Sparks College - Yearbook (Shelbyville, IL)

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Sparks Educational Foundation, Inc. Because it was found that a good many young people do need help in attending college, in May, 1945, there was created a student-loan plan and fund. In line with this idea, a group of friends of Sparks College, Shelbyville, Illinois, organized what is known as Sparks Educational Foundation, Inc. It was incorporated under the laws of Illinois. The following named individuals constitute the Board of Directors: MR. G. LLOYD TALLMAN Mr. Andrew Beckett Mr. G. Noel Bolinger Miss Margaret Fox Mrs. Zelma Getz Lidster Mrs. Edna Herron Merrell The following officers were elected: Mr. G. Lloyd Tallman, President Mr. Albert Wall, Vice President Miss Geneva Stewardson Mr. G. Lloyd Tallman Mr. Philip Turner Mr. Russell Younger Mrs. Zelma Getz Lidster, Secretary Mr. Russell Younger, Treasurer This organization has been most helpful to many worthy students. College Papers During the years, there have been several different alumni -student publications. Some have been published by the school, others by individuals. Mr. Gilbert Twiss, now employed by the Chicago Daily Tribune, Miss Geneva Stewardson, and Mrs. Bess Roessler Roney, each, at different times, published the school organ. They did fine work, and the school is deeply indebted for their efforts. Three Generations For several years students whose father or mother attended Sparits College have been in evidence in Sparks College. But here are three generations, Mr. H. Ley Klauser, his daughter Mrs. Ross Beube and her son and daughter, Gene and Marilyn, all having attended the same school. Incidentally, Mr. Beuhe is a Sparks graduate. Grandfather Klauser lives on Davidson Road in Davidson, Michigan. The Beubes live in Shelbyville.

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Organizations Theta Pi Gamma Sorority Theta Pi Gamma Sorority was founded in the fall of 1936. Miss Gwendolyn McCallister, teacher at that time, tried with all her might to impress upon the minds of the girls attending Sparks College the Golden Rule, as she found the basic tools of shorthand, typing, etc., did not fully prepare them for the business world. She knew there was an urgent need for something else, and talked to a group of girls and found them eager to learn something besides the regular subjects that would better fit them for business offices. They decided meetings held either weekly or bi-weekly would be the best idea. The first meeting was held in Miss McCallister ' s apartment. After a few such meetings, it was decided to hold them in homes of the various girls attending these meetings. These meetings covered personal hygiene, proper make-up, proper, tasteful dress, importance of voice and speech, business relations and conduct, importance and art of getting along with people, and many other problems. Certain girls were chosen or volunteered to do some research work on these problems, and conducted sessions which naturally developed into round-table discussions. Miss Mabel Piety, one of the original founders, liked the idea very much, and was very helpful in the organization. It was decided to look for a name for the sorority and the directory in the Illinois State Library was consulted until the name Theta Pi Gamma was found to be a new one. Thus the sorority was named. Alumnae chapters were organized in Springfield and Chicago, with the one in Springfield discontinuing in less than a year. The one in Chicago remained active for a few years. The Shelbj ' ville Alumnae Chapter has remained active ever since being formed. There are twenty-eight members now in the alumnae chapter. Mrs. John McCarty, Filson, Illinois, friend of Miss McCallister ' s, wTOte the words to the sorority songs. Meetings were at first held monthly during the nine-month school term, but during the last year or so have been the fourth Monday in September, December, March, and May. These are dinner meetings held in private dining rooms in restaurants or the Shelby Country Club. F re8ent officers of the Alumnae Chapter are: President Miss Audrey Dannenbarger Vice President Mrs. Lois Sanborn Ethridge Treasurer Mrs. Hazel BroylesCopsy Secretary Mrs. Mable BareKircher Member-at-Large .... Mrs. Emogene Weakley Beube Theta Pi Gamma colors are gold, white, and red. The flower is the red rose. Virginia Rinehart Cresswell « - X MISS McCALLISTER MISS DANNENBARGER

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MR. GARLAND STROHL The Alumni Association For many years, the graduates of Sparks College have maintained an alumni association. During the early years of the school, annual picnics were held in the spring. They were usually held along the Kaskaskia River. The big dinner was the feature. In the horse-and-buggy days, these crowds presented a beautiful spectacle. As the automobile graduallytook over, the picnics were usually held in Forest Park, Shelbjfville, Illinois. Ten years ago, a big picnic was planned and went off accordingly. There was an auto with one or more persons for each year of the school. These cars lined up in the order of the years, and went to the park for the big chicken fry. It happened on August 4, Mr. Sparks ' s birthday. The alumni presented him with an elegant wrist watch, which he has proudly worn ever since. This get together was such a lot of fun and so well attended that a time, the first Saturday in August, was set for further homecomings, which have been quite regular. The officers of the Alumni Association are Mr. Garland Strohl, President Part Owner and Manager of Tuscola Lumber Co. Tuscola, Illinois Mr. Jack Ellis, First Vice President Court Reporter for Judge F. R. Dove of the Circuit Court Shelbyville, Illinois Mr. Noble Corley, Second Vice President .Accountant - The Oliver Corporation Shelbyville, Illinois Mrs. Clara Mae Herron Carter, Secretary Findlay, Illinois Mr. Russell Younger, T1 easurer Vice President - Shelby Loan Trust Co. Shelbyville, Illinois