University High School - Bisbila Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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T H E 19 2 4 B I S B I L A CHAPTER X THE REIGN OF AN IDEAL CLASS In the year High School ns The Reign of Ideal Class Freshman Fit, Pandemonium, some special ev an 1920 commenced what has been popularly known in University the Reign of an Ideal Class. The history of this famous class started in .September of that year, and covers four years, respectively, from that time until June, 1924. There were four distinct periods in this reign generally classed thus: The The Sophomore Spasm, The Junior Convulsion, and The Senior Each period has its prominent political leaders and is noted for ent occurring within it. The famous reign commences brilliantly with The Freshman Fit, which covers the first year. In order fully to appreciate this period, it is necessary that one should become acquainted with its leaders. Perhaps the most noticeable of these was Robert Tambornino, who ruled the court as president of the executive department. Wirt Stickler assisted with these duties as vice-president, while Katherine Kelley was the sturdy keeper of the records. Julia Partington was safe-keeper of the funds of this period and proved very worthy of this responsible position. The court of this period was still in its infancy and appointed Cecil Hanson as sergeant-at-arms in order that a revolution should not break out. As the class reporter, David Wing showed his talent, and Miss Pauline Thornton, as class adviser, was the most prominent leader of The Fit. The Political Leaders of the Fit The first important event of this age was a Hallowe’en party which proved to THp Mortal QMp ° e a ver.v 8°° “ice-breaker for getting the members of the court together. It seems that aside from a jolly party in Of the Fit February, 1921, given for the class by Mary White, there were no other important social events of the period. The Ideal Class seems to have been very prominent in athletics from the very Th A rhlptir» beginning, and history records that several of the boys of the class were on the second teams during The Fit. But the boys Ot tne rlt alone did not excel along this line, for the girls received their honors when they captured the cup for athletics at the end of the year. The Sophomore Spasm started out with Miss Margaret McGuire as the new authoritative member of the Ideal Class. Miss McGuire, it seems, was a very charming character and possessed remarkable ability. She seemed most worthy to fill the new position and was received bv all with applause. The other noted leaders of the period were James McConnell, the very efficient president; Mar- The Leaders of the Sophmore Spasm garet Hummel, vice-president; I.orna Scott, secretary; and Robert Rhamc, treas- urer. The social life was not very prominent as there was only one really great event of this period. A sleigh ride party which was very well attended was given on a Social Life of clear winter evening. After the ride cocoa and sandwiches were served at the school, and refreshments were so good that the Spasm the njg|lt watchman permitted himself to be bribed into let- ting the young people dance till eleven o’clock. From all records it is evident that this party was a great success, although it was the only one of the period. 1 27 1

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T II E 19 2 4 B I S B I L A Graham Todd “Panag Senior Vaudeville; Dramatic Club; Senior Class Play. '■ IIow brightI hour beaming! Hour like tunrite teeming!’’ Donald Van Kougiinkt Senior Vaudeville; Junior-Senior Debate III; Debate vs. North High IV; Orchestra. “ A Ideboron I i gli otrophorn io ! Where left gou Chrononhotonthologoe?” Mary White Campus Breeze Staff II. III. IV; I.e Petit Cercle; Senior Vaudeville; Dramatic Club. Hang tor rote! rare will kill a rat. And therefore left be merry. Dana Whitton -Hi Senior Vaudeville; I.e Petit Cercle. '“.-lit brimful of mitrhief. wit. and gin At ever human being rould be. David Wing •%Dave President III; Bisbila Board; Campus Breeze Staff I. II. III. IV; Dramatic Club Play, Pyra-inus and Thisbe ; Senior Vaudeville; Hi-y; Orchestra. “A fine volleg of u'ordt. gentlemen, and quieklg that off Herrkrt Woolkry “Herb Senior Vaudeville; Dramatic Club; i.e Petit Cercle; “U” Club; Swimming (Captain) IV. '• hopet at how I givet tat it fart ion. I 20 |

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THE 1924 B I S B I L A Of all the periods of The Reign of an Ideal Class the Junior Convulsion seems to have stood out as the beginning of the great realization of the success of the Prominent Char- nu’,n ,ers' the president, David Wing, we find a very sin- . - cere young man with most unusual talent, and a striking ac rs O sense of humor. Julia Partington seems to have had the Junior Convulsion favor 0f the court and once again held an office, this time that of vice-president. Dorothy Merritt proved she was as capable a bookkeeper as she was a “friend-keeper, while Robert Ithainc again served as lieutenant of the court's funds. Samuel Brown Kirkwood, “the literary wonder of the period, was active as president of the Minnesota High School Press Association. He was also editor-in-chief of the well-known magazine, the “Campus Breeze,” which, as has been remarked many times, “was never so good before. Gertrude Mushy and Donald Van Koughnet made themselves famous when they won the Junior-Senior debate. Another event which proclaimed the Ideal Class above the others was that more than one youth proved himself capable of receiving four “A’s. The Junior-Senior Ball was the great event of this period, and the result of The Junior- economy in former years was very evident. The orchestra . n was perfect and all the girls declared the programs were senior Ba “perfectly darling” and “the cutest things you ever saw.” The Ideal Class was most thankful that it had practiced the law of economy and saved its pennies. The Senior Pandemonium was the greatest period of all for the Ideal Class. The first thing the court did was to elect a new board of directors. It decided to The New Leaders keep UP its reputation for good-looking presidents and elected - - « . Gordon Scott as Dave Wing’s successor. Gertrude Husby was elected vice-president, while Jane West was not only scc-Pandemonium rctary of the court, but also Senior Reporter for the “Campus Breeze” and Associate Editor of the “Bisbila.” Kerwin Kurtz fulfilled admirably the far from trivial role of guardian of the court's funds. It has been stated that the Senior Vaudeville of 1924 was the best ever given by students of the University High School. The “Follies of 1924” were undoubt-The Senior cdlv a great success. The reviewers said, “We were astounded with the completeness of the costuming, the svnehronity, the auaevilie perfection of lighting, and the oleaginity of performance. We predict an absolute and unqualified success for this porphyrogene performance.” Near the end of the year 1923 two prominent debaters of the Ideal Class won Other Prominent a debate from North High School. Donald Van Koughnet, Fvents Of the who had distinguished himself as an orator in the Junior- . Senior debate, with his colleague, Ross Lee Finney, won Senior Pande- fmnc for High in the greater debate with North High, monium The Senior Class Play was another feature of this period, and many talented actors won fame and admiration in this production. In this period the athletic stars of the class blossom forth into full bloom. Jim Athletics McConnell captained the football team while Leo Dieber of the piloted the basketball squad. Other prominent stars were Ed McQuillan, Starr Pierce, Bill Pettijolm, Herbert Hath-Pandemonium away, Simeon Rollins, and Herbert Woolery. After attending all these dramatic displays of the prodigies of the Class of ’24 and after noting the wonderful athletic stars of the class, as well as the other progresses of this noted court, common opinion acclaimed the class as an ideal one, and thus came The Reign of an Ideal Class. Conclusion I