Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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REFLECTIONS The year 192 5 marks one score years since the birthday of the Paxton High School Reflector. We look back on the days of its early history and find that it was issued for a number of consecutive years in magazine form, as well as of late appearing at the close of each school year. Records show that as a financial venture the first volume was not a success, but the following year, 1906, under the wise and efficient management of Will Lateer, all past indebtedness was paid and a small balance remained. The annual subscription price from l905-’09 was 50c, with a charge of 5c for single copies, but in 1909 the subscription price was raised to 75c, and that of single copies to 10c. Previous to this, however, the size of the paper had been eight pages, with an occasional twelve page number, while in 1909, corresponding to the change in price, the size of the paper increased to twelve pages. The Reflector now for the first time appeared with a neat and attractive cover; previous to this it was adorned with a cover only on special occasions. It may afford some interest as to the contents of the commencement number of volume one. The space was largely consumed by the report of the second annual debate, which was won that year by the Athenaeums, the speech of each debater being printed in full. A large cut of President David Felmley, of the Illi- nois State Normal University, occupied prominent space, since he delivered the address for the class of 05. and it is in this same issue that we may find the account of the first Junior-Senior banquet. The early numbers also contained rhymes, class jokes, and poetry, as well as athletic and society news. We enjoy the Reflector today because in 05 William Glenn and Gordon Overstreet, together with John T. Vansant, conceived the idea of having a school paper, and firmly steered the new venture through the five numbers which made their appearance the first year. Now again the year 1925 marks a change in the Reflector to a magazine form, which is to be issued monthly. It is to be a combination of the Reflector and the Headlight. We of the Editorial Staff sincerely hope that this Reflector may satisfy our subscribers, and we hope also that they will boost and encourage our school paper. The policy of management which has always been exercised, we shall endeavor to continue------that of de- manding that our paper maintain iis standard, and that it reflect the activities of our high school life as it goes forth with our message to the public. We of the Senior Class of 1925 should deem it fitting to recognize, together with the school, in some appropriate manner, the 20th birthday of our Reflector,” which comes in February. Editor. —Page Fourteen—

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with a picket fence in front and vines and flowers growing neatly around. “Hay Fever Sim” survived all obstacles and you may find him around the old grocery store where he and his son, Sim, run a filling station. Sim s filling station has become so popular that Golden Rod is Golden Rod no longer but Simp-kin s Corner. Sally Jane, the daughter, is generally found near the store daydreaming, as did the first Sally Jane years ago. —Lorene Martin. BE INFORMED (By John D. Rockabottom) Modern politics is becoming so corrupt and voters are so easily misled that it is becoming necessary to enlighten the people as to the true character and reputation of office seekers. In no other way can this be done so effectively as by the prominent political speakers of the day. At one time I was the most prominent speaker in the central west on the political platform. 1 always spent a great deal of time before the campaign really became warm to look up the true facts about those in question, and I always gave my honest opinion to the people of just what kind of office-holder each candidate would make. 1 was never so foolish, however, as to make the slightest assertion as to which candidate 1 really preferred or which I really thought had the most ability, because that would certainly have made me enemies and made me a less popular speaker. 1 am now too old to stand the strain of the exciting campaigns and so have retired from the political platform, although at every election the people holler and clamor for my much valued opinion of the new candidates and will not be satisfied until they have heard from me. In order to pacify them I have sent out John D. Rockabottom in my name to present my views to them. Mr. Rockabottom, although new in this work, is fast becoming the most noted man on the platform. He spoke at Paxton, one of the largest cities in the central west, a short time ago on the subject, Who Will Make the Best President? The entire population flocked to hear this great man and received his speech with the greatest enthusiasm. It was estimated that there were nearly thirty-five people present. His talk was as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen:—I feel it a great pleasure to be able to address such a large and intelligent audience. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to be able to stand upon a platform and look into such a sea of faces as I am now gazing down upon. 1 have spoken in Chicago, St. Louis. Minneapolis, St. Paul, Detroit, Indianapolis, Louisville—in fact in most of the larger cities of the central west—but never in any of them have I talked to such a multitude as is now gathered together before me. Also let me say this to you, for it is the truth that none of these cities, large and attractive as they may be, can compare with the city of Paxton. It is the largest, finest, cleanest, most attractive and artistic city 1 have ever seen. Its public buildings show to outsiders the character, the pride, the thriftiness of its inhabitants. And so I want to repeat that 1 count this visit to Paxton as a privilege and an honor. Yes friends, I find it one of the greatest pleasures of my life. 1 shall always remember this visit to your city. 1 shall remember it all the rest of my life. I shall never forget it. No, my friends, I shall always remember it. No matter how many other grand and beautiful cities I visit, 1 shall always remember this one city, and no matter how many times in the future 1 revisit this same place, I shall always remember this one visit. 1 have not (Continued on Page 16) Page Thirteen—

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 THE ALUMNI PAGE Hello, folks, are you feeling exceptionally peppy this year? With your help we are going to have an unusually good Alumni Page, and we shall need lots of contributions. Dcn’t be bashful. If you have something you want to say, stick it in an envelope addressed to The Alumni Reporter, P. C. H. S,’ and post it. We will take editorials, personals, pictures, jokes, or questions for the question box. Please sign your name or initials with your class numerals to all contributions. We take this opportunity for thanking the contributors of this month’s page, and please remember you can send in as many contributions as you like. Thanks for our first editorial. “Doc.” Send in some more. STUDENTS, ATTENTION! Something is lacking! That ’’something’’ is School Spirit! A great many of us, in fact most of us, believe we are doing enough for the team and school by going to the games; some do not do that, yet they think they have School Spirit. They have NOT! (To be continued) REWARD REWARD REWARD Whose sentiments are the above? Send answers to The Alumni Reporter.’’ THE CLASS OF ’24 AND WHERE THEY ARE ’’Bang’’ Benjamin, upon entering the U. of I„ applied for a position as chief cook and bottle washer at one of the sororities of the Daughters of Abraham. One Reb — What is your name? ” “Bang —‘ Benjamin. One Reb —(After scrutinizing gaze)— You're hired.” “Shorty Pierce has been pledged Alpha Sigma at the U. of I. “Hump Campbell, who has entered Knox College, has been pledged Tau Kappa Epsilon. Carl has a position as salesman in a large Ladies’ Department Store. Mug Kirkpatrick, also at Knox, (merely a coincidence) has been bid Phi Mu. Spaghetti Thompson has entered Lindenwood, a school for young ladies. What does she do in her spare time??????------------- Butter Johnson and Frank Platt grace the halls of “Chicago Tech. Although we have not been able to locate Fred Ericson, we have information from a reliable source that Fred spends most of his time hanging around a certain country school. — Page Fifteen