Nokomis High School - Old Nokomis Yearbook (Nokomis, IL)

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1920 T R A N SC IAN D E NT A LIST 1920 Seniors Twenty Years Hence Cast of Characters: Miriam Beaman Setting: Davis’ Lunch Room. Beaman is seated, Miriam enters. BEAMAN: Well, Miriam Hertzler. Of all people, I never expected to meet you. What have you been doing these last twenty years? I vow you look as young as you did in those days when we assembled in the old N. T. H. S. Have lunch with me for old time’s sake. (Miriam sits down at table.) MIRIAM: This is surely a pleasant surprise. I never dreamed that one as famous as you should return to this town. BEAMAN: A craving to renew “auld acquaintances” of high school days must be the reason for my returning, and so I came hoping that not all my fellow members had answered “the call of the wild” and were roving in parts either known or unknown. Besides the quiet of Nokomis is very restful after enduring mental trials put upon a U. S. Senator. But you haven’t told me what you have been doing these twenty years. MIRIAM : Ten years ago I planned a system by which bachelors can neatly darn their socks so their toes won’t be hurt by the rough, bumpy threads that used to characterize their mending. My returns on this little plan have amply repaid me for my time and energy expended in the production. BEAMAN: Charles Turzak is a very illustrious cartoonist. School boys and girls of today look forward to the arfival of the Literary Digest, Outlook, and other magazines in order to scan Charles’ funny pictures. MIRIAM : When I was stopping at Platsmouth, Nebraska, whom should I encounter but Lloyd Hulbert and his wife Josephine. They seemed as happy as when they were high school sweethearts. They are doing extensive farming and are making quite a success of it. During your wanderings did you see anything of George McClure or Florence Herzog? BEAMAN: Yes; I saw George recently. He is our greatest steel magnate. He lives in New York. I had the pleasure of seeing Florence in the Capitol City. She, as you know, with her beautiful features and sylph-like form, has danced and acted her way into the hearts of all America, young and old, and is as much sought after as was Elsie Janis when we were high school lads and lassies. MIRIAM: Did you know that “Al” is a great stenographer? I had a letter from her the other day saying that she has been ex-President Hoover’s private secretary for the last five years. She has the pleasure of traveling extensively with Mr. and Mrs. Hoover. Lydia is a school nurse and her territory is Montgomery County. The children all adore her, I am told. BEAMAN: While I was down at Palm Beach, I encountered a group of lively bath- ers. Upon noting the chaperone, I discovered her to be none other than Mabel Sperry. She allowed the girls to take their chaperoning into their own hands, while I spent with Mabel one of the most pleasant hours in many a day. From her I learned that Howard Case was also at the beach and many a fair damsel and her tna-ma eyed with favor the rich bachelor. Just as in the good old high school days, when any girl would have been pleased to have gone with him had he just “popped the question.” 10

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1920 T R A NSCEN D ENT A LIST 1920 The Senior Class History On Sept. 1, 1916, twenty-five students entered the portals of the N. H. S. as Freshmen. They were greeted with enthusiasm by the Sophomores, who were glad to have an opportunity for repaying the taunts and jibes of their first year. The Juniors and Seniors, however, did not deign to notice “us insignificant little runts.” We chose Earl Gray as our president, old rose and white, our colors, and “Don’t dodge difficulties” as our motto. At first we thought it rather dull but the sophomores livened it up by giving us a roast. We failed to return this roast, but in its place we gave the Sophomores the time of their lives at our first High School party, which was held on Valentine’s eve. in Marquette Hall. We studied very well and tried real hard to get the teachers to notice our existence. We succeeded in adding two of our members to the annual staff, one as art editor, and the other as assistant literary editor. The next year our enrollment was decreased by five although one new sheep came within the fold. Herbert Hines became our next leader, with Lloyd Davis as helper. Now was our chance, and with these able leaders, we bestowed upon the Freshies, all our pet names of the happy year preceding. The Freshmen were initiated into the art of entertaining by our reception party given for them Dec. 21. Our vice-president showed his versatility by his good playing as forward on the basket-ball team and the success of the team was assured when he entered its ranks. When we returned to the dear old High as Juniors, three more classmates were missing, which depleted our ranks considerably, but nothing daunted, we set to work in good spirits, with Florence Herzog as president. We had planned on having a party all for ourselves out in the country and it rained “barrels and barrels” so that the roads were in a terrible condition. But we arrived at our destination with only one casualty; namely the loss of Elda’s rubber. A short time later we were entertained by the Seniors at a party which we returned in May. Several of our boys, Lloyd Davis, “Herby” Hines, and Howard Case, were on the basket-ball team, while another athlete, Lloyd Hulbert, won the half-mile run at the County Meet in Hillsboro. The next fall, nine girls and eight boys returned as dignified Seniors, members of the glorious class of 1920. Altho’ handicapped by the lack of a building, we pursued our studies diligently, each determined to get the highest place. On Hallowe’en Eve, our “ghosts” entertained the “mortal” Juniors at Marquette Hall. The Juniors entertained us at the first party given in the new Township High School. Howard Case helped the basket-ball team win many games by his good playing as guard. In spite of many trials and tribulations, we have gone thus far without serious mishap and we are hoping to attain the final goal and secure our diplomas. 9 BERMADYNE VEST.

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1920 'I' R A X SC EN D'ENT A LI ST 1920 MIRIAM: When I was in Cincinnati visiting my aunt, Ringling Bros. Circus was enjoying a season of popularity there. My aunt and I decided to attend one afternoon. I was never more surprised than when I met Erich Kravanya and he proudly informed me that he was the manager of said circus. BEAMAN: Little Dean is a lawyer in Olympia, Washington, where she is steadily and rapidly climbing the ladder of fame. There can be no doubt that before many years she will vie with any other lawyer in the States. MIRIAM: And Elda is State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Illinois. Nona. I hear, is companion to a sweet old lady in Chicago. BEAMAN: Charles Welsch has placed his name upon the immortal chart of fame. Did you know that he has perfected an invention whereby all men can have a beautiful marcel wave which appears as natural as his own raven hair? O, Charlie, all beauty-craving men worship and adore you. MIRIAM : Talk about fame! All women, old and young, admire and court Freda Kirk- land. the designer of American Fashions. Paris is no longer “in the game” when it comes to setting the style, since Freda with her wonderful ingenuity has appeared upon the scene. BEAMAN: And Ernest is traveling for Simmon’s Hardware Company. He has the reputation of being the best living salesman in the world. Why it is not at all uncommon for him to make two hundred dollars for himself in one day. (ENTER FRESHMAN.) FRESHMAN: Did ya all know that a feller by the name of Charlie Turzak is going to give a sarman what they calls a chalk talk at the Opera House this here evenin’. Everybody’s plum wild over him and I’m goin’ ter see him. (Exit Freshman.) BEAMAN: What do you say “Jimmie”? Shall we go see Charlie? MIRIAM: Yes; let’s go. Class Will We, the members of the Class of 1920, being of sound mind and disposing intentions, and wishing to distribute all our school legacies among the persons whom we believe will derive the greatest good from them, do make, ordain, and publish this our last will and testament. First—To Mr. Starner we bequeath our song books that he may not lack copies of “Long Long Ago”; also all perfect copies of direct ovals, which we so dutifully made under his supervision. To Miss Yackle we present a car load of pencils that she may rap to her heart s content. To Miss Duncan we bequeath all our hats which we wore as Freshmen in 1916. Second—To the Juniors we bequeath the “seats of honor” in the assembly, with the proviso that they sit still in them for a period of at least five minutes during their Senior year: also all the smiles and notes stolen behind the teachers’ backs. To the Sophomores we give our bad habits. To the Freshmen we give a portion of our “gold medal” conduct, that they may present a fair showing next year. Third—To Annalee Darrough, Bermadyne Vest bequeaths her ladylike poise and dignity. To Melvin Hebenstreit, Eric Kravanya gives his everlasting smiles and a pair of number 13 basket-ball socks which are too small for him. II