Topeka High School - Sunflower Yearbook (Topeka, KS)

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TOPEKA is the center of Kansas government. The state capital, state house and other government offices are located in our city. Topeka has contributed many impor- tant men to our nation. Among them is our former governor Alfred Landon, who continues to play a major role in national politics and was the 1936 Re- publican presidential candidate. Charles Curtis, vice-president under Herbert Hoover, was from North Tope- ka. Cyrus K. Holliday was a founding father of Topeka and organizer of the Republican Party in Kansas. THS has a special form of govern- ment, the Student-Faculty Board. It is one of the few in the nation. The Board is composed of students elected from each grade, representing their district, and members of the faculty. At their meetings Board members discuss prob- lems facing THS and solutions to these problems.

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WHEN the first lone settlers came upon the great, vast prairies of Kansas, they encountered a religious essence. For many believers, the Bible was a ma- jor factor involved in this experience. For others, exploring a new land or even seeing the hot Kansas sun setting on the Flint Hills was a spiritual experience. Religious beliefs played a large part in establishing Topeka and surrounding areas. The Swedes came to Topeka in 1869 and lived in the western side of the city. Other groups also came and settled according to their beliefs. Some built churches which became exceedingly im- portant as a source of comfort and inspi- ration in a pioneer life of hardship. The First Congregational Church, or- ganized in the log cabin of James Cowles in 1855. was Topeka's first church. Also in 1855, the First Method- ist Church was founded. Today, build- ings designed in both traditional and modern architecture represent meeting places for nearly 200 of Topeka's de- nominations. A new religion, the American Pentecostal Movement, be- gan in 1901 at Stone's Folly which was located at 17th and Stone St. The first organized black church in Topeka was the African Methodist Episcopal Church QAMEJ. A religious spirit is evident through- out Topeka. as well as at THS. This spirit shows itself in solitude as well as organized groups such as Campus Life or FISH Club. Since the time of Father Padilla, who came with the first explor- er, until today, this spirit has been con- tinually growing and affecting our lives. , 11333 4? x N' ' i .1