Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

Page 18 text:

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY W. M. A. CHAPTER Seated: Holloway, Baker, Boe. Standing: Boonshaft, Allen. R.. Saul. Walker. Not Pictured: Costello. Mathis, Cinnater. Of all distinctive honors in the Senior Class, membership in the National Honor So- ciety is considered one of the greatest. The requirements are perhaps the most difficult of all, for they are not based on any one attribute, and membership can be merited only by effort over a long period of time. The selection of members for the Society are made on four cardinal points - - Scholar- ship, Service. Leadership, and Character. Cadets chosen must be in the upper quarter of the class in scholarship. The chapter at Western was established eleven years ago and is sponsored by Col. Persing. It is a positive and stimulating force. It tries to help in shaping proper attitudes and opinions in the cadet corps. It seeks to influence others by upholding the highest standards in student life. It aspires to further those actions which are conducive to loftier ideals and greater achievement. The Candle Ceremony” of initiation, again conducted by graduate. Bill Foster, was one of the most impressive of the year. The new members, lighting candles from a central taper on a table, repeated this pledge 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 enthus- iasm for high scholastic achievement, unselfish service, sound leadership, and clean charac- ter.”

Page 17 text:

FACULTY IS NDT ALWAYS DIGNIFIED Redman and Cinnater pursue knowledge. Top row: Bottom row: Capt. Brown wearing civies and wide grin: Col. Jackson and Lower School boys look for duck eggs; Lt. Lewakowski pauses by commandant ' s office. Capt. Green has cannon to guard bank: Capts. Lange and Bresson test oomphometer ; Capt. Lamping and Mrs. Robertson go to church with cadets.

Page 19 text:

ACADEMIC YEAR Though military work was stepped up in im- portance this year, The Academic Department was, as always, the very foundation of school life. Of course, there were sports, trips, and activities, which were fun and hard work too, but no cadet was al- lowed to forget that the idea of getting a sound edu- cation stood foremost. Col. Persing. Headmaster, had around him the finest faculty Western has known in recent years. In addition, the student body was of a very high order. Over thirty cadets came from without the borders of the United States. The intelligence of cadets a nd interest in classes were very noticeable, especially among lower-classmen. Many a brilliant mind was discovered among younger cadets which gave bright promise of achievements in the future. For the eleventh year the Western Chapter of the National Honor Society functioned actively. The members held many lively discussions and made great plans for the future. The candle-light initiation ceremony was held in mid-March. Ten members were inducted, three junior members from last year and seven new ones. Western’s own academic honor society, the Club 400, was greatly enlarged, as more students qualified by superior scholastic work. Col. Persing and Capt. Howell carried on the Junior-Senior speech program with marked success. Each member of the two upper classes had to pre- pare and deliver a speech in assembly. The idea gave some stage fright, but each speaker admitted when he had faced the public that it was a helpful, and even an enjoyable experience. Something behind the scenes which had a great deal to do with maintaining high academic stan- dards was the faculty meetings with Col. Persing presiding. These meetings shaped the policy of each class and instructor. The discussions of vital topics proved helpful to the entire department. What about our classes and our teachers? Yes, they caused us plenty of hard work and sweat, but we can never forget our instructors. We 11 just skip at random around the campus and drop in on some of the classes. THE THREE R’S” --- AND THEN SOME Top row: Maj. Gould talks solid geometry to ‘’solid’’ students: Col. Persing congratulates spelling champ. Harders; Capt. Naxera labors with Blankenship and Redman. Bottom row: Capt. Lange warns Saul and Costello not to blow up lab: Off to another class; Capt. Lamp- ing makes it clear to Gintz.