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

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THE NI X OXI A many days you have been awake only long enough to pass from one class to the other. Do not for a moment think that we would detract from the honor of him who has so nobly given his life that our nation might live. We consider this the greatest sacrifice one could make, but remember that he did not go to represent the Class of ’19. He went to fight for his country and humanity. This is an honor that belongs to the entire school and community. Also remember that the Class of ’20 had one of its members in the army who was just as willing to make the same sacrifice. By carefully considering the standards of the two classes we cannot for one instance see where you have room to say that you will always be our superiors. After having enjoyed 1 lie same privileges which you have had access to, and with our present high standard we know that at the end of our high school career we can pass this gavel to the Class of ’21 with much more glory, honor and dignity attached to it, than we have received from you. As a class it is our greatest desire to fulfill your wishes as near as possible. Your last words to us were “carry on.” We wish to inform you that these words will be foremost in our minds during our last year of school. At the end of our high school career we will leave with much more glory and honor than you are, because our many achievements will make a standard for N. T. H. S. which has never been known throughout her history. Ernest Dickey ’20. JUNIOR-SENIOR RECEPTION On the evening of May 26, 1919. the Juniors entertained the Seniors at the annual Junior-Senior Banquet. The corridors of the high school and the banquet hall looked like a very fairyland. The guests, including the Seniors. Board of Education and their wives and the Faculty, were entertained first by a short one-act farce, entitled “Pa’s New Housekeeper.” The various parts were splendidly interpreted by Florence, Opal, Ira. Clarence and Ernest. After we had laughed at the antics of “Pa’s New Housekeeper” until we were nearly exhausted we all repaired to the Laboratory, which had been converted into a banquet hall. The predominate color here was blue and gold, the colors of our Seniors. The tables were artistically decorated with the pink rose of the Juniors and the violet of the Seniors. Here we must pause to tell about the menu. Grape fruit cocktail, chicken salad, ribbon sandwiches, olives, pickles, radishes, ice cream, cake, lemonade and nuts, all tempted our appetites. After the banquet Ira Richardson, the toastmaster, called upon Opal Emery to welcome the guests; Gladys Hunt responded for the Seniors: Mr. Johnson represented the Faculty and Dr. Marvel spoke in behalf of the Board. The lights blinked as a warning that it was time for us to depart before we had dreamed that the hour was so late. We all journeyed homeward with a mingled feeling of sadness, and joy; joy for our last good time together and sadness for our departing Seniors. 20

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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

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Til K NIXOMA MEMORIES The world has given us something To make us glad today. For this Senior (’lass of ’19 Starts forward on life’s way. The doors of the world are opened The crisis of life is here. The lessons school life has taught us Will he memories by us held dear. As we go forth on life’s journey The motto that we should wear Will lead us past all others That one great thought “He Square.” As friends look back o’er our pathway To see the road we dare Our foot-prints will be an example That they should not despair. Old Nixon High we are leaving With many sad smile and tear For there remains behind us Such happy times shared here. To dear Old Nixon High We Seniors bid farewell Of the wonders school days have revealed Enough we can never tell. 21 Beatrice Bales ’19.