University High School - Flickertail Yearbook (Grand Forks, ND)

Page 80 text:

Dear Alumni Editor: Yesterday I received a card from you asking me to send you a short write-up of the various activities of the Class of 1912. Accordingly, last night after I had gone home, helped the Mrs. wash the dishes and had put the baby to sleep, I proceeded to dig out my copy of the Class History from the bottom of an old trunk, put on the old carpet slippers, stuffed the Missouri Meerschaum to the brim and then on the clouds of sweet essence which were seen emanating therefrom, I allowed my memory to drift back once again to the scenes of Yester-year. As memory's panorama of forgotten days fled by, the worries and troubles, which are necessarily a part of a young lawyer's existence, passed away and I was once again a carefree member of the mighty class of U. H. S. '12. And believe me brethen-that was SOME CLASS! In the fall of 1908 the old Prep department at the University was abolished and the University High School was established in its place. So in reality the Class of '12 can claim the distinction of being the first four year class to graduate from the University High School. However this is the first-NOT THE ONLY-claim which this class has to dis- tinction. In 1911, the Class of '12 then in their Junior Year broke all previous records of being the class to put on a Junior Prom and a Junior Banquet to the Seniors. My copy of the class history informs me that Alice, beloved of the Profs 1Alice B. Eckmann, now of Yakima, Wash- ingtonj and Estella of the fuzzy locks and smiling eyes CEstella Archer, Finley, N. Dak.J were the life of the party. In the Senior year the Class finished with a blaze of glory. To quote again from the Class History, They first decided that Irish fSpudsJ Murphy should have the class presidency, but this by no means meant that he should control the classg next they decided that they should be the FIRST CLASS TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL and also that they should be the FIRST CLASS to attempt to give a class play. Little did the class think when they published that first little pamphlet annual, that they were laying the foundation for such a modern worth while, substantial annual as the Flickertail has grown to be. Already I have used more than my allotted space-not because the Class of '12 needs a lot of space--but because we feel that we are entitled to it. Let me conclude this short review with the concluding words of the aforementioned Class History. We of the First class still believe them to be true. When some future historian shall write the history of the University High School, he shall dip his pen in the glory of the western sunset and write in letters of gold the deeds of the graduates of this school of ours, then, high above all others, emblazoned with glory will be found the emblem of this Class-U. H. S. 1912. .Sch'dol, AT EASE!!-The Class of '12 has once again passed in review... Yours sincerely, G. MCLAIN JOHNSON.

Page 79 text:

TO THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED THE SERVICE BEFORE US While reviewing the history of this year, we should not forget you who were the life of the school in the days of its earlier history. This institution would not be what it is except for you. For your need it was founded, enlarged, and equipped. By our efforts and loyalty it has prospered. It is you that we should thank in large measure for the privileges which we enjoy. You have come and gone. Your work lies elsewhere, but your spirit still remains. No portion of Woodworth Hall, but gives mute evidence of its former occupants. Wander thru the recitation rooms, turn the cards of the registration record, there are your names as you traced them. Your hands have since become bolderg they show more of the confidence that comes only from striving and winning, they swerve less, your names fill less space and the symbols that make them are finer 5 but these old marks are yours and they are, at the same time, milestones that mark your progress, and bonds that bind you to us thru common association and interest. The worn matting at the main entrance pays its tribute to your impatient feet. The memor- ials in the building commemorate your efforts, even as they speak of your loyalty and love for your Alma Mater. And even the grass worn back campus suggests visions of quondam devotees. We have drained a beaker to gratitude and memory. But there is another thing that binds us to you. It is the fellowship of kindred hearts. Tho outward conditions are unlike, the desires, purposes, and spirit of our endeavors have been the same. It has been good to feel the hearty grasp of the hand and note the depth of expression in the Glad to be back so cordially spoken when you have come back to old associations. The student body is transient, the faculty personnel changes, methods and jokes may be different, but the school spirit is ever the same. It is with this spirit that we rally around the Blue and White of our dear U. H. S. and cheer till the echoes fill the air. Much as we desire to welcome each of you personally to the familiar haunts, wishes can only echo the hope of future fulfillment. Tho others may have the opportunity we covet, over the pledge of faith thus re- newed will hover the spirit of fellowship of those who send this annual greeting and best wishes for future success. -Alumni Editor.

Page 81 text:

Dear Editor: The University High School is unique in more than one respect. lt is unique in that the average age of its students is greater than that of any other high school in the state. lt is unique in that its students have more freedom than do those of other schools. And what concerns us most in this connection, it is unique in that it draws its students from a larger territory than does any other high school in the state. The Class of '17 had representatives from several states, one as far away as Illinois, and from twenty-one different towns. Upon graduating from the University High School they scattered to the four winds until they are now more widely separated than they were upon entering. Almost every man enlisted in the Great War. Kaffon Hanson, Leory Cabbage, William Putcamp, Marshall Josund, Douglas McDonald, and Frank Buck- ingham saw active service at the front. William Putcamp was wounded three times, Magill Ellison made the supreme sacrifice. Among our army men we had one First Lieutenent, Gordon Terreyg we had several non- commissioned officers. One of our number, Franzo Crawford, is a Rhodes Scholar and is at present studying at Oxford, England. Sigurros Reykjalin, a graduate nurse, is practising in Chicagog two others are located in Chicagog three are in Californiag one is in Texas. Several of our class are now enterpris- ing business men and women of this and other states, some are farming, we also have our quota of school teachers. Three of our group are gradu- ating from the University of North Dakota this spring. The Great War had a very demoralizing effect upon all educational in- stitutions in this country. This seems to be especially true of the University High School for very soon after America's advent into the conflict, it began to assume the appearance of a girls' seminary. Those who were left were not lacking in spirit, however, for school activities seemed to be pushed all the harder. The school put forth commendable athletic teams in the fieldg Per Gradus, Glee Clubs, and other societies were active thru- out the yearg a new organization, the Athenian Debating Club was form- ed and the senior class staged two plays very successfully. In fact, the school carried on its activities in a very gratifying manner. All this the students did largely upon their own initiative. That, coupled with the freedom which they enjoyed, developed in them a high degree of self-reliance, which is so essential in after-life. In the absence of an alumni association it is quite diflicutl for us to keep track of one another--much harder than is the case with the alumni of the average city high school, for we haven't the common home-ties to couple with our love for our school to keep us in touch with one another. Never- theless, we are all mighty proud of our University High School and it gives us genuine pleasure to heargof each other's successg to know that the Class of '17 is living up to the traditions of the school. Yours sincerely, -CONRAD LEIFUR.