Nixon Township High School - Nixonia Yearbook (Weldon, IL)

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CLASS HISTORY At the present time we have the privilege of turning the pages of History which reveal to us the acts and deeds which have been accomplished by men centuries past. Such arc the works of the literary genii, the discoverers, inventors, artists and sculptors, who have advanced the civilization of the world—men, who were brave, bold, courageous and energetic. Not only through the individual efforts of these men— arc we able to trace the rise and fall of nations but through their united efforts and cooperation much more has been accomplished. None of these things arc so important to us at the present time as the Great World War of today, which will require several volumes to record its wonderful History. Along with the History of this great w'ar w'ill be recorded the History of the Senior Class of the N. T. H. S.—1918— the first and only class that has ever graduated from the N. T. Hi. S. The privilege of recording the H;stor of this most noble class has been bestowed upon me this evening. Although not c’aiming to be a Historian 1 feel it an honor to leave a record to our future classmen—a record which has never been excelled by any class preceding this one. Ours is a class which has had more hardships to battle with than any class will have in the luturc. Through the help of a good supervisor and the strenuous efforts of this class the N. T. H. S. has been made what it is today. FRESHMAN August 3., 1914, a class of fourteen. Vern Shinneman, Clarence Keel, Fleet Summers, Lee Pippin, William Gray, Howard Pippin, William Costley, Karl Peterson. Otlia Polston, Martha Collier, Mildred Saylor, Lola Emery, Gertrude Taylor and Iva Emery entered the Weldon High School, which at that time offered a two-year course under one teacher. Professor Roy Baker. These fourteen never knew what stage or epoch of Historv they were passing through when becoming acquainted with the new customs, which occur with any change of habitude. They were never addressed as Freshmen which must have been due to the size o; the school and the lack of class spirit of the higher classmen. After passing through this stage which is dreaded by all Freshmen, no class has since followed our footsteps without bring branded with the proper label. Under the supervision of Mr. Baker to whom we give credit for laying the foundation of our High School education, twelve of the fifteen members of the class were faithful to the end and succeeded in completing the first year of our High School career successfully. These twelve looked into the future a year ahead to the time when they thought that they would graduate. It seemed hut a short distance away: to their disappointment, but for their good, this year was lengthened into three, and instead of graduating from a two-year High School those who stood the storm and tought the battle to a finish arc here before you this evening as $hc first graduates of the N. T. H. S. Very little concerning social progress is supposed to he learned during the hreshman year. But one social event took place which made the history of this class important, the students less ueglrctful and more thoughtful, that was a surprise on Mr. Baker given by the High School at the close of the term. Thoughtlessly the cream, was left sitting just outside the kitchen door. When it came time for it to play its part it was reported missing. After an unsuccessful search all returned to hid Mr. Faker “Good Night, at which time refreshments of cake and coffee were served. At ali parties following ihis one more precaution was taken against thieves. With the intention of leaving Weldon, Mr. Baker gave to the school, on the closing day. a farewell address, which was very much appreciated by all the students SOPHOMORE As the road becomes more difficult to travel, there arc always fewer who go that way. V ith the loss of two students, William Costley. who fell by the wayside and jortrude Taylor, who changed her habitude, the remaining twelve returned to school. Augus 30 191J. to complete the course prescribed by the Weldon High School A tew changes had taken place since our Freshman year. The chief of these changes was a new' I rincipal had taken charge of affairs—a man small in stature, hut mighty m words and deeds. I Ins was no other than Mr. Johnson, our Principal at the present As Sophomores we were given the privileges of Seniors, because we were accomplishing the last years work available in our school. With all such honors as .Seniors deserve being bestowed upon us. our pride and dignity were slightly lowered when we were notified that, by a vote of the people of Nixon Township, a Township High School would tale .the place of the Weldon llieh School the following vcai Ih.s canceled all our plans for craduation but filled our school life with a new spirit.

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:nc Belgium, offer herself as the sacrifice to be hanged on the cross to suffer that the Jn l might lie saved from Prussianism The world can never forget this act on the part of Belgium, and never can t repay Belgium the debt wihich it owes her. You ail know what has happened to Belgium since that fateful day in August over three years and a half ago. The country has been ravished with tire and sword. Old men, women, and children have been deliberately and ruthlessly massacred. War materials and crops have been seized without payments, factories have been destroyed, machinery has been stolen and sent into Germany; and. crowning infamy of centuries, workmen have been torn from their homes and sent into slavery. The Belgian people still stand caged behind steel bars, formed of German bayonets. Those who have escaped fire and sword and nameless evils arc still hungry, famished, and enslaved, ground down beneath the heel of the tyrant. But their courage remains unbroken and unbreakable. . However Germany was not content to stop with Belgium. I housands upon thousands of Armenians have been massacred, starved, and treated as slaves, torn from their homes and all that is dear to them, and sent without food on a long journey across the deserts of Arabia. Poland has been devastated. The people of France who have oeen so unfortunate as to fall into German hands are forced into absolute slavery. These things arc the result of endeavoring to carry out that idea of ancient imperialism and civilization, to spread that Kultur” which was supposed to surpass all civilization, that Kultur which has meant the very highest in Music. Art, Literature. Science and Philosophy; which has given us such men as Wagner, Lenbach, Goethe. Schiller. Nietzsche, and Schultz; that has caused anything German to be considered super-quality. ••Kultur” no longer stands for these things, but rather for murder, devastation, slavery, treachery, broken pledges, rapine, arson, deportation and massacre. German Kultur” no longer stands for civilization, but barbarism, anything vile or contemptible. But why? There is only one answer. Because Kultur,” under the leadership of, and as a background for. the Kaiser and his war lords, has deteriorated, it has degenerated, until today it is as stench in the nostrils of civilization. It is as leprosy to the world. Under this Prussian program, not merely is war inevitably hell,” but it is deliberately the very lowest stratum of hell, and the means of rendering it such are worked out with, scientific precision. The world, then, has the following indictment against Germany; She has betrayed the neutrality of Belgium, murdered Armenia and devastated Poland. She has set the torch of incendiarism to factories, workshops, ships and wharves, and. has laid the bomb of the assassin in munition plants and holds of ships. She has sought to corrupt mankind with a selfish dream of peace when there is no peace. She has willfully butchered innocent men. women, and children, showing no mercy because o circumstance or condition. She has destroyed commerce. She seeks to terrorize us with her devilish policy of frightfulncss. She has violated every canon of international decency, and set at naught every solemn treaty and every precept of international law. She has plunged the world into the maddest orgy of blood, rapine, and murder which history records. She has covered the entire world with spies, assassins, and incendiaries, endangering the life of everyone. She seeks to destroy civilization. A country or government that will stoop to such things should be entirely abolished from the earth. ‘ God is always on the side of the right, and by the grace and help of the Omnipotent, may “Kultur” and militarism he forever wiped from the face of the Earth, and the world for all time made safe for Democracy,” assuring the liberty of all people and that “ Culture.” and not Kultur.” he advanced by “ Govcrn-inmt of the people, by the people, and for the people.” K. FLEET SUMMERS. ’i8. There’s meters of measure, And meters of tone But the best way to meet her Is to meet her alone. Wanted—Good students.

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Fach oi'C, giving up the desire to graduate at this time and postponing it for two years went at lus work with mote interest, because he realized that it was the work of this class to lay the foundation upon which would he built a four-year course. After diligent work all reached the goal set by the Weldon High School. No other class in the future can ever accomplish this end, because as wte finished the work the Weldon High School passed out of existence. And the School to he was the T. H. S. which we highly honor today. JUNIOR On September 4, 1916, the class of ’18 assembled as Juniors of the N. T. H. S-again taking the seats of Seniors, because of their being conspicuous by their absence. Losing a classmate, Iva Emery, and being reinforced by two new members, C. C. Gray, a former graduate of the Weldon High School and Walter Marvel, who previously attended the Poland High School, this class had many hardships to battle with in making their acts and deeds examples for those who were to follow. Under the guidance o: the faculty, Mr Johnson, principal; Mr. I.ightbody, science teacher, and Miss Kerr, Latin and English teacher, this class did its duty in laying the foundation o! the N. T« H. S. Every movement taken by them vas carefully considered and carried out to the best ol their ability because they realized that what they did would be the custom in future years. On Sept, s, the first meeting of the class was held at which officers were elected—Howard Pippin, president; Mildred Saylor, vice president; Vcrn Among the events which were of importance this year was a party given by Shinncman, treasurer, and Lola Emery, secretary. the juniors, for the High School at the home of Vern Shinncman. This party was beneficial both socially and educationally. The faculty departed that night with a greater store of knowledge than they ever expected to have bestowed upon them by Juniors. Kefore the first year of the N. T. H. S. was finished its reputation had been established throughout Central Illinois, both in literary work and athletics; but upon the completion of this year, ten of the thirteen members of the class of '18. as Juniors were successlul in obtaining credits which entitled them to the name of Seniors. SENIOR On the third of September, 1917, the class of 18 began to take the last step toward the goal set for them by the N. 'I'. H. S. The membership of this class had now' decreased in number to nine. With the entrance of this class into the N. T. H. S. as Seniors, the four-year course as planned the preceding year was completed. Mr. Johnson, our former principal remained to super.ntend this body. The other members of the faculty were Mr. Lightbody, science teacher, Miss Gibson, occupying Miss Kerr’s place as teacher of English and Latin and Miss Walkup. supervisor of Music and teacher of History. The :lass now prepared to complete the course under these “bestow ers” of knowledge. On the third of September a class meeting was held and new officers were elected—President. Mildred Saylor: Vice President, Fleet Summers; Secretary and Treasurer. Vern Shinncman; “Launched hut not Anchored was chosen for motto; white rose for flower; green and white for colors and rings tor class emblems. Later at another meeting Mr. Johnson v as elected as class advisor. On the morning of April 1. 1,91ft, .the most important event in the history of both the X. T H. S. and of this class took place, a grey haired gentleman visitor made himself conspicuous in the High School, not only in the assembly but also in the class rooms, where he sc med deeply interested in the methods of procedure. After his departure it was learned that he was an inspector from the University of Illinois and had after careful observation and consideration accredited the X. T. If. S. with the University of Illinois The N. T. II. S. can no longer he considered as an inferior organization; bjitl that it has c.jnal standing with any High School in the State and is far superior to many. Several other events took place worthy to mention among which was the several parties held by the Senior Class during the closing months of School. The first 011c was a surprise on Mr. Johnson, which was held at his home. Feb. 6. Later, March 6. the faculty and the members of the class assembled at the home of Lola Emery, where a good social time w as enjoyed by all and again on Mar. 21 the class in the prcsencc of the faculty was entertained at the home of Fleet Summers. The last party of tin- year was the Junior-Senior Reception. May 6, at which the Juniors proved themselves royal entertainers. i n May 8. eight of tin fourteen, who entered the Weldon High School Aug. 3L 1014. are this evening completing their High School career, from the, N. T. 11. S. In looking back over these four years wc are able to comprehend the great deeds which wc have accomplished and that the road which wc traveled, never traveled by any before us is a safe and sure road to success. Highly honoring this Institution, which was born during our High School life and in the closing days of our Senior year recognized as accredited with the State University, wc bid the N. T. H. S. farewell YVM 11. GRAY TS.