Westport High School - Herald Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 25 text:

THE WESTPORT HIGH SCHOOL HERALD. 23 Mr. Humphrey had boosted the Christ- mas play, he called on Hubert Parker to do the same for the Boys' debate. The first assembly of the new year, January 4, saw Griffith's prize squad drilling for us. After they were through, Parker and Jones led in the cheering. On January 28 Dr. Abernathy gave us another war talk. He contrasted the spirit of '76 and the spirit of the Civil War with the spirit of '18. February 7 Mr. Shouse announced the decision that gave bus football. He also announced the plan for the Junior Red Cross. The orchestra and Joseph Hard- ing then entertained us. The special assembly for boys that came as a part of the Triple C campaign was given Febuary 11. Fuller Ross had the meeting in charge. The speaker was Mr. G. M. Smith, President of Common- wealth National Bank. The girls' assembly of the Friendship campaign was given Febuary 18. Their speaker was Dr. Nobel of Colorado. The cheer leaders started off the as- sembly of February 25. When the noise had subsided, Mr. McKeever, head of the Child Welfare Department of Kansas University, spoke on The New Patriot- 1SI'I'1.,, On March 1 Mr. Harman gave an out- line of the spring athletic activities. After that, the six basketball boys received their sweaters from Dr. Ockerblad. March 5 was a war assembly. Mrs. A. L. Hemingway, chairman of the Food Conservation Committee of Jack- son County, explained the manner of distributing the Food Conservation cards. She was followed by Lieut. Sharman of Canada, who told of his war experiences. Mrs. Walter McNab Miller of Columbia completed the program. The announcement of the amount of the Junior Red Cross subscription was given on the morning of March 28. Mr. Dean, accompanied by Mr. Robbins, fur- nished the musical assembly. We had another war assembly April 8. Everett Jones, on behalf of three for- mer classes, presented the school with a beautiful flag. Mr. Shaw then spoke concerning the- war after which the serv- ice fiag was unfurled. This came as a climax to our year's activities. The pres- ence of the two hundred stars, each one representing one of our old comrades, brought the war very close to us. On Friday of the same week, April 12, Dr. Munro presented Father De Ville, who gave us a very vivid picture of Bel- gium since the German invasion. He was followed by Monsieur Mignolet, Belgian Consul to Kansas City. The awards for the competitive drill were given out April 26, the Cadets re- ceiving a shield and the Red Cross girls a loving cup. Mrs. Hedges then had the chorus give some of the selections that were to be given at the- Festival.

Page 24 text:

, - , , llllllegilllll ill ll' 1 'l!'liIllIIl55E1ll!QlIllll mllulu I I Im IIIWW -2 -- ASSEMBLIES It is a difficult task to plan an assem- bly that will please a whole school, yet we have had several assemblies this year that have been very unusual. We have had a number of assemblies that have been directly connected with the war. At least three of the speakers were just back from the front. It is needless to say that these men got the closest at- tention. Musical programs and athletic and debate boosters were given by way of variation. We will not attempt to give all of them, but there were several that we want to recall to you. The year was given a good send-off when Lieut. Sousa, Commander Wilson, and Ensign Blossom spoke to us in tu1'n on the morning of September 27. On October 8, Mr. Franklin Hunt, Bari- tone, accompanied by Mrs. Hunt, fur- nished the music, while Miss Boyle ac- quainted us anew with the Ruggles family. Prof. Burr spoke on Food Conserva- tion and its connection with the win- ning of the war, at the assembly of Octo- ber 16. The papers had announced the talk of Dr. Burris A. Jenkins, so all were anx- ious on the morning of October 20. All were deeply interested in his first-hand info1'mation, straight from the war-zone. The Needs of the' Y. M. C. A. was the subject for November 13. .Mr. Henry Faxon explained the purpose of the cam- paign for funds. This was the morning that the students voted to hold the bas- ket ball games at Convention Hall. On December 3 Superintendent lf. I. Cammack presented Westport the 350 Liberty Bond won in the Second Liberty Loan campaign. He spoke at consider- able length concerning Adjutant General McKain's letter on Slouchiness and other war topics. The assembly of December 10 was an athletic and Christmas play booster. Dr. Ockerblad, Mr. Harman, and Joe Gottlieb were the speakers. Mrs. Allan Taylor, accompanied by Mr. Weaver, finished the morning with several vocal selections. December 17 was a medley. Mr. Shouse announced that the 3550 Liberty Bond had been given to the Red Cross. Miss Bain introduced Gladys Danielson, who spoke for the girls' debate. After

Page 26 text:

I 24 THE WESTPORT HIGH SCHOOL HERALD. At the close of school ont April 29, President A. Ross Hill of Missouri Uni- versity spoke about the effect of the war on the University. When he was through, a quartet from the University Glee Club entertained us with their singing. The beginning of the assembly on May 6 was given over to the awarding of the medals won by the Track Team that went to Columbia on High School Day. After that Mr. Stigall, our former Vice-Prin- cipal, told of the many advantages to be derived from the attendance at Poly- technic Institute. The last assembly that was given in time to be recorded in this year's Her- ald was that wonderful Senior affair. Jules Guinotte, alias Mr. Shouse, was cer- tainly a scream. The dancing Sisters, Fluffy Ruffles sextet, Don Abbie's pup and animated cartoons, and the Jazz Band will not be forgotten for many a day. Faculty Changes There have been a number of changes in the Faculty this year. Four of our old teachers failed to put in their appear- ance when school opened last fall. Miss Bell traded Westport for Colum- bia University, New York City. Miss Bradley took her place. Miss Hanna obtained a year's leave of absence to attend the University of Wis- consin. Miss Hayden, last year's substi- tute, has taken her place. Mr. Sangster is teaching in New York. His place has not been filled. Miss Briggs is teaching in the Carne- gie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pa. Miss Dorrel is now in her place. Mr. Hoopes is selling life insurance for a change. Dr. Ockerblad has been hold- ing forth in the gym in his stead. Miss Stout gave way to Miss Storr as assistant in the office. Miss Stout has been enjoying her scholarship at the Uni- versity of Missouri. The Modern Language Department gained a new member in the person of Mr. Brooks. Miss Waltner has been serving as sub- stitute throughout the year. Mr. Bigney dropped out during the year on account of illness. Miss Feltges was appointed to fill the vacancy. These new members of the Faculty have become acquainted with us now, and we hope they may decide to stay with us. In the Colleges Westport always sends a very heavy percentage of her graduates to college. This year was no exception to the rule. Something like one hundred and fifty of the class of 1917 entered the various col- leges of the country last September. Eight Westporters Die Within the last year five of our finest Westport girls have passed away. Helen Bernheimer and Katherine Myer were taken ill last summer and died before the first semester began. Helen Creager, a very well-liked and active girl, was taken from us during the fall. The death of Margaret Yates by accidental poisoning shocked and grieved her many friends yet in school. Although she was gradu- ated two years ago, she was still well remembered in Westport. Lucille Hy- man, '17, who has been attending school in the East, was taken ill very recently while on a week-end trip to New York City, and died inside of a week. Three Westport boys have also died during the year. Donald Baker, who was