Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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19 26 CLASS HISTORY OF 1926 In the year of ’22 a new band of warriors, 65 in number, entered the hunting grounds of the P. C. H. S. Indians. This new troop was called Freshmen, and according to the custom of their elders they called a meeting of the clan to choose leaders. Gordon Johnson was chosen chief and was to lead in all active warfare. Otis McQuiston, being second chief, was to be his right hand assistant. Helen Newman was selected as historian of the tribe, and Mabel Dunnan was to have charge of all affairs of trade. The consuls of the band were Mr. and Mrs. Eaton and Miss Howell. A scalping party was staged by the older braves, and the young and untried Freshmen surviving this severe and painful physical test, were declared equal to their Indian brothers. The first year the youths took quite an active part in the contests with other tribes. The Freshmen were represented in football, basketball, and baseball. They excelled in finer arts as well as in warfare. Having scrubbed off the paint of war and having applied the dainty tints of rouge and lipstick, topping off their make-up with abbreviated bathing suits, they gave a most realistic representation of the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties at the Junior Carnival. The result of this exhibition was $5.00 in white man’s money. After so strenuous a year the band left their wigwams (class rooms) and departed for summer hunting (pleasure.) In the autumn, when the Indian summer was beginning, the band returned. Some had fallen by the wayside, but they were few. As a result of the excellent execution of duties when Freshmen, this band was dubbed Sophomores, and consequently were raised a notch in the estimation of the tribe. A meeting was called in one of the wigwams and leaders were chosen Chief and assistant were Donald Swanson and Otis McQuiston; historian, Evelyn Ostrom; head of affairs of trade, Eva Mull; consuls. Miss Kerns and Miss Hi. During this year the class was well represented in sports and it took charge of advertising for the basketball tournament and gave a benefit show. In the spring the tribe once more adjourned for the summer hunt. At the beginning of the third year, leaders were chosen as in the previous years. Chief, Otis McQuiston; assistant, Kernon Watts; historian, Vernette Larson; manager of affairs of trade, Harry Swenson; consuls. Miss Kerns, Miss Gracen, Miss Koch. This year the band took the name of Juniors and with it assumed a high position in all tribal affairs. Many of the class took part in sports. A seal was selected and practically every member secured a class pin or ring. All through this year the membeis traded delicious morsels of rare meats (candy and hot dogs) for wampum. True to form, the Juniors took the $5.00 prize for the best stunt in the Senior Stunt Show. A benefit show was given and all the wampum that had been secured throughout the year was used for a huge banquet at the Middlecoff hotel, for the oldest of the four bands of the tribe, who were soon to depart into the rugged ways of life. Thus ended the third year of this renowned band. In the fourth year, the band returned, only 48 in number, as dignified elders (Seniors.) The burdens of the last year were heavy and great re- Page Twenty-Six

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PRRLK M: VIS “Sport Entered second grade; Plutonian; Junior Carnival 1; Class Basketball 1; Football 2, 3, 4; Basketball 3. 4; Track 3. 4; French Club 3. 4; Baseball 4; Pickles” 4. Slow and easy is his mark, But yea! ye athletic shark! IIAIIOM) II. SWENSON “Harry Entered Freshman; Baseball 1. 2. 3; Baseball Captain 3; Football 2. 3; Track 3; Class Treas 3; French Club 3. 4; “Pickles” 4. An eight-cylinder fellow from a one-horse town; 51rls call him up. then call him down. HICII A It II W. CARSON “Hick Entered Freshman; Baseball 3. 4; Glee Club 4; Class Basketball 4; Musical 4; Hotsy Totsy Syncopators ’ 4; Stunt Show 4; “Pickles 4. A “hotsv-totsy” with banjo fingers; A peppy fellow with a smile that lingers. oeoiigk w. wimkk Entered first grade; P la ton i an; Plutonian Debate 1; Baseball 1, 3, 4; Football 2; Glee Club 3, 4; “Around the World with Captain Kidd 3; Stunt Show Committee 4, “Pickles” 4. A business head and a business-like way, A whistle renowned that w'ill ever stay. Page Twenty-Five

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sponsibility was felt by all. The leaders were: Chief, Charles Greenan; assistant, Helen Newman; historian, Mildred Allen; secretary of trade, Mildred Ludlow; consuls. Miss Gracen, Mr. Garnett and Mrs. Swinney (formerly Miss Kerns but recently the squaw of Heap Big Chief John Swinney.”) This band of elders (Seniors) were the first to occupy the new village of wigwams erected by the five sages (School Board) under the Great Spirit’s blue canopy. Each Indian exerted his utmost power to keep this village spotless—the members of the council fire (Student Council) were their examples. In the autumn of the year of 1926 a staff was organized to chisel on immortal tablets a “Reflection of the Seniors’ last winter in the tepees of P. C. H. S. The chiseling of these tablets had to be paid for, and to acquire enough wampum for this important ceremony a Stunt Show was given in the vast and beautiful space which had thoughtfully been reserved in the new camp. This Stunt Show was a huge success, due to the patronizing spirit of other tribes. In the spring the operetta. Pickles, was given by the Senior class, the last tribal play in which these Seniors took part. Other events of the spring were the Junior-Senior Banquet, the Baccalaureate Sermon, and the Senior Class Assembly. As the sun sank over the western horizon on June 4. 1926, it looked for the last time on this one and united band of noble Seniors. The next day would see them setting forth in different directions, but for each there gleamed ahead a brilliant and inviting future. Vernette Larson. Mildred Allen SENIOR EPITAPHS Here he lies—dear old George, His Ford and all went down the gorge. Here lies the body of Eleanor Larson, She jilted a bandit to marry a parson. Here are the remains of Everett O. He kicked the mule ’cause it wouldn’t go. Here lies Gordon in a heap. He died from doing the pole vault leap. Here lies the body of Evelyn Ostrom, She drank strong coffee instead of postum. Page Twenty-Seven