1924-1925

= = =1924-1925= Jenny Baker and Alyssa Ferry

Administration
Board of Education: George Niess was the President, D.O. Thomas, Phillip Gass, R. Wiechert, J. Heinemann, F. Merrills, C. Lenz, F. Fleischbem Language Department: Marguerite Skaar, Jessie Gay Miller, and Ludwig L. Carl Commerical Department: Hallie Eubanks, Hortense Emunds, John C. Beck, Paul Meier, Alfred Lippold, and Leona Seibert Domestic Department: Mabel Muchmore, Ruth Anderson Physical Education Department: Edgar Gunderson Department of Vocations: Harry Brill, L.F. Lentz, Russel Denny, and A.A. Bohannon Department of History and Social Sciences: Jennie McElwain, Florence Miller, and Dorothy Gower English Department: Orena Farmer, Dorothy Eckert, Gladys Grigg, Frances Jamieson, Anna Pessel, and Anne Gill Mathemathic and Science Departments: WM. Campbell, John Karch, Oliver Cross, ED. Hexter, Christine Fisher, and F.J. Friedli Music Department: Ludwig Carl and Raymond Rapp Principal: Henry Galen Schmidt The following are the academic departments listed in the 1924-1925 Bellevinois: Science Department: Physics was only open to seniors to take. Belleville West also offered biology, botany, and zoology. Chemistry was very popular and Belleville West was equipped with a modern laboratory. Modern Languages: Freshman could take Latin and French and Juniors and Seniors were allowed to take Spanish and Latin. Latin was a four year course, while Spanish and French were two year courses. The head of the department was Marguerite Skaar. Department of History and Social Sciences: This department offered Ancient, Medieval, Modern and American History; Civics, Economics, and Sociology. The courses were not open to freshman. To graduate, the students need a year of American History and a half year of Civics. Mathematics Department: Higher levels of math were added to this department because of higher education demands. Latin Department: The department offered four years to the students of Belleville West. Learning Latin was thought to be the best way to learn about a classical civilization. Music Department: The music department was the most popular department has chorus, orchestra, and band. The course of music was divided into two classes; the practical and scientific. The department held a recital at the end of each semester. Art Department: The art department took place in four rooms in Belleville West. The department offered a design course. For the other half of the semester the students would sew. Vocational Department: The department focused on providing practical experience to students. The night school at Belleville West benefitted from the vocational department greatly. English Department: The department combines the study of rhetoric and public speaking. In Literature the students read great classics and individual readings. To graduate students need four courses of English. Home Economics Department: The sewing department obtained a laboratory, a pressing room, and a fitting room. In the cooking department, there was a equipped laboratory, laundry room, and a four-room apartment. In the cooking department the students planned meals and served actual meals. Two-year courses were offered in cooking and sewing. The home-making course was in charge of the apartment, where the students learned house planning, caring for the sick, cooking, and wise buying. Physical Training Department: During this time, Physical Education was a very important objective. The gym was well equipped, and designed to help with the development of students.

Faculty Statistics
Language Teachers: 3 Commercial Teachers: 6 Domestic Techers: 2 Physical Education Teachers: 1 Vocation Teachers: 4 Social Science Teachers: 3 English Teachers: 6 Mathematics Teachers: 3 Science Teachers: 3 Music Teachers: 2

=Athletics=

|| This is an action shoot from a football game in 1924.
 * [[image:abe.jpg]] ||
 * Football: The football team was coached by Coach Beck and headed by Captain Harold Peters. There were 23 team members. The football team won four of its nine games.

Basketball: The captain of the team was Harold Kaeser. The team was coached by Coach Friedli. The basketball team participated in 16 games and won seven of them. Track: Track was coached by Coach Gunderson. During this time, the school was noted for its relay teams. Seventeen members made up the track team. =Activities= Bellevinois: The yearbook staff. The editor in chief was Jeanette Winkler and the business manager was Carl Feickert. Girl’s Glee Club: This club started in 1923 and consisted of sixteen girls. The club was asked to sing at public locations and danced at the school. Thalian Dramatic Club: This club helped gain an interest in dramatics. Three short plays that were performed by this club were The Florist Shop, The Ghost Story, and The Man Upstairs. Spanish Club: The president of the Spanish Club was Dale Carroll. The membership was limited to students who had or were taking Spanish. Philomathian Club: This club first organized in 1917 for freshman and sophomore girls. The purpose of this club was to study English. Science Club: The Science Club was organized in 1923. The Science Club was one of the leading clubs, and accomplished many school benefits. The Science Club was also responsible for broadcasting scores of the games. BTHS Band: The band was first organized in 1923. The band played at several basketball games and helped raise the spirit of the people at the games. There were about 15 people in the band. The band was still in its infancy. Home Economics Club: The purpose of the Home Economics Club was to converse about domestic problems in the homes of that day. The club also established a further bond of interest in home-making which was the biggest job of an American girl. Commercial Club: This club only allowed students who were studying the commercial courses. The purpose of the club was to give its members insights into the work of the commercialism. Latin Club: The Latin Club had 39 members. In this club, people of the old empire are studied and it helped give students a better understanding of the language. Agriculture Club: The Agriculture Club helped its members make their goods more profitable. This club held many projects and had poultry shows. Craftsman’s Club: The Craftsman’s Club was established in 1917, and since on was one of the most active clubs Belleville West had ever seen so far. The purpose of the club was to help its members stay in touch with the latest event of the industrial world, promote vocational and industrial activities, and to supply social activities, literary programs, and support the athletic games. BTHS Orchestra: The orchestra participated in the music festival, general assemblies, and school activities. The orchestra had a recital at the end of each semester. Current History Club: In this club, every member took on a role of a prominent person and at each meeting would relate something to their character. The Current History Club helped students stay better informed with the current events. Letterman’s Club: This club was for athletes who have obtained a “B” from a sport. This club was made in order to enforce good sportsmanship. It originated in 1922. The sponsor was Coach F.J. Friedli.
 * [[image:baseball_team.jpg caption="Baseball Team"]] ||
 * Baseball: The captain of the baseball team was Paul Wagner. Overall, there were 14 players on the team. The baseball team played nine games in their season. ||

Demographics
This is a page from the 1924-1925 yearbook. It is the first page introducing the seniors and also has the Senior Class Officers, class colors, and class flower.

Seniors: 87 Juniors: 88 Sophomores: 200 Freshman: 381 School size: 756 .5% African American 99.5% Caucasian Boy-Girl Ratio: 486-270 =Awards= School Queen was elected by popular vote as we have Prom Queen now. School Queen: Mary Ann Eidman Junior Maid: Lenore Schofield Sophomore Maid: Alice Beck Freshman Maid: Jeanette Williams =Major Events= November 5: Senior tree-planting January 19th: Finals March 5th: First day of the basketball tournament. Belleville West beat O’Fallon. March 7th: Belleville West won the tournament.
 * [[image:school1925.jpg caption="West"]] ||
 * This is the front of Belleville West High School in 1925. This is the main building. ||