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

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THE MX ONI A In athletics, had it not been for the Class of 19, the present standard would have been impossible. For three years in succession the captain of the basket ball team was a member of our class. During this time the team was never defeated on the home floor by our old rival Maroa. Our captains controlled the team through three years of glory and dazzling success. To coincide with this for four consecutive years the manager has been a member of our class. For two years we had three first team men in the field. Juniors, occasionally you display actions which are far from being desired. Suppose we should have ha«l visitors the day a worthy Junior bowed his head in sweet repose and did not gain consciousness until his class was almost half over. However, we do not contend that a Senior never did go to sleep in school, but we do boast that never did a Senior go to sleep and miss a class. At the same time your worthy Junior was snoozing, the principal was reading some mottoes to the assembly. During the course of events one was read which we advise this worthy Junior to keep in mind, “While you rest you rust.” All who witnessed tlie event resolve this as being the truth for upon awakening ii was almost impossible for him to start for class. Juniors, this is the first time in the history of our school this has occurred. If you do not wish to be criticized we advise you to sleep at home and not miss part of a class to do so. When the cast for the play was picked, four Seniors were given important parts and the Juniors, two important and one minor parts. In fact all parts that required extreme skill of impersonation were assigned to Seniors. In the four annual plays given by the high school the leading roles have been represented by our class. Two short years ago a member of our class cast his lot with the colors and departed from us. Today the only trace we have of him as a member of our class is the gold star opposite his name and our love for him. Juniors, we hold this sacrifice to be the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a class, a sacrifice which shall live through the ages never to be overshadowed by a Junior. Juniors, we were, are, and always will be, your superiors. We know it is like taking medicine after all that has been said and done to face your superiors in public at this exasperating moment, but if a representative of the Junior class will please come forward we will give you the final charge which is to last for the coming year. Juniors, we, the Class of ’19, hand down this gavel as a sacred emblem of dignity, honor, glory and executive ability. As Seniors, our time is growing short, from this time on you arc to follow in our pathway, little ones. We have set the pace ami established a standard. Now, Juniors, it is your duty to “Carry On.” C. W. A. ’19. JUNIOR RESPONSE Seniors, in behalf of the Junior class, 1 gladly accept this gavel as an emblem of dignity, honor, glory and executive power. At the same time we, as under-classmen have listened attentively to the kind advice and instruction, which you have taken so much time to give. Being a class which has always been looked upon by faculty, students, ami the community as an intelligent ami progressive leader, we are always glad to accept facts as they are, and sincerely hope you will do the same. 18

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Til K NIXONIA SENIOR CHARGE Juniors and under-classmen wo, as the Seniors of the Class of ’19 take this occasion to place before you some advice. Especially do we wish to speak to the Juniors, that worthy band here in our midst, with colors flying prepared for the occasion. Juniors, we hope you will take facts as they are and do not think we are handing bouquets or boasting for this is far from our purpose. Throughout the passing year you have displayed a peculiar air of importance which could not be accounted for by your superiors. You are forced by circumstances to admit that the Class of ’19 has held sway in the achievements of the year. Juniors, we charge you to enumerate one accomplishment which represents the work of the school in which the Seniors did not have the controlling influence. To be successful and noble Seniors there are two important essentials which characterize this rank initiative and good judgment. As Juniors your actions and endeavors have only very faint traces of these qualities. During the year you have left impressions of undignified actions which are not creditable to Juniors. As veterans in the service of seeking a high-school education, we are capable of advising under-classmen. Juniors, since we have attained the highest rank, we feel that you do not apprehend the duties, obligations and opportunities that confront you. We charge you to uphold the standards laid down for you by the (’lass of ’19. Never before in the history of this school has a class, under such adversities, carried out as great undertakings without letting the standard of our school totter. We commend the Class of ’20 in that they have never doubted our authority as dictators, but have humbly bowed beneath the yoke. We congratulate the Sophomores and Freshmen, that they have had such an inspiring example in launching into their high-school career, and we are sorry that we arc compelled t » leave them to their own devices. Juniors, what class was it that always excelled in contests between classes? To be sure it was the Senior. Who was it that excelled a Junior in percentage according to the judges of debates? To be sure it was the Senior. In fact Juniors, we can not think of a single instance where intelligence was the concrete basis for success in a contest, whether between classes or in public, that you have excelled a Senior. Who is it that has been made conspicuous because of the many medals given as a decoration of talent ? To be sure it is a Senior. During four school years this person has not had a rival as a public reader. It would take a magnifying glass and search warrant to even find a blue ribbon awarded to a Junior in a contest. In the French class composed of Juniors and Seniors who was it that excelled in grades? Why, the Seniors, to be sure. Juniors, there is no use harping on your abilities for you never could, never will ami never did any thing worth while. Juniors you boast of a soprano singer while we have with us an alto singer, if you please, who can sing soprano equally as well as your soprano can sing alto. Think what effect the loss of three girls of the Class of ’19 will mean to the “Girls’ Glee Club.” Think also what will be the effect of the loss of that noble Senior’s voice which has served as a leader to th Boys’ Chorus. Juniors, in the three years of our relationship we have never heard a member of your class play an instrument, while we have with us two musicians. Juniors, think how embarrassed you would feel if called upon to furnish some musical number. 17

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THK NIXONIA A11 lion« h you consider yourselves superior to us, I want to draw your attention to the fact that in giving this advice you have failed to notice some of the miserable mistakes which have been made by the Class of ’19. On the other hand you have failed to consider our many achievements which have done so much toward making our school what it is. The Junior class started with an enrollment of five scholars and to-day it has the same record. Records show that throughout the history of the Class of ’19, its total membership has been between twenty-five and thirty scholars, but owing to the lack of grit and determination, which is possessed by the Juniors, only five remain to tell the fate of that large class. You boast of the high standards of initiative power and good judgment which is present iu your class. But has it always been the examples which members of your class have set that have been for the advancement of our school? One of the main things which we are taught at school is to be on time, and we consider Seniors should heed this as much as any one. Yet it is almost an every-day occurrence to see some of those conspicuous Seniors come stumbling in all the way from five to thirty minutes late. As to those great undertakings which your class has carried out we know nothing about them. We all know that the management of the Lecture Course was turned over to the Senior class the past season, in order that they might make money for the annual. How many times, however, has the faculty had to remind them of their duties before they would think even about putting out tin advertising material? Twice the Treasurer of your class left the money which was to be paid to the entertainers in the hands of a Junior, and that Junior had to do the work which should have been done by your Treasurer. We admit that one of your class received the greatest number of points in the debate, ami that one is considered the best French student; but you failed to consider that that person was not a leader in either debate, and she refused to do any rebuttal work whatever. She had her speech memorized while the debator for the Junior class was compelled to speak in a large sense impromptu. As to excelling in grades no class on an average in the school has as high a record as the Class of 20. Do not think that the loss of the Senior girls to the Glee Club will affect that organization whatever, for the most responsible members and best singers will not graduate until next year. You boast of an alto singer only, while the Junior class has both an excellent alto and soprano singer and three bass singers. We are proud of the fact that the High School Basket Ball Team has made such a good record. Yes, but what is the reason for this record? Simply because the Junior class has furnished some of the best material that has ever played on a team. During the time that a member of the Class of ’19 was Captain the Class of ’20 showed the highest spirit of cooperation. Last fall a Junior Captain was elected and the Senior boys caused the down-fall of the team because they did not cooperate as the Juniors had. We are surprised that you would mention that one of our lively and wide-awake Juniors happened to go to sleep the other day in school. It is a fact that he did miss a part of one class, but what is that compared with the time which one of the Senior boys has lost by sleeping his four years iu high school. You mention that none of you have failed to be in class on account of being asleep. Yes, it may be true that you get there alright, but 19