ferne vesecky, editor of the wyandotte pantograph pg. 1 ... · pdf fileferne vesecky, editor...

A History of Wyandotte High School Chapter 5, Written 1931-32 Ferne Vesecky, Editor of the Wyandotte Pantograph Pg. 1 Copyright USD 500, 2004 This represents a copy of the manuscript as it was presented, including terminology used at the time of the writing. All attempts have been made to reproduce the spelling, capitalization and layout of the original book as much as possible. In some cases, "annotations" or "Internet links" have been provided to the original works by the transcriber of the manuscript. NOTE: When reading this works, please remember that addresses change over the year, depending on annexing, mergers, boundary changes, and other happenings. The addresses referred to in this works may or may not be the same as in old records. (Example: What today is known as State Avenue, was Kansas Avenue prior to the Consolidation Act of 1886.) Please also remember that this was written between 1931-34. There were typewriters (no electric typewriters, no computers, no correction fluid, no spell checker). Disclaimer: The written historical perspectives online at this web site, and web sites to which links are provided, reflect the view of the author(s)/(creator(s) which are protected under the rights of free speech; and do "not" necessarily reflect the views of the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education. Copyright Notice: In keeping with the policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities for research/information. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Printing for personal research use is encouraged, as long as this "copyright notice" is kept with the copy. Other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (USD 500). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 5 1921-22 In the fall of 1921 everything seemed to get an early start, which signifies a good distance on

the road to success. The Pantograph got an early start by coming out September 23, and selecting Warren Griffith as Editor-in-Chief. The football team started its fall practice early and especially the basketball team which was already practicing before the football season had even begun. Even the girl basketeers were out and shooting. The basketball teams probably were confident because of the success of the previous year, and hoped to be champions this year. The interest in The Pantograph was stimulated by the fact that The Pantograph was awarded certificates for winning two honors in the fourth annual Kansas State High School periodical contest, which was held by the Kansas Agricultural College the last spring.

The debating classes under the leadership of H. W. Rose, debating coach, were making extensive plans for the debating work for this year. The debate clubs had already entered into two debating leagues, the Kansas All-State League and the Larger City League. A third league, the Kansas City, Kansas Debating League was being formed in the fall of 1921. When this league is organized it will consist of Kansas City, Kansas High School, Argentine High School, Rosedale High School, and Wilson Academy.

The organization of the school this fall went on without eight of the former teachers. The instructors leaving were: E. Collett, Miss Pennock, L. D. Krueger, Mr. Gregory, Miss Eichhorn, Mr. Nye, Miss Schuchart, and Mr. Cooke. The new instructors who came to fill the vacancies were: Victor Liska, Ray Busenbark, Miss Alta Miller, L. B. Grimsley, W. A. Smith, R. E. Clark, Miss Dora Ware, Miss Mildred Shane, Miss Virgil Gordon, Miss Christine Wenrich, and Miss Helen Barnett.

Continued on the next page . . . . .

A History of Wyandotte High School Chapter 5, Written 1931-32 Ferne Vesecky, Editor of the Wyandotte Pantograph Pg. 2 Copyright USD 500, 2004

The football season was here again. The football team of this year was without a doubt the champion of the state of Kansas for 1921. It defeated the seven strongest teams in the state, and was neither tied nor defeated during the season.

In accordance with the traditional custom, the students held a night shirt Parade Friday night. The pep created by the assembly Friday morning resulted in a thousand or more students taking part in the parade and a snake dance. At 7:30 the students gathered on Ninth Street, just east of the high school. Led by the band, the parade turned east on Minnesota at 7th Street, could not resist the temptation and also began a snaky march “down the street slowly came the mount of barrels, all kinds of barrels.” “Salt,” “new model,” “kick me,” were some of the inscriptions. Traffic was held up for an hour on Minnesota avenue. The snake dancers marched into the Pure Food Show, then under way, and captured the $100 prize for the largest school attendance at the show. The prize money was given to the band to help pay for the uniforms.

The basketball team was again successful in 1921-22. Their standing was:


1922-23 Again, an increase in enrollment was found at the opening of the school the fall of the year in

1922. Approximately 1,530 students enrolled the first day 460 juniors, 500 sophomores, 400 freshmen, and 225 seniors. The new teachers added to the teaching force were Miss Reba Smithers, Ermine Thompson, Miss Bessie Helwig, and Miss Francis Moore. The teachers who left were Miss Baugh, Miss Hammett, Miss McKinnon, Miss Brown, and Miss Margaret Morris. With the increase of enrollment came the increase of the curriculum. Dramatics, extempore speaking and boy scouts’ botany were the courses added.

This year ending in 1923 was capitalized by the activities of the basketball teams’ success and this threw almost all the other events of the year into obscurity. The first great victory for this to be the undefeated team was going through the season undefeated in the Northeast Kansas League by defeating Topeka 44 to 17 and Horton 50 to 30. They won the Northeast Kansas League cup on Monday, March 2, 1923. Their second step was to win the Baker Tourney in the finals from Ottawa in a close game of 25 to 21. Next came a milestone by winning the State Championship from Hutchinson by a nervewrecking score of 32 to 31. The all-victorious team composed of Harold Schmidt, Herbert, Proudfit, captain; Harond Zuber, Arthur Hartfelder, Reginald Vance, Richard Youngman, Elmer Mertel, Edward Skradski, and their coach, C. W. Corsaut, found it hard to get their full quota of sleep on the evening of April 1, for the next day they were to take part in the National tournament. This feature describing the teams leaving was published in the Kansas City, Kansas High School Pantograph, April 6, 1923:

“E-e-e-e ya-hoo! – The Union Station ‘cop’ started for the main lobby.

Had some old cowboy gotten hold of some real old ‘stuff’ and started fighting Indians again? Had a contingent arrived on their way to Osawatomie? Had the roof fallen in?? Just then, a band began to play, and the ‘cop’ slackened his pace – ‘Guess there’s no hurry, -- I forgot the Kansas City Kansas basketball team was going to Chicago tonight’.

The band was there; the team was there; and the ‘gang’ was there – and what they lacked in number they made up in noise. Of course it had to rain – but that didn’t dampen the evening any.


First the band played. Then ‘Snub’ Pollen, the team’s most consistent rooter (who, by the way, is making the trip), started a snake dance. The snake wound around through the station crowd for awhile, but finally seemed to sorta fizzle out when the last overcoat belt was torn off. Then the band played again, and the ‘gang’ yelled awhile – enlightening the station crowd as to just what was up, and why Kansas City had such a good team.

After that things seemed to calm down awhile. Just like when your brother or best friend or something goes away on a trip – for somehow every one who was not going had just that feeling, that the five or ten who played and fought their way to the state title was each and every one of them a close friend, -- even closer than just a mere friend.

Well – guess we’d better be moving for the train – sorry to leave you. (Sorry to have you, boy, but we’re for you. – S’long Art – don’t let the big city scare you, Zube – Good luck, Rich – Knock ‘em cold, Reg – Atta boy Smitty, Show them how they play in Kansas – Well, Herb, good luck to you, boy, and here’s hoping you bring back the big cup – Well, Red, hope the games are easy enough that you get to play – Same to you, Skradski – Good-by Arthur – Harold, you’re forgetting your grip – Well, Mr. Bell, Chicago’s a pretty big town, see that you don’t get lost – This from the crowd.

And from Coach Corsaut and the team: Well, gang, we sure appreciate your coming over to see us off and if we don’t bring back the ‘big cup,’ it won’t be because we didn’t try as hard as we could.

Don’t forget to telegraph home. Boy, I sure hate to see that team leave and me staying here – haven’t missed a game this year at home, and very few of them away from home.

So they went – and somehow school didn’t seem the same for the rest of the week – Meanwhile the Kansas City High camps by the telegraph office.”

Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! And the crowd is in a fury. Kansas City, Kansas High School had

won their first game from Fargo, North Dakota, 47 to 28. Harder and harder it grew to keep away from the telegraph office and more and more monotonous the constant Tick! Tick! Grew until the second results came in. Victory again, the fighting crimson five had taken the Weston, Idaho men for a race and leaving them to cut the string three points behind. The score was 33 to 30. Tildon, Chicago, Illinois was the next court victim of the Crimson and White Bulldogs. This victory of 44 to 28 over the big city boys put confidence and pride in the hearts of the sunflower boys as they met the Muskegon, Michigan five. The Bulldog Crimson quintet soon put an end to hopes the lake boys may have had of winning the championship by handing them a 26 while K.C.K. took enough slurshes through the barrel hoop to total three times ten. The fast turn of events soon slung the Canines in the finals of the National tournament against another Illinois team, Rockford. Playing one of the most brilliant games of basketball ever seen on a high school court, and displaying speed that completely bewildered its opponents, in four eight-minute quarters. K.C.K. outclasses all competitors scoring 44 points to 29 by its nearest rival.

K.C.K. new acclaimed national basketball champions tucked the shining basketball trophy away in their suitcases and started for home, “Big Shots” now.


Along with the national

championship, K.C.K. won many other honors. The 1922 Quiverian, the annual yearbook, was declared the winner of the National Contest, sponsored by the Interscholastic Press Association, and open to all high schools in the United States. Orin Holting was editor of the Quiverian that year.

Another achievement was the local high school winning the first annual statewide scholarship contest conducted by Kansas State teachers college, Emporia, Kansas. K.C.K. outclassed all competitors scoring 44 points to 29 by its nearest rival. The winners of the first place in the Kansas Scholarship Contest were Vera Carter, Home Economics; Harry West, Algebra; Margaret Egy, English; Harold Worley, Extemporaneous Speaking; Ruth Alexander, French; and Harold Colvin, Latin.

The Pantograph was declared the best of the high school papers in Kansas, both editorially and for papers printed in the school print shops. The Pantograph was edited by Russel Thackrey, editor-in-chief with Miss Helen Patterson as

instructor. The debate team composed of Harold Worley, Roy Rawlings, Howard McKinley, Kack Meyeres,

Harold Borowski, and Jessie Clyde were champions of the Kaw Valley Debating League and champions of the Second District All-Kansas League. Edith Allen established a world’s record for accuracy in typewriting, doing 75 words a minute for 15 minutes. The football team was the undefeated champions of Kansas. Miss Thelma Roberts ’24 was chosen Queen of St. Pat’s and Miss Moyne Deane ’23 was May Queen.

Many old and new clubs were in existence at this time. The oldest ones were the Debate Club, “K” Men’s Club, Men’s Club, Girls’ Glee Club. The Hi-Y Club, the Blue Triangle Club, the Spanish Club, the Nature Hiking Club and the French Club. The new clubs were Science Club, the Excelsior Club, Boy Scouts, and the Shorthand Club.

The past years saw the Kansas City, Kansas High School orchestra on the same standard and holding up the high reputation of every other produce of the school. The orchestra is composed of thirty pieces and has made many public appearances. In fact, its presence at the annual state rally of the Parent-Teacher Association had come to be customary. The year before the orchestra placed third in the state contest at Emporia in a very close contest. This year, the organization planned to better its record. Leopold Shopmaker, student director of the orchestra at that time, had established a school and state record by winning five championships in the state and the interstate competition. Isadore Berkowitz was another state winner, playing second only to Shopmaker, and was expected to take Leopold’s place in representing K.C.K. for Leopold was barred from competition because of a clause which ruled out former winners.


Dramatics played a large part in the school activities. “Dudley”, “Trysting Place,” “The Treasure Hunters,” “The Champion,” and “As You Like It” were the plays given in 1923.

Though other teachers led clubs, ran newspapers, sponsored organizations, or directed annuals, W. H. White had one field to himself. He ran the school jitney. “Not only that, but his school jitney ran, as anyone who had been a passenger would testify. In the football season it was an open car – and what student in school has not made the trip from the school to the field at least once, inside or hanging on the running board – the noble motor ‘doing its duty.’ And after you reached the field, remember who sold the pop and ‘dogs’ to buy the band uniforms? This same proprietor of the ‘school jitney.’ When winter sort of chilled things up, who should come but this same W. H. White, with a nice new Ford coupe – motor warmed ‘n everything. ‘Going over town? Yep, I was just waiting for you to ask that.’ And off goes the school jitney.”1

This year of 1923 brought 212 boys and girls to the stage to be graduated. Almost every girl had a Marcel or a permanent wave in her hair. A few bushel baskets of puffs were worn, but these girls who wore their hair in the latter style were considered old-fashioned.

1923-24 In the fall of 1923 another epidemic of organizing and re-organizing clubs was spread

throughout the school. The clubs in existence were the Debate Club, Girls’ Glee Club, Boys’ Glee Club, Dramatics Club, Honor Society, Blue riangle Club, Hi-Y, El Circulo Espanol, O.G.A. Club, the Nature and Hiking Club, Excelsior Club, H.P.J. Club, the “K” Club, Men’s Club, Girls’ Rooters’ Club, the Crimson Supporters, and Le Cercle Francais.

This year the Quiverian, the yearbook edited by Jay Wells2, sponsored a beauty contest. The pictures of the entries were sent to F. Ziegfeld, Jr. at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, who chose the winners. Merle Kinnons, ’24, Edythe Jones, ’25, Lolito Appleton ’26, and Dorothy Perkins, ’27, were chosen as the winners.

Miss Ethel Minger was the journalism instructor one year, 1923-24. The only team to reach the mark of champions was the girls’ basketball team, which captured

the Kansas City tournament, February 25-28, the district tournament, March 14-15, the team then won the state championship, March 21-22, at Stanley, Kansas. This was the first time in the history of the school that K.C.K. could greet a girls’ basketball time. The only defeat during the season was to the Shawnee Mission High School. Through Coach Helen Barnett’s effective and patient training the girls played hard and reached success as an award. The season’s scores of 1923-24 were:

1 1923 Quiverian, annual yearbook. 2 Jay Wells, who is now with the United Press, was the only student to have the distinction of being editor-in-chief of both the Pantograph and the Quiverian.


The music department had always played an important part in the activities of the school, but

this year its importance had been realized more than ever before. It had furnished pep for the athletic and other competitive events of the school and provided music for all assemblies and many other programs throughout the city. The band had established a statewide reputation as an organization of unusual achievements. It was organized in 1922 and since then it has become almost indispensable to the school and community. The orchestra is one of the oldest organizations in the music department of the school and has always been ready to take an active part in the affairs of the school. The past year had proved no exception to this rule, although the orchestra had been working under difficulties through lack of proper instrumentation.

At the end of the year of 1924, 274 boys and girls were eligible to join the ranks of the alumni of Kansas City, Kansas High School. This was the last class to be graduated under the auspices of C. T. Rice, who was succeeded as principal by Mr. J. F. Wellemeyer.

In January, 1924, the new gym was finished. With the new gym came the enlargement of the gym classes, for the enrollment of students taking gymnastics at about that time was 350 students. Miss Helen Barnett was the only instructor of the girls. The gym contained a boys’ gym and a girls’ gym, which could be thrown open into one large space, a swimming pool, showers, chemistry, and physics laboratories and a home economics department.


1924-25 The new Principal, J. F. Wellemeyer took charge

of Kansas City, Kansas High School in the fall of 1924. Interest in athletics was uppermost – due to a large extent, to the wave of enthusiasm which came with the National Championship of 1923. The first activity of any notice was the football games. The team could not break the balance. The entire season, the losses always came before a winning game and at the end of the season, the columns were evenly balanced, three defeats and three victories.

With the exception of the National Champs, the Crimson Bulldogs of 1925 were the best team in the

history of the school. For the second time, they won the Northeast Kansas Basketball League and won the first sectional title in the first tournament at Lawrence and were the fourth best team in the state and runners-up in the district tournament held in the local gym.

The track team did not draw so many candidates for they had to compete with the new sports of 1925, baseball and swimming. Swimming was started when the pool in the new gymnasium was finished. The fish sharks were entered in the K.C.A.C. meet and the Missouri Valley at St. Louis, Missouri. An inter-class series was held at the beginning of the season.

Swimming was a comparatively new sport in Kansas City in 1925. The municipal swimming pools have only been in operation for about

three years, while this is the first year that the high school had a pool. Kansas City, Kansas High School did not place in any of the swimming meets this year. Swimming was rapidly becoming a favorite sport among the girls. This year Miss Helen Barnett, director of girl’s physical education, had been successful in developing a large number of excellent swimmers and divers. An active interest was taken in swimming by the girls not enrolled in the gymnasium classes, as well as those enrolled.

Miss Eleanor Baptist came as journalism instructor in the fall of 1924. The Pantograph was enlarged to seven columns, with Donald Little as Editor. This was the first year the issues of the Pantograph were kept and bound into volumes. The journalism room was changed to room 8 this year.

Still more clubs were added to the extra-curricular activities this year. The newly formed clubs were Student Council, Inter Nos Club, Decimo Legio, Pepper Club, Green Bus, H.P.J. Club, and the Boards Club. The Quiverian, under the leadership of Jack Wood as editor-in-chief, again chose the two most popular boys and girls in the school. Clarence Mott and Margarette Pratt were awarded first place and Walter Jones and Claudine Stone were given second. The first class to graduate under the direction of Principal J. F. Wellemeyer consisted of 303 boys and girls.

1925-26


The Quiverian and Pantograph began work at the very beginning of the fall of 1925. Bert E. Newland was chosen editor-in-chief of the Quiverian and John Martin was appointed managing editor of The Pantograph, the first semester and Justice Toler the second semester.

Three plays, an operetta and a cantata were given this year. The seniors presented “Thirty Days”, a three-act play, on November 24 and 25. The juniors gave “Seventeen” on April 14 and 15. The novelty presentation of the year was a play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and was presented by the faculty of the school on December 10 and 11.

The football team was a little more successful than the team of the previous year for they won four games, tied two and lost three. The 1926 basketball team was a fighting one. They sometimes fell short of their goal because of a lack of experience, but they never quit. The record of games won and lost was not so impressive as that of some of the other K.C.K. teams, but the season was filled with desperate battles, in which the Bulldogs often turned supermen to win against terrific odds. The games won were only thirteen of the nineteen games played.

The track season was not distinguished by any championships, nor did the track team break any records, since as a major sport, track had to compete with baseball, swimming, golf, and tennis.

The Girls’ basketball team had a noteworthy record. They had lost but one game in three years. Dorothy Beggs, captain brought the team through another successful season in 1925. Swimming was added to the list of sports last year and many girls tried out for the meet. This year there were more girls out for practice and many good swimmers were developed.

A good citizenship contest was sponsored in the year of 1925-26 by the Quiverian. The Benson sisters, Ethel and Helen, were both awarded first place for the girls and Dean Bailey was first for the boys. Second place was given to Virginia Olsen and Clarence Mott. A total of 297 students successfully reached their first milestone in life, that of graduating from high school. The class had Miss Besse Helwig as sponsor in 1926.

1926-27 The football boys were at practice long before the school term of 1926-27 started. The team

wanted to have a good start toward a smooth-working combination by the time of the first game. At the end of the season, the standing stood with six games won, four lost and one tied.

The basketball team had a successful season although there was nothing startling about the team, which was steady, consistent and a good aggregation. Most of the games were close with K.C.K. bearly sliding in home in the last quarter spurts. Thirteen games were won and sic lost and the city race ended with a tie with Argentine. The season closed with a tournament at Olathe where the Bulldogs were defeated by Olathe. Basketball was again laid on the shelf for the baseball and track season.

In 1927 track was at its best. The out-door performances were particularly commendable. Three cups were carried away from the annual Baker Relays, at Baldwin, having taken honors in the 100-yard dash, sprint medley and a half-mile relay. The state meet at Emporia attracted only the mile relay and 100-yard dash men. The relay placed second and the 100-yard group third. K.C.K. decidedly won the Northeast League Meet held at Leavenworth, Kansas. The relay team and a half-miler went to try their speed at the first annual Kemper Relays as Boonville. They were successful having brought home the relay and 440-yard honors.

K.C.K. was well represented in the twenty-second annual K.C.A.C. Indoor Meet, held in Convention Hall, K.C.M.O., February 19, 1927. http://www.kclibrary.org/resources/sc/media.cfm?mediaID=35651 The 50-yard dash and the relay, were won in this meet. At the annual Kansas-Missouri Dual Meet, the team again placed fourth in a field competition with Kansas City, Mo. High Schools.

The baseball team ran high this year. The team carried off the Missouri Valley High School Baseball tournament at Lawrence by defeating Rosswell 2 to 0, Lawrence 18 to 1, and Topeka 6 to 0. Toward the end of the season, they hit still harder and won the Missouri-Kansas League. They went through an almost undefeated season, Catholic High being their only defeat.


Each year swimming was gaining more and more popularity with the boys and girls, both. The 1926-27 boys swimming team enjoyed their most successful season, losing only one meet in the entire season with competition which was composed of collegiate rank.

Since athletic competition played such a large part in the school activities, the necessity of a boosters club was realized. The Kay Cees booster club was organized to meet this need. In its first year of existence about 80 of the best students in school were admitted as members. This organization purchased red and white striped sweaters and red caps and tams as their outfits and began to give their faithful and loyal support to the athletic activities of the school.

The chorus and the glee clubs had progressed a great deal since their beginning, now were able to stage the production of the comic opera, “H.M.S. Pinafore”, which is an unusual production for high school students to attempt. The glee clubs were very popular with the various churches of the city and were constantly invited out to sing in the services.

Debating achieved an unusual prominence for the year of 1926-27. A new policy relative to decisions and presentation style was adopted this year, that differed from any since the institution of the course into the school’s curriculum. For six years K.C.K. had maintained membership in the All-State and Kaw Valley Leagues, and for five of these years, the team won the championship of this district. This year the team canceled their membership to the leagues and adopted the Oxford style of debate where the audience did the deciding, if any, of the winners. Previous to the debate, a vote is taken by ballot, expressing the opinion of the audience upon the question under discussion; following the debate another set of ballots is distributed. The last vote, as compared with the first determines which team had the decision of the audience. This year the debate department entered into the National Forensic League, an organization whose purpose is to promote interests of interscholastic debates, oratory, and public speaking.

Good scouts were what the Quiverian, under Lynn Elliott, was searching for. Their search was ended when they found Russell Kunz and Sylvia Fern Boller who were first and Donald McFarland and Myra Little were second.

The Pantograph was steadily growing older and better. Since the first edition of the Pantograph on January 21, 1920, 227 issues were published up to the year of 1927. In the seven years of its existence, the paper increased from a five-column bi-weekly to a seven-column weekly publication. Charles Isabell was editor of The Pantograph in 1926-27.

After a year of hard work, 345 students reached out their nervous hands to get a white rolled paper tied with a pink or blue ribbon.

1927-28 1928-29 No outstanding achievements were attained in the years ending 1928 and 1929. The athletic

teams did fairly well, but did not reach any championships. The first home room basketball tournament was held in 1928-29. Each home room, composed a team of boys. These teams played for the championship. Miss Alta Marie Miller’s home room boys were champions this year. No new clubs were formed and no other activities of unusual interest other than the years before were initiated, other than the two publications, The Pantograph and The Quiverian. Opal Bryson headed the staff of The Pantograph during the first semester, and Clennel Wilkinson guided its destinies through the latter part of the year. The Pantograph was eight years old January 20, 1928. It ranked among the best high school newspapers in the country, having been awarded All-American rating in the contest sponsored by the Central Interscholastic Press Association three consecutive times. The Quiverian, this year, celebrated its twenty-fourth year of existence as an annual publication, and its seventh year with the name The Quiverian. It was awarded All-American rating and also was awarded second place in the annual contest staged by he Art Crafts Guild. Steacy Pickell and Myra Little were announced at the annual Quiverian Follies as the most industrious boy and girl in the school while John Hassig and Mariam Adams were given second place.

In the year 1928, 362 students were graduated while in 1929, 379 boys and girls hurriedly opened their diplomas to find whether they were blank or properly signed, which made a great deal of

A History of Wyandotte High School Chapter 5, Written 1931-32 Ferne Vesecky, Editor of the Wyandotte Pantograph Pg. 12 Copyright USD 500, 2004 difference to them, meaning either that the victim had to come back the last week of school or not graduate at all.

1929-30 The faculty now totaled 65 instructors. The teaching force of 1929-30 consisted of Kate L.

Sellards, Mary Watson Sellards, Alta Maria Miller, J. I. Wolfe, W. F. Brown, Violetta Garrett, Roe E. Clark, Reba Smither, Eva Daum, Florence Palmer, Paul S. Phelps, Lillian M. Bohl, Margaret Schimelfenig, Ardis Hill, Reva E. Lint, Guy F. House, Eleanor Baptist, Zuma Z. Smith, F. R. Powers, Wendell M. Ryder, John N. Tavis, Lottie Ruegsegger, Loren B. Grimsley, Arthur D. Peterson, Edith Ridgeway, Carl N. Jones, Don Rafferty, Mary E. Helwig, S. Florence Jones, Florence E. Hoar, Helen R. Barnett, Edith Eleanor McConnell, Mirzanell Evans, E. Wilmer Harvey, Alta L. Haynes, Helen H. Martin, C. O. Van Dyke, Nancy E. Bassler, Louis Timmer, Nellie Chilcote, Marion June Myers, Besse E. Helwig, Lulu L. McCanles, Hazel E. Wilson, H. Lee Kammeyer, Maude B. Vancleave, Inez M. MacKinnon, Nina C. Howe, W. P. Harriss, Gladys Beck, David F. Gray, Nellie M. Cook, Clarence Bolze, Lavina F. Dille, E. Maude Moles, Pauline G. Gingham, Percy Parks, Ward L. Neel, W. W. Roy, Ray Busenbark, Minnin Oliverson, Virginia Byerly, Samuel Adair, Victor Wiric, and Effie Adams.

The enrollment had greatly increased in 1929-30, the total enrollment being 1,946 at the beginning of school.

Supt. M. E. Pearson had been sending out all-city project series to be worked out through the school year for the betterment of the pupils themselves and their work. The first which was two years ago, was betterment and the second was thoroughness. Last year’s project was a success and paved the way for 1930’s project, which was personality. In Supt. Pearson’s first visit, he checks up to see what the students had done with each monthly phase of the project.

It had become customary for Wyandotte [Annotation: It appears that the author of this works is now referring to Kansas City, Kansas High School as Wyandotte.] to hold an Open Night each year so as to show the parents and friends of the students what the school was actually doing for their children and if the children were taking advantage of all the possibilities. Some students would rather not have open house night for sometimes it results in a general checkup on the students in the eyes of their parents, which is embarrassing to the erring student. It was held October 29 in 1929.

One of the biggest events of the year was the dedication of the new Wyandotte High School stadium on October 26, 1929.

[Annotation: The stadium was built between on the old Carnival Park grounds. The park was bound by 14th Street, 16th Street, Armstrong, and Barnett - consisting of nine acres in that part of Kansas City,

Kansas called the West Side. It became the athletic field for the school circa 1922. (Ward High School athletic field sits on this property in the year 2004 and has since 1928.) http://www.kckps.org/disthistory/areahistory/carnival_park.htm ] This description of the stadium and its dedication was given in The Pantograph of October 25, 1929:


“Facing the rising sun, a forest of green trees, now being re-decorated by Jack Frost, and a bright and growing city, stands the new stadium of Wyandotte High School. At this, one of the most beautiful spots in Kansas City, the Bulldogs will meet Omaha Technical High School in football tomorrow following the dedication ceremonies at 2 o’clock.

The dedication ceremony will open with several musical numbers played by the Wyandotte band, the members of which will wear their new uniforms.

After the music, the stadium will be presented to the school by Senator John E. Carlson, president of the board of Education. Following the presentation, the stadium will be accepted by Supt. M. E. Pearson and Principal J. F. Wellemeyer.

The football game will be played at 3:30. Those who attended Wyandotte last year will recall the game in which Wyandotte defeated Omaha by a score of 2 to 0. Coach Percy Parks is expecting a hard battle, since Omaha has started the season with winning its first game 24 to 0.

Candy will be sold by the Hi-Y and Hi. G. R. Clubs, all receipts of which will go to the athletic fund. The ushers will be the active boys scouts of Wyandotte.

The surroundings will be made more attractive and impressive by the raising of the flag, and the bright colored uniforms of the Kay Cees Clubs and the band, who will form the letter W.H.S. in a drill between the halves of the game, under the direction of Misses Helen Barnett, Besse Helwig, and Nancy Bassler.

At the dedication tomorrow, no doubt the minds of Principal J. F. Wellemeyer, Supt. M. E. Pearson, teachers and students will recollect the cold fall day, November 12, 1927, when 5,000 persons visited and dedicated the site for the building.

Encircling the stadium, wide walks are soon to be built, where many students, patrons, and admirers will “parade” in years to come, gazing at the beautiful surroundings. A parking space for 110 cars will also be built.

Besides the improvements to be made, shrubbery and trees will be planted on the campus and grounds. The new high school is expected to be finished in 1935.

A boys and girls home room tournament was held in the year of 1929-30. Miss Alta Marie

Miller’s boys again proved themselves champions.


An 8-page progress edition was published by The Pantograph staff, January 24, 1930, under the direction on Miss Eleanor Baptist, instructor of journalism, and Miss Ruth Kendall, editor-in-chief of The Pantograph. This issue was in commemoration of the tenth birthday of the paper. It told of the progress of the school, not only in that decade, but through much of its history. After its publication, a banquet was given for all present and former Pantograph staff members, instructors, and guests. Quill and Scroll, international honorary society for high school journalists of which Wyandotte became a member in 1926, awarded The Pantograph an achievement plaque for the issue and the banquet.

The Quiverian tried a new theme this year. Robert Frye, editor-in-chief, and the staff, published The Quiverian using the theme of aviation through the book, calling each section some aviation term.

The active clubs of the year numbered twenty. They were the Kay Cees, Junior Kay Cees, Student Council, Dramatics Club, Auto Mechanics Club, Tyronian Club, Camp Fire, Spanish Club, Ellan H. Richards Club, Hi-Y Club, Press Club, Girls Athletic Association, K Club, Hi-G.R. Club, Junior Debate Club, Art Club, Classical Club, French Club, and Boards Club.

The football season was fairly successful this year, but did not capture any championships. The basketball team did not start out so hopefully, but when they went to the state tournament, it was a different story. The boys were not over-confident as in previous years and went straight through the tournament as an undefeated team and were acclaimed state champions. By a new ruling, no Kansas teams were allowed to enter the national tournament, claiming that too much time was taken away from school already because of athletic activities.

A new experiment was tried this year by Coach Helen Barnett and the G.A.A. Each room composed a girls’ basketball team and then a tournament was to teach every girl in school, the art of playing basketball and to keep them active whether they were taking gym or not.

Four plays and one operetta were given this year. “The Admirable Crichton”, was given by the senior class. “Come Out of the Kitchen” was given by the junior class. The Kay Cee’s play was “Aaron Boggs Freshman”. “In the Next Room” was the play presented by the Dramatics Club. The Operetta “Captain Crossbones” was given by the combined Glee Clubs.

Several individual honors were won this year. Following Supt. Pearson’s project of the year, The Quiverian sponsored a contest to find the girl and boy in Wyandotte who possessed the best personality. Howard Dukes and Mary Lucille Bell were announced as the winners at the annual Quiverian Follies. Paul Harrington won the Jayhawker Contest, sponsored by the annual of the University of Kansas, and was elected Honorary Basketball Captain. Ruth Kendall, editor-in-chief of The Pantograph, won first place in the United States, in a news writing group contest in October, sponsored by Quill and Scroll, which has its headquarters at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. Rex Chapman, Associate Editor, won second place in editorial writing in the south central states, in a similar group contest in February, and also won second place in the Quill and Scroll National Essay Contest with his essay “Which Sport is King”? This contest was open to all members of the Quill and Scroll. Margaret Hanson, student of Miss Helen Martin in English, won second prize, $50, in a national essay contest on “Why the Flag should be Displayed on Thanksgiving Day”, observance of Thanksgiving. Ruby Caragill, a junior in Mr. H. Lee Kammeyer’s class, won honorable mention. The winners of the Northeast League Music contest were Wanda McKnight, first place in piano Bernese Miller, first in voice; Dorothy Henry, second in violin; Neil DeVault, first in clarinet.

For the first time since those halcyon days of 1923, Wyandotte High School possessed a state championship basketball team. Those boys who battled for the Crimson and White colors this season and that tenacious coach, Percy Parks, are heroes, the like of which have not existed at Wyandotte High School since 1923 when the Bulldogs not only won the state but went to the national title. There will be no national championship for Wyandotte, although we are pretty sure they could turn the trick, for the Kansas State High School Athletic Association had forbidden Kansas teams to enter. For the season, the team scored 737 points to the opponents 395. In the tournament only, Wyandotte scored 228 points to the opponents 96 points.


1930-31 The year 1930 brought 379 seniors to the photo shop to

have their photographs taken for the annual and the spring had the honor of graduating the largest class ever graduated from Wyandotte up to this time.

The opening day of school in the fall of 1930 brought back 2000 students to Wyandotte out of a total enrollment of 2250 the spring before. This showed an increase of 160 over the record of the first day, one year previous. Because of the rapidly growing attendance it was necessary to install three portable rooms, west of the school, and acquire the use of Jayhawk Hall, on the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Minnesota avenue, for the band and orchestra.

Many students were graduating from high schools and even colleges without having the least idea of what vocation they desired to follow. A new course of study in vocations was introduced this year to aid the students in choosing their life work. This course was taken only by sophomores with their gym course. The half year of constitution which was previously compulsory in the senior year will be required of juniors beginning with the next school year in the fall of 1931. Over half of the juniors each year had been taking constitution so there was not the entire upper class taking the subject. The change was made in these classes because the majority of students would only choose one of the gymnasium alternates because they needed something to fill in that time. Those taking gymnasium now will have their complete half year course, every day for one semester instead of every other day for the entire year. This policy was especially approved by the faculty committee because of the inconvenience of the alternate classes. In addition to the other improvements in the school day curriculum, fifteen minutes has been added to home room study period this year, making this period one hour long. This addition was made in the belief that the hour would be of great value to students needing the use of reference books in the library.

Ten new teachers were added in the fall of 1930 to make a total of sixty-five classroom instructors in the school. The teachers added to the staff were Miss Flora Linn, Mr. Everett Varner, Miss Eleen Baird, Guy Salyer, Marion Divelbliss, Miss Elizabeth Patton, Edwin A. Hosking, Merle Henre, Miss Norma Hock, and Charles Packard, ’29.

All through the hot summer days of 1930 the members of the Parent-Teacher Association were pacing the burning sidewalks of the business districts of Kansas City, Kansas in an effort to collect $1,678 in subscriptions, in cash or pledges, in order to install flood lights for the new stadium. This amount covered one one-half of the total cost of the equipment and installation. Ten ninety-foot poles, five on each side of the field, were put in place. At the top of each pole there were placed a large reflector. The wiring was installed underground.

The article at your left was published in The Pantograph in the fall of 1930 describing the stadium lights.


Because the personality project sponsored by Supt. M. E. Pearson in 1929-31 was handled so successfully, emotions was chosen as the yearly project for the all-city study throughout this school year. The aim was to seek to discover for themselves how the emotional life of the individual or the group is related to the mental and intellectual achievements. A great deal of study was given to understand the significance in education of the intellectual quotient, familiarly known as the “IQ”. The project for the year of 1930-31 was to study the “EQ” or emotional quotient of the individual by the individual.

The activity period was not as successful as the administration would have liked to have it be. Instead of activity period, a home room study period was introduced as an experiment. This time is used for studying, attending assemblies and club meeting, and in using the library. The period which was only forty-five minutes long, and allows more time for assemblies and club meetings. This year arrangements have been made for certain home rooms to have laboratory work in special subjects. The following teachers had such home rooms: Miss Inez McKinnon, second year shorthand; Edwin A. Hosking, orchestra; Miss Eleanor Baptist, journalism; J. I. Wolfe, woodworking; Paul Phelps, printing; and Guy House, aviation.

An epidemic of infantile paralysis began to sweep the United States and soon became apparent in Kansas City. On September 29, 1930 all grades, junior, and senior high schools were quarantined for a period of two weeks by Dr. S. D. Henre. Upon the reopening of school, work was resumed omitting as many of the details of the course of study as possible but the work which lost during the two weeks was included in the second six weeks work.

Creative work was incouraged in the extra-curricular and curriculum activities of the school year of 1930-31. A committee was appointed to promote the creative project. The first clipping on the following page is a report of the committee found in The Pantograph in Issue No. 10.

The second clipping shows the progress of creative work in one month and was taken from The Pantograph, January 16.

The interest in creative work spurred many young poets into organizing a Poetry Club for the interpretative reading of poetry and for the study of the writing of poetry. The first meeting was held February 25 under the sponsorship of Miss Nina Howe. At each of the meetings some great works of a well known author are read and studied.

Twenty-three extra-curricular clubs were actively working during the school year of 1930-31. Their purpose is shown in the third article taken from The Pantograph, March 27.

Many contests were entered by the students in 1930-31. Some were contests which individuals entered and others were contests which the classes or publications were entered in during the course of this year. This summary of the honors won in both types of contests was given in the last issue of the 1930-31 Pantograph.


A need for a new school song for formal occasions was becoming apparent. “Crimson and

White” the long lived pep song seemed to fulfill the need for a means to stir enthusiasm for a baseball or basketball game or any other type of athletics, but it did not have the solemn sincere tone for formal occasions such as graduation. Prin. J. F. Wellemeyer surprised the student body one morning with “The Glory of Wyandotte” to the tune of “The Bells of St. Mary’s”. This new some was exactly what was needed and gained such popularity that it threatened the throne of the long favored “Crimson and White” which had cheered so many teams on to victory.

The basketball team was not as successful as might have been expected after last year’s team

winning the state championship. The winnings totaled the unlucky number of 13 while the sad ending struggles tallied eight. Football season started out with an I’ll win two then you win two then I’ll win one then you win one then I’ll win another and you another one and the last game I’ll take with an overwhelming score of 40 to 0 from Olathe. The track team was extremely successful this year having won the Kansas state championship and have left to compete in the nation high school track meet. The team, Clinton Shiffer, Joseph Jenkins, Clifford Gaunce, Ervin Vickers, Everett Allison and Carl Tenhagen, were sponsored by the Lions Club in Kansas City, Kansas on its trip to Chicago. Allison, captain of the team, is entering the 220-yard low hurdles, ½ mile and 1-mile relays. Shiffer is to run in the ½ mile relay. Jenkins will enter the ½ mile and 1-mile relays. Gaunce is running in the 1-mile relay. Vickers will enter the 100-yard dash and ½ mile relay. Tenhagen will compete in the open 440-yard dash and the 1-mile relay.

When the final senior list was made out for the graduates it was discovered that the class of

1931 was the first class to reach the 400 mark in the history of Wyandotte High School. On May 22, when the entire class of 475 was assembled on the stage in the Memorial building, Prin. J. F.

A History of Wyandotte High School Chapter 5, Written 1931-32 Ferne Vesecky, Editor of the Wyandotte Pantograph Pg. 20 Copyright USD 500, 2004 Wellemeyer made the startling statement that the present class had only three more girls than boys, the first class to be graduated from the school which is now Wyandotte High School contained eleven girls and no boys. Only three years in the history of Wyandotte the boys totaled higher than the girls, those times being 1926 when there was 169 boys and 128 girls; 1927 having 173 boys and 172 girls; and 1930 when there were 190 boys and 189 girls. Two times before in 1891 and 1894 the boys totaled five and the girls eight.

Wyandotte High School is again becoming restless after 45 years of service to Kansas City,

Kansas. A grand total of 6,323 graduates is the boast of Wyandotte High School, besides being the oldest and largest high school in Kansas City and the best in the west. From an enrollment of 30 pupils in the first year of 1886-87, Wyandotte has grown to an enrollment of 2330 for 1931-32. From a faculty of two, the principal and his assistant, it has grown to 65 classroom instructors who have been guided by ten principals and five superintendents. The present superintendent, M. E. Pearson, served the longest period of any superintendent, having served in office for 27 years. Starting in six rooms of a grade school building in 1886, it has grown so large that the present building of 73 classrooms has proven inadequate.


As we turn this page of the history of Wyandotte high School, we find the next blank for the

future cannot be put down as facts. It can only be anticipated. Soon these blank pages will tell the story of a magnificent, modern million dollar school building standing adjacent to the lonesome stadium on the beautiful green site. No street cars, no traffic, no noise, no crowded conditions, and alas, a real campus. One with trees, green grass, and flowers. These are the things Wyandotte has dreamed of over and over again. Their dreams will soon come true for Wyandotte’s godmother, the board of education, has promised to wave her wand for the new one million dollar high school building in 1835.

See the following pages for information on the 1934 fire and Wyandotte High School in 2004.


[Annotation] In 1934, disaster struck. Wyandotte High School was destroyed by fire. The new Wyandotte

would be built – but at a sacrifice by history. Buildings, records, equipment, history go up in flames. However – Wyandotte survives in her students who continue on in the building that opened in 1937 at 2501 Minnesota Avenue. Wyandotte High School continues to send graduates into our community in 2004. “The Glory of Wyandotte”!!!


Wyandotte High School – 2004

http://www.kckps.org/disthistory/openbuildings/wyandotte.html

ferne vesecky, editor of the wyandotte pantograph pg. 1 ... · pdf fileferne vesecky, editor...

Documents