Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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PROPHECY As I sat meditating in my apartment in New York on a sultry evening in August, my glance fell on my old Reflectors from P. C. H. S. As I picked them up and glanced through them, I lingered quite a while over the pictures of the class of ’29. I wandered where each was and what he was doing. After a while I laid them away thinking of the many good times I had in high school. One never knows until he sets out into the world how much his high school days meant. As I knew it would do me no good to be reminiscent, I turned to my television radio. (They had been perfected in 1940.) I was absently turning the dial, trying to get a little distance, when I heard the soft voice of Maurice Hanson in Los Angeles. I adjusted my set so that we could see and talk to each other. We fell to talking of old times immediately, so naturally spoke of old times in high school. He said he saw nearly all of the members of outclass in some way or another. “Oh, I’d love to hear about them,” I said. “Well, get your 1929 Reflector and I’ll tell you all I know. You can see their pictures as I mention them and in that way we won’t miss any.” I was delighted at this suggestion and hastened to do as he directed. He began with the history of the members of our class and not once did I interrupt, I became so enthralled. “Well, Cyril Anderson is the Athletic Coach at the University of Illinois. He was quite a star in class basketball, you know. Emerson Gentry is a famous architect in New York. I read in the paper yesterday that he had finished designing the largest and most beautiful cathedral in the world. William Quinlan is head surgeon of the Cat and Dog Hospital in Ludlow, Illinois, and Dorothy Watson is his nurse-superintendent. Jack Kemp is filling his father-in-law’s place as state representative of Illinois. Jack always was very conscientious in his work, also attentive, but please notice I didn’t say atttentive to his work. Mary McCabe is Champaign County’s Home Bureau Adviser. Dorothy Salden is Marion Talley’s accompanist. She played beautifully when in high school. I’d like to hear her now. “What do you think? Johnny Moline is head of the Better Babies Association. He always was a home body. With the help of his wife, Ruby, he is making a great success of the association. Alice Newman just won the largest International Bathing Beauty Contest ever held in the world. Nora O’Dell is the leading lady in the Moffett Follies. Vernon’s

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CLASS HISTORY It was in September, 1925, that a throng of green Freshies entered the halls of P. C. H. S. They numbered sixty strong, and their brightness swelled out upon the air, and was felt by everyone. During the first year of their high school career as Freshmen they were blessed with the usual amount of greenness. They attended mainly to their own affairs which kept them well occupied. The one and only event of special importance was a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Toon, the class advisers. Stanley Watts efficiently served the class as president and guided it safely through its first year of high school life. In their Sophomore year little was attempted except the learning of lessons. Officers chosen were John Moline, president; Horace Shaw, vice-president; Wayne Canney, secretary; and Albert Hill, treasurer. Many of the class were stars in athletics and other activities. The class began its Junior year by electing Stanley Watts, president; Vernon Moffett, vice-president; Loretta McLaughlin, secretary; and John Kemp, treasurer. During that year various efforts were made to raise money for the class, with the kindly advice of the sponsors, Miss Paul and Miss Parks. Candy was sold at basketball and football games and two Junior “Tag Days” were held for the purpose of collecting class dues. The class gave a play, “His Best Investment,” which was a huge success. In the middle of the year the class bought their rings and pins. As a final for the Junior year, the Junior-Senior banquet was held at the Middlecoff Hotel on May 25. Places were set for over one hundred, including the faculty, Juniors, and Seniors. After the toast program, the party adjourned to the Legion Hut for dancing. Now the last and Senior year draws to a close. Some of the members have fallen by the wayside but nevertheless there are still a large number of steady and sturdy plodders. The class of ’29 has had its share of members on the athletic teams, in literary work, and in other activities. The class-play, the Junior-Senior Banquet, Commencement, and Baccalaureate services are events of the Spring. Now, after four years, the class of ’29 is about to enter the cold cruel world. Others will take their places, but the “29’ers” leave dear old P. C. II. S. with a hope that they will always be welcomed back with open arms to their Alma Mater. Mabel Beland

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shows are the snappiest I’ve ever seen and he certainly has an eye for form, as usual. Wayne Canney is captain of the largest submarine in the world. He took me cruising not so long ago. Oh yes, it is reported that he is engaged to a society heiress. Wayne always was lucky in love. A1 Hill is President of the United Mining and Oil Company. They say he’s the richest man in the world. Vivian Bestold is running a wonderful cafeteria in our home town. She has run all other eating places out of business for miles around. Gladys Johnson and Tom Reed are married and run a drug store in Hollywood. There was some talk of Gladys entering the movies, but I guess Tom obiected. Theora West is private secretary to the President of the United States. She certainly is a capable girl. “Helen Morris is married and living in Paxton as are Irene Remley, Gladys Tibby, and Mabel Beland. Mabel is now living with her third husband. Genarie Lee is teaching English in the Paxton High School. Eunice Schif skated around the North Pole a few weeks ago. Harold Orr is in northern Siberia doing research work. He always was pretty inquisitive and into everything. Franc Rasmussen just invented a marvelous new electric powder puff. I imagine that’s what he used to dav dream about. Marie Hand is a society matron in Washington, D. C. Edith Stevenson is manager of the Grande et Petite Beauty Parlors. Our Senior president is in charge of a Famous Academy of Dancing in Paris. Ruth Adamson is the champion in tennis of the United States. Evelyn Curtis is married and is l’earing a family in Gary. Indiana. She was the first of our class to take the matrimonial vows. Evelyn Wrede is chairman of the Women Voters League. She was a girl who knew what she knew. I just heard from Stanley Watts and he has been going through the country giving um chewing demonstrations for Wrigley’s. Oh, yes, Ralph Brown is President of Harvard University and Willard Parker is a missionary in the iun les of India. He manages a Chevrolet factory there, besides doing his religious work. He ruins a Chevrolet a week, because the natives chase elephants with them. Harold Pearson is Ambassador to Spain and I hear he has quite a few affairs with those irresistible Spanish beauties. Arthur Ekersley, of London, is a noted detective who has never failed to get his man as yet. Glen Magnuson is the Ford County sheriff. He’s very reliant from what I’ve heard. And last, but by no means least. Loretta McLaughlin and Arlyn Larson broke the World’s Endurance Flight record bv staying in the air six months. Just think of it! Our class of ’29 did all these things.” “Oh, they’ll do more than that. Just give them time,” I said. It was time for Maurice to start announcing a ain. so I bade him goodbye and returned to a book I was writing, entitled “An Old Maid’s Diary, by One Who Knows.” Lillian Stanford