Additional information requested from a 1950 annual staff member: Sometime in 1949 a group of 1950 class members discussed the fact that the school had not had an annual since 1945 and that we would not be able to record our graduation. Joyce Tomlinson and Lane Rice [maybe others] went to Supt. W. Dean McKee to beg him to let the class of 1950 produce a 1950 annual. He was very reluctant because he was afraid that the school would be stuck with the bill if it didn't sell. A figure of $150 comes to mind. [Of course, that was over 50 years ago]. Finally, he relented. So a meeting was called to vote on the staff. Lane Rice was elected editor. Lane remembers going up the main street with Carol Atwood to sell adds for the annual. He also remembers working on the layout. The staff selected the lowest cost company to produce the annual. It did not have a hard cover. Other class members were involved in preparing and completion of the annual.
May 18, 1950 Editorial - This is the last Collins School Optic to be produced by the staff of 1949-50. It would be impossible to end this year of the Optic without showing our great appreciation to Mrs. Shatwell, our helpful sponsor. She worked hard with us in checking over articles and offering helpful suggestions. Mr. Armstrong "Army," our printer has been a real friend. Sometimes our news was taken down late, but he never complained. People like that are real moral builders! Jackie Keagle, Editor.
Junior-Senior Banquet - Last Friday night was the big event of the year for the juniors and seniors; it was the Junior-Senior Banquetheld in the Colony Room of the Commodore Hotel in Des Moines. The theme of the banquet was "Oriental Gardens." The program consisted of music and speeches. Lola Oswalt, Carolyn Stratton and Phyllis Baker sang "On a Slow Boat to China," and was followed by a piano duet "Chopsticks" by Lola Oswalt and Norma Keagle. Bonnie Long, president of the junior class presentation honored the seniors of 1950. Barbara Kimberley, vice pres. of the junior class gave a delightful speech placing the seniors in with the Chinese customs. Joyce Tomlinson, President of the senior class honored the juniors.
Voc Ag - This year the boys' agriculture department has been quite active. Many of our projects have been to help the school. We are also very proud of the F. F. A., which gave the biggest high school dance of the year, the F. F. A. coronation ball. I have enjoyed being reporter for this department - Bob McBride.