, February Sixth.

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History of the Year Book. by Mable A. Clapsadle. The Momence High School Year Book, one of the first of its kind in the state, was published, for the first time, in 1901. The Seniors were in charge of it and it was re¬ markably well done. Since the year 1903, the work has been carried on by the Junior class. In 1904, with Mr. Selby as superintendent, a new plan for obtaining subscrip¬ tions was taken. Leaders were elected from the Junior class and the student’s names divided into two lists. At the end of a specified time the side having the fewest sub¬ scriptions gave a banquet to the other side. This plan has been followed ever since. In 1905, 1906 and 1907, prizes were offered to the Grades for the best work in certain lines. But this has been given up, as this is a High school and not a graded school Year Book. The books have all been fine, but in the list there will be one bright and shining light, “THE ANNUAL OF 1912.”

Page 16 text:

To Editor of Annual: You ask me to write a letter for the Year Book. Do you want it for the profound wisdom that may spill from my typewriter, or simply for “filling in” matter? It seems to me that after hearing my grumbling for so long you would leave me in retire¬ ment and spare your readers. Or is it for old times sake? The past never was as good as the present. Do you know that the longer I go the more firmly I am settled in the conviction that young people are prone to cheat themselves by looking back to what they might have done, or depend upon the sweet bye and bye to make good. Are you doing all you ought this very day to catch every opportunity in school and out? Did you ever stop to consider that any pupil with as much brains as a sap-suck er can “work” the teacher, and that it takes less yet to fool the superintendent? But after both are gone and out of your way what have you to show for your own well being in the future? Then often the boy or girl who trifles with their school work, at home allows mother to wash the dishes or carry in the coal. Do you remember what Prof. Hollister said about side-shows and the main circus? Well, that is what I am trying to say. Keep yourself clean and improve every chance to put a good head on yourself; the rest will take care of itself. Ever your friend, Livingston, Montana, April 17, 1912. B. A. Winans.