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

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NIXON IA CLASS 1920 PACK TWKNTY JUNIOR RESPONSE In liehalf of tlu» Junior Class I gladly accept this Ravel as ail emblem of trust and responsibility assumed by prospective Seniors. Dear classmates and friends . Just a feeble attempt to right ourselves after the scathing criticism just made bv the Seniors. First: In reply to the accusation of tardiness, I wish to argue in defense of my class. These three Juniors. Iicing filled with educational intent, were attending the Chautauqua, which held its last session on the night be-fon school o|H ned on Sept. I, 1019. Consequently, they arrived a few minutes late on the first ddny of school. Are they not excusable. Second: “Quality not quantity counts. Our class possess both as you will sec if you should visit our school and look around a few minutes. Knell year we have left a gift useful to the school. Not so with the Seniors, who. I presume, think they will he rememliered chiefly for their lieauty. Again the Seniors boast of no failures. But have they ever had any excuse for failures—with clear sailing on an unruffled sea? On the other hand, consider the obstacles, of sickness and broken arms, met with by several of our Junior memltcrs. Third:: You charge our male members with Boise-vist attempts to break up the quiet and peaceful rule of the assembly by throwing bombs, in the form of pencils and crayons, into the Freshmen ranks. Now what does it matter so long as they use only light and harmless missiles with only playful intent ? At least no one can bring against our innocent classmates the charge of assault and battery—an offense of which the Seniors are only too guilty. Why, even now your humble servant is only recovering from an attack made by a Senior—and lie is an honorable man—with a four-foot window stick from the assembly room. In reference to the societies, organized while the Seniors were holding offices in the Literary Athletic Association, may I say just a word. Why every one deserves credit and greatness for the promotion of such a movement, and one calls to mind at this point the apt quotation, ‘Some are bom great, some achieve greatness, still others have greatness thrust upon them —and let me add just one more phrase—“still others grab greatness.” I think we may call the Seniors “grabbers’ in this respect for, according to my reliable source of information, the faculty, not the Seniors, were the organizers of the Nixola and Alethenae societies. In regard to the sympathy offered the faculty in supervising the future dramatic efforts of the high school students, I wonder if the teachers need it ? For have not WE at least three all-star actors and actresses, in our class, who have taken leading parts in several plays? And these same plays were even a greater success than the annual dramatic productions mentioned by the noble Seniors. Fourth: You say we have no orchestra members and that our Glee ('lub representation is |»oor. I must explain to our friends concerning this statement. With our vur ious other duties we really have no time for orchestra, liesides we also hated to crowd out the Itcginncrs, as KYKRY member of our class already plays an instrument. and is able to continue his study at home. As to (ilee (’lull members, we Juniors congratulate you Seniors

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CLASS 1020 NLXONIA PAGE NINETEEN ■ II—III ■ I I—W-1— they have in (lit pant under our leadership. This is one thing which should lie carried out for your own benefit. We saw the advantage of this and as a result four of our five members have distinguished themselves as excellent debaters. In the debate with the farmers last year a member of our class was leader. In the first school debate this year three seniors took part. Ill the second one an other of our numlier distinguishedd herself as the best s|M aker of the day. Juniors, these things which I have mentioned are only a few of the many which we have accomplished but I am sure that from them you can easily determine our high standing in the school. Now, will the representative Notice Please My dramatic ability ‘Clarence (Jalaway. Me Marie Shinneman. My good looks—I .vita Gray. My pretty speeches—Ava Ennis. “I ioks hardly old enough to leave her mother.”— Feme Cotton. “I have a heart to let.”—Ruby Gray. Ava—“I want someone to make a fuss over me.” Eula- -“Do you like tea!” Donn—“I like the next letter better.” Paul—“ Hi, Dud, let me see if I can flip this chocolate into your mouth. I flip| ed some into the stove door a minute ago.” of the Junior class please come forward? As your superior in scholarly attainments I hope you will accept these valuable suggesitons; take them to your classmates and urge that they uphold the high standard which we are leaving. We do not say these things to discourage you but simply to set an example by which you should lie guided. Ixiok well to our class for vour inspirations. In order that you shall not from any cause forgot this advice. I take the pleasure of presenting to you this gavel so you may have it to call to your minds again the many exalted achievements of the Senior Class of 1! 20. Ernest Dickey, 20. Nixon High Zoo Pig—Miss Kohrhaugh. g«Mid rooter. Owl—Mr. Lightltody, his wise look. Tortoise- Donn Mire, so slow. Ram—Clarence Galawav- always hutting in. Woodpecker—Ollie Kolien, a g«n d knocker. Ant—Florence Baker, a good worker. Eula -“Marie was almost drowned last night.” lA la—“How did it happen?” Eula—“The pillow slip| cd, the bed spread, and she fell through the mattress into the spring. Opal Gray—“Is it free!” Zehla—“ Yes.” Opal—'“Let's go.

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CLASS 1! 20 XIXOXIA PAQK TWEXTY-OXE for your one hundred per cent record—and we sincerely trust that our four members—only fifty | r cent of our Kiris- will In- able to console the high soIuh | during the year of 1920-21, for the loss of two members furnished by the class of ’20. In regard to basket ball prospects, last year a forward and guard were taken from the team and two new men had to Im trained to fill their places. The basket ball season this year was a greater success than last season. Xow next year, we, as a high school, have only one new man to train as we have one mail experienced as center and will only have to procure a new forward. Can the class of ’20 show why a team will be erippled so terribly by having to add one man when at the iiegiiming of the last very successful season two men were trained The class of 20 challenge us with the points made by their members. They forget that our member was a guard and what would their scoring have amounted to if he had not been in his place under our op|M nent's goal.' Why was it that we heard our Senior member so often remark, ‘Wait until old William gets on the job?” If our Senior boys will turn their attention back to the tournament they will remember that Ol'K Junior guard made as many points as one of the Senior offensive men and lacked only one point of tying the other. Ho started scoring late in the game after re| eatcdd efforts on the part of our offensive men. Kurt lien non we do not think it necessary for us to answer the charge of the Senior that our basket ball man really Itelougs to them. Circumstances often alter eases and our member is only glad now that circumstance at this time, has placed him in our class. In the next place we certainly appreciate the sage advice of the Seniors in regard to Isitli learning and labor, especially laltor. Hut we already know how to work, we only hated to take the chance away from the Seniors as we thought that our turn for all such duties, as cleaning up the hall and building fires, would come next year. Then comes tin question of debates. I remember during one debate of the season that two Juniors representing the negative side, took all the glory from the Senior and Kreshman who carried the affirmative argument. And should not a noble Senior have won alone? Lastly, we’re only waiting until next year to prove the high standing of our class. We heartily appreciate the consideration shown us by the class of ’20 in that they have pointed out none of our good qualities. I think you will agree with me in saying no one can Ik perfect, therefore, no one class can Ik perfect. Hut I am here to ussure you that tin Junior ('lass is not discouraged on this point. I am also unable to promise you that we will look to you for guidance. For who knows but what we may have higher aspirations than any aims ever possessed bv the Senior Class of 20. I thank you. Fa® Conn, 21.