Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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History of the Senior Class It has been said that “History is past politics, and politics present history.” Such being the case, the uninitiated may think us without a history. But such is not the case, since the class of 1910, although not organized as a class until the present year, has passed through several campaigns of a political nature as well as many of those exciting and thrilling contests so characteristic of the Kansas State Manual Training Normal School. This noted building has been our cradle, th i clash and wrangle of legislatures our lullaby, and the word “appropriation” our battle cry. But laying aside the political feature of our past, we still have a record which will ever be re- called with mingled pleasure, pride and amazement. ‘Pleasure? Yes -for in after years, when the shadows of intervening events have caused the Memories of our careers as students of the State Manual Training Normal to grow dim, what a pleasure it will be to again recall our school days and the many friendly faces almost forgotten but for their association. In memory to live again the life when an in- terview with the principal, a delayed check or a heavy notebook was its greatest bugbear and the passing of examinations its one ambition. And with pride may we recall how we have struggled shoulder to shoulder, year after year to attain the common prize at the common goal. And with amazement and amusement of our entrance into this institution associated with its various customs and events. In the good old days when we usjd to hold our bimonthly frolics in the attic of the old Normal building, and when the one important subject for chapel talks was “The extended opportunities when we get into our new building,” the present Senior class had its humble beginnings. It had fio definite organization other than in theory. Our faculty theorists were sanguine and brave enough to think that some day out of their present flock they would be able to corral a full fledged class of Seniors. Each year their embryonic hopes were strengthened until now their theory has taken on the form of an actual reality. As previously stated the present Senior class has not existed as a regularly organized body for its full four years of school work. It has in reality been a gleaning of the best product obtainable from the various sections of the middle west. Some have joined us who have been for several years students of other state schools, but who luckily came to their senses in time. Others have served as pedagogues for many months and are quite efficient in administration of the strong arm theory, while others have been passive listeners to chapel opportunity talks for the full four years. But no matter as to its method of organization, it has in its past year become fully enthused with the true class spirit, and as for its loyalty and enthusiasm for its Alma Mater it stands without a peer. There are many qualities, attributes, etc., by which this class is distinguished as well as hon- ored. It is the first life-diploma class to graduate from the State Manual Training Normal. It is the first class that fully conceived the idea that the institution should publish a school paper. Hence the birth of “The Manual Normal Light.” Again, through its strenuous efforts the first School Annual, “TheKanza,” has been published. It is also noted for its variety of members, both from a standpoint of age as well as position in life. We have representatives from the blushing maid not yet out of her teens to the composed lady past—twenty. From those whom charity has seemed to have forsaken, to those who are happily married; from those who wear the diamond to those who hope is their watchword. But to enumerate more is useless for the living example more clearly speaks for itself than history is able to record. It is generally considered that a Senior is a gentleman of leisure. Judging from his carefree and happy expression there is some ground upon which to draw this conclusion. But only those who have passed through the trials of the Senior year and who have been called upon to choose between the allurements of pleasure and the demands of duty, can fully understand and appreciate the mental strain to which he is subjected. After these many years of preparation we are in fact only ready to take up the real problems of life. What a pity then our school days must end ere more of these life problems are solved amidst sympathetic surroundings. Our school days at the Kansas State Manual Training Normal now are ended. With fond recol- lections of our prosperous period in this school amidst jolly classmates and kind instructors, we are about to embark upon an untried sea. With best wishes and hopes to faculty, students and all, as we say good bye and turn from the door of our Alma Mater, our feelings find expression in the words of Don Juan in his farewell to his native land: “Farewell my Spain, a long farewell,” he cried, “Perhaps I may revisit thee no more, But die as many an exiled heart hath died Of its own thirst to see again thy shore.” H. E. T.

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GRACE EVANS, Columbus, Kansas. Manus Verez, Sweet her voice as seraph song; the one who loves, will love her long. EDITH OSBORN Effingham, Kansas. Porterian, Modest and unassuming, conscientious and in- dustrious--of home keeping ability.

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A Phantasm Having glanced back upon the various successes of my classmates, and having recalled with pleasue with what ease the most threatening obstacles were surmounted, the writer is confident that they will successfully cope with the crudest misfortunes that Fate may thrust upon them. Personally congenial and of kindred ambition, the Senior Class of 1910 will resolve to perpetuate their illustrious name in the memories of generations yet to come, not by leaving the statue of Opollo to be relegated to the shadows of Professor Brower’s back room, not b leaving two victories to be marked by the pencils of “spooners” on the stairs, but to immortalize their name by planting the S. M. T. N. pennant on the North Pole. The expedition will be most heartily supported by President Russ, who will think it a most excellent advertisement for the school. George Malcolm, for his slow and thoughtful mein, will be unanimously chosen as captain of the ship and immediate com- mander of the crew. For the expedition’s surgeon, M. H. Powell, as all will feel confi- dent that he will not resort to the use of the knife without cool and thoughtful delibera- tion. The other officers: Engineer, Louise Henry Emmett; Steward, Charles Spence; Nurses, the McPherson sisters. So elated and enthusiastic will be the S. M. T. N. teachers over the project that many of them will accompany the class as far as Vancouver. After the sad fare- wells and the wiping away of tears, with favorable wind and tide, the ship known as the S. M. T. N. Albatross, will, shortly after midnight, swing from the harbor of British Columbia. Until she reaches Point Barrow, notwithstanding the rapid progress made the first few weeks, the Albatross will meet with much bad weather and contrary winds; cruel waves with racer’s speed, will envelop her, but wi'h her head to the northward, and struggling along through the raging waters, believing “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;” the crew with set teeth and newly formed resolutions, will determine to reach the goal of their ambition. On the Alaskan Peninsula the party will make a landing for the purpose of secur- ing dogs and sleds; Harry Cox, Teddy Tewell, Rachel Kendrick and Maude Harlan—the committee sent to make the purchase. In this neighborhood the first polar bear will be seen. Harry Cox, seemingly the most courageous, will immediately aim at the bear, but will miss his mark; the enraged animal will make a ferocious dart toward the party, the girls screaming will call wildly for the police, but upon second thought realize that their safety depends upon fighting the enemy, Maude Harlan will grasp her gun, take aim and shoot, but instead of the bear, will hit Teddy Tewell, inflicting a dangerous wound