The Bronco, Yearbook of Hardin-Simmons University, 1935 Page: 42
[215] p. : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.View a full description of this yearbook.
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History of the Class of '35
ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1931, about 250 care-free and playful freshmen came to take their places in
Hardin-Simmons University's one big happy family. Chapel was the first means by which all
the freshmen were assembled into one group. The first morning was the quietest of the whole year;
because true to tradition and custom, these youthful members soon learned, that although they occupied
a lowly station in the family group, it was their duty to keep the campus and chapel overflowing
with pep and enthusiasm at all times.
Tom McCurdy was selected president; Frank Junell, vice-president; Virginia Littlepage, secretary;
Edelweiss Jenkens, treasurer; and N. J. Westmoreland, chaplain. Otho Polk and Irma Campbell
were chosen as a partial check on too much enthusiasm. Having successfully launched their campaign,
the class of '35 started out to really do big things. One of the many big things done was to
have a freshman picnic at Lake Kirby one Saturday night, without the sophomores interfering.
This class built the last and largest bonfire ever seen on this campus. For the first time in 17
years and for the last time this class kidnapped the senior prexy and three other class officers and
kept them from attending the senior day activities. Although just freshmen, Douglas Fairbanks,
Jr., chose three out of our class, of the five nominees of the school in the annual Brand contest as
the most beautiful girls; namely Mildred Richeson, Jewell Wofford, and Edelweiss Jenkens.
After emerging out of the lowly, slimey waters of the rank known as freshmen, this class made
one of the best sophomore classes that had been on the campus in several years. Leadership honors
went to Frank Junell, president; Moxley Featherston, vice-president; Jewell Wofford, secretary;
Walter Kerr, treasurer; Glynn Floyd, reporter; and N. J. Westmoreland, chaplain. Realizing that
the freshman sponsors were good selections, the class again chose Otho Polk, and Miss Irma Campbell
with W. C. Beard, added. The class favorite was Daphine Green McCollum. Harry Womack and
Ivan Flynn were elected by the student body to be two of the three yell leaders. As sophomores
this class was the last to uphold the tradition of taking the seniors on an annual picnic.
By the fall of '33 the original number had decreased considerably, but enough to "carry on" in
true '35 style. Undaunted, this small class of Juniors continued to work in harmony toward a goal
of "finishing everything they started." This year's work was launched by the election of Ivan
Flynn, president; Walter Kerr, vice-president; Irene McCreary, secretary; Dan Tarpley, treasurer;
Mildred Richeson, reporter; and N. J. Westmoreland, Chaplain. Again Otho Polk was chosen sponsor
with Miss Glenna Faye Grant, and Mr. and Mrs. Ribble as co-workers. Irene McCreary was
named class favorite. The Juniors won first honors in the annual Brand contest. Dan Tarpley was
editor, and Lloyd Parmelly was business manager. With Ivan Flynn as toastmaster, this group entertained
the seniors with a "Gold Standard" banquet at the Wooten Hotel. The theme of the dollar
was carried throughout the menu and program. An eleven piece orchestra furnished music throughout
the evening of joy and merriment.
The fall of '34 brought this older but wiser group of once carefree young freshmen back to their
final place of dignity in the one big happy family of Hardin-Simmons. In this last year of harmonious
work, the class found its greatest achievements,
J. L. Desmond was elected senior president; Lloyd Parmelly, vice-president; Mary Balch, secretary;
William Earl Ragsdale, treasurer; Myrtle Eugenia Haggard, reporter; and Frank Burress,
chaplain. For the fourth year, Otho Polk was elected a sponsor of the Senior class. Still true to
tradition this group also selected for the twentieth year, Mr. and Mrs. Burnam as sponsors.
The Senior class of 1935 has climaxed its career in Hardin-Simmons their last year by taking
over wide control of school management. One of its original members, Frank Junell, is Journalism
professor, Moxley Featherston, student prexy; N. J. Westmoreland, vice-president of the student body;
Rosa Crockett, student secretary; Mildred Richeson, University Queen; William Earl Ragsdale,
Range Foreman; Dan Tarpley, editor of the Brand; Bill Ramsey, business manager; Ivan Flynn,
editor of the Bronco; Doc Phipps, business manager; Ollie Lena Olsen, cowgirl president; and Tom
Provence, head yell leader.
For four years the class of '35 has kept its reputation for beauty. One of this group has been
summer queen for the last three years. In 1932 it was Mildred Richeson; in 1933 it was Bernice
Hart McClure; and in 1934 it was Rosa Crockett.
Only 20 of the original band that started out in '31 are finishing together. New ones were
added each year until the ranks of the graduation class numbered more than ninety.
The class of 1935 broke its first tradition and made its last tradition, by being the first class to
graduate officially from Hardin-Simmons University. It entered four years ago with the aim to do
its part in every way-it leaves Hardin-Simmons with the hope that it has accomplished that aim.
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Hardin-Simmons University. The Bronco, Yearbook of Hardin-Simmons University, 1935, yearbook, 1935; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38631/m1/46/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.