Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

Page 18 text:

CLUB 400-ACADEMIC HDNOR SDCIETY Top Row, left to right f Saul, Silverman, l-laeger, Boonshaft, Ewert, Samuels, S., Karp, McRoberts, Kronemer, Libbra, Benjamin, D. Middle Rim' Bolozlcy, Mathis, Westlal-Le, Costello, Allen, Baker, Faulkner, Schmidt, rl., Cinnater, Goldman, Walker, Ratlitf, Haddad, V. Bottom Rau' f Locke, Newmark, N., England, Waterhouse, Bradford, Hazel, Samuels, A.. Vance, Scott, Pohlmann. These academic pace-setters must make a perfect 4.00 average during one home period in order to join. Hazel and Bradford are 4-year members. The club offers two medals to encourage scholastic progress. ACADEMIC YEAR The sky is a deep azure background for a pink cloud halo above the Western campus. A warm spring breeze and a brilliant sun create an air of exhilaration. Ah , you say, this portends something extraordinary. Surely an important event is about to happen. No, we are anticipating nothing, more than the daily class schedule. You may thinlc this will be dull and unexciting, but how wrong you are! ln the classroom can be found the thrill of an Ex grade, the pathos of impend- ing failure, the breathless moments of class participation. If we have been negligent and slipshod, the instructor is a brute. If we earn superiority, we pat our own selves on the back. That is our nature.

Page 17 text:

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY W.M.A. CHAPTER STANDING A Newmark, N., Baker, Faulkner, Holloway, Boe, Waterhoiise. SEATED W- Murphy, F., Bradford, Samuels, A., Hazel, Hulick. Membership in the National Honor Society is considered by many to be the greatest single honor that can be won by a cadet at Western. This group, with its exacting standards, is held in the highest esteem by all. The organization takes a constructive part in many phases of cadet life under the guidance of Col. Persing. The National Honor Society is not solely academic, though its members must be in the top fifteen per cent of their classes in grades. It stresses four cardinal points f scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Every member understands that his character and conduct must exem- plify the loyalty that he has pledged. The pledge taken at the formal initiation, The Candle of Honor Ceremony , is as follows: With this candle that symbolizes my fidelity to the National Honor Society and to the high ideals for which it stands, I pledge myself to the service and the perpetuation of the National Honor Society's aims and ideals, both on this campus and elsewhere. And then in unison, As one flame lighteth another, nor grows less, so may we, by our honorable purpose, kindle in the hearts of our fellow cadets enthusiasm for high scholastic achievement, unselfish service, sound leadership, and clean character. ls it any wonder that the National Honor Society means so much?

Page 19 text:

ACADEMIC YEAR, Cont. Let us look into the classrooms. We see a brilliant array of cherubic faces, nodding sagely while taking part in the fascinating discussions on such intangibles as happiness, fear, etc., which we are told college professors like to throw into our unprepared faces. It is Col. Persing, expounding techniques of expres- sion and original thought which will later be invaluable. We walk across the hall and find the old master of German and Latin, Maj. Buck, insisting on drill and more drill. It has been said that this man can teach a mule to speak German or to appreciate the works of Caesar, so thorough are his methods. We have a great respect for him as a gentleman and a scholar. In the next room, Maj. Gould is trying to pound algebra, trig, and solid geometry into his solid students. He knows his stuff, and his apt teaching is appreciated by all of the cadets. We hear Capt. Williams, as usual, in the midst of a history debate. Students always consider his classes tough but full of opportunity to learn, and among the most enjoyable on the campus. Down the hall, Capt. Green is holding forth with skill and experience. It is said that he can make an hour of plane geometry seem just like half that time. And across the corridor, genial Capt. McKinney hablas to his prod- igies in Spanish. He can speak like a native and tries to bring his students up to the standard of South of the Border. Major Hinton, a veteran instructor, is teach- ing English, literature, vocabulary, composi- tion, and what have you? He is looked upon by cadets as one of those rare individuals to whom one can take his problems and be as- sured of sympathetic and helpful advice. His work in student publications is outstanding. The last room in the building is the domain of Capt. Lamping, who teaches algebra and mechanical drawing. He shows remarkable patience with younger students. An occasional wrangling can be heard from this room, until the poor student finds that he is going to live. Now let's skip across the campus. There we find Capt. Martin busy with the Lower School l. Short gives Senior speech. Rupe reads re- port in Lower School. 2. Col. Persing confers with Samuels. 3. History class debatef Godfrey, Hazelwood, Gonzalez, Murphy, Allen. 4. Study hour in library.