Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability Page Twenty-four

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Grammar School We are the members of the Grammar School, and although our organization is the most lowly of the various classes, we feel that we have done our part to make the past year a success, and that our efforts are worthy of recognition. If history repeats itself, some of the big men of the corps will be chosen from our number a few years hence. In academic work, Cadet Handlan has led the Eighth Grade in scholarship. All of the members of this grade feel well qualified to enter upon their duties as full-fledged Freshmen next year. Academic honors in the Seventh Grade have been rather evenly distributed all throughout the year, but at present it seems that Cadet Castles is the leader by a small margin. In military work, the members of our class have not been able to achieve great distinc- tion, but we feel that this fact is e ntirely due to our youth and lack of experience. We are eager to learn and to do our part, and many of us have been able to occupy with credit regular places in the corps during drill. Even the smallest members of our group are unafraid of hard work, and have willingly served as orderlies and in similar capacities. Cadets Haiz- lip and Berg have been members of the Bugle Band. Cadet Handlan s record in competitive drill was surprising, and we expect great things from him. In athletics, as in military work, we members of the Grammar School have been handi- capped by our youth. Nevertheless, we have taken part enthusiastically in a variety of sports and activities. All of us have found Scout work very interesting, and have enjoyed the weekly meetings. Some of our number have gained distinction by earning letters on the Junior Swimming Team. They are Cadets Bradley, Roddy, R., and Newberger. Others have been active in the Hobby Club. Cadets Roddy, R„ and Haizlip have been very successful in the construction of model airplanes. Page Twenty-three

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THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 19 3 4 1 - LjrAVTNO Western, we shall find (and luckily so) that even though we cannot always carry our Alma Mater along with us, we can always refer to the treasure chest — of the memory. Memories of our school will be of varied types — sentimental, flippant, de- pressing, sad, and joyous. Also, the memory of our instructors will bring back a galaxy of mixed and mingled emotions. It will be rather difficult to stop our lips from turning up with just the slightest hint of a smile as we recall Captain Leurig assigning a book report one day, memory work the next, a special topic the next, and so on — quite indefinitely. And what senior literature student will forget The Recognition of Russia 1923-1933?” We shall also miss Captain Schrantz ' s most expressive By Golly”, which so aptly fitted every occasion for a forceful exclamation. A mental picture of Captain Buck, with his seemingly ceaseless energy, has firmly stamped an impression in our minds. There are those dramatic orations of Captain A. Williams; the We ' re trying to help you, Mis- ter — of Major Wilkinson; the spontaneous humor of Major Eaton; the New Rules” of Captain N. Williams; and so on for everyone of our teachers who, even though we may have jested a little about them in the past, certainly do command our respect and ad- miration. What we have admired most about our teachers is that they have shown themselves to be so very human with us. They have not been merely puppets of knowledge, in- stilling within us so many facts and so many themes. It has not been their practice to emit merely text books from their desks while the student gleaned as much as he was able. Our teachers, always patient and forebear- ing, have shared our interpretations of the subject matter. That is why we may feel at times a spirit of levity, yet never losing for a moment the feeling of profound respect. Our understanding of each other has not only made it possible to gain more, but it has vitalized everything that we have studied together. One cannot recall with amusement, sincerity, and seriousness a mechanical con- ception. Our warm personal feelings are the best evidence of the human qualities of our faculty. We, the Seniors, can always be proud to remember instructors who were efficient and proficient, who could tell a joke and who could take a joke, and then a moment later — as a teacher to a student — could dazzle us by the magnitude of their knowledge. ♦